HABAKKUK
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Setting the scene.
At the time of Habakkuk’s writing, the Babylonians, new masters of the Middle East, had already threatened tiny Judah with extinction. But perhaps even worse, spiritual conditions at home were at an all-time low. This is the background that gives rise to the spiritual doubts and shouts in the book of Habakkuk.
II. The doubts.
A. His question—“Will you punish our nation?”
The prophet was grieved over Judah’s wickedness.
1. The law was ignored (Hab 1:4).
2. Justice was perverted (Hab 1:4).
3. Righteousness was surrounded by wickedness (Hab 1:4).
B. God’s answer—“I will, through Judah’s foes.”
This would be done even during Habakkuk’s lifetime (Hab 1:5). God was raising a new force on the world scene, the Chaldeans (Hab 1:6).
1. They were a law unto themselves (Hab 1:7).
2. Their horses were swifter than leopards and fiercer than wolves (Hab 1:8).
3. Their riders were like hungry eagles circling their prey (Hab 1:8).
4. They collected captives like sand (Hab 1:9).
5. They mocked at kings (Hab 1:10).
C. His question—“Will you punish these Chaldeans also?”
Habakkuk could not comprehend why God would let this pagan nation punish his own people, even though they were admittedly guilty of gross sin (Hab 1:12–17). Habakkuk knew the Chaldeans would snare their Hebrew captives like fish.
D. God’s answer—“I will, through my woes!”
Habakkuk climbed upon his watchtower to await God’s answer. Soon it came (Hab 2:1–2).
1. God told him the Chaldeans would indeed be punished, but only at his appointed time (Hab 2:3).
2. Babylon was to be judged for their many sins (Hab 2:5–19).
a. Slavery (Hab 2:5).
b. Robbery (Hab 2:6, 8).
c. Bloodshed (Hab 2:8, 10, 12, 17).
d. Drunkenness (Hab 2:5, 15).
e. Idolatry (Hab 2:18–19).
3. Until then, Habakkuk was to live by faith (Hab 2:4).
a. God was still in control over all the earth (Hab 2:20).
b. God will someday rule over all the earth (Hab 2:14).
c. Habakkuk’s final testimony reveals that he apparently learned to live by faith (Hab 3:16).
III. The shouts.
A. The soul of the prophet was revived. Deciding to follow his own advice (“the just shall live by his faith”), Habakkuk with childlike trust turned to God (Hab 3:2).
B. The eyes of the prophet were reassured. In Habakkuk 3:3–16 he saw an awesome manifestation of God’s majestic glory. Some Hebrew scholars believe all the verbs found in Habakkuk 3:3–15 should be regarded as describing future events. If this is true, Habakkuk actually prophesied the future return of Christ.
1. His schedule (Hab 3:3).
a. He will touch down upon the Mount of Olives (Zech 14:4; Acts 1:10–12).
b. He will then go to Teman (an ancient settlement in Edom), perhaps to rescue the Jews hiding out in Petra (Isa 63:1; Rev 12:13–17).
2. His appearance (Hab 3:4).
3. His actions (Hab 3:5–6, 12).
4. His purpose (Hab 3:13).
C. The heart of the prophet was rejoiced (Hab 3:18).
D. The feet of the prophet were renewed (Hab 3:19).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Habakkuk’s identity.
A. He was apparently one of the Levitical choristers in the Temple.
B. His closing statement, “to the chief singer on my stringed instruments,” reveals the book is actually a song (Hab 3:19).
C. Habakkuk has been called the Doubting Thomas of the Old Testament.
II. Habakkuk’s insistence.
His great theological declaration, “The just shall live by his faith” (Hab 2:4) is repeated three times in the New Testament.
A. Romans 1:17 emphasizes the first two words, “the just.”
B. Galatians 3:11 emphasizes the second two words, “shall live.”
C. Hebrews 10:38 emphasizes the final two words, “by faith.”
III. Habakkuk’s intentions.
In essence, Habakkuk functioned more like a priest than a prophet. Instead of declaring God’s message, and thus standing between God and the people, he pleaded God’s mercy and thus stood between the people and God.
STATISTICS
First mention: Habakkuk 1:1
Final mention: Habakkuk 3:1
Meaning of his name: “Love’s embrace”
Referred to: Two times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Habakkuk)
Occupation: Prophet and musician (Hab 1:1; 3:1)
Important fact about his life: His phrase “the just shall live by . . . faith” (Hab 2:4) is repeated three times in the New Testament (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38).
HAGAR
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Hagar and Sarah.
A. The marriage.
1. Hagar was the Egyptian maidservant to Sarah, Abraham’s wife (Gen 16:1).
2. She was given to Abraham by the barren Sarah, so that he might father the promised heir through her (Gen 16:1–3).
B. The malice.
After becoming pregnant, Hagar’s arrogant attitude invoked the wrath of Sarah, who drove her out into the desert (Gen 16:4–6).
II. Hagar and Christ.
She was met by the angel of the Lord, a title referring to Christ in the Old Testament (Gen 16:7).
A. He aided her.
B. He advised her (Gen 16:9).
C. He assured her (Gen 16:10–12).
1. That he would greatly multiply her seed.
2. That the child she was carrying was a boy and he would be named Ishmael.
3. That Ishmael would be a wild one—free and untamed as a wild donkey.
4. That he would be against everyone, and everyone would feel the same toward him.
III. Hagar and Abraham.
A. Hagar returned and gave birth to Ishmael (Gen 16:15).
B. Abraham was 86 when Ishmael was born (Gen 16:16).
IV. Hagar and Ishmael.
A. Years later, Hagar was again dismissed to the desert, this time because her son mocked Isaac, the promised heir, on the very day of his weaning (Gen 21:8–10).
B. On this occasion God instructed Abraham to send both Hagar and Ishmael away, promising to take care of them (Gen 21:11–14).
C. When it came time for Ishmael to marry, Hagar brought a wife for him from Egypt (Gen 21:20–21).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Paul used Hagar as an allegory of the law of Moses in the book of Galatians.
A. She was a bondmaid (Gal 4:22).
B. Her marriage to Abraham was flesh-directed (Gal 4:23).
C. Her son Ishmael was naturally born (Gal 4:23).
D. This son persecuted Abraham’s second son, Isaac (Gal 4:29).
E. Her child was not considered Abraham’s rightful heir (Gal 4:30).
F. Hagar represents the Mount Sinai covenant as she bore a slave child (Israel would also be slaves for a while) (Gal 4:24).
