◄ 2 Kings 15:15 ►
As for the rest of the acts of Shallum, along with the conspiracy he led, they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.
Study Bible
As for the rest of the acts of Shallum
The phrase "the rest of the acts" suggests that Shallum's reign, though brief, was significant enough to be recorded in detail elsewhere. The Hebrew word for "acts" is "ma'aseh," which implies deeds or works. This indicates that Shallum's actions, though not fully detailed in this verse, were noteworthy. Historically, Shallum's reign was marked by political upheaval, as he came to power through conspiracy. This reflects the turbulent period in Israel's history, where kings often rose and fell through intrigue and violence.

along with the conspiracy he led
The term "conspiracy" is translated from the Hebrew word "qesher," which denotes a treasonous plot or alliance. Shallum's conspiracy involved the assassination of King Zechariah, highlighting the instability and moral decline in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This act of treachery is a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments, as the Israelites were warned against such behavior in the Mosaic Law. The political chaos serves as a backdrop to the prophetic warnings given by prophets like Hosea and Amos during this era.

they are indeed written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel
This phrase points to a historical record, "the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel," which is distinct from the biblical books of Chronicles. This book, now lost, was likely a royal archive that documented the reigns of Israel's kings. The mention of this source underscores the historical reliability of the biblical narrative, as it draws from contemporary records. It also highlights the importance of recording history, as these chronicles served to remind future generations of the consequences of their leaders' actions. Theologically, this serves as a testament to God's sovereignty over history, as He allows nations to rise and fall according to His divine plan.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shallum
Shallum was a king of Israel who reigned for a very short period. He is noted for leading a conspiracy against the previous king, Zechariah, whom he assassinated to take the throne.

2. The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel
This is a historical record mentioned in the Bible, which contains detailed accounts of the reigns of the kings of Israel. It is not part of the canonical scriptures but is referenced as a source of historical information.

3. Conspiracy
The act led by Shallum to overthrow King Zechariah. This event highlights the political instability and moral decline during this period in Israel's history.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sinful Ambition
Shallum's conspiracy and brief reign serve as a reminder of the destructive nature of sinful ambition. When leaders seek power through ungodly means, it often leads to chaos and instability.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
The cycle of violence and betrayal in Israel's leadership underscores the need for leaders who are committed to God's ways. Godly leadership brings stability and blessing to a nation.

The Reliability of God's Word
The reference to the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel highlights the importance of historical records and the reliability of God's Word in documenting the truth.

The Sovereignty of God in History
Despite the chaos and moral decline, God remains sovereign over history. He uses even the sinful actions of men to accomplish His purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Shallum's actions about the dangers of seeking power through ungodly means?

2. How does the cycle of violence and betrayal in Israel's leadership during this time reflect the consequences of turning away from God?

3. In what ways can we apply the lessons of godly leadership in our own lives and communities today?

4. How does the reference to the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel enhance our understanding of the historical context of the Bible?

5. How can we trust in God's sovereignty when we see chaos and moral decline in the world around us?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 15:10
This verse describes the assassination of Zechariah by Shallum, providing context to the conspiracy mentioned in 2 Kings 15:15.

2 Kings 15:13-14
These verses detail Shallum's brief reign and his subsequent assassination by Menahem, illustrating the cycle of violence and betrayal in Israel's leadership.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16
These verses discuss the repeated warnings from God through His prophets and the people's refusal to listen, which parallels the moral and spiritual decline seen in the time of Shallum.
Sermons
Some Lessons from the History of KingsD. Thomas 2 Kings 15:1-38
Anarchy in IsraelJ. Orr 2 Kings 15:8-22
People
Abel, Ahaz, Amaziah, Amram, Aram, Argob, Arieh, Azaliah, Azariah, David, Elah, Gadi, Gileadites, Hoshea, Jabesh, Jecholiah, Jecoliah, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jerusha, Jotham, Maacah, Menahem, Naphtali, Nebat, Pekah, Pekahiah, Pul, Remaliah, Rezin, Shallum, Tappuah, Tiglathpileser, Tirzah, Uzziah, Zachariah, Zadok, Zechariah
Places
Abel-beth-maacah, Assyria, Damascus, Galilee, Gilead, Hazor, Ibleam, Ijon, Janoah, Jerusalem, Kedesh, Samaria, Syria, Tirzah
Topics
Acts, Annals, Behold, Book, Chronicles, Conspiracy, Deeds, Design, History, Kings, Led, Matters, Recorded, Reign, Rest, Secret, Shallum, Shallum's, Written
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 15:15

     5817   conspiracies

2 Kings 15:1-38

     5366   king

Library
The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as physic, or means which God hath ordained, to relieve and cure this natural infirmity and necessity of man. Use, therefore, to eat and to drink, rather to sustain and refresh the weakness of nature, than to satisfy the sensuality and delights of the flesh. Eat, therefore, to live, but live not to eat. There is no service so base, as for a man …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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