Josiah-Reaching the Finish Line

By Mary Vee
II Kings 23, II Chronicles 35

From the Journals of Josiah

I felt like I was running a race and would not touch the finish line until every idol in Judah and Israel had been destroyed and every priest who taught the people to worships these idols removed.

And when my men and I found no more to destroy, I went home--to Jerusalem.

At last my kingdom could freely worship God and not be distracted by evil idols. 

We celebrated the passover feast. What a huge gathering. All the people came and gave their offerings to the Lord. I appointed godly men as priests and encouraged them in their duties.

I then called the Levites together, the priestly tribe of Israel and told them to put the sacred ark in the temple that Solomon, son of David, king of Israel built. I then called the rest of the people to join us. "Prepare yourselves by gathering into families according to the directions written by David king of Israel and his son Solomon."

They stood in the holy place, each tribe with a group of Levites nearby. The offerings were given to the priests and the people did what the Lord commanded through Moses. 

I provided a total of thirty thousand sheep and goats, three thousand cattle, all from my personal possessions for all the working people who were there.

My officials also gave to the people and the priests twenty six hundred sheep and goats and three hundred cattle. Others freely gave as well. 

The priests stood in their places with the Levites in their divisions as I had ordered and offered the gifts to the Lord as was written in the Book of Moses. The priests worked until nightfall.

At this time the entire service of the Lord was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and the offerings on the altar as I had ordered. We welcomed our Israelite brothers.

The Passover had not been done like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel. None of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover like we did today having the priest, the Levites, and all Judah and Israel. This Passover was celebrated in this, my eighteenth year of reign. 

I don't think I have experienced a more wonderful time than this celebration of what God has done for us. I can't wait to celebrate again next year.

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1. What did Josiah insist on finishing before he went home?
2. Where was his home?
3. Who is Josiah?
4. What special celebration did Josiah lead the people in having?
5. What special group of people came to the celebration?

Josiah - A Strong Man Who Took a Stand

By Mary Vee
Ii Kings 23, II Chronicles 34

From the Journals of Josiah

Photo Courtesy

We had no excuse for worshiping other gods. We'd foolishly wanted to be like the countries around us.

Over time, many idols made their way into Judah, because, sadly, our people let them come. Baal, Asherah, the starry hosts, Molech, the sun, Topheth, Chemosh. What were we thinking?

We had everything. God had given us this land and asked only that we worshiped Him. Give thanks for what He had done. And know that we could go to Him for help at any time. But the kings before me had led our nation away and up to this time, so had I. My heart is broken.

Anger filled me. I took men and went throughout Judea to:

1. Get rid of all the priest who served idols.
2. Take the Asherah poles down from the temple and carried them to the Kidron Valley where we burned them.
3. Took down the booths where women did weaving for Asherah
4. Destroyed all the high places where incense to idols had been burned.
5. Broke the shrines at the gates
6. Destroyed Topheth where the people worshiped Molech by hurting their children.
7. Removed the horses at the front of the temple that had been dedicated to the sun god.
8. Burned the chariots dedicated to the sun god.
9. Pulled down the altars on the roof and altars in the courts of the temple, smashed them to pieces and put the rubble in the Kidron Valley
10. Destroyed the high places that Solomon had built for Asherah, for Chemosh, and for Molech.
11. Smashed the sacred stones and the Asherah poles east of Jerusalem.
12. Got rid of all the false prophets and false spiritual people

Then I went out to all the territories of Israel and removed all the idols that God hated. I told them to worship only God. And as long as I was alive I knew they worshiped only the almighty God who loves all of us. 

This was the least I could do for the God who saved us from captivity, gave us a land, and promised to care for us.

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1. What had the people of Judah done wrong?
2. Why did the people worship idols?
3. Why was Josiah angry?
4. What are some of the things Josiah did?
5. After Josiah finished in Judah, where did he go? And what did he do there?
6. What did the people do the rest of Josiah's days?

Josiah-The Lost Scroll Read

By Mary Vee
Ii Kings 22, II Chronicles 34

From the Journals of Shaphan, the secretary

Photo Courtesy

I had never touched anything so important before in my life.

I am but the secretary, yet in my hands rested the missing Book of the Law given by the Almighty God, Himself. 

For years no one knew where it had been placed. For years the people of Jerusalem and Judah had been persuaded to worship Baal, Molech and other false gods. For years--the people, God's people, had walked away from Him.

