Bible Study on Acts 27, verses 1 to 11, a perilous journey on the sea

 

Acts 27:1 ¶  And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band. 2  And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3  And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 4  And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5  And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6  And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 7  And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering  us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; 8  And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. 9  Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10  And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11  Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

 

We saw mention of the Italian Band in Acts 10. I read that the Augustus Band referred to a bodyguard formed by the Emperor Nero to accompany him to games and other events. If this is so they were returning to Rome and Paul would accompany them under guard, which seems only fitting, as he has appealed directly to the emperor.

 

Adramyttium was a port city on the west coast of what would be Turkey today. There was a famous school of oratory there. They entered a ship registered in that city and sailed to Sidon in modern-day Lebanon.

 

Paul’s status as a Roman citizen is evident here as he is permitted to visit friends upon his honor.

 

They intended to sail by Cyprus but weather difficulties brought them back to the mainland and Myra. They then changed ships to one registered in Alexandria. These geographical locations are interesting, but they also show the perilousness of Paul’s journey. Paul tries to warn those people in charge to no avail.

 

It is interesting to me that the two main schools of Bible interpretation are Antioch and Alexandria, the literal and the figurative. Paul is being taken to Rome, which will be home to the Roman Catholic Church which embraces the Alexandrian manuscripts of the Bible, and to shipwreck. So, leaving Antioch is not a favorable thing to do. Plus, I am compelled to acknowledge that most modern Bible versions with their dynamic equivalence method of translating and their reliance on a handful of Alexandrian manuscripts are a far cry from the literal formal equivalence of the King James Bible and its reliance on the Byzantine and Antiochan manuscripts. Which ship are you on?

Bible Study on Isaiah 7, verses 10 to 16, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son

 

Isaiah 7:10 ¶  Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11  Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12  But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13  And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15  Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16  For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

 

God, speaking through Isaiah, tells Ahaz to ask for a sign of God’s promise to confirm it. Ahaz, rather impertinently probably references;

 

Deuteronomy 6:16  Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

 

Which references this;

 

Exodus 17:1 ¶  And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. 2  Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? 3  And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? 4  And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. 5  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. 6  Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7  And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

 

This double-minded king who we noted obeys God and disobeys Him at the same time, inspires God’s disgust.

 

James 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

 

God’s going to give him a sign anyway. A child will be born and is able to eat the common food of infants in those days, as per John Gill, milk and honey, before he is weaned so to speak, but before he is of the age of knowing the difference between good and evil both the kings of Israel and Syria, because of their confederacy against Judah, will be dealt with.

 

2Kings 15:30  And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.

 

2Kings 16:9  And the king of Assyria hearkened unto him: for the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, and took it, and carried the people of it captive to Kir, and slew Rezin.

 

The child will be conceived of someone who is here called a virgin and his name, Immanuel, will mean, according to Strong’s, “God with us”, or, “with us is God.” This woman had been a virgin, not knowing a man. In the immediate context, some commentators say, this is a reference to simply a young woman, who had been a virgin, who will bear a child in the correct manner of the Law. But this is one of the many Messianic prophecies even the Jews understood as referring to the Messiah to come.

 

This is a future prophecy of Christ in the double-meaning that much of prophesy has where a woman who was actually a virgin, having not known a man, would conceive the Messiah.

 

Matthew 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

The prophetic interpretation that this is a reference to the Messiah to come will also be confirmed later in Isaiah.

 

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Bible Study on Acts 26, verses 24 to 32, almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian

 

Acts 26:24 ¶  And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25  But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26  For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27  King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29  And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 30  And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 31  And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32  Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

 

Agrippa notes to Festus the irony of Paul’s innocence and yet the danger he put himself into by appealing to Caesar. Still, this is all part of God’s plan to get Paul to Rome in spite of himself.

 

Notice here how Agrippa makes the important statement;

 

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

 

Many people who acknowledge the moral teachings of Jesus consider Him a great teacher of morality but deny any possibility of the resurrection and therefore miss the mark of salvation. They would say almost thou persuadeth me to be a Christian and never be one. In our culture many people who are engaged in good works such as Masons will acknowledge all that Jesus said except they will argue that all religions are a way to God, thereby calling Jesus a liar and missing the mark set by God for salvation.

