Month: June 2012

Psalm 119.25-88

Psalm 119.25-88

ד Daleth Verses 25-32

The psalmist begs God to revive him. This word (היח)occurs 16 times in this psalm. It means to be restored to the life we were intended to live. Its root implies that God will make known what it means to live. So, revive me is to restore me to the state I was meant to be in at creation and make known to me the way that I can get there through Your Word (דבר).

The psalmist is asking God to give him a growing knowledge that leads to righteous living (27). The purpose is beyond knowing what is right, but is living what is right and proclaiming what is right. The psalmist wanted to be known as one who was attached to the Word of God. He states in verses 25 and 31 that his desire is to cleave to God’s Word. This is the same word used in Genesis 2.24 that describes marriage (דבק). The spelling is similar to that of “word.”

The psalmist informs us that holiness is a choice we make (30) and is not the natural state of man. If left to ourselves, we will drift toward sin not holiness. What choices are you making today that present God to others? Can they see the God you choose to follow in the words and activities you involve yourself in?

Media

Fill Me (Psalm 119) by the Parachute Band

ה He Verses 33-40

In the first five verses, the psalmist gives five requests. He asks God to teach him, explain to him, lead him, cause his heart to turn, and to turn his eyes from evil. What a prayer for the Christian to involve himself in on a daily basis. Worthless things are those things forbidden by God in His Word. Pray these petitions today.

Are you seeking your own satisfaction or the life God created you to live (36 cf. 1 Timothy 6.6-10)?

ו Waw Verses 41-48

Jesus told us that God’s Word is Truth (John 17.17) and that Truth sets us free (John 8.32). This is what the psalmist is expressing here. When we rightfully understand God’s commands, we see them as freedom not bondage for it frees us from the consequences of sin.

ז Zayin Verses 49-56

The psalmist asks God to remember His Word to help him in his time of distress. God’s Word is our comfort. Read the opening account of Howard Rutledge’s experience in Vietnam and how the Word of God brought comfort.

When those around us forsake the Word of God, what is our response? The psalmist gives us the correct response in verse 53–Horror or “hot indignation” (RSV). Is this your reaction when you see people who should know what to do purposefully forsakes doing it? It should. When you look in the mirror, do you see one of these people? Obedience to God’s Word produces blessings (56 cf. 1 Timothy 4.8).

The psalmist sang forth the Word of God wherever he went. What does your day look like? Do you all the circumstances of your day to dictate what and how you are doing? Or, do you allow the truth of God’s Word to determine your day? Sing a song of praise.

ח Heth Verses 57-64

If God is all we need and we know this, temptation flees us because we do not see a need for what the temptation may bring.

Acts 16.25 illustrates the point of Psalm 119.62. Our circumstances do not determine our state of mind. It is our fellowship with God that does.

Remember that fellowship with others enhances our understanding of Scripture and our fellowship with God. Remember the truth in 2 Timothy 2.22.

ט Teth Verses 65-72

God disciplines us to keep us on the path He has designed for us (Hebrews 12.5-11). Verse seventy describes a person who is insensitive to spiritual needs. He is a man “with a heart as fat as grease.” Only those who follow God can do good things for God indwells Him who is good (Matthew 19.17).

Our best defense when falsely accused is to continue living the life God has called us to live and let God take care of the accusers. This is truth both spiritually (Zechariah 3.1-5) and physically.

י Yod Verses 73-80

God made each one of us (Psalm 139.15-16). He designed us for a purpose (Ephesians 2.8-10). His Word is key to live the life He crafted us to live. When I live my life according to His Word, there is no shame to Him or to me. It is only then that we are choosing not to sin.

כ Kaph Verses 81-88

There are times when God’s answer to our prayers is not yet or even no. Here it is a not yet for the psalmist. He still chooses to trust God to do what God does despite how it may appear to others.

Psalm 119.1-24

Since we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth (1 Peter 2.11), we need a guide for our journey. That Guide is the Holy Spirit who indwells us. He uses His written word to guide us on our journey. When we take our eyes off His Word, we take a turn toward destruction. The importance of studying and knowing the Scripture is overwhelming here. Christianity is not a felt religion, it is a knowing relationship with a God who reveals Himself to us in His Word. Your life reflects your knowledge and application of God’s Word. How are you doing?

Psalm 119.1-24

Aleph (א) verses 1-8

This section presents the key to understanding this particular psalm (all the Bible really). It is to walk in the ways of God. The nature of such a man is found in the actions he takes. He walks in God’s ways, keeps God’s laws, and seeks God’s truth. When Paul tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ, he is applying what these verses are telling us (2 Corinthians 10.4-6).