I'm not exactly sure why the scroll was found at this time. I suppose it might have something to do with King Josiah's willingness to restore the temple and to encourage the people to worship God. 

I surrounded myself with the best guards and paraded the parchment to the palace, where King Josiah was. I tried to plan ahead what to say, but couldn't find the words to prepare. This scroll in my hands had the very words of God written on it.

I walked down the corridor to the king's chamber, trembling with excitement. A guard announced my arrival. King Josiah gave me permission to enter his chamber.

He sat on his throne in the midst of a crowded room, no doubt citizens bringing their issues to his attention. He stopped his work to invited me to speak. His tutors and advisors stood on both sides of his chair, ready to offer their comments. Josiah may have been a young king, but had shown his gift as a leader already.

I bowed. "King Josiah, Your officials are doing everything you told them to do. They have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have given it to the supervisors and workers." I showed him the scroll. "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book."

I carefully unwrapped the parchment and read the words written on it.

I had barely finished the last word when the king stood and tore his robe. A person tears their clothes when they are very sad about something. "Go," he said. "Go to Hilkiah and the other priests and tell them to talk to the Lord for me, the remnant in Israel, and Judah. Ask Him about the words written in this book that has been found." 

He closed his eyes and cried out. "Great is the Lord's anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord. They have not obeyed all that is written in this book."

I left right away to do what he said. Even as I walked down the corridor, I could hear him cry out. What terrible things have we done? How could he know to ask God for help at such a young age?

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1. What did the high priest, Hilkiah, find?
2. Where did he find it?
3. Why did Shaphan, the secretary feel so honored?
4. Who did Shaphan show the missing item to?
5. After Shaphan read, what did King Josiah do? Why?
6. What did King Josiah tell Hilkiah, the high priest to do?
7. Why did King Josiah cry?

Josiah-Look What I Found

By Mary Vee
Ii Kings 22, II Chronicles 34

From the Journals of High Priest Hilkiah

Photo Courtesy

King Josiah has reigned for eighteen years. For such a young king he has done a good job.

As high priest in the temple, I have many duties. This morning, I started my day working in the temple as usual. I didn't have much to do. The kings before Josiah had turned away from God.

Early in the day, though, the king sent some men here to the temple with a message. One said, "King Josiah wants you to take the money given by the people of Manasseh, Ephraim, and the entire remnant of Israel and Judah, Benjamin, and Jerusalem and give it to the men who are supervising the repairs on the temple. The supervisors are to pay the workers, the carpenters, builders, and masons.

"The king also wants the money used to buy wood and prepared stone to repair the temple. He says the supervisors are to be trusted to pay the men what is right.

I stopped my work, immediately, and thanked God. Yes! At last we can return to worshiping the God who has given us life. I was also excited because the temple had needed repairs for a long time, but like I said, previous kings wouldn't give us permission to fix it.

I went into the chamber where the coins had been hidden behind a locked door. As I gathered the money for the project, I noticed a parchment. I pulled it out of the pile. "What is this?" I set the money down and unrolled the scroll. 

My heart nearly stopped when I saw the words. "This is the Book of the Law of the Lord that was given through Moses! It's been missing for years." I turned and called for the men sent by King Josiah. "Shephan. I have found the Book of the Law. It was right here!"

He followed my voice and stared at the scroll in my hand. "Look!" I handed the precious parchment to Shephan. 

He read it and said, "Do you realize what this is?"

"I know! After all these years. Isn't this exciting!"

Shephan rolled the parchment and held it close to his chest to protect it. "I'm going to take this to the king right away. Won't he be surprised."

I can hardly breathe. First we finally received permission to repair the temple and now the missing scroll has been found. Thank you, God for sending us a King who cares about Your temple. Thank You. Praise Your name.

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1. Who is the high priest in this story?
2. What message did King Josiah send to the high priest?
3. Where did the high priest go?
4. What did he accidentally find?
5. Do you think he really found this by accident?
6. Who did the high priest give the object to?
7. What did this man plan to do?

Hezekiah- Pride and Punishment

By Mary Vee
II Chronicles 32

From the Journals of Hezekiah

Photo Courtesy

God had healed my terrible illness. I felt so much better.

The people in Judah seemed happy. We had everything we needed. 

I went about my work, enjoying the people, doing my kingly business. All the reports I received said the country was doing well. 

