At the time Eliakim was born, Judah was a troubled region.  A series of ungodly kings had displeased God with their pagan worship and practices; and as punishment, God allowed Egypt and Babylon to invade the territory.  Eliakim’s father, King Josiah, was killed in battle while defending Judah against the Egyptians.  His brother, Jehoahaz, was… Read More »

Jehoahaz, king for three months and a prisoner for the rest of his life, was captured by Pharaoh Necho of Egypt.  During the three months that he was king, Jehoahaz chose to turn away from God and follow the evil practices of pagan cultures.

The father of King Josiah was King Amon and his grandfather was King Manasseh; both wicked and evil men.  Rather than follow in their footsteps, Josiah chose to be obedient to God.  Later, when he ordered the repair of the temple, the “Book of Law” (the first five books of the Old Testament) were found. … Read More »

King Amon, like his father, Manasseh, did evil in the sight of God.  Evidently, he was disliked by some, because a group of his court officials assassinated him.  The people found the individuals that were responsible and put them to death.

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king.  He chose to reject God and he turned to pagan practices, including: erecting idols in public places and in the temple, he bowed down to the stars and consulted sorcerers.  In time he sacrificed his son in the fire.  Through the prophets, the Lord said, “Manasseh… Read More »

King Hezekiah’s faithfulness to God was tested when Sennacherib’s army approached Jerusalem.  Hezekiah was aware that the boasts of the Assyrian official were true.  Assyria was a super power, known for its strength and reputation for deporting inhabitants and replacing them with displaced people from other conquered regions.  But, the Assyrian spokesperson mocked Hezekiah’s faith… Read More »

Choices…King Hoshea and the kings before him made plenty of them; but not many in obedience to God.  The consequence, for Israel, was that their quality of life was far different from what God was willing to provide.  Many were forced from their homes and made to live in Assyria.  Those that were permitted to… Read More »

King Ahaz took gold and silver from the temple treasury and gave it to the king of Assyria for the purpose of persuading the king to attack Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria).  When the king of Assyria accepted the offer, the two kings formed an agreement.  After the king of Assyria attacked Damascus and… Read More »

King Jotham, of Judah, in contrast to the rulers of the northern tribes (Israel) personally worshipped God; but, he failed to remove the places of idol worship.  This displeased God and he permitted both Aram (Syria) and Israel to create unrest for segments of the population in Judah.

As leaders, King Pekahiah and King Pekah (not related) continued the downward regression of Israel.  Because they had forsaken God and chose to worship foreign idols, God’s protection was lifted.  This left the Israelites exposed to raiding parties from neighboring countries.