Read 2 Kings 25 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
25:1-7 {s} Babylonians slew Zedekiah’s sons, put out his eyes, took him captive to Babylon
25:8-24 {p} Babylonians burned down the Temple and palaces, broke down the walls, carried captives captive
25:25-26 {s} Ishmael slew the governor/ fled to Egypt for fear of Babylonian reprisal
25:27-30 {p} In the first year of Evil-Merodach’s reign, Jehoiachin released from prison (after 37 years)
2 Kings 21:1-25:30 Chiastic structure (of the final seven kings of Judah)
1 Kings 1:1 – 2 Kings 25:30 Chiastic structure:
2 Kings 2:19-8:6 Chiastic structure (the central axis)
For a long time I couldn’t complete the single structure for the combined books of Kings, because I was sure that Elijah’s ascension was the central axis. It is a unique incident in the book, after all. But the structure would not resolve no matter how I juggled elements, with that as the central axis.
But that is the beauty of the Chiastic structure teaching tool. God is trying to teach us something, as His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Sometimes what the Holy Spirit chooses to surround with neon-flashing lights is surprising.
The theme of both books of Kings together might be the failure of Israel and Judah to walk in their covenant with YHVH. They begin well—kingdom united under a wise son of the house of David, prosperity and renown increased, majestic Temple built—but it doesn’t take long at all for it to fall apart, until finally, neither Israel nor Judah is living in their land, and the beautiful Temple is left a smoking heap of ruins.
But in the midst of failure, and apostasy, and encroaching darkness, is the Spirit of the living God, multiplying food, healing leprosy, showing love and kindness to enemies, raising the dead to life. It sounds familiar, doesn’t it? As Brad Scott used to say, “The New Testament isn’t new, it’s just true.”
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Rom 2:4
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