Come Follow Me 29: 2 Kings 17-25

Introduction

Josiah responded to faith to the book of the law. How about you?

Because of continuing iniquity the Ten Tribes of Israel were scattered.

There are two Kings that did good things in the Southern Kingdom. Hezekiah and his people showed faith in the Lord, who delivered Jerusalem in a miraculous way.

Later, after another period of apostasy, Josiah began to reign. Inspired in part by a rediscovery of the book of the law, Josiah brought reforms that revived the religious life of many of his people.

How can being aware of the law and remembering it help us to keep it?

How have the word of God and the power of faith made a difference in your life.

Like Israel and Judah, we all make both good and bad choices. And when we sense that reforms are needed in our lives, perhaps the examples of Hezekiah and Josiah can inspire us to “trust in the Lord our God” (2 Kings 18:22: But if ye say unto me, We trust in the Lord our God: is not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?).

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/17?lang=eng

Hoshea reigns in Israel and is subject to the Assyrians—The Israelites forsake the Lord, worship idols, serve Baal, and reject all that the Lord has given them—The ten tribes are carried away captive by the kings of Assyria—The land of Israel (Samaria) is repopulated by other people—Many forms of false worship are found among the Samaritans.

Vs 9 We cannot hide anything from the Lord. We cannot pretend to live the gospel.

Vs 13-16 The world is repeating this same dilemma. We need more laborers. Repentance must be taught and done.

Vs 34-39 Remember your covenants and serve the God of Israel. Don't be led away by false gods and damnable practices.

Personal Study: 2 Kings 18-19: Stay True to the Lord:

Chapter 18:

How would you have felt if you’d lived in Jerusalem at the time of Hezekiah? The Assyria Army had overtaken the surrounding lands and were approaching Jerusalem.

The Assyrians taunted the Jews: 2 Kings 18:28–37 and 19:10–13

How did Hezekiah respond? 2 Kings 19:1–7, 14–19

The Lord sustained Hezekiah: 2 Kings 19:35–37

When in your own life have you felt the Lord’s sustaining power?

What kind of man and leader was Hezekiah? 2 Kings 18:5–7

How can you remain faithful when you are faced with major challenges in your life? Determine now what you can do and implement a plan to be faithful come what may (and love it).

Chapter 19: All things are in the Lord’s hands.

Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, thought for sure he’d conquer Jerusalem. What did he not count on?

What was Isaiah’s message for this king and for us? 2 Kings 19:20–34

How great is our God? Helaman 12:4–23 Be Still and Know Doctrine and Covenants 101:16

Family Study 19:

What can we do to become more like Hezekiah in our faith and prayers? 2 Kings 19:14–19
Why is it important for us to have faith that the Lord can help us through every trial?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/18?lang=eng

Hezekiah reigns in righteousness in Judah—He destroys idolatry and breaks the brazen serpent made by Moses because the children of Israel burn incense to it—Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invades Judah—In a blasphemous speech, Rabshakeh asks Jerusalem to surrender to the Assyrians.

Somewhat cocky like Ammoniah.

Vs 3-7 Hezekiah was a righteous man and leader, and a good king.

Vs 11-12 Israel was taken captive because of their iniquity.

Vs 28ff The rest of the chapter is full of boasting that Assyria will take Jerusalem without any effort. Hezekiah says to answer them not a word.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/19?lang=eng

Hezekiah seeks counsel from Isaiah to save Jerusalem—Isaiah prophesies the defeat of the Assyrians and the death of Sennacherib—Hezekiah prays for deliverance—Sennacherib sends a blasphemous letter—Isaiah prophesies that the Assyrians will be destroyed and that a remnant of Judah will flourish—An angel slays 185,000 Assyrians—Sennacherib is slain by his sons.

Vs1-4 Hezekiah was humble and prayerful and sent to the Lord's prophet to know what to do.

Vs 6-7 Isaiah sends back reassuring words. The king of Assyria will be destroyed.

Vs 14-19 I love Hezekiah's prayers of petition and praise.

Vs 20-22 The Lord responds to Sennacherib through His prophet Isaiah. He tells that king that he has blasphemed not only His people, but Him. The things he promised to do to Judah will come to naught.