When we do this, we are allowing God to work in and through us, which, in turn, allows us to live the life for which He created us. This life is one that is increasingly characterized by the leaving of sin, which produces shame, and the turning to God (2 Timothy 2.22 and 1 John 1.5-2.1, 3.9, and 5.18). To truly live the life God called us to live, we must go from knowledge to practice.

The Word in Life Study Bible (1997) presents this chart for Psalm 119.2:

119:2 THE BENEFITS OF OBEYING THE BIBLE

Psalm 119:2 promises blessings for obeying God’s Word (or “testimonies”) and seeking the Lord with one’s whole heart. The psalm goes on to mention or allude to a number of these benefits:

  • Avoiding sin and pursuing godliness (Ps. 119:3, 11, 36, 102, 133).
  • A motivation and basis for praising God (119:7, 171).
  • A pure lifestyle (119:9).
  • Readjustments in our priorities (119:14, 92) and values (119:16, 20, 37, 48, 72, 103, 111, 127).
  • Insight into our purpose on earth (119:19, 32, 125).
  • Avoiding and learning from God’s rebuke (119:21–22, 67, 71, 75, 118).
  • A basis for evaluating criticism and opposition (119:23, 41–42, 51, 61, 69, 84–88, 98, 161).
  • A source of wisdom and guidance for day-to-day life (119:24, 66, 105, 130, 176).
  • Encouragement, hope, and comfort (119:25, 28, 41, 49–50, 52, 55, 61, 81–83, 114, 166).
  • Something valuable with which to occupy our minds (119:27, 55, 62, 97, 147–148) and conversation (119:46, 164, 172).
  • A basis for truth, honesty, and integrity (119:29–30, 99–100, 104, 163).
  • A sense of freedom (119:45).
  • A source of new songs (119:54).
  • An accurate basis for self-examination (119:59).
  • Fellowship with like-minded believers (119:63, 79).
  • A solid foundation for our faith (119:66, 89–90).
  • Protection and peace (119:114, 165).
  • The ability to discern right from wrong (119:136, 138–139, 158).
  • A motivation and basis for prayer (119:169–170).
  • The Lord’s help (119:173–174).

Which of these are you not experiencing today? This is an area of prayer and discipline for you.

Beth (ב) verses 9-16

When my life is planned around God’s Word, I will live a life that is pleasing and holy to Him (Romans 12.1-2). The sure way to accomplish this is through Scripture memorization that leads to acting upon what is memorized. Remember that memorization is not for the moment but for life. If you truly have memorized a verse or passage that becomes your guide throughout life. You know it. You apply it. You do not forget it.

Gimel (ג) verses 17-24

The study of God’s Word needs to be a regular exercise done on a daily basis. This would include meditation, which is to eat as a cow would chew cud. Chew for a bit, let it digest for a while, chew on it again, let it digest again. Repeat this process throughout the day. When we daily meditate on God’s Word, He brings joy into our life. Read these couplets to see the connection Psalm 119.15-16, 23-24, 47-48, 77-78.

A great verse to pray when beginning any Bible study is verse eighteen. The psalmist implores God, as should we, to open his eyes to the wonderful truths or principles in God’s Word. This is the work of the Holy Spirit and is necessary to understand what God’s Word means and how we can apply it to our lives (Daniel 5.11-14, John 16.13-15).

Since we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth (1 Peter 2.11), we need a guide for our journey. That Guide is the Holy Spirit who indwells us. He uses His written word to guide us on our journey. When we take our eyes off His Word, we take a turn toward destruction. The importance of studying and knowing the Scripture is overwhelming here. Christianity is not a felt religion, it is a knowing relationship with a God who reveals Himself to us in His Word. Your life reflects your knowledge and application of God’s Word. How are you doing?

Introduction to Psalm 119

With each of the phrases, the psalmist expresses the multi-faceted response mankind can have with regard to God’s Word. A thoughtful man would praise and thank God for it, pray that his world, nation, and family would keep it; pray that his own sould would be both comforted and convicted by it, pray for an understanding of it, pray for those who reject it would be judged by the same standard those who keep it will by (that is by God’s Word), and a plethora of more.