We ate, had celebrations, did our chores.
I felt really good about it. Yep, I was a great king.

One day the prophet Isaiah came to my chambers. He couldn't have any bad messages. Everyone in the country seemed happy and no one had attacked us. I was doing a great job.

"King Hezekiah, You have been wicked."

I couldn't believe my ears. I have not been wicked. "What do you mean?"

"You have been prideful in your heart. You have not shown God thankfulness for what He has given to you. Instead you take all the credit yourself, calling yourself a great king. Therefore the Lord's wrath is on you and Jerusalem and Judah."

I could hardly speak. I thought about what I had been doing since the Lord healed me from my illness. Isaiah spoke the truth. I have been full of pride. I dropped to my knees. "You are right. I have been full of pride. Please forgive me."

These words would not be enough, I knew right away. I ran out of the palace and to the temple where I could call all the people of Jerusalem together. "People of Jerusalem and Judah, I am guilty of pride. I have been calling myself a great king because of how well things are here in our city and country. 

"I am not the one who has kept us safe and prosperous. It was the Lord, the Almighty God. I ask you to join me in repenting of our ways and asking the Lord to forgive us."

The people joined me. We all put on sackcloth and repented. Cries of sorrow and tears flowed. We prayed to God, asking for His forgiveness.

While I still sat in sorrow, the prophet Isaiah came to me. "The Lord has a message for you. He has seen your repentance and the tears of the people. He has decided to hold off the punishment while you still live."

"I will change and work to serve the Lord in all my ways."

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1.  What happened in Judah after Hezekiah was healed?
2.  What did Hezekiah do wrong?
3.  Who told him?
4.  What did Hezekiah do about it?
5.  What did the people of Jerusalem and Judah do?
6.  What did God say after Hezekiah led the people to the right answer?
7.  What did Hezekiah decide to do?

Isaiah- Finally, A Good King is on the Throne

By Mary Vee
II Kings 16-18, II Chronicles 29

From the Journals of Isaiah

Photo Courtesy

Thankfully, king Ahaz's son was nothing like him.

After sixteen years of Ahaz turning the people of Judah away from worshiping the God of our fathers, I'm not sure how Hezekiah chose to do what was right. But he did, and I am thankful.

Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five-years old, after his father had died. The people chose not to honor Ahaz by burying him in the tombs of the kings of Israel. 

Zechariah, a priest who loved God and worshiped Him with all his heart, happened to be Hezekiah's grandfather. Young Hezekiah respected and loved his grandfather.

As soon as Hezekiah came to power, he got to work removing all the idols and places of sacrifice to false gods. He smashed the sacred stones for the false gods, cut down the Asherah poles that people worshipped, and broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made because the Israelites had been worshiping it as if it was a god.

Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He kept a strong faith in the Lord and did not ever stop following him. He kept the commands the Lord had given Moses.

As a result the Lord was with him. Hezekiah was successful in whatever he job he tried to do. 

After smashing the false gods, Hezekiah went to the temple of the Lord. He had only been king for one month and already did so much to bring the people back to worshiping God.

Hezekiah walked to the doors of the temple and ordered them to be unsealed. The doors were opened and found to be damaged. Hezekiah ordered the doors to be repaired.

The next day Hezekiah called for all the priests and Levites to meet with him in the square on the east side of the temple. Many of these men had been in hiding fearing what Ahaz would do to them, but when they learned Hezekiah had opened the temple doors they came. 

Hezekiah stood before the men. He held his hands high to gain their attention and spoke. "Listen to me, Levites. Clean yourselves, your clothes, your bodies, and your hearts. Then, cleanse the temple of the Lord, the God of your fathers, in the same way He commanded your fathers to do years ago.

"Remove everything that would offend the Lord our God." 

Come back next time to see what other good things Hezekiah, king of Israel did to show his love for God.

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1.  How long had the evil king Ahaz reigned?
2.  Ahaz was  was/not given an honorable burial place. Which is correct?
3.  Who was Hezekiah's grandfather and what did his grandfather do?
4.  How was Hezekiah different from his father Ahaz?
5.  What good things did Hezekiah do?
6.  What did Hezekiah ask the levites and priests to do?

Isaiah-Ahaz Shut the Doors of the Temple

By Mary Vee
II Kings 16, II chronicles 28

From the Journals of Isaiah

Photo courtesy

King Ahaz was still afraid of Pekah, king of Israel and Rezin, king of Aram. And so he should be since he hasn't stopped worshiping the Baals.