G. She corresponds to earthly Jerusalem (in Paul’s day) due to her slavery (Jerusalem was occupied by the Romans at that time) (Gal 4:25).
II. Paul used Sarah as an allegory of grace.
A. She was a freewoman (Gal 4:22).
B. Her marriage to Abraham was God-directed (Gal 4:23).
C. Her son Isaac was supernaturally born (Gal 4:23).
D. This son was persecuted by Ishmael (Gal 4:29).
E. Her child was considered Abraham’s rightful heir (Gal 4:30).
F. Sarah represents the new covenant, as she bore a free son (Gal 4:24–26).
G. She corresponds to heavenly Jerusalem (Gal 4:26).
STATISTICS
Spouse: Abraham (Gen 16:1–3)
Son: Ishmael (Gen 16:15)
First mention: Genesis 16:1
Final mention: Galatians 4:25
Meaning of her name: “Wandering”
Referred to: 14 times
Biblical books mentioning her: Two books (Genesis, Galatians)
Occupation: Handmaid to Sarah (Gen 16:1)
Important fact about her life: She was Abraham’s second “wife” and mother of Ishmael (Gen 16:1–3, 15).
HAGGAI
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. An August message, directed to the hands of the people—Perform! (Hag 1:1–15).
A. The people had about given up concerning the building of their Temple. After 15 years it remained unfinished. Their lame excuse was, “The time is not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built” (Hag 1:2). Because of this carelessness, God could not and would not bless them with either spiritual or financial prosperity (Hag 1:4–6).
B. God’s advice to them (Hag 1:8).
C. The spirits of Zerubbabel (the governor) and Joshua (the high priest) were then stirred up by the Lord. This godly pair thus led the people to finish building the Temple (Hag 1:14).
II. An October message, directed to the hearts of the people—Patience! (Hag 2:1–9).
In spite of the insignificant Temple they had just built (see Ezra 3:8–13), there was weeping as well as joy at the dedication of the Temple during Zerubbabel’s time as some of the old men remembered the glories of Solomon’s Temple. The new Temple was far inferior to that Temple in size and cost. However, Haggai attempted to encourage even the old men as he spoke of the magnificent millennial temple that would someday be built (Hag 2:9).
III. A December message, directed to the head of the people—Ponder! (Hag 2:10–23).
There were four facts Haggai desired that the people ponder over.
A. The fact of Judah’s contamination (Hag 2:10–17).
1. God asked Judah to answer two questions:
a. If one of you is carrying a holy sacrifice in his robes, and happens to brush against some bread, or wine, or meat, will it too become holy (Hag 2:12)?
b. The answer, of course, was, “No, holiness does not pass to other things that way.”
c. If someone touches a dead person, and so becomes ceremonially impure, and then brushes against something, does it become contaminated (Hag 2:13)?
d. Here the answer was yes.
2. The point God was making here is that whatever righteousness the nation of Israel might have once possessed was not automatically transferred upon them at this time. But their own unrighteousness was affecting both them and their children.
B. The fact of God’s determination.
God promised them that because of their decision to finish the Temple, he would bless them from that day on, even before the structure was completed (Hag 2:18–19).
C. The fact of the Great Tribulation.
Someday, God would destroy all those Gentile nations that had afflicted Israel throughout the years (Hag 2:20–22; see also Heb 12:26; Rev 16:18–20).
D. The fact of Zerubbabel’s elevation.
Some believe that Zerubbabel will be God’s prime minister during the Millennium (Hag 2:23).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Haggai was a contemporary with Zechariah the prophet (Ezra 5:1).
II. He joined the Jewish remnant (along with Zechariah, Zerubbabel the political leader, and Joshua the religious leader) during the return from Persia to Jerusalem in 536 BC to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 5:1–2; 6:14).
III. His was the first prophetic voice to be heard after the Babylonian captivity.
IV. His writings are the most precisely dated ones in the entire Bible. Here are the dates given to us at the times he delivered his messages:
A. First message—August 29, 520 BC.
B. Second message—October 17, 520 BC.
C. Third and fourth messages—December 18, 520 BC.
V. His book is the second shortest in the Old Testament. Only Obadiah is shorter.
VI. In no other biblical book of its size is the fact of divine revelation so frequently referred to. The phrase “thus saith the LORD” and its equivalent are found no less than 21 times.
VII. Haggai may have been one of the exiles who saw the Temple of Solomon before it was destroyed in 586 BC. If so, he would have been an elderly prophet (Hag 2:3).
VIII. Haggai and Nehemiah can be favorably compared.
A. Both had a divine burden to build.
1. Haggai desired to rebuild the Temple (Hag 1:8).
2. Nehemiah desired to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem (Neh 2:5, 17–18).
B. Both were men of action.
1. In just 23 days, after a delay of 14 years, Haggai led the people in the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem (Hag 1:1, 14–15).
2. In just 52 days, after a delay of 90 years, Nehemiah led the people in the completion of the walls around Jerusalem (Neh 6:15).
IX. Haggai gave us a name for Christ not found anywhere else in the Bible, calling him “the desire of all nations” (Hag 2:7).
X. In essence, Haggai’s book is a tale of three temples.
A. The first Temple, built by Solomon (Hag 2:3).
B. The second Temple, being built at Haggai’s encouragement (Hag 1:12, 14).
C. The third temple, to be built by Christ himself (Hag 2:6–9).
STATISTICS
First mention: Ezra 5:1
Final mention: Haggai 2:20
Meaning of his name: “Festive”
Referred to: 11 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (Ezra, Haggai)
Occupation: Prophet (Ezra 5:1; Hag 1:1)
Important fact about his life: He led the people in the completion of the second Temple (Hag 1:2–8).
HAM
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. His identity.
A. He was one of the three sons of Noah (Gen 5:32).
B. He was the father of Canaan (Gen 9:18, 22).
II. His (possible) immorality.
He may have been involved along with his son Canaan in the unnamed sin against Noah (Gen 9:24).
STATISTICS
Father: Noah (Gen 5:32)
Sons: Canaan, Cush, Mizraim, and Put (Gen 9:18, 22; 10:6; 1 Chr 1:8)
Brothers: Shem and Japheth (Gen 5:32)
Significant descendant: Nimrod (Gen 10:8–12)
First mention: Genesis 5:32
Final mention: 1 Chronicles 1:8
Meaning of his name: “Swarthy, dark, warm”
Referred to: 11 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (Genesis, 1 Chronicles)
Important fact about his life: He was one of Noah’s three sons and the father of Canaan (Gen 5:32; 9:18; see note on “Japheth.”)
