God’s Judgment of His People
The kings of Israel and Judah were very important in the history of the divided kingdom. But the people also influenced events. They followed their wicked rulers (2 Kings 3:3; 17:22; 21:9, 11, 16). They stopped obeying God (12:3; 14:4; 15:4, 35; 17:9–11; 18:4; 22:17). They took part in the religious practices started by Jeroboam I (10:28–31; 17:21–22). They worshiped at pagan shrines (holy places) (12:3; 14:4; 15:4, 35; 18:4).
During this time, the Scripture sometimes describes God's people positively. The people of Judah celebrated when they removed Queen Athaliah and Joash became king (2 Kings 11:12, 18–20). Sometimes, the people helped choose new kings or followed good leaders (14:21; 23:30; 11:17; 18:36; 23:1–3, 21–23).
God continued to warn his people through his prophets (2 Kings 17:13). Yet, the people of both kingdoms continued to rebel against God (17:14–19, 22). As a result, God judged them as he promised (17:22–23; 21:10–15; 22:17; 23:26–27; 24:20; 25:21). God acted according to the terms of his special agreement (called a covenant) with them (Leviticus 26:27–39).
Yet, he still loved his people and wanted to restore them (see Hosea 11:1–11). God always cared for his people. He saved them from Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:17–19:37). He promised that a small group would thrive again in the land (19:30–31). The good treatment King Jehoiachin received in Babylon probably renewed hope among the repentant people (25:27–30).
God promised to restore his people from exile. He would give them fellowship with him in the land again. He would rule over them through his chosen king, a descendant of David (Jeremiah 23:3–6; see also Isaiah 11; Romans 11:5–36).
Passages for Further Study
Leviticus 26:27–39; 2 Kings 17:7–23; 21:9–16; 23:26–27; 24:20–25:21; Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 11:31; Isaiah 3:10–11; Jeremiah 1:16; 17:10; 23:3–6; Ezekiel 7:1–9; 33:18–20; 34:17–24; 39:23–24; Hosea 11:1–11; Amos 3:2; Matthew 25:24–30; Luke 12:47–48; 13:6–9; John 5:45–47; Romans 11:5–36; Colossians 3:23–25; Hebrews 12:25; James 2:12–13; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 2:1–3:22
Passages
Leviticus 26:27–39 2 Kings 3:3 2 Kings 10:28–31 2 Kings 11:12 2 Kings 11:17 2 Kings 11:18–20 2 Kings 12:3 2 Kings 14:4 2 Kings 14:21 2 Kings 15:4 2 Kings 15:35 2 Kings 17:7–23 2 Kings 17:9–11 2 Kings 17:13 2 Kings 17:14–19 2 Kings 17:21–22 2 Kings 17:22 2 Kings 17:22–23 2 Kings 18:4 2 Kings 18:17–19:37 2 Kings 18:36 2 Kings 19:30–31 2 Kings 21:9 2 Kings 21:9–16 2 Kings 21:10–15 2 Kings 21:11 2 Kings 21:16 2 Kings 22:17 2 Kings 23:1–3 2 Kings 23:21–23 2 Kings 23:26–27 2 Kings 23:30 2 Kings 24:20 2 Kings 24:20–25:21 2 Kings 25:21 2 Kings 25:27–30 Psalm 62:12 Proverbs 11:31 Isaiah 3:10–11 Isaiah 11:1–16 Jeremiah 1:16 Jeremiah 17:10 Jeremiah 23:3–6 Ezekiel 7:1–9 Ezekiel 33:18–20 Ezekiel 34:17–24 Ezekiel 39:23–24 Hosea 11:1–11 Amos 3:2 Matthew 25:24–30 Luke 12:47–48 Luke 13:6–9 John 5:45–47 Romans 11:5–36 Colossians 3:23–25 Hebrews 12:25 James 2:12–13 1 Peter 1:17 Revelation 2:1–3:22