Aram
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Ahaz, son of Jotham, ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of twenty and reigned in Jerusalem for sixteen years. His reign marked a significant departure from the practices of his forefathers, particularly David. Instead, Ahaz embraced the pagan customs of neighbouring nations and the kings of Israel. He engaged in idol worship, creating images of baals, and shockingly, he even sacrificed his own child in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. The author notes that Ahaz was fervent in offering sacrifices and burning incense in high places, on hilltops, and under every spreading tree. These…
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During the early years, Azariah sought God earnestly, especially under the guidance of Zechariah, who taught him the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God granted him success. He went to war against the Philistines, breaking down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod, and rebuilt towns in the Philistine territories. God also helped him in battles against the Arabs of Gur Baal and the Meunites, and the Ammonites paid tribute to him. His fame spread as far as the border of Egypt due to his growing power (2 Chronicles 26:7-8).
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f the bones had the power to heal, people would have emptied the tomb and used the prophet’s bones to resurrect others from the dead. Just as Elisha’s remains could give life after the prophet’s death, his words continue to wield the power of life and death for Israel, depending on whether they choose to heed or ignore the prophet’s message. This was a sign for them that God was alive even though the prophet Elisha had passed away. God used even Elisha’s dry bones, to show His power in the lives of the Israelites. Elisha was considered the most…
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The fragile peace between Israel and Aram proved to be fleeting, as the king of Aram initiated a military campaign to seize control of Samaria by laying siege to the city. The siege was strategically planned to block the supply of food and water from the surrounding land, as farms and water sources were typically located outside the city gates. By surrounding the city with his military forces, the king of Aram made it impossible for the Israelites to access harvest or water sources. The people of Samaria were left with only the food supplies within the city and the…
The Jordan Valley 