HAMAN
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Haman, the haughty.
A. He was an Agagite, of Amalekite descent (Esth 3:1).
B. He was elevated to the position of prime minister by the Persian King Ahasuerus, causing him to swell with pride (Esth 3:1).
II. Haman, the heartless.
A. He instigated the first attempted holocaust in history upon learning that a minor Jewish official named Mordecai was refusing to bow down and honor him as he walked by (Esth 3:2–6).
B. He began by lying about the Jews to the king, claiming they were disloyal, and urged that they be destroyed (Esth 3:7–8).
C. He even offered to pay 10,000 talents of silver to cover the expense incurred in this proposed bloodbath. This would be approximately $30 million in today’s currency (Esth 3:9).
D. To Haman’s surprise and delight, the king not only agreed to his proposal, but said Haman need not pay anything to finance the slaughter (Esth 3:10–11).
E. After signing the death warrant, both men sat down and relaxed over a drink (Esth 3:15).
III. Haman, the honored.
A. He and the king attended a special banquet hosted by Queen Esther, and both were invited to attend a second one on the following day. Neither man at this point knew the purpose behind Esther’s actions (Esth 5:1–8).
B. In spite of having his pride fed by these honors, Haman was filled with rage upon seeing Mordecai continue in his refusal to kneel at his approach (Esth 5:9).
C. At the advice of his wife, Zeresh, Haman had a 75–foot–high gallows built, upon which he planned to hang Mordecai, just before attending the queen’s second banquet (Esth 5:10–14).
IV. Haman, the humbled.
A. The insomnia (Esth 6:1–3).
1. At the same time Haman was constructing his gallows, the king was having difficulty falling to sleep.
2. Hoping to solve his problem, Ahasuerus had the Persian daily “Congressional Record” read to him.
3. Through a “chance” reading, however, he learned that Mordecai had once saved his life. The king immediately decided to reward him.
B. The irony (Esth 6:4–12).
1. Just then, Haman arrived at the royal palace, seeking the king’s permission to hang Mordecai.
2. In one of history’s most ironic twists, Haman not only failed to receive the desired permission, but actually wound up being forced to honor Mordecai in a celebration parade.
V. Haman, the hanged.
A. Upon returning home following this humbling experience, the wretched Haman was warned by Zeresh that the plot against Mordecai and the Jews would surely lead to his total ruin (Esth 6:13).
B. During the second banquet, Esther revealed her Jewish background to the king, and blamed Haman for the plot against her life (Esth 7:1–7).
C. The furious king concluded (incorrectly) that Haman was aware of Esther’s nationality and ordered his death (Esth 7:8–9).
D. Haman was thus hanged upon the very gallows he had built for Mordecai (Esth 7:10).
STATISTICS
Father: Hammedatha (Esth 3:1)
Spouse: Zeresh (Esth 5:14)
Sons: 10 unnamed sons (Esth 9:10)
First mention: Esther 3:1
Final mention: Esther 9:24
Meaning of his name: “Celebrated”
Referred to: 52 times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Esther)
Occupation: Chief associate under King Ahasuerus (Esth 3:1)
Place of death: On a gallows in the city of Shushan (Esth 7:10)
Important fact about his life: He was guilty of history’s first attempted holocaust (Esth 3:8–9).
HAMOR
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The request by Hamor to Dinah’s father.
A. Hamor was a Hivite chief who ruled over the city of Shechem in the days of Jacob (Gen 34:2).
B. Jacob had previously purchased from Hamor for 100 pieces of silver a field on which to spread his tent (Gen 33:19).
C. This event was mentioned later by both Joshua (Josh 24:32) and Stephen (Acts 7:16).
D. His son, also named Shechem, seduced Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and requested Hamor to obtain the patriarch’s permission to marry her (Gen 34:2–6, 8–10).
II. The retaliation against Hamor by Dinah’s brothers.
A. He was deceived by them.
Her brothers pretended to agree but insisted that all male Shechemites circumcise themselves first (Gen 34:7, 13–17).
B. He was destroyed by them (Gen 34:18–29).
1. Hamor and his people agreed, and all males were circumcised.
2. Then, when they were rendered helpless because of the physical swelling, Simeon and Levi moved in and slaughtered them like helpless cattle.
3. Hamor’s city of Shechem was then totally plundered.
STATISTICS
Son: Shechem (Gen 34:2–6)
First mention: Genesis 34:2
Final mention: Judges 9:28
Meaning of his name: “Large donkey”
Referred to: 11 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (Genesis, Joshua, Judges)
Occupation: Hivite chief (Gen 34:2)
Place of death: In the city of Shechem
Circumstances of death: He was killed by Simeon and Levi (Gen 34:25–26).
Important fact about his life: His son seduced Dinah, Jacob’s daughter (Gen 34:1–3).
HANANIAH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The corrupt prophet.
A. His apostasy.
1. Hananiah was a false prophet in the reign of Zedekiah, the final king of Judah (Jer 28:1).
2. He falsely predicted that within two years, three events would occur (Jer 28:2–4).
a. All the articles Nebuchadnezzar had carried off from the Jerusalem Temple to Babylon would be returned.
b. Jehoiachin, a former Judean king also taken to Babylon, would come back along with the other exiles.
c. The Babylonian empire would soon fall.
B. His anger.
1. He was rebuked by Jeremiah, the true prophet in the Temple, for speaking these false prophecies (Jer 28:5–9).
2. In a fit of anger Hananiah broke the yoke of straps and crossbars from around Jeremiah’s neck, ordered placed there by God to symbolize the coming Babylonian captivity (Jer 27:2; 28:10).
II. The condemned prophet.
A. God warned Hananiah through Jeremiah that an iron yoke would be placed around his own neck (Jer 28:12–13).
B. Jeremiah then predicted that because of all his lies, this false prophet would die within that very year, which he did (Jer 28:15–17).
STATISTICS
Father: Azur (Jer 28:1)
First mention: Jeremiah 28:1
Final mention: Jeremiah 28:17
Meaning of his name: “God is gracious”
Referred to: Nine times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Jeremiah)
Occupation: False prophet (Jer 28:15)
Place of death: Jerusalem
Circumstances of death: He died by the hand of God (Jer 28:16).
Important fact about his life: He was a false prophet who opposed Jeremiah (Jer 28:1–10).
