2 Kings 16-17; 2 Chronicles 28; Isaiah 7-8 The final days of the northern kingdom of Israel were marked by a failed gamble and a desperate gambit. The failed gamble came as an attempt by Aram and Israel to compel neighboring states (including Judah) to form an alliance against the expanding Assyrian Empire around 735 […]
Category Archives: Divided Monarchy Period
The Moabite Alliance Attacks Judah
2 Chronicles 20 During the reign of Jehoshaphat of Judah, the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites on the east side of the Dead Sea formed an alliance to attack Judah. By the time Jehoshaphat was informed of the situation, the alliance had already reached Hazazon-tamar (also called En-gedi). Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord for help, and […]
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10 After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king, and he traveled to Shechem for the coronation ceremony before all the tribes. Jeroboam, who had been an enemy of Solomon and fled to Egypt, came to Shechem as well. Before the ceremony, Jeroboam and many other Israelites demanded […]
Mahanaim and Peniel
One of the most significant biblical locations that few Bible readers would recognize is the site of the twin fortresses of Mahanaim and Peniel. During the Old Testament these fortresses stood on opposite sides of the Jabbok River and guarded an important road leading from southern Gilead to the roads of the Jordan River valley. […]
Carthage, Italy, and Nearby Islands
Though the Old Testament never clearly mentions the region encompassing Carthage, southern Italy, and several large islands, these lands eventually influenced some of the events of the New Testament and the early church. The Phoenicians (located just north of Israel) founded Carthage as a trading colony on the coast of North Africa around 800 B.C., […]