The Kings of this Period.

13.  Hezekiah, 2 K. 18:1-20-21; 2 Chron. 29:1-32:33.  Reigned 29 years and died.

14.  Manasseh, 2 K. 21:1-18; 2 Chron. 33:1-20.  Reigned 55 year and died.

15.  Amon, 2 K. 21:19-26; 2 Chron. 33:20-25.  Reigned 2 years and was slain by a conspiracy of his servants.

16.  Josiah, 2 K. 22:1-23; 2 Chron. 34:1-33:27.  Reigned 31 years and was killed in battle.

17.  Jehoahaz. 2 K. 23:30-34; 2 Chron. 36:1-4.  Reigned 3 months and was dethroned and carried into Egypt where he died.

18.  Jehoiakim, 2 K. 23:34-24:6; 2 Chron. 36:4-8.  Reigned 11 years and died.

19.  Jehoiachin. 2 K. 24:6-16; 2 Chron. 36:9-10.  Reigned 3 months and was carried captive to Egypt.

20.  Zedekiah. 2 K. 24:17-25; 2 Chron. 36:11-21.  Reigned 11 years and carried captive into Egypt.

The Principal Events of the Period.  Among the more important events of this period the following should be noticed. (1) The reforms of Hezekiah who attempted to restore the whole Mosaic order. (2) The invasion of Judah by Sennacherib, king of Assyria who at first humiliated Hezekiah, but later, was destroyed by divine intervention and Jerusalem saved. (3) The wicked reign of Manasseh, who sought to destroy all true worship and established idolatrous worship in its stead. (4) His captivity in Babylon and release and attempted reform. (5) The good reign of Josiah, who destroyed the altars of idolatry, repaired the temple and caused the book of the law to be read-all of which resulted in a very thorough-going revival of true worship. (6) The conflicts with their enemies which finally resulted in the downfall of Jerusalem and the captivity of the people.  This captivity was completely accomplished through three invasions of the hosts of Nebuchadnezzar, (a) In the reign of Jehoiakim at which time he carried away captive Daniel and his friends; (b) In the reign of Jehoiachin or Jeconiah, when he carried to Babylon the treasures of Jerusalem and the skilled workmen as well as the officers of the court; (c) In the reign of Zedekiah, when the city and temple and walls and principal houses were destroyed and large numbers carried into captivity.

The Prophets of the Period and Their Messages.  Of all the periods this is signalized by the greatest prophetic activity.  There was constant need both on the part of the king and on the part of the people for the warnings and rebukes of the people.  Some prophets delivered part of their message in one period and the rest in another.  No doubt Isaiah and Micah did part of their service during the former period and Jeremiah performed a part of his in the next.  But they are all put down here because this is the period of their greatest activity.  The other prophets of the period are Joel, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk and Obadiah.  The messages of these prophets should be carefully read following outlines given in “The Bible Book by Book.”