January 15, 2026
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Kings, Acts, & Hebrews? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Kings 17 (NIV)
Hoshea Last King of Israel
1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years. 2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him.
3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up to attack Hoshea, who had been Shalmaneser’s vassal and had paid him tribute.……Continue Reading
Next: 2 Kings 18
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Back: Philemon
Such a sad and disturbing chapter. Such a resistance to repenting and turning back to the one true God. I found it funny that they had had enough wherewithal to recognize we should fear this God that sent lions and yet continue to do things that made life worse and worse for themselves. It was like God is sending you a literal picture of what you are doing and still you continue to do it! And what kind of god would require the sacrifice of your own child? How do you get to such a dark, desperate place? It made me think of an addict that gets to the point that the high is worth more than even the people in their lives. They just hurt, steal from, and disregard people simply to satisfy a momentary high. Must have been truly heartbreaking for God to watch, often I think he must feel that way watching was is still happening today.
God had made it clear what He required of the Israelites to remain in the land, but they disobeyed Him time and again. They not only sinned, but rejected Him as God. Their sacrifices to God were not about faith or a relationship with God, but had become rote practice. SO when false religions offered other practices that seemed more appealing or more effective, it was easy for them to turn away. That is why it is so important to remember that we do what we do in our Christian lives because we trust God and love Him because in all His ways He is expressing love for us. And it is strange but consistent with that time in history that people believed gods were connected to geography and thereby people groups. And what sacrifices they thought they were making to currie the god’s favor. And the Jews turned from the God of creation, the universe and covenant to follow the likes of those. Very sad indeed. May we learn from their negative example to stand strong in faith and fidelity to our great and glorious God.
2 kings 17
2 Kings 17
2 Kings 17
2 Kings 16 & 17
“But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.” However they did not obey, but they followed their former rituals. So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day.”
II Kings 17:39-41 NKJV