Sermon and Worship Resources

2 Kings 4:42-44

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... on your behalf?: Elisha offers the woman unspecified benefits, through his patronage, from the king or the commander of the army—two of the most powerful people in the land. She has no need of their help, since she is living among her own kinsfolk and has their support and protection. This will not always be the case (2 Kgs. 8:1–6). 4:23 It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath: The implication is that it was customary to consult prophets on rest days (cf. Amos 8:5). A further implication is that the ...

3577. Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans

2 Kings 6:8-23

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... Notes 6:9 The man of God sent word: Are we meant to think that since Elisha offers Jehoram his help and the king adopts a respectful attitude in v. 21, something has altered in the king-prophet relationship since 2 Kgs. 3? The evidence does not support such an interpretation. Jehoram is quite prepared throughout his story to treat prophets properly when things are going well (as here). He is not quite so ready to do so when things are going badly (cf. 2 Kgs. 6:24–33). There is no evidence, on the ...

3578. Jeroboam II King of Israel

2 Kings 14:23-29

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... stage at least, returned to Jerusalem. He was bound to be unpopular there, given the consequences for the city of his military folly. 14:22 He was the one . . . : For a recent discussion of Israel-Judah relations during the reigns of Azariah and Jeroboam that lends support to aspects of my reading of 14:15–22, see N. Na’aman, “Azariah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel,” VT 43 (1993), pp. 227–34. 14:25 From Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah: If the Hb. leḇôʾ ḥamāṯ is indeed intended ...

3579. Azariah King of Judah

2 Kings 15:1-7

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... stage at least, returned to Jerusalem. He was bound to be unpopular there, given the consequences for the city of his military folly. 14:22 He was the one . . . : For a recent discussion of Israel-Judah relations during the reigns of Azariah and Jeroboam that lends support to aspects of my reading of 14:15–22, see N. Na’aman, “Azariah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel,” VT 43 (1993), pp. 227–34. 14:25 From Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah: If the Hb. leḇôʾ ḥamāṯ is indeed intended ...

3580. Shallum King of Israel

2 Kings 15:13-16

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... rather than an enemy, particularly in view of the apparently unstable internal situation in Israel (he needed to strengthen his own hold on the kingdom, v. 19). He pays, therefore, to turn an enemy into a friend, just as Asa had once bought Ben-Hadad’s support against his enemy Baasha (1 Kgs. 15:16–20). No details are given about the deal that leads to Pul’s departure. It is an ominous development, however, for it is the king of Assyria who will eventually attack Samaria and take the Israelites into ...

3581. Menahem King of Israel

2 Kings 15:17-22

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... rather than an enemy, particularly in view of the apparently unstable internal situation in Israel (he needed to strengthen his own hold on the kingdom, v. 19). He pays, therefore, to turn an enemy into a friend, just as Asa had once bought Ben-Hadad’s support against his enemy Baasha (1 Kgs. 15:16–20). No details are given about the deal that leads to Pul’s departure. It is an ominous development, however, for it is the king of Assyria who will eventually attack Samaria and take the Israelites into ...

3582. Pekahiah King of Israel

2 Kings 15:23-26

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... rather than an enemy, particularly in view of the apparently unstable internal situation in Israel (he needed to strengthen his own hold on the kingdom, v. 19). He pays, therefore, to turn an enemy into a friend, just as Asa had once bought Ben-Hadad’s support against his enemy Baasha (1 Kgs. 15:16–20). No details are given about the deal that leads to Pul’s departure. It is an ominous development, however, for it is the king of Assyria who will eventually attack Samaria and take the Israelites into ...

3583. Pekah King of Israel

2 Kings 15:27-31

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... rather than an enemy, particularly in view of the apparently unstable internal situation in Israel (he needed to strengthen his own hold on the kingdom, v. 19). He pays, therefore, to turn an enemy into a friend, just as Asa had once bought Ben-Hadad’s support against his enemy Baasha (1 Kgs. 15:16–20). No details are given about the deal that leads to Pul’s departure. It is an ominous development, however, for it is the king of Assyria who will eventually attack Samaria and take the Israelites into ...

3584. Jerusalem's Deliverance Foretold

2 Kings 19:1-13

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... and in vv. 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, where the NIV translates it as “basing confidence” and “depending”). Does Hezekiah depend on human help from Egypt, as Hoshea did (2 Kgs. 17:4)? Pharaoh is only the splintered reed of a staff, unable to offer genuine support (v. 21). There is no evidence in Kings, of course, that Hezekiah does look to Egypt, but the Assyrian is covering all the possibilities. His next assault is right on the mark. Do Hezekiah and his officials depend on the LORD? Well then, what of the ...