Introduction to Psalm 119

The writer of this psalm, some attribute it to Ezra, loves God’s Word. This psalm portrays the majesty of God’s Word without even reading it. The psalmist wrote 352 lines, 176 verses, 22 stanzas, beginning each verse of each stanza with the corresponding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The structure alone show his love for God’s Word and the value he ascribes it. From beginning to end, this acrostic displays the grandeur of its subject. As always, I ask you to attempt this with the English alphabet. Write 208 verses contained in eight verse stanzas while placing the initial letter of each verses as the letter of the alphabet, from A to Z. Time. Energy. A thesaurus.

A synonym for God’s Word is used in all but three verses (84, 121, and 122). These are some of the key phrases:

  1. Law (תורה) occurs 25 times. It comes from a verb meaning “to teach.” It directs attention to the first five books of Scripture, the Torah or the Pentateuch. It emphasizes that God has taught us in His Word what He requires of us. A key verse is Psalm 119.44.
  2. Testimonies (עדה) occurs 23 times and emphasizes the content of God’s Word. A key verse is Psalm 119.2.
  3. Precepts (פקודים) occurs 21 times and brings instructions God to man. A key verse is Psalm 119.69.
  4. Statutes (חקה) occurs 22 times and implies permanence of the Word and its unchangeable worth. In light of what our country is doing today with documents like the Bible and the Constitution, is it any wonder we are in trouble? A key verse is Psalm 119.16.
  5. Commandments (מצוה) occurs 22 times and assumes those who hear will obey. A key verse is Psalm 119.166.
  6. Judgments (משפט) occurs 22 times and refers to God Word in light of a judge who is promoting His standard. Jesus prayed that God’s kingdom would come to earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6.9-10). This is the idea presented here. A key verse is Psalm 119.7.
  7. Word (דבר) occurs 23 times and is a word used for God’s Words. A key verse is Psalm 119.9.
  8. Word (אמרה) occurs 19 times and comes from the verb “to say” and presents the content of what is spoken as coming from the mouth of God. A key verse is Psalm 119.11.

Other terms mentioned in this psalm that could be considered synonymous with God’s Word are ways (3, 37), name (55), and faithfulness (90).

With each of the phrases, the psalmist expresses the multi-faceted response mankind can have with regard to God’s Word. A thoughtful man would praise and thank God for it, pray that his world, nation, and family would keep it; pray that his own soul would be both comforted and convicted by it, pray for an understanding of it, pray for those who reject it would be judged by the same standard those who keep it will by (that is by God’s Word), and a plethora of more.

For the purpose of this site, Psalm 119 will be divided into four unequal bites. We will first look at Aleph (א) through Gimel (ג), which is verses 1-24. Our second look will be Daleth (ד) through Kaph (כ), which is verses 25-88. Our third look will be Lamed (ל) through Mem (מ), which is verses 89-104. With our last look at Nun (נ) through Tau (ת), which is verses 105-176.

Psalm 91

Our only sense of security in this world is our fellowship with God, which is based on His establishing a right relationship with us in Jesus.

This psalm was missed at the beginning of this study.  Although it is here, it should be the second one in these writings.

Psalm 91

Although this psalm has no name associated with it, Jewish practice is to assign an unnamed psalm to the previously named psalm. Therefore, this would be a psalm of Moses. The devil showed us that this psalm is a messianic psalm when he used it in his temptation of Jesus in Luke 4.10.

  • Verses 1-8-When we are in fellowship with God, we are protected.
  • Verses 9-16-Our continued sense of peace and security is only found in our fellowship with God.

Our only sense of security in this world is our fellowship with God, which is based on His establishing a right relationship with us in Jesus.

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Psalm 90

All men die. The wise man seeks to live his life for God. When we fulfill His purpose for our lives, we live the greatest life possible. It is not the number of years you live but the amount of life you allow God to use through you in those years.

This psalm was missed at the beginning of this study.  Although it is here, it should be the first one in these writings.

Psalm 90

God is eternal. Man is not. This is the first psalm written. It was written by Moses. Probably shortly before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. Realize that at least a million Israelites died during their punishment for not trusting God. In those forty years of wonder, those million or so people 20 years of age and older died. Do some math here. One million divided by forty years is 25,000 per year, which is about 68 people per day or two to three each hour. They fought in no wars. They just died. This is the low end of the number too. So, is it any wonder Moses is considering the frailty of man in this psalm and comparing it with the majesty of God?

