July 13-19: 2 Kings 16-25

Written By Center for Latter-day Saint Arts

"He Trusted in the Lord God of Israel"

Jenna von Benedikt (American-British, born 1984)

Finding the Light (2024) from the Sainted Birds series

Mixed media on canvas, 12 x 36 inches

Collection of the artist

Used with permission of the artist

Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah decline and fall. King Ahaz of Judah adopts pagan practices and seeks help from Assyria instead of trusting God. Israel is conquered by the Assyrians and its people are exiled because of persistent idolatry. Later, King Hezekiah brings spiritual reform and trusts God during the Assyrian threat, but his son Manasseh reverses these reforms with wickedness, deepening Judah’s guilt. King Josiah leads a sweeping revival, yet the people’s hearts remain largely unchanged. Babylon invades under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, Jerusalem is destroyed, the temple is burned, and the people of Judah are carried into exile.

One pervasive theme here is the truth that there are significant consequences for turning away from God. Even though Josiah’s revival was sincere, it couldn’t undo generations of hardened hearts. Yet even in judgment, God doesn’t abandon His promises. There is always hope no matter our falterings.These chapters are a reminder that culture, leadership, and personal integrity all shape the future. Consider Jenna von Benedikt's piece Finding the Light as you read these chapters and ponder about the challenges of faith and turning our hearts to the Lord.

Gospel Questions

1. In a world so divided by politics, how can spiritual truths lead to solutions and healing?

2. What warning signs of decline can individuals or communities watch for today?

3. What role does repentance play in changing the trajectory of a family or community?

For Children and Youth

Hi. God’s people kept making bad choices and stopped listening to Him, so their city was destroyed and they had to leave their home. But even when things were very sad, God still gave them hope for the future.

1. What is hope and what does hope feel like?

More from the Art Companion

Featured
July 27-August 2: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8
July 27-August 2: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8

The Persian king, Cyrus the Great, issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of God. The returning people rebuild the altar and lay the foundation of the temple. Although the project faces opposition from surrounding groups. Ezra, a teacher of God’s Law, travels to Jerusalem with authority from the Persian king to help restore proper worship and obedience to God’s commands.

July 20-26: 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26- 30
July 20-26: 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26- 30

The chapters in this week's study describe several kings of Judah and their spiritual leadership, highlighting both faithfulness and failure. Asa seeks God and leads Judah in reform, and God gives him victory over a vast Ethiopian army. Later, Jehoshaphat encourages the nation to trust God, and when a large coalition attacks Judah, the people pray and God miraculously defeats the enemy.

July 13-19: 2 Kings 16-25
July 13-19: 2 Kings 16-25

Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah decline and fall. King Ahaz of Judah adopts pagan practices and seeks help from Assyria instead of trusting God. Israel is conquered by the Assyrians and its people are exiled because of persistent idolatry. Later, King Hezekiah brings spiritual reform and trusts God during the Assyrian threat, but his son Manasseh reverses these reforms with wickedness, deepening Judah’s guilt.

July 6-12: 2 Kings 2-7
July 6-12: 2 Kings 2-7

The prophet Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, and his mantle falls to Elisha, confirming him as Elijah’s successor through miraculous signs like parting the Jordan River. Elisha performs several miracles, including purifying poisoned water, multiplying a widow’s oil to pay her debts, and raising a Shunammite woman’s son from the dead. Naaman is healed of leprosy after humbling himself to wash in the Jordan River, while Elisha’s servant Gehazi is struck with leprosy for his greed. Elisha also causes an iron axe head to float and repeatedly warns the king of Israel about enemy movements, demonstrating God’s power over both nature and nations.

Center for Latter-day Saint Arts
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July 20-26: 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26- 30
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July 6-12: 2 Kings 2-7