3585. Hezekiah's Prayer

2 Kings 19:14-19

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... and in vv. 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, where the NIV translates it as “basing confidence” and “depending”). Does Hezekiah depend on human help from Egypt, as Hoshea did (2 Kgs. 17:4)? Pharaoh is only the splintered reed of a staff, unable to offer genuine support (v. 21). There is no evidence in Kings, of course, that Hezekiah does look to Egypt, but the Assyrian is covering all the possibilities. His next assault is right on the mark. Do Hezekiah and his officials depend on the LORD? Well then, what of the ...

3586. Isaiah Prophesies Sennacherib’s Fall

2 Kings 19:20-37

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... and in vv. 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, where the NIV translates it as “basing confidence” and “depending”). Does Hezekiah depend on human help from Egypt, as Hoshea did (2 Kgs. 17:4)? Pharaoh is only the splintered reed of a staff, unable to offer genuine support (v. 21). There is no evidence in Kings, of course, that Hezekiah does look to Egypt, but the Assyrian is covering all the possibilities. His next assault is right on the mark. Do Hezekiah and his officials depend on the LORD? Well then, what of the ...

3587. Jehoiakim King of Judah

2 Kings 23:36--24:7

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... we hear of Babylon, the ultimate agent of divine judgment on Judah (cf. 2 Kgs. 20:12ff.). “Off-stage” it is the king of Babylon who has been taking the Assyrian empire apart (cf. the book of Nahum for a graphic treatment of its fall), in spite of Egyptian support (23:29). Now he comes at the head of the army sent by the LORD to destroy Judah . . . because of the sins of Manasseh (24:2–4; cf. 17:20; Dan. 1:1–2). He subdues Egypt and comes into possession of the whole Solomonic empire, from the Wadi ...

3588. Jehoiachin King of Judah

2 Kings 24:8-17

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... we hear of Babylon, the ultimate agent of divine judgment on Judah (cf. 2 Kgs. 20:12ff.). “Off-stage” it is the king of Babylon who has been taking the Assyrian empire apart (cf. the book of Nahum for a graphic treatment of its fall), in spite of Egyptian support (23:29). Now he comes at the head of the army sent by the LORD to destroy Judah . . . because of the sins of Manasseh (24:2–4; cf. 17:20; Dan. 1:1–2). He subdues Egypt and comes into possession of the whole Solomonic empire, from the Wadi ...

3589. Zedekiah King of Judah

2 Kings 24:18-20a

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... we hear of Babylon, the ultimate agent of divine judgment on Judah (cf. 2 Kgs. 20:12ff.). “Off-stage” it is the king of Babylon who has been taking the Assyrian empire apart (cf. the book of Nahum for a graphic treatment of its fall), in spite of Egyptian support (23:29). Now he comes at the head of the army sent by the LORD to destroy Judah . . . because of the sins of Manasseh (24:2–4; cf. 17:20; Dan. 1:1–2). He subdues Egypt and comes into possession of the whole Solomonic empire, from the Wadi ...

3590. The Fall of Jerusalem

2 Kings 24:20b--25:26

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... we hear of Babylon, the ultimate agent of divine judgment on Judah (cf. 2 Kgs. 20:12ff.). “Off-stage” it is the king of Babylon who has been taking the Assyrian empire apart (cf. the book of Nahum for a graphic treatment of its fall), in spite of Egyptian support (23:29). Now he comes at the head of the army sent by the LORD to destroy Judah . . . because of the sins of Manasseh (24:2–4; cf. 17:20; Dan. 1:1–2). He subdues Egypt and comes into possession of the whole Solomonic empire, from the Wadi ...

3591. Descendants of Hagar

1 Chronicles 1:29-31

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... be transgressed on occasion, with divine blessing, and resulting in divine blessing” (A. Labahn and E. Ben Zvi, “Observations on Women in the Genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1–9,” Bib 84 [2003], pp. 457–78, at p. 478). This interpretation would support the observation that the Chronicler took an inclusivist stance. However, Labahn and Ben Zvi fail to give a satisfying explanation for why the Chronicler omitted Sarah and Hagar. 1:32 Labahn and Ben Zvi interpret the Chronicler’s inclusion of the ...