Rather than ask God for help, he sent a message to the king of Assyria. He knew better than to side with that wicked and powerful king, but he did it anyway.

Along with the letter, Ahaz took silver and gold from the temple of the Lord and riches from the palace treasury and sent them with his note. 

In the note Ahaz said, "Please come save us from our enemy, the king of Aram and the king of Israel. I am your servant."

If only Ahaz would have been an honorable servant of the Lord, the powerful Sovereign God, he wouldn't have had problems. But, noooo. He didn't.

Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria accepted Ahaz's gifts then sent his army to attack king Rezin and captured his cities. The soldiers took the people of Aram to Kir to be slaves and killed their king. 

Pleased with the news, Ahaz traveled to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser and to thank him for his help. While there Ahaz saw a magnificent altar which the people of Aram used to worship their gods. It was stunning.

Ahaz had one of his men draw a sketch of the altar and sent it to Uriah, one of his priests, along with this note. "Make me this same altar."

Sadly, Uriah followed the instructions and had the altar finished by the time king Ahaz returned to Jerusalem. Ahaz was impressed with Uriah's work. He offered sacrifices on the altar to the gods of Aram.

Let's think this through. If God was not pleased with Ahaz for worshiping the Baals, He definitely would not be happy to see Ahaz worshiping the gods from Aram. If only Ahaz would listen to my counsel.

But Ahaz said, "If I worship the gods of Aram, maybe their gods will protect us from their next attack."

Foolish man. Those very gods are what led to the downfall of Aram. Only God can help Judah.

Ahaz wanted no more offerings or worship to take place in the temple of the Lord. He removed all the important objects and shut the doors of the Lord's temple. In every town in Judah he set up places for the people to offer sacrifices to gods.

This angered the Lord, the God of his fathers. God is sure to punish Judah for Ahaz's choices.

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1. Who was king Ahaz afraid of? ___________ and ___________
2. Who should king Ahaz have asked for help? _____________________
3. Who did king Ahaz ask to help protect Judah? _____________________
4. What did king Ahaz give this king for payment? ____________________
5. What happened to king Rezin and his people? ________________
6. What did Ahaz like so much he wanted one made for himself? ___________
7. When Ahaz came back home what doors did he close and not allow to be opened? ____

King Ahaz Chooses Not to Listen to Isaiah's Warnings

By Mary Vee
II Kings 16, II Chronicles 28, Isaiah 7

From the Journals of the prophet Isaiah

Photo Courtesy

King Jotham was buried with honors and his son Ahaz crowned king.

Jothan had worked hard to bring Judah back to worshipping God, the people just wouldn't listen. His son, Ahaz, unfortunately loved to please the people. He did not do what was right in God's eyes.

Ahaz followed the ways of the Israelites by making cast idols for worshiping the Baals. He burned sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom which should only be done at the temple by the priests. And he offered his sons following the ways of the nations the Lord had driven out of Israel. Ahaz offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places on the hilltops and under every spreading tree. None of these things were allowed by God.

While Ahaz was king of Judah, the king of Israel joined the king of Aram to fight against Jerusalem but they could not overpower the city. All the people of Judah were shaken by this attack.

The Lord sent me to meet with Ahaz out at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool. "Ahaz, the Lord has sent me to you with a message."

"I'm listening. What is it?"

"The Lord says, 'Be careful, keep calm, and don't be afraid. Don't give up because of these two armies who attacked Jerusalem.'

"The Lord says, 'It will not take place, it will not happen. If you do not stand firm in your faith you will not stand at all."

"What does the Lord want me to do?" Ahaz asked.

"Ask the the Lord your God to give you a sign whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." I waited for Ahaz to think of something to ask.

Instead he said, "I will not ask. I will not put the Lord to the test."

This had to be one of the most annoying king's I've had to deal with. "Listen, you from the house of David. Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you also try the patience of my God?" I sighed in anger. "The Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. Before the boy knows enough to do what is only right, the land of the two kings you fight will be destroyed because the king of Assyria will come and attack.

Ahaz raised his head and said, "I will not listen to you, Isaiah. I will battle against the king of Israel and the king of Aram and I will show you who is in charge."

