Reading with Ben

Welcome back to Reading with Ben! Let's continue the lecture on the book of 2 Samuel.

This is episode #04 chapters 07 & 08.

2 Samuel Chapter 7, Recounts how Ezra, a priest and a scribe of the Mosaic Law, arrives in Babylon during the reign of the Persian king Artazerxes. Ezra arrives with many high priests, porters, and singers. Ezra then returns to Jerusalem with others of the children of Israel to teach his people the Word of the Lord.

2 Samuel Chapter 8, Lists the family heads of those returning with Ezra after the Babylonian exile during the reign of Xerxes. These were the descendants of Phinehas, Ithamar, Daniel, David, and Shekaniah, among others.

Welcome back to Reading with Ben! Let's continue the lecture on the book of 2 Samuel.

This is episode #03 chapters 05 & 06.

2 Samuel Chapter 5, Haggai and Zechariah offered a prophecy to their followers. As they met with their followers, it was noted that Zerubbabel would contribute to rebuilding the house of God in the city of Jerusalem. A governor named Tattenai would then go to Zerubbabel and ask him who gave him permission to build such a house. The inquiry he made also prompted a letter to King Darius.

2 Samuel Chapter 6, King Darius had issued a decree about Jerusalem’s temple of God. The temple was to be rebuilt so sacrifices could be made. It was to be 60 cubits high, 60 cubits wide, have three large stone courses and one made from timbers. It was to be paid for from the royal treasury. The silver and gold items for this house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken, should be delivered to their rightful places at the temple.

The Book of Ezra Chapters 03 & 04 ESV Version.

Ezra Chapter 03, In the seventh month after the Israelites had settled into their towns, there was a great assembly in Jerusalem. Construction of the altar was started by Joshua and the priests along with Zerubbabel and associates.

Ezra Chapter 04, Starts off with opposition to the rebuilding of the temple. This was when those who were against Judah as well as Benjamin heard of the project. They approached the exiles and offered to help. However, they were turned away and were told that they had no place helping them build the temple.

The Book of Ezra Chapters 01 & 02 ESV Version.

Ezra Chapter 01, Ezra was a man of God who was given the task of leading the people safely out of Babylon.

Ezra Chapter 02, Consists of an enumeration of those who came back as reported by their families. As explained in chapter 1, these people were amongst those that had been held captive by Nebuchadnezzar, and now they were permitted to return to their cities. The first group of people came back in 536 BC.

The Book of 2 Chronicles Chapters 35 & 36 ESV Version.

2 Chronicles Chapter 35, Josiah celebrated the Passover. He appointed priests to their duties and provided offerings. Then he attacked Neco and was killed.

2 Chronicles Chapter 36, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah ruled. Then Nebuchadnezzar burned the temple and took Judah captive for seventy years.

he Book of 2 Chronicles Chapters 33 & 34 ESV Version.

2 Chronicles Chapter 33, Manasseh became king. He did much evil and was captured by the Assyrians. Then he sought the LORD. Amon became king and did evil.

2 Chronicles Chapter 34, Josiah became king. He repaired the temple and had the law read out. Huldah said, "The LORD says: You will be buried in peace."

The Book of 2 Chronicles Chapters 31 & 32 ESV Version.

2 Chronicles Chapter 31, Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to their duties. The Israelites gave a tithe. Conaniah was in charge of the offerings.

2 Chronicles Chapter 32, Sennacherib besieged Judah. Hezekiah and Isaiah cried out to the LORD and the Assyrians were struck dead. Hezekiah had great riches.

The Book of 2 Chronicles Chapters 29 & 30 ESV Version.

2 Chronicles Chapter 27, Hezekiah became king and did right. He told the Levites to cleanse the temple. He assembled the officials and they made offerings.

2 Chronicles Chapter 26, Hezekiah sent couriers throughout Judah and Israel saying, "Return to the LORD." Many gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

The Book of 2 Chronicles Chapters 27 & 28 ESV Version.

2 Chronicles Chapter 27, Jotham became king and did right in the sight of the LORD. He built fortresses in the hills and conquered the Ammonites.

2 Chronicles Chapter 26, Ahaz became king. He made idols, so the LORD gave him to Aram and Israel. He shut the LORD's temple and sacrificed to other gods.

The Book of 2 Chronicles Chapters 25 & 26 ESV Version.

2 Chronicles Chapter 25, Amaziah ruled in Jerusalem. After he slaughtered the Edomites he bowed down to their gods. He challenged Jehoash and was defeated.

2 Chronicles Chapter 26, The people made Uzziah king. He did right and became powerful. But he went to burn incense on the altar and was struck with leprosy.