HANNAH
(See also Judges)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Her sorrow.
A. Hannah was one of Elkanah’s two wives (1 Sam 1:2).
B. For many years she was barren and brokenhearted (1 Sam 1:2, 7).
C. She was especially loved by Elkanah (1 Sam 1:5).
D. However, she was ridiculed for her barrenness by Peninnah, the other wife, who had children (1 Sam 1:2, 6–7).
II. Her supplication.
A. The rebuke.
1. She visited the Tabernacle in Shiloh and stood there praying silently, weeping and vowing she would raise any son God might give her as a Nazarite (1 Sam 1:9–11).
2. Eli, the high priest, watching her pray, thought at first that she was drunk and rebuked her (1 Sam 1:12–14).
>B. The reassurance.
Upon being aware of the actual situation, Eli sent Hannah home, promising God would give her a son (1 Sam 1:15–18).
III. Her son.
A. Hannah gave birth to Samuel (1 Sam 1:19–20).
B. She would later give birth to three more sons and two daughters (1 Sam 2:21).
IV. Her sacrifice.
A. She offered up a lifeless sacrifice (1 Sam 1:25).
B. She offered up a living sacrifice (1 Sam 1:27–28).
V. Her song.
After the dedication, Hannah uttered a beautiful ode of praise that appears to be the basis of Mary’s song found in Luke 1:46–55 (1 Sam 2:1–10). In this remarkable prayer Hannah mentioned a number of God’s divine attributes.
A. His holiness (1 Sam 2:2).
B. His omniscience (1 Sam 2:3).
C. His omnipotence (1 Sam 2:7).
D. His mercy (1 Sam 2:8).
E. His faithfulness (1 Sam 2:9).
F. His justice (1 Sam 2:10).
G. His Messiah (1 Sam 2:10).
STATISTICS
Spouse: Elkanah (1 Sam 1:2)
Sons: Samuel (1 Sam 1:19–20); three unnamed (1 Sam 2:21)
Daughters: Two unnamed (1 Sam 2:21)
First mention: 1 Samuel 1:2
Final mention: 1 Samuel 2:21
Meaning of her name: “Grace”
Referred to: 13 times
Biblical books mentioning her: One book (1 Samuel)
Important fact about her life: She was the godly mother of Samuel (1 Sam 1).
HANUN
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. His disrespect for David.
A. When Hanun became king over Ammon at the death of his father, Nahash (a close friend of David), David sent ambassadors to make a courtesy call (2 Sam 10:2).
B. Mistaking these men for spies, Hanun both mistreated and ridiculed them (2 Sam 10:3–4).
1. He shaved off half their beards.
2. He cut their robes off at the buttocks and sent them home half naked.
II. His defeat by David.
A. Later, realizing his stupid blunder, Hanun hired a mercenary army consisting of 33,000 foot soldiers and 32,000 chariots to help him ward off an anticipated attack by David (2 Sam 10:6; 1 Chr 19:6–7).
B. David attacked and soundly defeated both Hanun and his hired armies (2 Sam 10:13–19).
STATISTICS
Father: Nahash (2 Sam 10:1–2)
First mention: 2 Samuel 10:1
Final mention: 1 Chronicles 19:6
Meaning of his name: “Gracious”
Referred to: Nine times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles)
Occupation: King of the Ammonites (2 Sam 10:1)
Important fact about his life: He foolishly insulted some of David’s ambassadors who came to him in peace (2 Sam 10:3–4).
HAZAEL
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. His wickedness.
A. He was originally a high official at Ben-hadad’s court in Damascus (2 Kgs 8:7–9).
B. God instructed Elijah the prophet to anoint Hazael as Syria’s next king (1 Kgs 19:15).
C. Even before he became king, however, Elisha (Elijah’s successor) predicted with tears the bloody reign Hazael would have (2 Kgs 8:7–12).
1. He would murder his master Ben-hadad to secure the throne.
2. He would then do grievous harm to the people of God.
a. Setting fire to their fortified palaces.
b. Killing their young men with the sword.
c. Dashing their little children to the ground.
d. Ripping open their pregnant women.
D. Hazael denied he would do all these horrible things, but Elisha proved to be correct (2 Kgs 8:13).
II. His warfare.
A. He later fought against an alliance of both northern and southern Israel at Ramoth-gilead and apparently defeated them (2 Kgs 8:28).
B. Joram, the king of northern Israel, was wounded in this battle (2 Kgs 8:29; 9:15).
C. Because of his people’s sin, God allowed Hazael to persecute Israel (2 Kgs 10:32).
D. On one occasion he surrounded Jerusalem, but was bought off with tribute money paid by Joash, the Judean king (2 Kgs 12:17–18).
E. In the midst of all this, however, Israel experienced the grace of God (2 Kgs 13:22–24).
F. Years later, Amos the prophet pronounced judgment upon the house of Hazael (Amos 1:4).
STATISTICS
First mention: 1 Kings 19:15
Final mention: Amos 1:4
Meaning of his name: “God sees”
Referred to: 22 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Four books (1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Amos)
Occupation: King of Syria (1 Kgs 19:15)
Important fact about his life: He was the bloody Syrian king anointed by Elisha (2 Kgs 8:7–15).
HEMAN
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Who he was.
A. He was Samuel’s grandson and one of three key Levitical musicians in the time of David (1 Chr 6:31, 33).
B. His two associates were Asaph and Jeduthun (1 Chr 6:39; 25:1).
II. What he did.
A. These three musicians, dressed in fine linen, played cymbals and were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple (2 Chr 5:12).
B. Heman also led his 14 sons and three daughters in the musical service of the Tabernacle (1 Chr 25:4–6).
C. Heman later authored Psalm 88, which includes one of the most despondent prayers in all the Bible.
STATISTICS
Father: Joel (1 Chr 6:33)
Significant ancestor: His grandfather was Samuel (1 Chr 6:33).
First mention: 1 Chronicles 6:33
Final mention: Psalm 88
Meaning of his name: “Faithful”
Referred to: 13 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Psalms)
Occupation: Levitical musician (1 Chr 6:31)
Important fact about his life: He was a musician and the author of Psalm 88.
HEZEKIAH
(See also Chaotic Kingdom)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The heart of Hezekiah.