Vs 27-28 What a poignant rebuke to those who blaspheme God. He sees, hears, and knows, and if they don't repent, they are choosing death.

Vs 31-37 The Lord fought Judah's battle in the nighttime. 185,000 were smitten by the angel of death. The Assyrian king's own sons killed him.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/20?lang=eng

Hezekiah is told he will die and pleads with the Lord; his life is lengthened fifteen years—The shadow goes back ten degrees on the sundial of Ahaz—Isaiah prophesies the Babylonian captivity of Judah.

Vs 2 Is this the wall of the temple. Had the temple already been destroyed?

Vs 3-7 Hezekiah had great righteousness and faith. The Lord heard his plea and granted him another 15 years of life and success against Syria (at that time).

Vs 15-18 Do not cast your pearls before swine, lest they turn again and rend you.

Personal Study: 2 Kings: 21-23: The scriptures can turn my heart to the Lord.

Judah fell away from the Lord during King Mannaseh’s reign. 2 Kings 21
King Josiah helped Judah recommit themselves to the Lord. (see 2 Kings 22–23).

How can these chapters help you recommit yourself to walk with the Lord with all your heart and soul? “And all the people stood to the covenant.” 2 Kings 23:3

(Read Discovering the Scriptures for Ourselves sometime: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-spencer-w-kimball/chapter-6?lang=eng)

“President Kimball suggested that the story of King Josiah ‘is one of the finest stories in all of the scriptures.’”

Nothing more powerful than the word of God. Alma 31:5

Video: “Josiah and the Book of the Law”. Really awesome

Family Study:

The workers described in 2 Kings 22:3–7 were trusted with the money used to rebuild the temple “because they dealt faithfully”.

Can the Lord and others trust in you to do the right thing?

Josiah was willing and desirous to change when he read and understood the law. What can we learn from that? 2 Kings 22:8–11, 19; 23:1–3.

“And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” 2 Kings 23:25

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/21?lang=eng

Manasseh turns Judah to idolatry, even sacrificing a son to a heathen god—Prophets foretell the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem—Wickedness continues under Amon.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/22?lang=eng

Josiah reigns in righteousness in Judah—Hilkiah repairs the temple and finds the book of the law—Josiah sorrows because of the wickedness of his fathers—Huldah prophesies wrath upon the people but blessings upon Josiah.

Vs 1-2 Josiah was a very young and righteous king. He did not live very long.

Vs 3-7 Josiah had the temple repaired. Those that worked on the temple were trustworthy men.

Vs 8-11 Hilkiah found the Book of the Law when they were repaired the temple. Shaphan reported to Josiah the progress of the work on the temple and took him the Book of the Law, and read it to him. Josiah knew the people were living wrong. The word brought that to light. He rent his clothes and speedily repented.

Vs 15-17 The prophetess Hulda told of the destruction Judah faced for their idolatry. The word of the Lord for Josiah is that the Lord would deal well with him because of his repentance and he would not live long enough to see the destruction of his people.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/23?lang=eng

Josiah reads the book of the covenant to the people—They covenant to keep the commandments—Josiah overturns the worship of false gods, removes the sodomites, and puts down idolatry—Idolatrous priests are slain—Judah holds a solemn Passover—Egypt subjects the land of Judah.

Vs 1-4 King Benjamin followed the example of King Josiah.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/24?lang=eng

Jerusalem is besieged and taken by Nebuchadnezzar—Many of the people of Judah are carried captive into Babylon—Zedekiah becomes king in Jerusalem—He rebels against Babylon.

Vs 20 Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/25?lang=eng

Nebuchadnezzar again besieges Jerusalem—Zedekiah is captured, Jerusalem and the temple are destroyed, and most of the people of Judah are carried into Babylon—Gedaliah, left to govern the remnant, is slain—The remnant flee to Egypt—Jehoiachin is shown favor in Babylon.

Vs 7 One son of Zedekiah escaped, and he went with the peopel to the new world in Zarahemla. His name is Mulek.

Vs 12 The poor of Judah got to stay in Jerusalem and take care of the land. The meek shall inherit the earth.

Come Follow Me 29: 2 Kings 17-25

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-old-testament-2022/29?lang=eng