  • Verses 1-6-God does not need a place for people to gather, for He is our sanctuary. We will see this same terminology in Psalm 91.9 in our next study. He is from “vanishing point to vanishing point” as the Hebrew would exclaim for the English translation “everlasting to everlasting.” He is before we can imagine and beyond what we can fathom.
  • Verses 7-11-With God there are no secrets. What is done in the darkness of your room is evident before Him and His judgement will come.
  • Verses 12-17-Four items of prayer are listed here: Teach us to number our days (12), give us peace with You (13), give us mercy (14-15), and work in us again (16-17).

All men die. The wise man seeks to live his life for God. When we fulfill His purpose for our lives, we live the greatest life possible. It is not the number of years you live but the amount of life you allow God to use through you in those years.

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1 Kings 2

Any morals here? Compromises need to be taken care of sooner than later.

1 Kings 2

These last words of David to his son Solomon are intriguing. When I thought I was to die, I gave my last words to my oldest son. They were,

Joshua, lead our family in the ways of God. Continue to trust Him in all you do. He will guide you into all that is good and right; follow Him. Protect your sister throughout her years with the love of God. His love guides and protects us, we need to do the same for others. I look forward to seeing what God is doing in your life. As I look from Heaven to see my oldest son, I desire to see a man of God changing the world for Him. Press on in His Word!

David’s were a little different. He gave the words of encouragement we would expect him to give. He had done this previous in 1 Chronicles too. He gives the same advice Moses gave to Joshua, be strong and of good courage for God is with you as you follow Him. Good advice for all of us.

What is intriguing is the next bit of advice. He gives Solomon some names and then advises him to act wisely in the matter. With Joab and Shimei his implication was to kill them. With Barzillai his advice was to honor him. These choices and decisions Solomon was to make were intended to give him a strong start in his reign. He needed to know what intrigue there was in the court and needed to establish his reign as just and swift. We will see how he goes exacts just and swift retribution in this chapter.

David dies. Solomon follows David’s advice and establishes his throne. He wisely executes three people. Adonijah, his brother, Joab, his general, and Shimei were all executed by their own words.

Adonijah was warned in our previous study (1 Kings 1) not to attempt to usurp the throne again or he would die. His words in verses 13-18 seem innocent enough. However, because Abishag lay with David, although not in a sexual manner, she was given the rights of a wife. So, whoever married her would have the right to claim the throne. This innocent request, if granted, would give Adonijah the right to the throne. Solomon saw this and put him to death for breaking his promise from chapter 1.49-53. Benaiah executed Adonijah.

To fulfill the prophecy given in 1 Samuel 2.31-35, Solomon banishes Abiathar but does not kill him.

Joab, in fear for his life, runs to the safety of the altar as did Adonijah in 1 Kings 1. Because of Joab’s killing of Abner 2 Samuel 3 and Amasa in 2 Samuel 20, Solomon orders his execution. Benaiah executed Joab at the altar.

Solomon gave Shimei opportunity to live if he stayed in Jerusalem. He agreed. Three years later, thinking Solomon forgot, he left Jerusalem. The terms were if Shimei stayed in Jerusalem, he would live; if he left, he would die. He left. Shimei hears Benaiah’s footsteps. Benaiah executed Shimei.

Any morals here? Compromises need to be taken care of sooner than later.

1 Kings 1

All through this chapter is intrigue. God’s will or Satan’s will. Which will will prevail? God designated Solomon to succeed David. Satan desired Adonijah. God wins (but you knew that).

1 Kings 1

The book of 1 Kings opens with great intrigue. David is old, about seventy-two, and his sons are vying for power. David is not well. A young woman is innocently introduced to the audience. She will provide Solomon with a powerful kingdom. Adonijah attempts to usurp the throne. Nathan and Bathsheba become concerned about Solomon, the next king as God told David and as David had promised Bathsheba.

Verses 1-4 express the feebleness of the king. Some have conjectured that David was impotent and would not be able to rule. So they placed a young girl in his bed to arouse him sexually. When this did not occur, David’s rule was over in the mind of the Israelites (Rice, 1990, p 8; Henry, 1996; Elwell, 1995). Although fanciful, I do not agree with this proposition. David was stricken with old age and, according to Josephus, had hypothermia or arteriosclerosis. He was cold at night. In order to keep him comfortable, a young, warm body was placed next to him. He did not know her sexually not because he was unable to but because that was not the purpose. Radmacher (1999) explains that a healthy person’s body warmth was used to care for a sick person as a medical procedure is noted by the second-century Greek physician Galen and the Jewish historian Josephus. This process is diathermy, the process of passing heat from one object to another. The key to this passage is that she lay in the same bed as the king, which makes her a valuable commodity in this and the next chapter.