A. He was the thirteenth ruler of Judah.
B. He ruled for 29 years (2 Kgs 18:2).
C. He was 25 when he began ruling (2 Kgs 18:1–2).
D. He was the finest king of Judah up to his time (2 Kgs 18:3, 5).
E. He was also the richest king since the time of Solomon (2 Chr 32:27–29).
II. The hands of Hezekiah.
A. He repaired the palace (Temple) of God.
The very first month of his reign, Hezekiah opened the doors of the Temple and repaired it (2 Chr 29:3).
B. He revived the people of God.
1. The cleansing.
a. He removed the pagan high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles (2 Kgs 18:4).
b. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made (see Num 21) because his people had been worshiping it (2 Kgs 18:4).
2. The challenging.
a. He commanded the people to give of their substance (first fruits of their grain, new wine, oil, honey, herds and flocks, etc.) to the Temple (2 Chr 31:4).
b. They responded in a tremendous way (2 Chr 31:4–10).
C. He reinstituted the Passover of God, and a special invitation was even sent out to the northern kingdom tribes (2 Chr 30:1–27).
1. The request.
a. Turn to the God of Abraham.
b. The God of Abraham will then turn to you.
2. The response.
a. Some ridiculed.
b. Some returned.
3. The results.
a. Realizing some of the northern tribal people attending the Passover had not had the opportunity to purify themselves outwardly, Hezekiah prayed that God would accept their inward sincerity, which the Lord did, thus allowing them to eat the Passover meal.
b. In fact, the king extended the regular seven–day feast for an additional seven days.
c. The following number of animals were then offered:
(1) a thousand bulls and 7,000 sheep given by Hezekiah for the assembly.
(2) a thousand bulls and 10,000 sheep given by the officials for the assembly.
d. This proved to be the greatest Passover since the days of David.
D. He released the power of God.
1. Relying upon the strength of God, he defeated the Philistines (2 Kgs 18:8).
2. He also rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him (2 Kgs 18:7).
E. He reorganized the priests of God.
1. The speech.
Hezekiah assembled the priests and Levites in the Temple area and addressed them (2 Chr 29:4–11).
a. He challenged them to consecrate themselves to God.
b. He reminded them of the northern tribes who were suffering from the Assyrian captivity because of their sin.
c. He announced his intentions to make a special covenant with God.
2. The singing.
As the offerings began, he commissioned the Levites in the Temple to sing, accompanied by the sound of cymbals, harps, and lyres (2 Chr 29:25–28).
3. The sacrifices.
a. When the priests had consecrated themselves and the entire Temple, Hezekiah ordered seven bulls, seven rams, seven male goats, and seven male lambs to be offered up as a sin offering for Judah (2 Chr 29:18–24).
b. He then instructed the entire assembly who had been present during the service to bring their sacrifices to the Lord (2 Chr 29:31).
c. The people then offered up the following animals (2 Chr 29:32–33): 70 bulls; 100 rams; 200 male lambs; 600 oxen; and 3,000 sheep and goats.
d. Finally, the king assigned the priests and Levites by divisions to offer God both animal and praise sacrifices (2 Chr 31:2).
III. The healing of Hezekiah.
A. His sickness.
1. Hezekiah became desperately ill and was told by Isaiah that he would die (2 Kgs 20:1).
2. This may have been a divine punishment because of his pride (2 Chr 32:25).
3. The king humbled himself and repented (2 Chr 32:26).
B. His supplication.
1. The king turned his face to the wall and prayed to God, reminding him of his past faithful service (2 Kgs 20:2–3).
2. God then commanded Isaiah to inform Hezekiah that his prayer had been answered and he would not die.
In fact, the Lord would add an additional 15 years to the king’s life (2 Kgs 20:4–6).
C. His sign.
In order to prove the validity of this prophecy, God offered Hezekiah through Isaiah one of two signs (2 Kgs 20:8–11).
1. Did the king want the sun’s shadow to go forward 10 steps on the sundial, or . . .
2. Did he want it to go back 10 steps?
3. Hezekiah chose the second, feeling this would be the greatest sign. As he watched in amazement, the miracle occurred.
IV. The hymns of Hezekiah.
A. In “the writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness” (Isa 38:9), the king reviewed two things:
1. His despair upon hearing that he would die (Isa 38:10–16).
2. His dedication upon learning that he would not die (Isa 38:17–20).
B. It is believed by some scholars that these “songs” Hezekiah referred to were actually 15 psalms the king added to the Old Testament canon.
1. Ten of these Psalms were written by Hezekiah himself, in memory of the 10 steps on the sundial. These were Psalms 120, 121, 123, 125, 126, 128, 129, 130, 132, and 134.
2. He may then have added five more unpublished psalms of David and Solomon to bring the total to 15, in honor of the 15 years God added to his life.
V. The hastiness of Hezekiah.
A. He received some ambassadors from the king of Babylon, who sent a gift, for he had heard of Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery (2 Kgs 20:12).
B. Hezekiah foolishly showed these men all the gold, silver, spices, fine oil, etc., he kept in his storehouses (2 Kgs 20:13).
C. Upon learning of this, Isaiah soundly rebuked the king and predicted the following (2 Kgs 20:14–18):
1. Someday the Babylonians would return and carry off all the riches Hezekiah had shown them.
2. Some of the king’s own descendants would be taken away to Babylon.
D. Hezekiah’s response to all this was a very selfish one indeed (2 Kgs 20:19). In other words, he was totally unconcerned as long as the terrible things did not happen during his reign.
VI. The helplessness of Hezekiah.
A. The problem.
1. During the fourth year of his reign, the Assyrians marched against Samaria. They took the city three years later, thus ending the northern kingdom (2 Kgs 18:9–11).
2. Seven years after the captivity of the 10 northern tribes, Assyrian King Sennacherib attacked Judah, capturing many of its cities (2 Kgs 18:13).
3. Being aware of Sennacherib’s plan to destroy Jerusalem also, Hezekiah constructed a tunnel by which water was brought into the city (2 Kgs 20:20; 2 Chr 32:2–5).
4. Hezekiah then foolishly asked Sennacherib to forgive his past rebellion and agreed to pay the Assyrian king a huge tribute, stripping all the gold and silver from both the royal palace and the Temple (2 Kgs 18:14–16).
5. In spite of this, the Assyrian army surrounded Jerusalem (2 Kgs 18:17).
6. In fact, Sennacherib sent a personal threatening letter to Hezekiah (2 Kgs 19:9–13).
B. The prayer.
1. At first Hezekiah bravely attempted to encourage his people (2 Chr 32:6–8).
2. However, when he saw and heard the terrible threats of the enemy, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went into the Temple to pray (2 Kgs 19:1).
