Series: I & II Kings for Beginners
The Fall of Israel and Judah
Part 2
By: Mike Mazzalongo
In this final lesson, Mike will summarize the lives and rule of the remaining kings of Judah before its defeat and captivity, as well as provide a description of Jewish life while in exile.
Sources
1. Biblical Texts
- The Holy Bible:
- Key translations used for reference: NIV (New International Version), ESV (English Standard Version), and KJV (King James Version).
- Books specifically consulted: II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Psalms, and Daniel for cross-referencing themes.
2. Scholarly Commentaries
- The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT) – "I & II Kings" by Iain W. Provan
- Provides detailed exegesis on historical and theological themes.
- The Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume on 2 Kings
- Analyzes the narrative structure and key events with theological reflections.
- Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – "I & II Kings" by Donald J. Wiseman
- Offers a concise, historical approach to the text.
- Word Biblical Commentary – Series on Kings by T. R. Hobbs
- Focuses on the historical-critical context and linguistic analysis.
3. Archaeological and Historical Sources
- Al-Yahudu Tablets:
- A collection of cuneiform records documenting the lives of Jewish exiles in Babylon.
- Babylonian Chronicles:
- Provides accounts of Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns, including the sieges of Jerusalem.
- The Lachish Letters:
- A set of ostraca (inscribed pottery shards) from the late Iron Age that provide insight into Judah's final days before Babylonian conquest.
- Excavations in Babylon and Judah:
- Archaeological findings, including seals, pottery, and remnants of destroyed cities like Lachish and Jerusalem, offer tangible evidence of the events described in 2 Kings.
4. Secondary Historical Sources
- The Ancient Near East: A History by William W. Hallo and William K. Simpson:
- Discusses the broader historical context of Babylonian, Assyrian, and Near Eastern empires during the time of II Kings.
- History of Israel by John Bright:
- Integrates biblical narratives with historical and archaeological data.
- The Bible and the Ancient Near East by Cyrus H. Gordon and Gary A. Rendsburg:
- Examines the interplay between biblical texts and Near Eastern historical context.
5. Theological and Devotional Resources
- "The Message of 2 Kings" (The Bible Speaks Today series) by J. G. McConville:
- Highlights theological themes and lessons for contemporary readers.
- "God's Kingdom Through God's Covenants" by Peter J. Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum:
- Explores covenant theology, which underpins much of the narrative in Kings and Chronicles.
6. Online Resources
- Biblical Archaeology Society:
- Articles on Babylonian exile, the fall of Jerusalem, and archaeological evidence for II Kings events.
- Jewish Virtual Library:
- Detailed discussions on the exile and its cultural impact.
- The Lexham Bible Dictionary (accessible through tools like Logos Bible Software):
- Provides concise entries on key events, figures, and archaeological findings.