Verses 5-10 present us with Adonijah’s first attempt to become king. Because David was old and not physically capable of ruling the kingdom, David’s fourth son, Adonijah attempts a coupe. He draws men like Joab and Abiathar to follow him, while he purposely does not call for Nathan or Benaiah. He made a rather loud and public proclamation that he was the next king. He even engaged a coronation ceremony at En-rogel.

A note on child-rearing is given here. David did nothing to get his children angered at him. This is evident from the lack of discipline he showed to Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah when the Amon raped Absalom’s sister and Absalom killed Amnon, and none were disciplined. When this freedom is given, children have no boundaries.

Verses 11-27 develops the plot by Nathan and Bathsheba to remind David what God had told him about Solomon. Nathan calls Bathsheba to let her know what Adonijah is doing. They immediately go tell David what is happening. David’s infirmities are evident as Abishag is with him (this helps the plot develop for chapter 2). After Bathsheba speaks to David, Nathan enters to state the same.

Verses 28-30 are David’s oath that Solomon will be king. This would make Solomon a co-regent with David. This is why the dating of 1 Kings is difficult.

Verses 31-40 is Solomon’s coronation as king. David gives the instructions, they are carried out, and Adonijah receives word of the newly crowned king.

Verses 41-53 give us the failure of Adonijah’s first attempt to be king. Adonijah realized that he could be put to death by Solomon. He runs to the Temple to lay hold of the refuge given at the altar. Solomon gave his word not to kill Adonijah, if Adonijah does not attempt to usurp the throne. Interestingly, Adonijah dies in the next chapter (read ahead to see if you can figure out why).

All through this chapter is intrigue. God’s will or Satan’s will. Which will will prevail? God designated Solomon to succeed David. Satan desired Adonijah. God wins (but you knew that).

Parallel Patterns In 1 Kings 17-19

Parallel Patterns In 1 Kings 17-19 by Battenfield

  1. Announcement
    1. by Elijah (17.1)
    2. by God (18.1)
    3. by Jezebel (19.2)
  2. Journey
    1. from Israel (17.2-5)
    2. to Israel (18.2)
    3. from Israel (19.3-4)
  3. Two encounters
    1. First
      1. ravens (17.6-7)
      2. Obadiah (18.7-16)
      3. an angel (19.5-6)
    2. Second
      1. widow (17.8-16)
      2. Ahab  (18.17-20)
      3. the Angel of the Lord (19.7)
  4. Miracle
    1. resurrection (17.17-23)
    2. fire (18.21-38)
    3. theophany (19.9-18)
  5. Response
    1. widow (17.24)
    2. Israel (18.39-40)
    3. Elisha (19.19-21)
    4. Ahab (18.41-19.1)