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1. Who is the new king of Judah?
2. Did he do what was right in God's eyes?
3. Who came to attack Judah (Jerusalem is in Judah)?
4. What message did Isaiah give to Ahaz?
5. Isaiah told Ahaz to ask for a sign from the Lord. What did Ahaz ask for?
6. What did Ahaz decide to do?

Isaiah's Vision

By Mary Vee
II Kings, 15, II Chronicles 27, Isaiah 6

From the Journals of the prophet Isaiah

Photo Courtesy

King Uzziah had died and his son Jotham was crowned king of Judah.

It seemed Jotham had learned from his father's wrong doing (offering incense in the temple), because he was careful not to do the same. I was glad for that.

Jotham worked to rebuilt the Upper Gates of the temple of the Lord and did extensive work on the wall at the hill of Ophel. He built towns in the Judean hills and forts and towers in the wooded areas. 

Jotham attacked the king of Ammonites and conquered them. That year the Ammonites paid him a hundred talents of silver, ten thousand core of wheat and ten thousand core of barley. The Ammonites brought him the same amount also in the second and third years. 

Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.

Unfortunately, the people of Judah continued their corrupt practices.

The year that Jotham's father, king Uzziah, died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted. The train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And they called to each other, saying,

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty

the whole earth is full of his glory."

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 

"Woe is me!" I cried. "I am ruined."

Then one of the seraphs flew to me. "See this has touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away and your sins are paid for."

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send to tell the people my message?" And who will go for us?"

And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

The Lord said, "Tell them my message. They will not listen, though."

"How long will they not listen, Lord?"

"Until the cities are ruined and no one lives there, until the houses are left empty and the fields are ruined, until all the people have been sent far away and the land is totally left alone. And though a tenth of the people will remain in the land, it will not be enough to take care of it.  Still, the few who remain will be a seed to kindle my people."

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1. Who is the new king of Judah?
2. Is he a good king? (One that obeys God)
3. Are the people worshipping God?
4. What does Isaiah see in his vision?
5. What does God ask for?
6. Who will do the job?

Uzziah's Big Mistake

By Mary Vee
II Kings 15, II Chronicles 26

From the Journals of Priest Azariah

One of the other priests noticed king Uzziah walking to the temple. This seemed a bit strange.

Uzziah has been a strong man of God, leading the country of Judah to worship Him. 

We have experienced great prosperity. Buildings have been built. Our armies have been strengthened. Everything has gone so well.

Why king Uzziah is going into the temple baffles me. I sent for the other priests to meet with me.

It took a little time but eight priests gathered around me. "Do any of you know why king Uzziah is in the temple?"

"No," they responded. But he isn't allowed to offer incense on the altar of incense. We better go see what he is doing.

"I agree," I said. "You realize that any priest who goes with me is risking his life by questioning the king?"

The group nodded and stood strong. I led the willing priests into the temple where we found Uzziah preparing to burn incense on the altar of incense.

"King Uzziah."

He turned around abruptly with a guilty look on his face.

"It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense to do." I held my arm out and pointed to the door. "Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful. You will not be honored by the Lord God."

King Uzziah held the censor tight in his hand. "What right have you to tell me what to do?" 

The king yelled for a few minutes at us and while he raged, leprosy sores broke out on his forehead. I and the other priests stepped back and gasped.

"What? What's wrong?" the king yelled.

"Leprosy, my Lord. We must get you out of here at once." I nodded to a few other priests to help me lead the king out of the temple and to his chamber in the palace. 

"Hurry," the king shouted. "Get me out of here before something else happens to me."

The doctors used every means to comfort the king. King Uzziah was taken to a separate house where he lived until his last days. He never was able to return to the temple.

His son, Jotham, helped reign the country of Judah until Uzziah breathed his last breath.

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1. Who saw Uzziah enter temple?
2. Why was Uzziah doing?
3. Why was he not allowed to do that?
4. Uzziah listened--did not listen to instructions to leave the temple.
5. What happened to Uzziah?

Uzziah-A Good King of Judah Until...

By Mary Vee
II Kings 14, II Chronicles 26

From the Journals of Uzziah, King of Judah

Ashdod Photo Courtesy

After my grandfather, Joash died, Judah crowned his son, Amaziah king of Judah. My father, king Amaziah didn't reign long. He was killed in battle. Judah crowned me as the next king when I was only sixteen years old. It was a bit scary having all the responsibilities of a king.

