Samuel prayed for Saul who was to be the first-ever king of Israel  [it will make sense in a moment]

We are going to take a short journey through the life of King Hezekiah over the next few weeks, from the record in 2Kings Chapters 18-20.  First, if it’s ok, we can set the scene a little.

2Kings 18:1 [ESV] reads “In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign”.

As this account is written David’s kingdom of Israel is divided into two separate kingdoms. Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

Hoshea is actually going to be the last king of Israel, he has conspired and murdered his way into the position, then failed in his promise to pay tribute to his powerful neighbour, Shalmaneser, King over the massive Assyrian Empire. 

The ten tribes of the Jewish nation that lived in Israel were to soon be forcibly exiled to beyond the river Euphrates in 720B.C. 

Hoshea then disappears without a trace. His name means “deliverer” – what unfulfilled potential…….

(It all started really  300 years earlier in 1 Sam 8:6-7 where the people of Israel demand a king so they can be like all the other nations. They were advised of the consequences but stuck to their decision.

Then in 1 Sam 14-15, Samuel lays out their options – to obey God and go well, or to disobey God and things would not go well).

Back to Hezekiah’s time…..

Hoshea the king of Israel has chosen not to follow God’s ways, so his time was coming to an end, and the armies of Assyria were already laying siege to the cities of Israel. 

Hezekiah is a newly appointed young king at 25 years old, aware of what is happening in neighbouring Israel and faced with massive responsibilities and decisions. The Assyrians are possibly coming his way next. He is going to have to choose to trust God and stand-alone at times!

I love what Nicky Gumbel says “Joy is not the absence of problems, but the presence of God”.

More soon, if that’s ok?

Blessings

Allan

 

Principle 1 – everything of God starts with Prayer.

Strengths – Communication: People exceptionally talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.