1. How far Hezekiah’s thoroughness in all matters connected with religion the secret of his success? See especially 31:20, 21. Cf. Rom. 12:11; Col.3:23.
2. What lessons can we learn from the way in which Hezekiah met opposition?
3. How far did this spiritually minded king fall short of perfection? How may we learn from him?

Notes

1. 32:1.This reference to Hezekiah’s faithfulness (31:20) is introduced to show that coming of Sennacherib was not because he had sinned.
2. 32:5 Archaeologists think ‘the Millo’ (see mg.) at Jerusalem was probably part of the fortifications or the foundations for them.

1. Hezekiah as king desired to reform the religious life of the nation, and worked urgently to a definite plan.
   What steps did he follow?
   Note his speed (29:3; 30:2) and his priorities (29:16-21)
2. What evidence do you find that the Passover (chapter 30) was not merely an outward from, but signaled a genuine turning back to God?
   What signs were there of true spiritual revival?

Note. 30:2, 3, 13, 15. The king availed himself of the provision in the law that allowed the Passover to be kept in the second month, instead of the first (see Num. 9:10, 11), and thus avoided having to wait almost a year.

1. How was it reveled that in Uzziah’ heart, notwithstanding his piety (26:5), there lurked the same evil tendency that had marred the life and reign of his father Amaziah before him?
   With 26:16, cf. 25:19; Deut. 17:18-20. What forms might his sin take today?
2. How did the sin of Ahaz affect:
   (a) God,
   (b) God’s people, and
   (c) himself?
3. In the midst of a godless age, how did Oded, the prophet, and the men mentioned in 28:12 stands out?
   What may we learn from their example? Cf. 1 Tim. 5:20.

Notes

1. 26:5. ‘Zechariah’: not otherwise known, and the prophet of the biblical book who lived at a later period.
2. 26:18. See Num. 16:40; 18:7.

1. What would you say was the chief fault in Amaziah’s character?
   How does the chapter illustrate the description of him in verse 2?
   See, on the one hand, verses 3, 4, 7-10; also 26:4; and, on the other hand, 25:14-16, 27. Cf. Jer. 17:9.
2. How does Amaziah’s career, with its gradual drift away from God, show the peril of a half-hearted loyalty to Christ?

Note. Verse10. The hired soldier had been hoping for loot and plunder, hence their anger. See also verse 13.

1. Joash was a weak character, who leant on others.
   To whom did he listen?
   What were the consequences?
   What lessons may we learn?
   Cf. 2 Tim. 2:1.
2. Why was the stoning of Zechariah a peculiarly flagrant crime?

Note. Verse 16. This was a unique honour. Contrast verse 25.

1. Why had Jehoiada to wait seven years?
   What lessons may we learn from this for ourselves?
   Cf. Hab. 2:3. Why did he have confidence that the plan would succeed?
2. What lessons in careful planning and organization can we learn from Jehoiada in our service of Christ?
3. Jehoiada was not content with half measures.
   How did he follow up his victory? See 23:16-20.

Notes

1. 23:2, 3. This was the preliminary gathering, secretly convened in the temple, in which all present pledged their loyalty to the boy king.
2. 23:11. ‘The covenant’: i.e., the book of the law. Cf. Deut. 17:18-20.

1. Identify the sins of Jehoram recorded here.
   How did God deal with him, and why?
   To what did he owe his survival?
2. How far was the low state under Jehoram and Ahaziah directly traceable to the mistaken step of Jehoshaphat as recorded in 18:1?
   What does this illustrate concerning the character and consequences of some sins?