3. In his prayer, the king both acknowledged and asked.
a. He acknowledged:
(1) The greatness and uniqueness of God (2 Kgs 19:15).
(2) The past victories of the Assyrians (2 Kgs 19:17–18).
b. He asked God to deliver Judah, so that all the kingdoms might know who is the only true God (2 Kgs 19:19).
4. Hezekiah then sent word to Isaiah, urging him to seek God also (2 Kgs 19:2–4).
VII. The help of Hezekiah.
A. The answer from the Lord.
Hezekiah received from Isaiah a most reassuring message (2 Kgs 19:20–34).
1. God had heard the prayer of the king.
2. God was angry over the pride of the Assyrians and over the insults they had heaped upon both him and Judah.
3. Sennacherib would, therefore, not be permitted to enter Jerusalem.
4. No arrow from his soldiers would land inside.
5. The enemy would not build a siege ramp against the city.
6. Sennacherib would quickly leave the same way he came.
B. The angel of the Lord.
1. That very night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death 185,000 Assyrian soldiers (2 Kgs 19:35).
2. The Assyrian king quickly broke camp and withdrew (2 Kgs 19:36).
3. Shortly after reaching his capital city of Nineveh, Sennacherib was slain by two of his own sons while worshiping in the temple of his Assyrian god Nisroch (2 Kgs 19:37).
STATISTICS
Father: Ahaz (2 Kgs 16:20)
Mother: Abi (2 Kgs 18:2)
Spouse: Hephzibah (2 Kgs 21:1)
Son: Manasseh (2 Kgs 21:1)
First mention: 2 Kings 16:20
Final mention: Matthew 1:10
Meaning of his name: “Strength of God”
Referred to: 124 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Nine books (2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Micah, Matthew)
Occupation: King of Judah (2 Kgs 18:1)
Place of birth: Jerusalem
Place of death: Jerusalem (2 Kgs 20:21–21:1)
Important fact about his life: He was king when God saved the city of Jerusalem by sending the death angel to the Assyrians (2 Kgs 19).
HILKIAH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. His duties.
A. He was high priest in the time of Josiah, king of Judah (2 Kgs 22:4).
B. He was trustee of a special fund given by the people to repair the Temple (2 Kgs 22:4; 2 Chr 34:9).
II. His discovery.
A. He found a copy of the law of Moses when repairing the Temple (2 Kgs 22:8; 2 Chr 34:14).
B. He gave it to Shaphan, secretary to Josiah, who then read it to the king (2 Kgs 22:8–10).
C. At the request of Josiah, he inquired of the prophetess Huldah what God was planning to do to Judah because of the people’s sin (2 Kgs 22:12–14).
III. His dedication.
A. The removal of paganism.
1. He was ordered by Josiah to remove all the idols from the Temple (2 Kgs 23:4).
2. This he did, burning them outside Jerusalem in the Kidron valley, taking the ashes to Bethel (2 Kgs 23:4).
3. He then did away with the pagan priests in the land (2 Kgs 23:5–6).
4. He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes (2 Kgs 23:7).
B. The restoration of the Passover.
He contributed greatly (along with two other priests) to Josiah’s great Passover, giving 2,600 Passover offerings and 300 cattle (2 Chr 35:8).
STATISTICS
Father: Shallum (1 Chr 6:13)
Sons: Azariah and Gemariah (1 Chr 6:13; Jer 29:3)
Significant ancestor: His grandfather was Zadok (1 Chr 6:12).
Significant descendant: Ezra (Ezra 7:1)
First mention: 2 Kings 22:4
Final mention: Jeremiah 29:3
Meaning of his name: “God is protection”
Referred to: 20 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Five books (2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Jeremiah)
Occupation: High priest (2 Kgs 22:4)
Important fact about his life: He was the high priest who found a copy of the Law in the Temple during Josiah’s reign (2 Kgs 22:8).
HIRAM (1)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Hiram and David.
He was the king of Tyre who helped David build his palace by furnishing cedar logs, carpenters, and stone masons (2 Sam 5:11; 1 Chr 14:1).
II. Hiram and Solomon.
A. The construction.
1. Solomon’s Temple.
a. He was commissioned by Solomon to furnish some cedars of Lebanon to be used in constructing the Temple (1 Kgs 5:1–6).
b. In addition, he sent trained stonedressers (1 Kgs 5:18).
c. Finally, he provided the required gold, some four and a half tons (1 Kgs 9:11, 14).
d. He then sent his chief architect (a man also called Hiram, Huram, and Huram-abi) to supervise the actual Temple construction (1 Kgs 7:13–14; 2 Chr 2:13–14).
2. Solomon’s house.
Hiram also helped build Solomon’s home, which took 13 years to build, as contrasted with the Temple, which was completed in seven years (1 Kgs 7:1; 9:10).
B. The compensation.
For his work, Hiram received the following from Solomon:
1. A yearly payment (for seven years) of 100,000 bushels of wheat and barley, and 110,000 gallons of pressed olive oil (1 Kgs 5:10–12; 2 Chr 2:10).
2. Twenty towns in Galilee (1 Kgs 9:11).
C. The complaint.
Hiram was disappointed with these towns, calling them “Cabul,” meaning, “good for nothing.” He apparently gave them back (1 Kgs 9:11–13; 2 Chr 8:2).
D. The commerce.
1. He sent his experienced sailors to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s men on the Red Sea (1 Kgs 9:26–27).
2. Hiram’s ships brought to Solomon from Ophir (a place in Saudi Arabia) precious and exotic objects and animals.
a. The objects—gold, silver, ivory, cargoes of almug wood, and various precious stones (1 Kgs 10:11–12, 22).
b. The animals—apes and peacocks (1 Kgs 10:22).
STATISTICS
First mention: 2 Samuel 5:11
Final mention: 2 Chronicles 9:21
Meaning of his name: “My brother is exalted”
Referred to: 24 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Four books (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles)
Occupation: King of Tyre (2 Sam 5:11)
Important fact about his life: He was the king of Tyre who helped Solomon build the Temple (1 Kgs 5).
HIRAM (2)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. His abilities.
A. He was also called Huram and Huram-abi (2 Chr 2:13; 4:11).
B. His mother was from either the tribe of Dan or Naphtali (1 Kgs 7:14; 2 Chr 2:14).
C. His father was from Tyre and a craftsman in brass (1 Kgs 7:14).
D. Hiram was also highly skilled in bronze, gold, silver, iron, stone, wood, yarn, and fine linen, plus all kinds of engraving (1 Kgs 7:14; 2 Chr 2:14).