I felt it was important to follow the laws and commands of our God. I listened to the prophets and priests and tried to rule the people in the ways that would please God. 

Zechariah was the one who took me aside and instructed me in the ways to fear the Lord. I went to God and asked His help, His directions, and His blessings often. He did all of these.

I wanted to restore the land and the cities to please God. Elath was the first city on my list to repair. Soon after the buildings were rebuilt, families from Judah moved back into the city.

Next, I went to war to conquer the Philistines and rid Judea of them. Our armies broke down the Philistine walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod and used the materials to rebuild the cities destroyed by the Philistines years ago. 

God helped our troops conquer Philistines and Arabs who lived in Gur Baal and the Meunites. The Ammonites feared our strength and brought us gifts if we spared their lives.

I have been told by my officers that word had travelled as far as Egypt telling of our great conquests. This was good news.

I wanted to do more. I built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, Valley Gate, and at the angle of the wall. I fortified these towers to make them strong against any enemy that might strike.

To protect our people in the desert I had towers built there as well. The number of cattle had grown so great in the foothills and in the plains I ordered more cisterns to be dug to water the herds.

I'd say, all in all, life was pretty good in Judah at this time.

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1. Judah was located south of Israel. The new king of Judah was _____________.
2. Hebrew people lived in Israel and _______________.
3. Uzziah was __________ years old when he became king.
4. Uzziah wanted to please ___________.
5. Uzziah listened to ______________ to learn God's ways.
6. Uzziah was becoming very successful because he obeyed ____________.

Pompous Amaziah, King of Judah

By Mary Vee
II Kings 14, II Chronicles 25

From the scrolls of Jehoash, King of Israel

Photo Courtesy- Beth Shemesh

Everyone had heard about the amazing defeat of the Edomites by king Amaziah and the army from Judah. God helped them with their battle, but Amaziah took all the credit.

We'd also heard that Amaziah brought back the idols from the Edomites and set them up for the people to worship. It's not for me to get after him, but I don't think this was a wise choice. Even the prophets came to Amaziah, asking him to stop worshiping the idols from Edom. He told them to go away and leave him alone.

The prophets warned Amaziah that God would destroy him because he didn't listen to their counsel.

Amaziah became quite confident after winning the battle with Edomite. He met with his advisers then sent me a message to come fight him.

I didn't want to fight him. We had no reason to. I called my scribe and had this message sent: "A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, 'Give your daughter to my son in marriage.' Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle underfoot. You say to yourself that you have defeated Edom and now you are arrogant and proud. Stay home. Why cause trouble and caused your own downfall and that of Judah also?"

The messenger returned to me reporting Amaziah wouldn't listen. I'm not surprised. God wouldn't be pleased with him causing the people of Judah to worship the gods of Edom. 

I called my officers together and set up a battle plan. If war was what he really wanted. War he shall have.

We marched our armies to Beth Shemesh in Judah. We surrounded Amaziah's army and watched them flee to their homes in fear. I captured Amaziah, king of Judah and brought him to Jerusalem. 

My army broke down the walls of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate--a section about six hundred feet long. I took all the gold, silver, and all the articles found in the temple of God that had been in the care of Obed-Edom, together with the palace treasures and hostages and brought them back to Samaria.

I didn't kill king Amaziah, despite his threat. In fact, time passed, and as I lay on my death bed, Amaziah, king of Judah still lived.

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1.  Why was king Amaziah so proud?
2.  Did he have a right to be proud for what happened?
3.  What did Amaziah want Jehoash, king of Israel to do?
4.  What answer did Jehoash give Amaziah?
5.  Did Amaziah agree?
6.  Jehoash gave him and did what?
7.  Who won?

Amaziah, Trusting God

by Mary Vee
II Kings 14, II Chronicles 25

From Amaziah, king of Judah's Scrolls

My father, king Joash, had been assassinated by his officers. Upon his death I was crowned king.

I loved my dad very much. There was a time when he followed the ways of God closely. He taught me his love for God despite the choices he made to follow Baal towards the end of his life. 

His officers may have felt they were doing good, but I, in good conscience, could not allow them to go unpunished for killing the king, my beloved father.

For my first act of business as king, I ordered my guards to take those officers responsible for murdering my father and put them to death. 

For my second act of business as king, and one who chose to follow the commands of the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I chose not to execute the officer's sons. For it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers. Each is to die for his own sins."

