Ahaz was one of Judah's worst kings

2 Kings 16:1-20

Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, “I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.

Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He saw an altar in Damascus and sent to Uriah the priest a sketch of the altar, with detailed plans for its construction. So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned. 

Ahaz was one of Judah's worst kings. During was under attack from all quarters: Syria and Israel to the north: Edom and Philistia to the south. The Temple was stripped of silver and gold to pay the heavy tribute demanded by Assyria in return for help. Some of Isaiah's prophecies date from this time.

Ahaz might be affected by his father, so he turns to the other gods, even though he asked to build the altar like Damascus he saw there.

Why?

Ahaz did so worse behavior, why the Lord did not punish him right away. For God loves his people, God preserves the time and lets them turn back. And there were some people who still worship the Lord and keep their faith in the Lord.

The right of judgment belongs to the Lord, What we can do is obey the word of the Lord, loves each other, and be good servants of the Lord.

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亞哈斯不敬畏耶和華的人，亞蘭及北國以色列聯軍卻不能勝他，神仍然記念他的百姓，顧念大衛的後裔，給他機會回轉，但是他卻求助於亞述。

亞哈斯為何把亞蘭的壇在耶路撒冷仿造一個，而且祭壇的東西，似乎為了取悅亞述王。在看來是無關緊要的東西改造，枝微末節。如果聖殿是敬拜，廊子是去聖殿的道路，敬拜的動機是為了什麼?敬拜的中心是誰?敬拜要配合誰的時間，敬拜程序?如何穿衣服?聖經沒有說，敬拜是否以基督為中心，耶和華為中心，不是以我們方便來決定。真正的敬拜以耶和華為中心，按照神的旨意、神的時間，不是為了弟兄姊妹的方便。如果一點枝微末節都不能遵行，大事怎麼可能忠心?

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How?

Humble me and honor the Holy Name of the Lord, What I am doing now is for the Lord, and it is not for my own.

Azariah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done.

2 Kings 15:1-38

Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

The Lord afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house.

In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned six months.

Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah. He attacked him in front of the people, assassinated him and succeeded him as king. So the word of the Lord spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: “Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”

Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years. Pekahiah did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 

Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned for twenty years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

In the time of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maakah, Janoah, Kedesh, and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria.

Azariah, a good king, reigned for 52 years. Including a time as co-regent. Azariah is a strong king, defeating the Philistines and Arabs and reducing Ammon to a vassal state. But pide brings him to an unpleasant end. The prophet Isaiah received God's call in the year that King Uzziah died.

Pekah introduces a new dynasty and ruled for 20 years, dating his reign from Menahem's accession, 752-732. His anti-Assyrian policy leads to the mass deportation of the people by Tiglath-pileser. He is assassinated by Hoshea.

Why?

The word of the Lord spoken to Jehu was fulfilled: “Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” If sons of Jehu did what is right in eyes of the Lord. Mabe this situation could be changed. For the Lord loves his people.

Israel every king did evil in the eyes of the Lord. So their destinations were so worse.

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耶戶王朝結束，被沙龍推翻，一個月，米拿現又推翻沙龍，沙龍送禮給來亞述王，來打擊國內反叛者。之後又被比加背叛。人如果走自己的路，以為最安全的地方，反而成為禍患之地。

第二次亞述犯進，百姓第一次被擄走。從耶羅波安二世以後多是短命君王，內亂外患不斷。離開了主、雖然有君王身份，卻沒有辦法享受君王的太平與祝福！離了主我們什麼都不能做！

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How?

May the word and the Holy Spirit come upon me to be a good servant before the Lord.

Since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven

2 Kings 14:17-29

Then all the people of Judah took Azariah,[d] who was sixteen years old and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.  He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his ancestors.

Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. He was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher. 

And since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.

Jeroboam rested with his ancestors, the kings of Israel. And Zechariah his son succeeded him as king.

Why?

Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle underfoot. It means there is another man who came out to kill Amaziah. It comes true.

The Lord said Jehu's sons were kings of Israel until the four generations, even their sons did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat. 

God is love who is full of grace with Israel, since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, God saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.