1 and 2 Kings-Outline

Outline by Gray

  1. The Hebrew Empire, 1.1-11.43
    1. The last days of David and the accession of Solomon, 1.1-2.46
      1. The adoption of Solomon as heir-apparent after the final crisis in the struggle for succession, 1.1-53
      2. The end of David, his final charges to Solomon, and the accession of Solomon as sole king, 2.1-12
      3. Solomon’s purge, 2.13-46
    2. Solomon in all his glory, 3.1-11.43
      1. Solomon’s marriage with the daughter of Pharaoh, 3.1
      2. Editorial note on worship at high places, 3.2,3
      3. The divine authentication of Solomon’s succession in the dream of Gibeon, 3.4-15
      4. Solomon’s arbitration between two harlots, 3.16-28
      5. The administration of Solomon, 4.1-28
      6. The wisdom of Solomon, 4.29-34
      7. The building and dedication of the Temple, 5.1-9.9
      8. Solomon’s public works and enterprises, 9.10-28
      9. The visit of the Queen of Sheba, 10.1-13
      10. Miscellaneous matter regarding Solomon’s revenue, wealth and its sources, 10.14-29
      11. The troubles of Solomon’s reign and its end, 11.1-43
  2. The Divided Kingdom, I Kings 12.1 – II Kings 17.41
    1. The disruption of the kingdom, 12.1-24
      1. The rejection of Rehoboam at the assembly of Shechem, 12.1-19
      2. The adoption of Jeroboam as king, 12.20
      3. Rehoboam’s reprisals checked by prophetic intervention, 12.21-24
    2. Significant events of Jeroboam’s reign, 12.25-32
    3. Prophetic tradition of the reign of Jeroboam, 12.33-14.18
      1. The oracle of the man of God from Judah on the Cult of Bethel, 12.33-13.10
      2. The prophet of Judah and the old prophet of Bethel, 13.11-32
      3. Deuteronomistic epilogue on the religious policy of Jeroboam, 13.33,34
      4. Ahijah’s denunciation of Jeroboam and his house, 14.1-18
    4. Synchronistic history of Israel and Judah, 14.19-16.34
      1. Editorial note on the death of Jerobaom and the accession and reign of Rehoboam of Judah, 14.19-24
      2. The history of the reigns of Rehoboam, Abijah and Asa, kings of Judah, 14.25-15.24
      3. The fall of the house of Jeroboam, 15.25-32
      4. The rise and fall of the house of Baasha, 15.33-16.14
      5. The rise of the house of Omri, 16.15-34
    5. The reign of Ahab and the fall of the house of Omri, 17.1-11
      1. Elijah’s public ministry: proclamation of the great drought as a sign of YHWH’s displeasure at Ahab’s proclivity to the cult of Baal, 17.1
      2. Elijah’s personal experience in the great drought, 17.2-16
      3. The revival of the widow’s son, 17.17-24
      4. Elijah’s public ministry in the great dought: the ordeal on Carmel, 18.1-46
      5. Jezebel’s reaction, Elijah’s flight, despair, and reassurance, and the call of Elisha, 19.1-21
      6. Prophetic adaptation of historical narrative of the Syrian wars: incidents of the Syrian wars, 20:1-43
      7. The Elijah cycle, 21.1-29
      8. Prophetic adaptation of historical narrative of the Syrian wars, 22.1-40
      9. Deuteronomistic summary, with Israelite synchronism, of the reign of Jehoshaphat of Judah, and a note of the accession and reign of Ahaziah, 22.41-53
      10. Elijah’s denunciation of Ahaziah (II Kings 1.1, 28, 17), expanded by the tradition of the fatal attempt to arrest Elijah, II Kings 1.9-16
      11. Anecdotes of Elisha and historical episodes from his time, 2.1-8.29; 13.14-21
      12. The revolt of Jehu, 9.1-10.31
    6. Synchronistic history of Israel and Judah., 10.32-17.41
      1. Epilogue to the reiqn of Jehu and obituary notice, 10.32-36
      2. The reign of Athaliah and the accession of Joash, 11.1-20
      3. The reign of Joash, 11.21-12.21
      4. North Israelite history contemporary with the reign of Joash, 13.1-25
      5. The reign of Amaziah of Judah, 14.1-22
      6. The reign of Jeroboam II of Israel , 14.23-29
      7. The reigns of Azariah (Uzziah) and Jotham of Judah and the decline of Israel, l5.1-38
      8. The reign of Ahaz , 16.1-20
      9. The reign of Hoshea, the fall of Israel, and the Assyrian resettlement, 17.1-41
  3. Judah alone, 2 Kings 18.1-25.30
    1. The reign of Hezekiah, 18.1-20.21
      1. The Deuteronomistic introduction to the reign of Hezekiah, 18.1-8
      2. The fall of Samaria and the deportation of Israel, 18.9-11
      3. Deuteronomistic comment on the fate of Israel, 18.12
      4. Historical digest of Sennacherib’s campaign of 701 B.C., 18.13-16
      5. One account of Hezekiah’s defiance of Sennacherib, stimulated in his extremity by an oracle from Isaiah, 18.17-19.7
      6. The bridge between the two parallel accounts of Hezekiah’s defiance of Sennacherib, 19.8
      7. The parallel account of the Assyrian summons to Hezekiah and his reaction, encouraged by an oracle from Isaiah, 19.9-20
      8. A collection of typical oracles from this period, 19.21-35
      9. Historical comment, probably on the oracle on Sennacherib’ s withdrawal (7), 19.36-37
      10. lsaiah’s role in Hezekiah’s sickness, 20.1-11
      11. The delegation of Merodach-Baladen, 20.12-19
      12. The Deuteronomistic epilogue to the reign of Hezekiah, 20.20-21
    2. The reigns of Manasseh and Amon, 21.1-26
    3. The reign and reformation of Josiah, 22.1-23.30
    4. The reign and removal of Jehoahaz, 23.31-35
    5. The end of the kingdom of Judah, 23.36-25.21
  4. Appendixes
    1. Appendix I. The Mizpah incident, 25.22-26
    2. Appendix II. The alleviation of the lot of the captive king Jehoichin, 25.27-30