II. His assignment.
Hiram was sent by the king of Tyre (also named Hiram) as chief architect to superintend the building of the Temple (2 Chr 2:13; 4:11–16).
STATISTICS
First mention: 1 Kings 7:13
Final mention: 2 Chronicles 4:16
Meaning of his name: “My brother is exalted”
Referred to: Seven times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
Occupation: Metal craftsman (1 Kgs 7:14)
Important fact about his life: He served as the chief architect for the Temple built by Solomon.
HOBAB
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. He was a Midianite scout and the brother–in–law of Moses (Exod 2:18; 3:1; Num 10:29).
II. He was urged by Moses to accompany Israel to the Promised Land, but refused to leave his home in the Sinai desert (Num 10:29–31).
STATISTICS
Sister: Zipporah (Exod 2:21)
First mention: Numbers 10:29
Final mention: Numbers 10:29
Meaning of his name, “Beloved”
Referred to: One time
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Numbers)
Occupation: Possibly a professional scout (Num 10:31)
Important fact about his life: He was Moses’ brother–in–law (Num 10:29).
HOPHNI
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. He was the corrupt priestly son of Eli.
A. The nature of this corruption.
1. He and his brother Phinehas were both dishonest and greedy in handling the Tabernacle offerings, often threatening the people (1 Sam 2:12–17).
2. They actually committed adultery with the women who came to the Tabernacle (1 Sam 2:22).
B. The reason for this corruption.
Neither son had been properly disciplined by their father Eli (1 Sam 2:23–25; 3:13).
II. He was the condemned son of Eli.
A. The decision.
Because of all this, God determined to kill the brothers (1 Sam 2:25).
B. The declaration.
A prophet warned Eli both sons would die on the same day (1 Sam 2:34).
C. The defeat.
1. In an attempt to rally the frightened Israelite troops, Hophni and Phinehas carried the Ark of the Covenant into a battle with the Philistines (1 Sam 4:4).
2. Israel lost the battle regardless, and both sons were killed (1 Sam 4:11).
STATISTICS
Father: Eli (1 Sam 1:3)
Brother: Phinehas (1 Sam 1:3)
First mention: 1 Samuel 1:3
Final mention: 1 Samuel 4:17
Meaning of his name: “Strong”
Referred to: Seven times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (1 Samuel)
Occupation: Priest (1 Sam 1:3)
Place of death: On a battlefield near Shiloh (1 Sam 4:10–12, 17)
Circumstances of death: He was killed by the Philistines (1 Sam 4:17).
Important fact about his death: He was Eli’s wicked older son (1 Sam 2:12–17, 22).
HOSEA
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The sin of adultery—case study #1.
A. The individuals.
1. The injured spouse—Hosea.
2. The immoral spouse—Gomer.
B. The evaluation.
God ordered Hosea the prophet to marry a prostitute named Gomer so that this marriage would illustrate God’s marriage to unfaithful Israel (Hos 1:1–3).
1. The children from this marriage.
The prophet fathered three children through Gomer. Each child was given a name (at God’s command) that carried with it a prophetic meaning (Hos 1:4–11).
a. The first child, a boy, was named Jezreel, meaning “to be scattered.” This referred to two future events:
(1) The setting aside of the dynasty of a northern Israelite king named Jehu.
(2) The Assyrian invasion, at which time the entire northern kingdom would be scattered.
b. The second child, a girl, was named Lo-ruhamah, meaning “no more mercy,” indicating that God’s judgment was right around the corner.
c. The third child, a boy, was named Lo-ammi, meaning “not my people.”
2. The concern for this marriage.
Hosea attempted in vain to save his marriage. Gomer, a prostitute before her marriage, soon became an adulteress following her marriage. In desperation, Hosea:
a. Barred her from the markets of the world. In essence he tried to keep her home. But she found a way back to her old life and soon wound up as a sexual slave. Hosea then:
b. Bought her from the markets of the world.
C. The ending.
We are not informed whether this marriage was eventually saved or not.
II. The sin of adultery—case study #2.
A. The individuals.
1. The injured Spouse—God himself.
2. The immoral spouse—Ephraim (or Israel).
B. The evaluation.
1. God’s wife is described.
a. Israel was as a backsliding heifer (Hos 4:16).
b. She was aflame with lust like a baker’s hot oven (Hos 7:4). God said the hearts of the people smoldered with evil plots during the night, and burst into flaming fire the next morning.
c. They mingled with the heathen and had become as useless as a half-baked cake (Hos 7:8).
d. They were as a silly dove, calling to Egypt and flying to Assyria for help (Hos 7:11).
e. They were as a crooked bow, always missing the target, which was God’s glory (Hos 7:16).
f. They lay among the nations as a broken pot (Hos 8:8).
g. They were as a wandering and lonely wild donkey (Hos 8:9).
h. They were as a dried-up root (Hos 9:16).
i. They were as an empty vine (Hos 10:1).
2. God’s wife is denounced.
a. Because of her ignorance (Hos 4:6).
b. Because of her idolatry.
(1) Ephraim had prayed to idols (Hos 4:12).
(2) She had sacrificed her sons to idols (Hos 4:13).
(3) She had totally joined herself to idols (Hos 4:17).
3. God’s wife was disciplined (Hos 8:7; see also Hos 10:13).
a. God would therefore withhold his mercy from them (for a while) (Hos 2:4).
b. They would be many days without the following (Hos 3:4):
(1) A king.
In 721 BC, Hoshea, Israel’s last king, was dethroned; and in 586 BC, Zedekiah, Judah’s final king, was deposed. Some six centuries later Israel’s only true king was rejected (John 19:15). Thus, this tragic situation will continue until he comes again (Rev 19:11–16).
(2) A prince.
The next recorded prince in Israel’s future will not minister until the Millennium (Ezek 44:3).
(3) A sacrifice.
In AD 70 Titus destroyed the Temple and all animal sacrifices ceased. During the Tribulation they will once again be instituted, only to be stopped by the Antichrist (Dan 9:27).
(4) An image.
This literally means “the pillars,” and may refer to the Temple. A temple will be rebuilt during the Tribulation (2 Thes 2; Rev 13), destroyed (Zech 14:2), and another raised during the Millennium (Ezek 40:18).
(5) An ephod.