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南國亞撒利亞就是烏西雅王。

北國耶羅波安二世，仍然行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，北國做王41年最久的王。收復失地是因為耶和華看顧以色列民甚是艱苦，仍然有百姓敬畏神 許多先知為北國禱告，神出手幫助他們，給他們太平日子，讓他們悔改。當時亞速興起，讓鄰國無暇顧及南方的以色列。不是耶羅波安二世有什麼能力，而是神創造適合的環境，使以色列得以在當時強大平和。

神給人順利、祝福，災難都是信號，警告人如果沒有神的幫助，我們可能成功嗎？順利時思想這是神的恩典，災難中思想我們是否得罪神，不討神喜悅！

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How?

God is love, God always gives us the opportunity to save our lives and the ways to return to the Lord.

Now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home!

2 Kings 14:1-16

Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, with the challenge: “Come, let us face each other in battle.”

But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?”

Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah. Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home. Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate—a section about four hundred cubits long. He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace. He also took hostages and returned to Samaria.

Amaziah is a 'good' king who reigns for 29 years. Victory over Edom goes to his head. The disastrous challenge to Jehoash brings the forces of Israel right into Jerusalem, looting the Temple and other treasures.

Why?

Amaziah is a good king in Judah, under God's blessing he defeated the Edom and he was arrogant. So he challenges Israel in the battle. But he was defeated before Israel, and many treasures in the Temple and the royal palace were token by Israel's King Jehoash.

No matter what we were, when pride comes to our mind, the falling is begin. Even did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

Blessing of the Lord come upon us is the grace of the Lord, but we should be more humble for we are the sinner. I am nothing without the Lord!

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亞馬謝打敗以東，擄掠以東的神像，反而拜被擄者的神像。人是神像的主人，反而拜神像。我常常做和亞馬謝一樣的事。我們常常要神幫我們做事情！神不是我們的僕人，不是我們的神像！

亞馬謝打敗以東是神的恩典，不是他多厲害。

亞馬謝因為貪心，以為他打敗以東，他也可以打敗北國，對神現在安排的不滿意，認為北國也是自己國土要爭回來。耶路撒冷城牆被拆，直到他兒子有修復。對神安排的不滿意，結果連原來的也沒有了。千萬不要以為自己了不起，不貪心，不躁進。

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How?

Be humble, for arrogant brings falling and disaster.

Elisah, The chariots and horsemen of Israel

2 Kings 13:1-25

Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before. But they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit; they continued in them. Also, the Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria.

Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him. “My father! My father!” he cried. “The chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

“Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”

Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”

Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.

Jehoash reigned for 17 years during which time Israel falls under Syrian domination.

Jehoash reigns for 16 years. There is war with Judah, and Elisha's last prediction of victory over Syria is realized. The prophet dies, but even in death, his body retains God-given power.

Why?

Jehoash sought the Lord's favor, but Israel did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit.

Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him. “My father! My father!” he cried. “The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” Jehoash knew Elisha is the power of Israel, so he came to see Eliash. Even though they defeated Aram three times, they did not turn away from their sins, so their destination was not changed.

Great prophet, Elisha still is a man, his life is limited by the Lord! But for the power of the Lord with him so even his dead body had the power of life.

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約哈斯敬畏神，亞蘭王來攻擊北國，其實是神的警告。拯救者是亞述王攻擊亞蘭，結果北國還是回去拜其他神亞舍拉、金牛犢，以致遭受四圍的攻擊。找神解決問題，問題解決就離開神

約阿斯也不敬畏神，以利沙的事奉，不僅約阿斯稱他為父，也是以色列的保護者。讓不信的人也肯定他。我們的事奉不應只在教會，而是走出教會讓別人看見，讓人尊敬。我們來找神要聽神的話，卻只聽一部份。

以利沙先說得勝的預言，接著要人的配合。打地沒有說打幾下，也就是自己做主，但是覺得這樣就夠了，神要幫助他，但是他做的不徹底。這是人的通病，想聽神的話，卻又不完全聽進去，有事找長老，牧師，事情解決又回去，不完全聽從神的吩咐。把神的話來參考，沒有完全依靠神，神的心意就無法在我們身上成就。

以利沙在死後影響力仍然存在，這是好的事奉！

神一直記念北國、南國的亞伯拉罕、雅各所立的約，即使人已經不守約了，神仍然愛我們，守約施慈愛！

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How?

