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Life of a King: Zedekiah’s End
When I, Zedekiah (formerly Mattaniah), was appointed king of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar, I didn’t know what was coming. I thought I had a pretty crafty plan. We would feign loyalty to Babylon, all the while worshipping our own pagan gods. I thought that way until two years ago, when… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Jehoiachin’s Imprisonment
When I, Jehoiachin, son of the late Jehoiakim and nephew of the late Jehoahaz, became king of Judah, things were in shambles. And when things are bad, I know what to do. Like my ancestors before me, I continued to spurn the LORD. It’s all His fault that our enemies… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim’s Fallout
When I, Jehoiakim, son of Josiah and brother to the late Jehoahaz, saw my brother take the throne following my father’s death, I never thought I’d get my share of power. Yet in only three months, my brother was gone. The king of Egypt threw him in prison, then took… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Josiah’s Reforms
When I, Josiah, son of the wicked King Amon, son of the wicked King Manasseh, became king of Judah, I got to work destroying the pagan altars. It took us many years. Then I gave Hilkiah the priest instructions to restore the LORD’s Temple. While the workers were bringing out… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Amon’s Rebellion
When I, Amon, son of the great Manasseh, became king of all Judah, I did the usual stuff. I worshipped the idols and gods my father had worshipped, I abandoned the LORD, blah blah blah. I thought I was destined for a long and healthy reign. I guess my pride… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Manasseh’s Name
When I, Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, became king, I set out to make my name the greatest. My name would be the name above all other names. I constructed altars for Baal, bowed to the powers of the heavens, and sacrificed my sons in the fire. I also had lots… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Hezekiah’s Redemption
When I, Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, became king, I brought about change in Judah. To start, I reopened the Temple and recommenced sacrificial offerings. I put the Levites to work and rededicated the Temple. Then we celebrated Passover for the first time in nearly forever. I invited all the people… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Ahaz’s Altar
When I, Ahaz, son of Jotham, became king, I decided to usher in a new era for Judah. It began when I sacrificed my sons in the fire. When the enemy nations came for me I recruited the help of Assyria to alleviate the damage. Unfortunately the king of Assyria… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Jotham’s Obedience
When I, Jotham, son of King Uzziah, became King at the age of twenty-five, I did what all kings should. I copied my father’s decisions. That is, aside from his gratuitous sin of entering the LORD’s Temple. I rebuilt the gate of the Temple, built new towns, conquered the Ammonites,… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Uzziah’s Curse
When I, Uzziah, became king at the age of sixteen, following my father’s death, I sought to please the LORD. I often asked for counsel from Zechariah, who taught me to fear God. When I listened to him, things went well. We fought wars, rebuilt towns, assembled a grand army,… (Keep Reading)
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Life of a King: Amaziah’s Conquest
When I, Amaziah, son of Joash, became King, I terminated my father’s assassins. But I obeyed Moses’ Law by sparing their children. I quickly organized my army. I even hired Israelite soldiers. Although I let them go when a man of God approached. He told me God wasn’t with Israel. (Keep Reading)
