You might have missed it, but in our last episode, the writer of 2 Kings mentioned the fulfillment of prophecy through the prophet Jonah back in chapter 14. We have every reason to conclude that this prophet is the same Jonah sent to Ninevah in the minor prophet book by the same name. Instead of obeying the Lord, Jonah turns to go in the completely opposite direction. As you hear this account, keep in mind that in the end it is most likely that Jonah is the one recording what happened, revealing that he eventually became aware of his hard-hearted response. We’ll end the episode with a single chapter from 2 Kings and two short Psalms.

Jonah 1 - 1:06 . 

Jonah 2 - 4:55 . 

Jonah 3 - 6:51 . 

Jonah 4 - 8:54 . 

2 Kings 15 - 11:29 . 

Psalm 122 - 18:53 . 

Psalm 123 - 20:00 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode, we considered the life of King Joash, the baby heir to the throne who was rescued from a maniacal monarch, raised in the temple, and brought to kingship by Jehoiada the priest. Joash began by rebuilding the Lord’s temple, then he abandons both the Lord’s temple and the Lord. The Lord therefore abandons him and he is later assassinated. Amaziah begins well, but surprisingly turns to worship the idols of those he has defeated, and soon thereafter becomes overconfident, challenging Israel to war. In our reading from 2 Kings we’ll encounter a few Israelite kings who ruled Israel during Amaziah’s reign, including Jehoash who plunders Jerusalem after being provoked by Amaziah.

2 Chronicles 25 - 1:07 . 

2 Kings 14 - 8:35 . 

Psalm 120 - 14:42 . 

Psalm 121 - 15:29 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Interestingly, we saw a few foreshadows of Jesus in our last episode, as a child who was meant to be king was swept away from a murderous monarch only to emerge victorious later. Today we’ll examine the rule and reign of Joash, that child who became king of Judah. It seems that early in his reign he sought to repair the temple, and no wonder! He grew up in the temple from infancy into early childhood. When the work stalls, the make a plan, but later, the wealth of Judah will be handed over to King Hazael, that same servant who murdered his king after Elisha prophesied would rule over Aram. Later, in 2 Kings, we’ll briefly cover two of Israel’s evil kings, Jehoahaz and Jehoahash. 

2 Chronicles 24 - 1:08 . 

2 Kings 12 - 7:27 . 

2 Kings 13 - 12:34 . 

Psalm 119:161 - 18:47 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode, the military commander, Jehu, was anointed as king. He and his men set out immediately to put an end to the house of Ahab, and in the process, he also killed the king of Judah, the evil king Ahaziah. Today, Jehu continues his conquest with a number of cunning strategies, killing Ahab’s wife Jezebel, overthrowing the house of Ahab, destroying the prophets of a Baal, and avenging the blood of Naboth the Gileadite on behalf of the Lord. Remember that the Lord predicted Ahab’s fall through Elijah, who has since been taken up into glory. Finally, we catch up to our last reading from 2 Chronicles by returning to the kings of Judah, where we’ll hear a parallel to that book’s account of Athaliah and Jehoiada.

2 Kings 9:30 - 1:08 . 

2 Kings 10 - 2:49 . 

2 Kings 11 - 11:36 . 

Psalm 119:145-160 - 16:26

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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When we last left our reading covering the kingdom of Israel, the Arameans had laid siege against Samaria, Israel’s capital city. This means that they were blocking people from going in or out so that the people might starve. The king of Israel, most likely Joram, son of Ahab, sends a messenger to Elisha, threatening him with violence. Today, Elisha predicts that they will soon be so flooded with food and grain that it will be hard to sell at even a fraction of its cost. Later, Jehu (a military commander) will be anointed as the next king of Israel by decree of Elisha and by a messenger sent by the prophet to anoint Jehu with oil. The newly anointed king then sets out to put an end to the house of Ahab.

2 Kings 7 - 1:08 . 

2 Kings 8 - 6:32 . 

2 Kings 9 - 13:18 . 

Psalm 119:129 - 20:17 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Today’s episode contains some particularly gruesome imagery for children; parental discretion is advised. The kings and kingdoms of the land are growing increasingly chaotic and tumultuous, but in the midst of the chaos, the Lord continues to work and speak through his prophet, Elisha. An Aramean army commander comes to Elisha to be healed, but when Elisha doesn’t give him the respect he thinks he deserves, he almost rejects the offer out of hand. Later, the Arameans try to capture Elisha but he diffuses them with hospitality. Not long after, the Arameans lay siege to Israel, surrounding Samaria in order to cause a famine, and the people take evil & desperate measures to try and survive. 

2 Kings 5 - 1:05 . 

2 Kings 6 - 8:54 . 

Psalm 119:113 - 16:03 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We’ve been going back and forth between the books of 1 & 2 Kings and the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, because each of these books contains a history of kings in Judah and Israel. However, as some of you already know the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles are focused on the kings of Judah, while 1 & 2 Kings cover a broader history including those kings from Judah as well as those from Israel, with large portions devoted to the prophets Elijah and Elisha. We’re still playing a bit of catch-up in 2 Kings, as we’ll read about King Joram of Israel who reigned at the same time as Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. Later, we’ll read about a number of miraculous signs performed through Elisha.

2 Kings 3 - 1:06 . 

2 Kings 4 - 7:13 . 

Psalm 119:97 - 16:17 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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When we read from 2 Chronicles in our last episode, we covered Edom’s rebellion against Judah during Jehoram’s reign, wherein they separated from Judah and established their own king. Obadiah rebukes this nation for their rebellion in our first reading. A return to the book of Kings, now in the second part, means a little backtracking: in short, Jehoshaphat is king and Jehoram has not yet taken the throne. Ahab’s son Ahaziah is now on the throne in Samaria of Israel, but he won’t outlive the Lord’s prophecy against Ahab which says that his family line would come to an end in the next generation. Last but not least, the prophet Elijah passes his mantle to Elisha who receives a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.

Obadiah - 1:03 . 

2 Kings 1 - 6:10 . 

2 Kings 2 - 11:43 . 

Psalm 119:81 - 17:31 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode we covered the life of King Jehoshaphat who was faithful to the Lord, but in today’s episode we witness the beginning of the end for the kings of Judah. Jehoshaphat’s son, King Jehoram is straight-up Je-horrible and when he dies from a horrific intestinal disease, Scripture records that he “died to no one’s regret.” Ouch. His son, Jehoahaz, whom we should note is mainly called Ahaziah, takes the throne after him for only one year before he is killed. After his death, his mother Athaliah goes on a killing spree in order to take the throne, but an heir to the throne in David’s lineage is waiting undercover to take back the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 21 - 1:01 . 

2 Chronicles 22 - 5:32 . 

2 Chronicles 23 - 9:16 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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When we last read from the book of 2 Chronicles we were introduced to Asa’s son, King Jehoshaphat, and as we’ve read from 1 Kings, we’ve heard an account of his partnership with King Ahab of Israel. We’ll hear some parallels from the 1 Kings account today, but we’ll hear more about King Jehoshaphat then Ahab. Remember that Asa, Jehoshaphat’s father, failed to call upon the name of the Lord when there was threat of war, but by contrast, Jehoshaphat regularly calls upon the Lord throughout this narrative. Each time Jehoshaphat humbles himself and prays or calls a prophet to inquire of the Lord, the Lord is gracious and delivers him from trouble, blessing Israel with riches and peace.

1 Chronicles 18 - 1:01 . 

1 Chronicles 19 - 9:20 . 

1 Chronicles 20 - 11:59 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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