2 Kings 6-20

Wicked Kings

Wicked or Righteous? Of the 19 kings in Israel, how many were righteous? Of the 20 kings in Judah, how many were righteous? What did the kings fail to do? Read 2 Kings 14:4 Read 2 Kings 15:4 Read 2 Kings 15:35 Result? 2 Kings 17:6, 15-23

Wicked or Righteous? (1) List some evil influences today (2) What are some things that distract people from loving God? (3) How have I recently shown God that I love Him above all others? (4) Who have you witnessed standing up for their beliefs? What did they do that was impressive?

“A Laurel wrote: ‘This past year some of my friends on Facebook began posting their position on marriage. Many favored same-sex marriage, and several LDS youth indicated they “liked” the postings. I made no comment. I decided to declare my belief in traditional marriage in a thoughtful way. With my profile picture, I added the caption “I believe in marriage between a man and a woman.” Almost instantly I started receiving messages. “You are selfish.” “You are judgmental.” One compared me to a slave owner. And I received this post from a great friend who is a strong member of the Church: “You need to catch up with the times. Things are changing and so should you. ‘I did not fight back,’ she said, ‘but I did not take my statement down’” (“Spiritual Whirlwinds, Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 19–20).

Brutality of the Assyrian army

Brutality of the Assyrian army The common practice for the Assyrian army after they captured a city or country was to cut down all the trees, sow the fields with salt, and poison the wells. The soldiers were rewarded for the head of every enemy brought to their captain, so after a military victory they would decapitate the dead. Captives were often flayed alive or roasted over fire. Other captives were impaled on stakes. Nobles taken captive were thrown from towers or had their ears, nose, hands, and feet cut off. Having this terrifying reputation, the Assyrians sent negotiators to a city before the actual battle began, telling the people to surrender or suffer the consequences. Many cities chose to surrender.

Sennacherib: King of Assyria Rab-shakeh: The Assyrian negotiator Hezekiah: King of Judah Eliakim: Hezekiah’s representatives Isaiah: Prophet in Jerusalem Narrator Seven years after the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom, Sennacherib became king of Assyria. Let’s read what happened: Sennacherib’s threat: 2 Kings 18:13 Isaiah’s prophecy:  Isaiah 10:33-34 Narrator: Just as Isaiah prophesied, the Assyrian army arrived outside of Jerusalem after conquering the cities along the way. Sennacherib sent negotiators to Jerusalem, where they were met by Hezekiah’s representatives. Hezekiah’s pep talk:  2 Chronicles 32:7–8

Sennacherib: King of Assyria Rab-shakeh: The Assyrian negotiator Hezekiah: King of Judah Eliakim: Hezekiah’s representatives Isaiah: Prophet in Jerusalem Narrator Rab-shakeh’s question: 2 Kings 18:19–20 Eliakim’s answer and request:  2 Kings 18:26  Rab-shakeh’s response 2 Kings 18:28–32 Hezekiah’s response to the threats:  2 Kings 19:1  Narrator: Hezekiah then sent messengers to inform the prophet Isaiah of the Assyrians’ threats.

Sennacherib: King of Assyria Rab-shakeh: The Assyrian negotiator Hezekiah: King of Judah Eliakim: Hezekiah’s representatives Isaiah: Prophet in Jerusalem Narrator Isaiah’s response:  2 Kings 19:6–7. Narrator: Rab-shakeh sends messengers to Hezekiah with another message. I will read it in 2 Kings 19:10–11 Hezekiah’s response: Read 2 Kings 19:14–16 Narrator: What happened to Sennacherib and his army is recorded in 2 Kings 19:35. I will choose someone to read that passage.

Sennacherib: King of Assyria Rab-shakeh: The Assyrian negotiator Hezekiah: King of Judah Eliakim: Hezekiah’s representatives Isaiah: Prophet in Jerusalem Narrator AN APPLICATION Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it.  Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. (2 Kings 19:14-15) He was saying, "Okay, Lord, here's our problem.  What are you going to do about it?" (In a trusting, not confrontational, way.) What do you do when you receive bad news or feel convicted, insecure, scared, intimidated?  Do you spread said concern before the Lord?

Turning to the Lord Hezekiah did three things to turn to the Lord: (1) He went to the temple (2 Kings 19:1) (2) He sought the counsel of the prophet (2 Kings 19:2–5) (3) He prayed (2 Kings 19:14–19) JOURNAL: How well do you feel you are doing in each of those three areas? How can you improve?

So what? If we do not remove evil influences from our lives, we place ourselves in spiritual danger. When we seek to please others above God, we lose His protection. If we turn to the Lord, then He can help us overcome our fears and challenges.

2 Kings 6-20