Authors

King Jeroboam of Israel and King Rehoboam of Judah

January 1, 2023

Two Wrongs Did Not Make it Right “Rehoboam … forsook the advice of the elders” (1 Kings 12:12‑13, texts from NASB). By Brad Sweeney Great as King Solomon was at the beginning of his reign, his rule degraded in time when he failed to put God first in his personal life and in governing policies. Although no rebellion took place during his reign, dissatisfaction was felt. His compromises to God’s laws would be a catalyst in the spiritual decline and division of […]

King Jehu, the Anointed of Israel

January 1, 2023

Anointed for a Mission “Look out there Jehu … Then take the vial of oil, and pour it out on his head, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, I have anointed thee king over Israel” (2 Kings 9:2-3 ASV). By Austin Williams This is the story about King Jehu in 2 Kings 9 and 10. He is not talked about much in spite of the important role he played in Old Testament history, during Israel’s recurring worship of false idols. Jehu, who started […]

King Joash of Judah, the Ingrate

January 1, 2023

The End Thereof are the Ways of Death “The ear that harkeneth to the reproof of life shall abide among the wise. He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul” (Proverbs 15:31‑32 ASV). By Mark Blicharz Jehoash, also known as Joash, appears frequently in the narratives of Kings and Chronicles and means “God has given.” Joash, son of Ahaziah and the seventh King of Judah, ascended the throne at the age of seven, after his wicked grandmother Athaliah had been killed at […]

The Repentance of Manasseh

January 1, 2023

A Sinner Not Beyond Hope “And when he was in distress, he besought Jehovah his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers” (2 Chronicles 33:12). By Keith Belhumeur The scriptural record of the reign of King Manasseh is a cautionary account of his initial rejection of Jehovah and of a king contributing to his nation’s decline into idolatry. It is, however, also one of repentance, humility, mercy, and hope. It shows us what can happen if we stray […]

King Zedekiah, the Oath Breaker

January 1, 2023

A Lesson from the Life of King Zedekiah “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:5). By Percival Blenman It might be the weekend, and you are headed to the supermarket when you stumble upon a friend you have not seen in months. As you open your mouth to say “Hello,” you realize that you made a promise to that friend months ago that you completely forgot to keep. If you have […]