Sermon and Worship Resources

2 Kings 23:31-35

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The End of Judah: Josiah, like Ahab, humbled himself before the LORD, and judgment, as in Ahab’s case, did not fall during Josiah’s reign. The implication of the analogy is that we may expect it to fall during the reign of Josiah’s son (cf. 1 Kgs. 21:28–29). This is exactly what we find now, as the story of Kings comes to its end. It is not, however, the first of Josiah’s sons to sit on his throne (Jehoahaz) who experiences the full force of God’s wrath (cf. 1 Kgs. 22:51–2 Kgs. 1:18), or even the second, ...

527. Jehoiachin King of Judah

2 Kings 24:8-17

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The End of Judah: Josiah, like Ahab, humbled himself before the LORD, and judgment, as in Ahab’s case, did not fall during Josiah’s reign. The implication of the analogy is that we may expect it to fall during the reign of Josiah’s son (cf. 1 Kgs. 21:28–29). This is exactly what we find now, as the story of Kings comes to its end. It is not, however, the first of Josiah’s sons to sit on his throne (Jehoahaz) who experiences the full force of God’s wrath (cf. 1 Kgs. 22:51–2 Kgs. 1:18), or even the second, ...

528. Zedekiah King of Judah

2 Kings 24:18-20a

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The End of Judah: Josiah, like Ahab, humbled himself before the LORD, and judgment, as in Ahab’s case, did not fall during Josiah’s reign. The implication of the analogy is that we may expect it to fall during the reign of Josiah’s son (cf. 1 Kgs. 21:28–29). This is exactly what we find now, as the story of Kings comes to its end. It is not, however, the first of Josiah’s sons to sit on his throne (Jehoahaz) who experiences the full force of God’s wrath (cf. 1 Kgs. 22:51–2 Kgs. 1:18), or even the second, ...

529. The Fall of Jerusalem

2 Kings 24:20b--25:26

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The End of Judah: Josiah, like Ahab, humbled himself before the LORD, and judgment, as in Ahab’s case, did not fall during Josiah’s reign. The implication of the analogy is that we may expect it to fall during the reign of Josiah’s son (cf. 1 Kgs. 21:28–29). This is exactly what we find now, as the story of Kings comes to its end. It is not, however, the first of Josiah’s sons to sit on his throne (Jehoahaz) who experiences the full force of God’s wrath (cf. 1 Kgs. 22:51–2 Kgs. 1:18), or even the second, ...

530. Jehoiakim King of Judah

2 Kings 23:36--24:7

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The End of Judah: Josiah, like Ahab, humbled himself before the LORD, and judgment, as in Ahab’s case, did not fall during Josiah’s reign. The implication of the analogy is that we may expect it to fall during the reign of Josiah’s son (cf. 1 Kgs. 21:28–29). This is exactly what we find now, as the story of Kings comes to its end. It is not, however, the first of Josiah’s sons to sit on his throne (Jehoahaz) who experiences the full force of God’s wrath (cf. 1 Kgs. 22:51–2 Kgs. 1:18), or even the second, ...

531. Thanksgiving and Prayer

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

Address and Greeting 1:1–2 The wording resembles the first letter’s address (see comment there) except for the addition of “our” in the phrase, in God our Father. This clarifies that God is being presented, not as the Father of Jesus but as the Father of his people and, specifically, of the church of the Thessalonians. The greeting also parallels the first letter’s (again, see the comment there), but it is expanded by the addition of from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, which becomes Paul’s ...

532. Moab Revolts

2 Kings 3:1-27

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Elisha and the Conquest of Moab: Elijah has gone, and Elisha has been authenticated as his successor. We expect, on the analogy of Elijah’s own life (and because of God’s words in 1 Kgs. 19:15–18), that succession means involvement in politics, and this is what we now find as Elisha is consulted about a military campaign. Echoes of 1 Kings 22:1–28 are everywhere to be heard, especially in Jehoshaphat’s renewed alliance with the house of Ahab. We must listen to these words intently if we are to understand ...

533. Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King

1 Kings 1:1-27

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Solomon Becomes King: The narrative that begins our book (1 Kgs. 1–2) is really not a beginning at all, but the last chapter of the larger story of David, which is found in 1–2 Samuel. It is in 2 Samuel 11 that Bathsheba, who plays such a prominent role in 1 Kings 1–2, first appears—possessed by David at the cost of her husband’s life (2 Sam. 11:6–27). Later the lives of various of David’s sons are recounted (2 Sam. 12–18). The end of 2 Samuel is a sorry tale of wickedness and weakness, which raises a ...