Bible Study on Exodus 25, verses 31 to 40, a candlestick of pure gold

 

Exodus 25:31 ¶  And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32  And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 33  Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34  And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 35  And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 36  Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37  And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 38  And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39  Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. 40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Much is made of the word candlestick by skeptics. Modern Bible translators choose to translate the word as lampstand. This is the definition Strong gave it. In the era of the translation of the King James Bible, the Authorized Version, on which we rely, a candlestick was simply, “an instrument to bear a candle,” as in Thomas Wilson’s 1612 A Christian Dictionary.[1] A candle was merely something that burning gives light, in this case using olive oil.

Exodus 27:20  And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.

 Some sources state that the word, lampstand, came in use in English around the mid-1800s. So, it would not have been available to the translators. Candlestick is entirely appropriate if you regard the cross-references and review the Hebrew word, which is in use today, the menorah.

Knop is another word over which people stumble. A knop is a decorative knob at the top of something. It can be the ornamental top or capital of a pillar designed to distribute the weight placed directly on the pillar. Think of the opening at the top of a candle holder where the candle fits in and the part of the menorah just under that cup. If I’m not mistaken this would be the meaning of the knop.

There are six branches from the centerpiece and seven lamps. Candlesticks play an important part in prophecy as this candlestick will represent actual historical churches and types of churches in Christianity.

Zechariah 4:1 ¶  And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2  And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3  And two olive trees by it, one

upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 5  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto

Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of

this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

 

    11 ¶  Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12  And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13  And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said,

No, my lord. 14  Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

 

Revelation 1:9 ¶  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks

one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

 

God has shown Moses, visibly, how these things are to be made. He has shown him the pattern.

Hebrews 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

 

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[1] Ian Lancashire, ed., Lexicons of Early Modern English (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2017), http://leme.library.utoronto.ca/.

 

Bible Study on Acts 26, verses 12 to 23, Paul recounts the road to Damascus

 

Acts 26:12 ¶  Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13  At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15  And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17  Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20  But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21  For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22  Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23  That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

 

There are two possibilities here as this account has some additions to the earlier accounts of Paul’s Damascus road experience with Christ. One possibility is that Paul is embellishing his story as people often do when recounting it. But a second more likely possibility is that this is a more fuller version of the event and the Holy Spirit wants us to have all of the information to see the complete picture. This is done throughout the Bible where you need to cross-reference and review every verse on a doctrine or an event to get the complete picture. So, in essence I believe this account to be accurate simply because the Holy Spirit included it in the Bible and it is not challenged by anyone at the time.

 

Here are the other two examples for you to compare. First, from Luke, presumably having been told by Paul, to the pen and parchment;

 

Acts 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

 

Then, Paul, defending himself in front of an angry Hebrew mob.

 

Acts 22:5  As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

 

We can piece together the full confrontation with Christ that Paul had by looking at all three. Some also assume that Paul is simply merging events and what he was told into one scene rather than two or three.

 

Bible Study on Exodus 25, verses 23 to 30, the table of the shewbread

 

Exodus 25:23 ¶  Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. 24  And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. 25  And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about. 26  And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof. 27  Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table. 28  And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. 29  And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them. 30  And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

There was to be this table of shewbread set before the Lord at all times. This represents the communion that God wishes to have with His people in their hearts. We are to be in constant communication and fellowship with our Creator.

Romans 12:12b  …continuing instant in prayer;

1Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

It is of great importance to keep one’s mind focused on God.

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

And there is a future event that this idea of communion with God signifies, in my mind.

Revelation 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

In symbolism that the Bible gives us bread is compared to God’s words. See the contrast here between being without bread and being without the words of God.

Amos 8:11  Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

Words and food are contrasted in other places. For instance,

Job 34:3  For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

And Christ is likened to bread.

John 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Whereas the priests were supposed to eat of this bread…

Matthew 12:4  How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

…the believer is a type of priest…

1Peter 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ…9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light…

 

…and we partake of communion with God symbolically memorializing Christ’s death with bread representing His body, broken on the Cross…

1Corinthians 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

So, there are a lot of symbols associated with bread and I think many sermons could be made about the shewbread in the sanctuary and bread in general as representing our communion with God, Christ as the bread of life, God’s words as bread, and other representations that I have missed here. Of course, there is always the risk of taking a type or symbol too far.