3592. Descendants of Keturah

1 Chronicles 1:32-33

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... be transgressed on occasion, with divine blessing, and resulting in divine blessing” (A. Labahn and E. Ben Zvi, “Observations on Women in the Genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1–9,” Bib 84 [2003], pp. 457–78, at p. 478). This interpretation would support the observation that the Chronicler took an inclusivist stance. However, Labahn and Ben Zvi fail to give a satisfying explanation for why the Chronicler omitted Sarah and Hagar. 1:32 Labahn and Ben Zvi interpret the Chronicler’s inclusion of the ...

3593. From Ram Son of Hezron

1 Chronicles 2:10-17

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... was made after the example of Chronicles, or that they both incorporated a preexisting genealogy. A comparison with the genealogy in Ruth 4 also shows two interesting additions and a variant spelling for Salmon (Hebrew Salma, taken as Salmon by the NIV, with support from the Septuagint). Nahshon is described in 1 Chronicles 2:10 as the leader of the people of Judah. The Chronicler probably added the comment on account of Numbers 1:16, which lists Nahshon, the son of Amminadab (mentioned in Num. 1:7), among ...

3594. David's House and Family

1 Chronicles 14:1-7

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... these three themes: the ark of the covenant, the temple, and the Passover celebration. The Chronicler uses 2 Samuel 5:11–25 as the source text for this interlude without making great changes. The first two verses narrate how Hiram king of Tyre came to support David’s plan to build a palace, which is interpreted by David as confirmation of his kingship and his kingdom. First Chronicles 14:3–7 lists the names of more children who were born to David in Jerusalem. First Chronicles 14:8–16 describes the ...

3595. David Defeats the Philistines

1 Chronicles 14:8-17

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... these three themes: the ark of the covenant, the temple, and the Passover celebration. The Chronicler uses 2 Samuel 5:11–25 as the source text for this interlude without making great changes. The first two verses narrate how Hiram king of Tyre came to support David’s plan to build a palace, which is interpreted by David as confirmation of his kingship and his kingdom. First Chronicles 14:3–7 lists the names of more children who were born to David in Jerusalem. First Chronicles 14:8–16 describes the ...

3596. David's Officials

1 Chronicles 18:14-17

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the two versions is probably due to the Chronicler making use of another Hebrew text here.) David and his army won the battle decisively, so much so that the Arameans made peace with David and became subject to him. They even withdrew their support for the Ammonites. With the Arameans already subjugated and with the Ammonites now without their coalition partner, it would not take long for David to also achieve military success against the latter. The Chronicler follows his source text’s narrative line in ...

3597. The Battle Against the Ammonites

1 Chronicles 19:1-19

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the two versions is probably due to the Chronicler making use of another Hebrew text here.) David and his army won the battle decisively, so much so that the Arameans made peace with David and became subject to him. They even withdrew their support for the Ammonites. With the Arameans already subjugated and with the Ammonites now without their coalition partner, it would not take long for David to also achieve military success against the latter. The Chronicler follows his source text’s narrative line in ...

3598. The Capture of Rabbah

1 Chronicles 20:1-3

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the two versions is probably due to the Chronicler making use of another Hebrew text here.) David and his army won the battle decisively, so much so that the Arameans made peace with David and became subject to him. They even withdrew their support for the Ammonites. With the Arameans already subjugated and with the Ammonites now without their coalition partner, it would not take long for David to also achieve military success against the latter. The Chronicler follows his source text’s narrative line in ...

3599. War with the Philistines

1 Chronicles 20:4-8

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the two versions is probably due to the Chronicler making use of another Hebrew text here.) David and his army won the battle decisively, so much so that the Arameans made peace with David and became subject to him. They even withdrew their support for the Ammonites. With the Arameans already subjugated and with the Ammonites now without their coalition partner, it would not take long for David to also achieve military success against the latter. The Chronicler follows his source text’s narrative line in ...

3600. David's Prayer

1 Chronicles 29:10-20

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... Solomon is described as sitting on the throne of the LORD as king. The Chronicler, differently from the writer of Kings, is clear that the actual king is Yahweh and that the earthly king is a custodian of Yahweh’s kingship. The new king received support from various leaders, and all Israel obeyed him. The section closes with the declaration that the LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and that the royal splendor he received was such as no king of Israel ever had before. Additional Notes ...