I will not worship Baal, and will seek to do what pleases God. Some things, like removing the high places where people offered sacrifices and burned incense were difficult to take away from the people. I didn't want to cause a riot. As the new king, I needed the support of the people.

A time of war was quickly on us. I called the people of Judah together and assigned them according to their families to commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. Those twenty years old or more numbered three hundred thousand men ready for military service.

To be sure I had enough fighting soldiers, I also hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel and paid them in advance a hundred talents of silver.

A man of God came to the palace and requested to speak with me before we set out for war. I agreed to a meeting.

"O King," he said, "these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel. Not with any of them. Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy. God has the power to help you or to overthrow you."

I couldn't help but think about all the money I had already paid to the Israelite soldiers. "But what about the money I paid the Israelite troops?"

The man of God said, "The Lord can give you much more than that."

I looked into his eyes and saw sincerity. With that, I dismissed the Israelite troops, sending them home.  The men were really angry about not being able to fight. At least they went home with money in their pocket.

Now I am very excited to see how God plans to help us win this battle without the hundred thousand fighting soldiers from Israel.

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1. Who was Amaziah's father?
2. What job did Amaziah do first?  Why?
3. What job did Amaziah do second? Why?
4. With war upon Judah, Amaziah hired soldiers from ___________ to help.
5. A man of God came to Amaziah and told him ___________?
6. What did Amaziah decide to do with the hired soldiers?

Joash-The Temple is a Mess

By Mary Vee
II Kings12 and II Chronicles 24

From Joash's Scrolls

While it is true that my country, Judah, has returned to peace since Queen Athaliah was killed, I have seen many problems in urgent need of fixing.

The people had worshiped other gods for such a long time. They didn't know what was right  in God's eyes anymore. As king, it became my duty to bring this nation back to God. But I am young and don't want to cause any problems.

Thankfully, Jehoida, the priest who kept me safely hidden from Queen Athaliah until I was crowned, counseled me what to do almost daily. 

Jehoida selected wives for me when I grew older. I was married and had sons and daughters. 

One day I walked by the temple and was shocked to see the broken condition it was in. I'm not sure why I hadn't noticed before. Doors and walls had cracks, the surface of the furniture marred--I knew in my heart this had to be the first project to help bring the people back to worshiping the one true God.

I called all the higher priests together and said, "Collect all the money the people bring as sacred offerings to the temple of the Lord. This includes the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows, and the money brought voluntarily to the temple. Every priest is to receive the money from one of the treasurers and give it to be used to repair whatever damage is found in the temple."

I called the priests and the Levites and said to them, "Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel to repair the temple of your God." They didn't move right away. I stood straight and raised my voice. "Do it now."

The Levites still didn't do as I said. I knew my young age kept them from taking me seriously.

Athaliah's sons had broken into the temple of God and used its sacred objects for the Baals they worshiped.

By the time I had ruled twenty-three years, I felt tall and strong in spirit enough to command the people and expect obedience. I called Jehoida, the priest and asked, "Why haven't you forced the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the Lord and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?"

He didn't answer right away. 

I looked him straight in the eye. "You and the priests are not to take any more money from your treasurers. Instead, hand that money over to the workers to repair the temple."

The priests agreed to stop collecting money from the people and to hire workers to repair the temple as I asked.

The priest, Jehoida took a chest and drilled a hole in its lid. He placed it beside the altar on the right side as the people entered the temple of the Lord. The priests who guarded the entrance put all the money that was brought to the temple of the Lord into the chest.

A proclamation was sent out to the people to bring contributions for the repair of the temple. The officers and people gladly did so. The money was collected and shown to my guards then given to masons, bronze and iron workers, and carpenters to restore the Lord's temple. The workers acted in complete honesty.

The men worked hard rebuilding the temple of the Lord as it once was. When they finished, they brought the extra money back to me. We then used the funds to make new dishes, and other articles of gold and silver to be used in the temple.

Jehoida offered sacrifices to the Lord for the people until his last day. He died at age one hundred and thirty.

I will miss him very much. 

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1. Why didn't the Levites listen to king Joash?
2. What had Queen Athaliah's sons done to the temple?
3. What did Joash ask the people to do with their money?
4. Were the workers honest?
5. What did the workers do with the extra money?
6. What did the temple look like when they finished?
7. Who helped Joash?