534. David Makes Solomon King

1 Kings 1:28-53

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Solomon Becomes King: The narrative that begins our book (1 Kgs. 1–2) is really not a beginning at all, but the last chapter of the larger story of David, which is found in 1–2 Samuel. It is in 2 Samuel 11 that Bathsheba, who plays such a prominent role in 1 Kings 1–2, first appears—possessed by David at the cost of her husband’s life (2 Sam. 11:6–27). Later the lives of various of David’s sons are recounted (2 Sam. 12–18). The end of 2 Samuel is a sorry tale of wickedness and weakness, which raises a ...

535. Rebuilding the Altar

Ezra 3:1-6

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

Making a Start: Here the first of the two implementations of the divine mandate given through Cyrus is completed. A nucleus of the exiled people had come home in order to rebuild the temple. To this end they brought with them Gentile gifts and recovered vessels from the first temple (ch. 1) and then added gifts of their own (2:68–69). Now they were to take the first step of reestablishing the worship of the Jerusalem temple by restoring the sacrificial system on a reconstituted altar (3:1–6) and laying ...

536. The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1--5:13

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Purification Offering: We come now to a different kind of sacrifice. We are still in the Manual of Sacrifice, but the concluding verse of chapter 3 prepares the reader for a section on the breaking of prohibitions. Those sacrifices portrayed in chapters 1–3 are voluntary. Chapters 4 and 5 consider sin, or purification, offerings and guilt, or compensation, offerings. While chapters 1–3 place the sacrificial animal at the fore, chapters 4–5 focus on the type of sin that necessitates the sacrifice and on ...

537. Rebuilding the Temple

Ezra 3:7-13

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

Making a Start: Here the first of the two implementations of the divine mandate given through Cyrus is completed. A nucleus of the exiled people had come home in order to rebuild the temple. To this end they brought with them Gentile gifts and recovered vessels from the first temple (ch. 1) and then added gifts of their own (2:68–69). Now they were to take the first step of reestablishing the worship of the Jerusalem temple by restoring the sacrificial system on a reconstituted altar (3:1–6) and laying ...

538. Dinah and the Shechemites

Genesis 34:1-31

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

The Rape of Dinah: A number of years after Jacob settled in the vicinity of Shechem (33:17–20), a man named Shechem, the son of Hamor, rapes Dinah, Jacob’s daughter. The approaches of the two parties to resolving this offense reveal the deep conflict between two different ways of life: shepherds in conflict with urban dwellers and worshipers of one God in conflict with polytheists. Several acrid terms in the story convey the brothers’ outrage at Shechem’s act of passion against their sister: violated (’ ...

539. Amaziah King of Judah

2 Kings 14:1-22

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Amaziah, Jeroboam, and Azariah: Second Kings 13 has ended with the description of a modest upturn in Israel’s fortunes. The LORD has saved them, even in the midst of idolatry, because of both his covenant with the patriarchs (2 Kgs. 13:23) and—remembering the context in which the chapter is narrated—his promise to Jehu (2 Kgs. 10:30). The impetus of that recovery continues now into chapter 14, as the house of Jehu brings Israel relief, not only from Aram, but also from a foolishly hostile Judah. 14:1–6 The ...

540. Jeroboam II King of Israel

2 Kings 14:23-29

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Amaziah, Jeroboam, and Azariah: Second Kings 13 has ended with the description of a modest upturn in Israel’s fortunes. The LORD has saved them, even in the midst of idolatry, because of both his covenant with the patriarchs (2 Kgs. 13:23) and—remembering the context in which the chapter is narrated—his promise to Jehu (2 Kgs. 10:30). The impetus of that recovery continues now into chapter 14, as the house of Jehu brings Israel relief, not only from Aram, but also from a foolishly hostile Judah. 14:1–6 The ...

541. Azariah King of Judah

2 Kings 15:1-7

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Amaziah, Jeroboam, and Azariah: Second Kings 13 has ended with the description of a modest upturn in Israel’s fortunes. The LORD has saved them, even in the midst of idolatry, because of both his covenant with the patriarchs (2 Kgs. 13:23) and—remembering the context in which the chapter is narrated—his promise to Jehu (2 Kgs. 10:30). The impetus of that recovery continues now into chapter 14, as the house of Jehu brings Israel relief, not only from Aram, but also from a foolishly hostile Judah. 14:1–6 The ...