A reference to Israel’s high priesthood; the ephod was a garment he wore. Israel’s last high priest personally planned the murder of the nation’s own Messiah (Matt 26:57–68; John 11:49–51).
(6) Terephim.
These were normally figurines, or images in human form (Gen 31:34). It is not known what Hosea had in mind here.
c. They would go off as slaves into Assyria (Hos 10:6).
d. They would be temporarily swallowed up among the nations (Hos 8:8; 9:17).
C. The ending.
1. The return of God’s wife (Hos 3:5; 6:1–2).
2. The restoration of God’s wife (Hos 13:10, 14; 14:4–7).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Hosea may have ministered longer than any other Old or New Testament prophet.
II. He undoubtedly understood God’s grieving heart over Israel’s unfaithfulness because of his own tragic marriage.
III. He constantly referred to the northern kingdom of Israel as Ephraim, for this was the first of the 10 tribes to backslide.
IV. Paul quoted Hosea to support his position concerning the eventual restoration of Israel (Hos 2:23; Rom 9:25).
STATISTICS
Father: Beeri (Hos 1:1)
Spouse: Gomer (Hos 1:2–3)
Sons: Jezreel and Lo-ammi (Hos 1:4, 9)
Daughter: Lo-ruhamah (Hos 1:6)
First mention: Hosea 1:1
Final mention: Romans 9:25 (as “Osee”)
Meaning of his name: “Salvation”
Referred to: Four times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (Hosea, Romans)
Occupation: Priest and prophet
Important fact about his life: He was commanded by God to marry a prostitute (Hos 1:2).
HOSHEA
(See also Chaotic Kingdom)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Hoshea and Pekah.
A. Hoshea was the nineteenth and final king of northern Israel.
B. He reigned nine years (2 Kgs 17:1).
C. He murdered Pekah (the eighteenth ruler) to obtain his throne (2 Kgs 15:30).
D. He was “evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him” (2 Kgs 17:2).
II. Hoshea and Shalmaneser.
A. The rebellion against Shalmaneser.
1. At the beginning of his reign, Hoshea was threatened by the Assyrian monarch Shalmaneser.
2. He at first attempted to appease him with tribute money (2 Kgs 17:3).
B. The retaliation by Shalmaneser.
1. Later, however, Hoshea joined up with Egypt in plotting a rebellion against Shalmaneser (2 Kgs 17:4).
2. Upon discovering this, the Assyrian king cast Hoshea into prison (2 Kgs 17:4).
3. After a three–year siege, Shalmaneser conquered Hoshea’s capital city of Samaria and carried the citizens off into captivity (2 Kgs 17:5–6).
STATISTICS
Father: Elah (2 Kgs 15:30)
First mention: 2 Kings 15:30
Final mention: 2 Kings 18:10
Meaning of his name: “God is help”
Referred to: Seven times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (2 Kings)
Occupation: King of northern Israel
Place of death: Probably Assyria (2 Kgs 18:11)
Important fact about his life: He was the final king over northern Israel (2 Kgs 18:11).
HULDAH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Her grievous prophecy.
A. Huldah ministered in the days of godly King Josiah. She lived in the second district of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 22:14).
B. Josiah sent Hilkiah the high priest to seek Huldah’s counsel when workmen discovered a copy of the law of Moses in the Temple (2 Kgs 22:8–14).
C. She warned Josiah that God was going to destroy Judah and Jerusalem because of their continuous and unrepentant sinning (2 Kgs 22:15–17).
II. Her good prophecy.
Huldah assured Josiah, however, that he would be spared this (2 Kgs 22:18–20).
STATISTICS
Spouse: Shallum (2 Kgs 22:14)
First mention: 2 Kings 22:14
Final mention: 2 Chronicles 34:22
Meaning of her name: “Weasel”
Referred to: Two times
Biblical books mentioning her: Two books (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
Occupation: Prophetess (2 Kgs 22:14)
Important fact about her life: She was a prophetess in the days of King Josiah who warned of Judah’s downfall (2 Kgs 22:14–20).
HUR
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. His association with Moses.
According to Jewish tradition, Hur was the husband of Miriam and thus brother–in–law of Moses.
II. His assistance to Moses.
Along with Aaron (Moses’ older brother), Hur helped lift up the arms of Moses, thus assuring Israel victory during the battle against the Amalekites at the base of Mount Sinai (Exod 17:10–13).
III. His assignment from Moses.
Moses placed Aaron and Hur in charge of the Israelite camp during the great lawgiver’s 40–day session on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:14).
STATISTICS
Spouse: Thought to be Miriam, Moses’ sister (Jewish tradition)
First mention: Exodus 17:10
Final mention: Exodus 24:14
Meaning of his name: “Free, noble”
Referred to: Three times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Exodus)
Important fact about his life: He helped uphold Moses’ hands during a battle (Exod 17:12).
HUSHAI
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Hushai and David.
A. A supporter of David.
1. Hushai was an Arkite from a village west of Bethel.
2. He was a friend and advisor of David who accompanied the king in his retreat from Jerusalem during the flight from Absalom (2 Sam 15:32).
B. A spy for David.
He was sent back to Jerusalem by David, who ordered him to pretend to side with Absalom so that the king might learn what the young rebel was planning (2 Sam 15:33–37).
II. Hushai and Absalom.
A. The subtlety.
1. Absalom at first was suspicious of Hushai’s offer to help, but soon accepted him as a valuable advisor (2 Sam 16:15–20).
2. Realizing David’s men needed time to organize a counterattack, Hushai advised Absalom to mobilize more men before attacking, and then suggested the young rebel himself lead the troops in battle (2 Sam 17:6–13).
B. The success.
1. The foolish and arrogant Absalom agreed, thus refusing the previous advice of Ahithophel, who had correctly counseled him to strike immediately (2 Sam 17:1–4).
2. Hushai then told the high priest Zadok and his associate Abiathar of Absalom’s plans, who in turn sent their two sons to warn David (2 Sam 17:15–22).
III. Hushai and Solomon.
Years later King Solomon (David’s son) appointed Baanah, son of Hushai, as commissioner over one of the 12 tax districts in Israel (1 Kgs 4:16).
STATISTICS
Son: Baanah (1 Kgs 4:16)
First mention: 2 Samuel 15:32
Final mention: 1 Chronicles 27:33
Meaning of his name: “Quick”
Referred to: 14 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles)
Occupation: Advisor to David (2 Sam 15:32–34)
Important fact about his life: He was a trusted advisor to both David and Solomon.
