The Tanakh Podcast

Hizkiyahu gathers the entire nation - North and South - in Jerusalem. An event unseen since the days of Solomon. And we will focus on several surprising aspects of this gathering.

We now start 4 chapters that describe the reign of King Hizkiyahu.The first 3 of these chapters depict Hizkiyahu's purification of the Temple, and his renewal of the covenant in a mass celebration of Pesach in Jerusalem - in his very first year in power.

The Assyrians are coming.This causes a devastating civil war between the northern and southern states, and a total capitulation in Jerusalem to Assyrian idolatry.

A short chapter today!It speaks of King Yotam, about whom it is said that he was "flawless" - quite an accolade!---To support my work:⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael⁠

Uzziah is depicted in glowing terms and achievements. But then he gets too full of himself! - He enters the Temple and ascends the altar to offer the incense. When he is confronted by the priests, he gets furious. The result is that he is afflicted with the divine disease of Tzaraat.Here again, we see a king with a positive phase and a negative one.

The narrative of Amaziah is told quite differently than in Sefer Melakhim. Here it seems almost curated to make a theological point. And we shall see the way that Amaziah's story mirrors closely that of his father.---To support my work:⁠Patreon⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael

King Yoash's story is told in two parts.His early life, before the death of his adopted father - the High Priest - is virtuous. But after Yehoyada's demise, he turns to idolatry and silencing his critics, including the murder of the son of the man who raised him. Punishment quickly ensues.

Athalia seizes the throne.The High Priest - Yehoyada - waits six years and then stages a mutiny.---Patreonhttps://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael

In this chapter we have two episodes of murder;1. Ahazyahu, King of Yehuda is assassinated by Yehu ben Nimshi in the mutiny at JezreelSeeing that the king, her son, is dead, Attalya takes the reigns of power and rules Yehuda,2. But then we see baby Yoash who is snatched from a "the murdered" in the palace in Jerusalem, and is hidden by his aunt for 7 years.

King Yehoram follows the exemplary King Yeshoshafat, but he brings the murderous, idolatrous northern culture to Jerusalem. He receives a warning letter from (the deceased) Elijah the prophet. Things do not end well for Yehoram. He kills his brothers - all his sons but one are murdered; and he dies of an awful intestinal disease.