The main point is that the shewbread continually set before God and eaten by the priests represents God’s desire to commune with mankind, one of His apparently prime motivations in His ministry of reconciling sinful man to Himself, the main theme of the Bible.

Why do I say that this is the main theme of the Bible? Well, you will find mention of Heaven in the Bible but not have all of your questions answered about it. You will find mention of science, history, philosophy, and other topics referred to in the Bible but never have all the answers you need. There is no wedding ceremony for Christians, no orders on how we are to conduct church services, no funeral ceremony. We are not told how to conduct the minutiae of living from day to day in the Bible. What we will be doing in eternity or in the millennial reign of Christ even is not completely explained. However, God’s work in drawing man to Himself is thoroughly and clearly laid out for us to see. The Bible is the revelation of God’s efforts at providing a way to be saved from the eternity of death man has chosen. By necessity we learn about God’s nature, His power, His love, His desire for us, and the response of many to Him, favorable and unfavorable, from the words in this book as He reveals His actions toward us.

You will search the Bible for definitive answers on many topics but be frustrated by the lack of information and how topics are dismissed with a casual reference. For example great men of history are given short shrift. Alexander the Great gets a mention as the prince of Grecia and many others are completely ignored. This is why preachers try to make the Bible say things it does not say, because they are looking for answers in it that it does not provide because they are not its subject. The subject of the Bible is God’s ministry of reconciling mankind to Himself and in doing so it provides the key to our salvation. But, it does not tell you how to conduct Wednesday night prayer meeting or even if you must have one. We need to quit misrepresenting God like Job’s friends and twisting the text like taffy to make it mean something that matters to us but just isn’t there.

That being said, you can find yourself in every verse, and God has something to tell you in every passage. We need to be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. What a verse means to you spiritually and practically may not be what it means to me. Obviously, the Hebrews of the twelfth century BC would see this passage differently than you or I would today in many respects. We have the complete revelation of God’s ministry of reconciling mankind to Himself although we await its final fulfillment. Think about what knowledge and understanding they would have had at that time.

Brief comments on 2Kings, chapter 15

 

2Kings 15:1 ¶  In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. 2  Sixteen years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned two and fifty years in Jerusalem.  And his mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. 3  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done; 4  Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. 5  And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the house, judging  the people of the land. 6  And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 7  So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

 

Azariah has a remarkably long reign and he was obedient to God except that the high places where false worship was offered were not removed. God made Azariah a leper so Jotham, his son, performed his duties as king until his death when Jotham could reign in his own name.

 

On a side note, John Gill has cleared up any confusion about dates and timing of reigns in his commentary so there is no need to rehash that and impede the narrative here. Also, a several house would be a single or separate house as several used to also mean individual and separate and older commentators simply say that the leper king lived in a house on his own.

 

2Kings 15:8 ¶  In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months. 9  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 10  And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead. 11  And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 12  This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass. 13  Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria. 14  For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead. 15  And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 16  Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up. 17  In the nine and thirtieth year of Azariah king of Judah began Menahem the son of Gadi to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria. 18  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 19  And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. 20  And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land. 21  And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 22  And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead. 23  In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years. 24  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 25  But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king’s house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room. 26  And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 27  In the two and fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years. 28  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 29  In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria. 30  And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. 31  And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

 

Zachariah, the 4^th generation of Jehu, was another evil king over Israel and was the victim of a coup and assassination by Shallum.

 

2Kings 10:30  And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.

 

Shallum ruled only for a month before he was killed by Menahem, who took the reigns of power. A brutal and evil king, he reigned for ten years. He tried to buy off the king of Assyria. When he died Pekahiah, his son, reigned two years only in these tumultuous times. He was assassinated by Pekah, one of his captains. Pekah reigned twenty years. He, too, was evil and Assyria began dismantling Israel in his days. He was overthrown by Hoshea.

 

2Kings 15:32 ¶  In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign. 33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. 34  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. 35  Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD. 36  Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 37  In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. 38  And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in

the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

 

Jotham was a good, but not remarkable king. He failed to turn the apostasy of the people away from their idols and toward God.

 

The higher gate is called the new gate according to John Gill.

 

Jeremiah 26:10  When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’S house.

 

Jeremiah 36:10  Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD’S house, in the ears of all the people.

 

War is coming.