Daily reading

Today’s reading is: Era 5: The Kingdom Divided. 930-586BC

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Era 5: The Kingdom Divided 930-586BC

An introductory class to prepare for Day 165 through Day 243. 79 messages for this era is the longest portion of this TTB. Scriptures in this era include 1st & 2nd Kings, selections from 2nd Chronicles, most remaining Psalms, and all remaining Proverbs. This Era also includes the Major Prophets Isaiah & Jeremiah, early portions of Ezekiel & Daniel, and eight Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah).

Additional prophets & prophetesses are featured extensively in this era, without Books of the Bible named for them. Frequently they are titled “man of God.” Elijah & Elishah are the best known, but others include Ahijah the Shilonite, Shemaiah tmoG, an unnamed moG who came from Judah, an old prophet living in Bethel, Jehu the son of Hanani, an unnamed moG and an unnamed prophet came to Ahab, followed by Micaiah son of Imlah. A prophetess is also named in this era: Huldah.  Huge numbers of prophets are mentioned: 100 prophets of YHWH are hidden from Jezebel by Obadiah. Elijah confronts 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah. The sons of the prophets are also prominent in this era.

The primary canonical blessings of this era are the prophetic messages of the promised Messiah, the Day of the Lord, the New Covenant and the Kingdom of Glory.

Downhill from the Peak

David and Solomon were a tandem Type of Christ prefiguring the Second Advent and Millennium. Their reigns and blessings to Israel have never been equaled. Their Canon contributions have never been matched. No other king ever wrote Scripture, although Hezekiah contributed via Canon compilation and arrangement (cf. Prov. 25:1).

Like the period of the Judges, the Divided Kingdom era alternated between flagrant idolatry and occasional fear of the Lord national obedience. The Jewish people had eternal unconditional promises and the Throne of David was specifically identified with additional eternal unconditional promises yet the journey from Rehoboam to Zedekiah was all downhill.

North and South Bad Kings and a Few Good Kings

Twenty evil kings in the Northern Kingdom of Israel 930-722BC. 208 years = average 10.4 years.

Jeroboam | Nadab || Baasha | Elah || Zimri | Tibni || Omri | Ahab | Ahaziah | Jehoram || Jehu | Jehoahaz | Jehoash | Jeroboam | Zechariah || Shallum || Menahem | Pekahiah || Pekah || Hoshea  [Israel’s 9 “Dynasties” are indicated with || marks]

Eight good kings and twelve evil kings (one queen) 930-586BC. 346 years = average 17.3 years.

Rehoboam | Abijah | Asa | Jehoshaphat | Jehoram | Ahaziah | Athaliah | Joash | Amaziah | Azariah (Uzziah) | Jotham | Ahaz | Hezekiah | Manasseh | Amon | Josiah | Jehoahaz | Jehoiakim | Jehoiachin | Zedekiah [Judah’s 8 good kings in bold]

A very helpful chart is found in the Bible Knowledge Commentary to show Kings and Prophets from this era. Also, the Faithlife Study Bible Infographics has a tremendous timeline for the Divided Kingdom.