The Tanakh Podcast

The Temple has been purified, Pesach has been celebrated on a national scale, but how will the Mikdash be maintained? Now Hizkiyahu asks the nation to bring tithes - teruma and ma'aser - the tithes -…

We now start 4 chapters that describe the reign of King Hizkiyahu.

The first 3 of these chapters depict Hizkiyahu's purification of the Temple, and his renewal of the covenant in a mass celebration of…

The Assyrians are coming.

This causes a devastating civil war between the northern and southern states, and a total capitulation in Jerusalem to Assyrian idolatry.

A short chapter today!

It speaks of King Yotam, about whom it is said that he was "flawless" - quite an accolade!

---

To support my work:

⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael⁠

Uzziah is depicted in glowing terms and achievements.

But then he gets too full of himself! - He enters the Temple and ascends the altar to offer the incense. When he is confronted by the priests, he…

The narrative of Amaziah is told quite differently than in Sefer Melakhim. Here it seems almost curated to make a theological point. And we shall see the way that Amaziah's story mirrors closely that…

King Yoash's story is told in two parts.

His early life, before the death of his adopted father - the High Priest - is virtuous. But after Yehoyada's demise, he turns to idolatry and silencing his cri…

Athalia seizes the throne.

The High Priest - Yehoyada - waits six years and then stages a mutiny.

---

Patreon

https://buymeacoffee.com/alexisrael

In this chapter we have two episodes of murder;

1. Ahazyahu, King of Yehuda is assassinated by Yehu ben Nimshi in the mutiny at Jezreel

Seeing that the king, her son, is dead, Attalya takes the reigns …

Yeshoshafat is reprimanded by the prophet.

His response is to embark on a campaign to bring justice to the land.

The righteous Yehoshafat has his son marry Ahab's daughter. They launch a joint military campaign. Now Ahab is the most evil and idolatrous of kings. His wife actively persecutes God's prophets. Ahab…

Up to this point, Assa has a stellar record in biblical terms.

But now, he makes a "covenant" with Syria (rather than God), relies on himself (rather than God) and ignores, even imprisons the prophet…

Assa leads the country to rid itself of idolatry.

He then convenes the nation at the Temple to renew their allegiance to God.

King Avia (Yehuda) and King Yerovam (North - Israel) go to war.

500,000 dead!

Does Divrei Hayamim side with Avia or Yerovam? Why?

And how about Hazal?

After chapter 11 positive assessment of Rechavam, the ling and people abandon God, and God abandons them.

Today we talk about many features of Divrei Hayamim - the democratic nature of the connection …