Change our heart and mind, focus on the Lord is the only of blessing in our life.

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him

2 Kings 12:1-21

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. 

But by the twenty-third year of King Joash the priests still had not repaired the temple. Therefore King Joash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and asked them, “Why aren’t you repairing the damage done to the temple? Take no more money from your treasurers, but hand it over for repairing the temple.” The priests agreed that they would not collect any more money from the people and that they would not repair the temple themselves.

When the amount had been determined, they gave the money to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. With it they paid those who worked on the temple of the Lord—the carpenters and builders, the masons and stonecutters. They purchased timber and blocks of dressed stone for the repair of the temple of the Lord, and met all the other expenses of restoring the temple.

They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty. The money from the guilt offerings and sin offerings was not brought into the temple of the Lord; it belonged to the priests.

But Joash king of Judah took all the sacred objects dedicated by his predecessors—Jehoshaphat, Jehoram and Ahaziah, the kings of Judah—and the gifts he himself had dedicated and all the gold found in the treasuries of the temple of the Lord and of the royal palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem.

His officials conspired against him and assassinated him at Beth Millo, on the road down to Silla. The officials who murdered him were Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer. He died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. And Amaziah his son succeeded him as king.

In the writer's estimation, Joash is one of Judah's best kings, ruling for 40 years. Under Jehoiada's guidance, Joash rules well. But for some years money intended for Temple repairs gets no further than the priests. A new method of collection is devised and the work put in hand. Funds come from tax and freewill offerings.

Joash's later years see a decline in political, moral and religious spheres. Syria makes inroads into Judah and threatens Jerusalem, The king dies at the hands of his servants.

Why?

Under the priest Jehoiada instructed Joash, Joash did a good king in Judah. To be a ruler need a good instructor.

When Jehoiada was getting old, other priests did not take the devotion to repair the Temple but took it as their own. So Joash asked the king's officers to take over this work and repair the Temple.

When Jehoiada passed away, Joash did not remember what Johiada saved him and has grace on him, he turn away from the Lord, so his officials conspired against him and assassinated him.

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約阿斯的輔佐耶何耶大是王的養父，使約阿斯反而離開神。

整修聖殿的事交給祭司辦理居然都沒有動工，向認識的人收銀子，即放在私庫。約阿斯登基23年後，約30歲，投入聖殿整修奉獻箱，由大祭司及王的司庫一起點收，專款專用，不與經常性費用混用。給祭司的錢也沒有短少。祭司為什麼不想處理此事，沒有動工，似乎祭司擔心工程費會擠壓到他們的生活費。表面上耶何耶大是王的臣子，其實是攝政王，慢慢的約阿斯成了兒皇帝，所以約阿斯想要脫離耶何耶大。約阿斯推不動整修聖殿，但是祭司們，朝中大臣都聽耶何耶大，以致人長大了，頭腦沒有長大，什麼事都替他決定，最後種下這個禍因，一有機會爭脫耶何耶大，以致連耶何耶大的信仰也放棄。耶何耶大可能擔心約阿斯做錯決定，所以都幫他決定。

帶領一個人，要在適當的時候，慢慢交給他，讓他決定，使他成長。

耶何耶大死後，約阿斯轉去拜別的神！

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How?

We need the good environment of spiritual environment,  God's word is our guidance in our daily life.

Athaliah of Judah

2 Kings 11:1-21

When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered.  He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord.

The commanders of units of a hundred did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered.

Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”

Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.

Queen Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother and the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, reigned for six years. These are some of the darkest days in the nation's history. The royal line of David is all but wiped out; only the baby Joash survives. The priest Jehoiada (husband of princess Jehosheba, who rescued Joash leads the well-planned and virtually bloodless coup which puts Joash on the throne. The constitutional monarchy is restored, and loyalty to God is reaffirmed in the swearing of a new covenant pact.

Why?

A sister of the King and Priest of the Lord under their effort and God's blessing. The royal line of David is not been all wiped out.

This event started with Queen Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab, so the effect of Ahab and the consequence of the king of Judah made marriage with Ahab almost destroy David's kingdom.

How?

Do not look down on our duty and our responsibility, if the Lord allows, we can make something affect this generation.