542. David Flees

2 Samuel 15:13-37

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Absalom’s Rebellion Begins: Within these chapters there is an interest in the concept of loyalty: loyalty moving from David to Absalom; the loyalty of Ittai, Zadok, and Abiathar to David; Ahithophel’s disloyalty and Hushai’s apparent disloyalty; Shimei’s loyalty to Saul and the ambiguity of Ziba’s position. Behind this is the conviction that although human loyalties may be unpredictable and unreliable, God’s loyalty can always be trusted. 15:13–23 Although David had had no suspicions concerning Absalom’s ...

543. David and Ziba

2 Samuel 16:1-4

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Absalom’s Rebellion Begins: Within these chapters there is an interest in the concept of loyalty: loyalty moving from David to Absalom; the loyalty of Ittai, Zadok, and Abiathar to David; Ahithophel’s disloyalty and Hushai’s apparent disloyalty; Shimei’s loyalty to Saul and the ambiguity of Ziba’s position. Behind this is the conviction that although human loyalties may be unpredictable and unreliable, God’s loyalty can always be trusted. 15:13–23 Although David had had no suspicions concerning Absalom’s ...

544. Shimei Curses David

2 Samuel 16:5-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Absalom’s Rebellion Begins: Within these chapters there is an interest in the concept of loyalty: loyalty moving from David to Absalom; the loyalty of Ittai, Zadok, and Abiathar to David; Ahithophel’s disloyalty and Hushai’s apparent disloyalty; Shimei’s loyalty to Saul and the ambiguity of Ziba’s position. Behind this is the conviction that although human loyalties may be unpredictable and unreliable, God’s loyalty can always be trusted. 15:13–23 Although David had had no suspicions concerning Absalom’s ...

545. Hagar and Ishmael

Genesis 16:1-16

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

The Birth of Ishmael: In this account Sarai gives Hagar to Abram (vv. 1–6); the angel of Yahweh instructs and blesses Hagar (vv. 7–12); and Hagar responds and gives birth to Ishmael (vv. 13–16). The setting alternates in the pattern of A:B:A′: Abram’s house (first and third scenes) and the desert (second scene). 16:1–2 Sarai, Abram’s principal wife, remained without children despite God’s reiterated promise of seed to Abram (ch. 15). Like most wives of prominent persons in ancient times, Sarai had a ...

546. Riches Are Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 5:8--6:12

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

The Human Dilemma (5:8-20): The segments in this section are connected by the theme of the human individual, both in isolation and in relationships within social, familial, and religious systems. A concern with labor and material prosperity connects this section with the rest of the book. The development of thought is difficult to follow, though, and interpreters disagree not only about the logic of the argument but even about the claims that Qohelet is making. Acknowledging these difficulties, the reader ...

547. Ahaz King of Judah

2 Chronicles 28:1-27

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

Ahaz: If the previous narrative about Jotham had created some hope for the reader of Chronicles that the kingship of Judah would survive, the present narrative about Ahaz (ca. 743/742–727/726 B.C.) would destroy that hope again! It marks one of the most negative portrayals of a king in Chronicles. Whereas many of the previous royal narratives (e.g., Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, and Uzziah) reflected some ambiguity about the virtues and vices of the kings, the present narrative provides a wholly ...

548. Korah, Dathan and Abiram

Numbers 16:1-50

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

More Rebellions: While chapter 15 provides a brief respite from the narratives of rebellion in the wilderness, chapter 16 takes up that theme again with vigor. It also brings the Levites back into the picture. Like the story of the spies in chapters 13 and 14 (see note on 13:1–14:45), chapter 16 is a narrative with a complicated literary history. Within the book of Numbers, the narrative serves the broader purpose of recounting the people’s ongoing rebellion. The story takes several turns and requires ...

549. Hagar and Sally

Galatians 4:21-31

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

4:21 Paul’s tone changes somewhat at this point, turning from a personal appeal back to an argument from Scripture (cf. 3:6–9) and to teaching what he and the Galatian believers already have in Christ. Paul begins with a direct address, Tell me, you who want to be under the law. The wording of the question critiques their desire, for Paul presents the law as something under which people are held. The passage beginning in this verse and extending to 5:1 works with several themes that have already been ...

550. Josiah Celebrates the Passover

2 Chronicles 35:1-19

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

Josiah Celebrates the Passover: 35:1–19 This section presents the most remarkable expansion of source material in this chapter (if not in the whole book). The Deuteronomistic version reports in 2 Kings 23:21–23 (only three verses!) that, following Josiah’s cultic reform measures (2 Kgs. 23:4–20, 24a), the king commanded the people to celebrate the Passover. The Chronicler expanded this description, however, into an elaborate narrative of nineteen verses, which follow after the account of the covenant ...