Lenny Goldberg Bible Classes

Achaz makes some strange alterations to the Temple. Why? And if he so wicked, why isn't he enumerated as one of the three Kings who has no share in the World to Come (along with Menashe, Ahab and Yeruvam ben Navat)?

The wicked King Achaz is so impressed by the altar in Damascus, he builds a replica and replaces the original in the Temple

For the complete picture of events, we dive into the book of Isaiah, Chronicles and Kings.

Achaz, the wicked Judean King, is attacked by both Aram and Israel.  A complete picture of the episode can only be provided by diving into the Book of Chronicles and the Book of Isaiah. 

We learn about Yotam, both in Kings, Chronicles, and the oral traditions. 

Menachem Ben Gadi, Pekachia, Pekach and Assyria invasion. 

How did Yehu's dynasty end? Why did the rebellion against the Israeli monarchs emanate from the east bank of the Jordan?

What was the attraction of the incense burning on the altar? What can be wrong with being a "lover of the land?" 

We take a deep dive into Chronicles to learn about King Uziyahu. He was a powerhouse, until he was stricken with Tzaraat...

Why would someone call his son "Yeruvam"? Why did Yeruvam enjoy such great national prosperity if he was not a righteous king? What does Yona the prophet have to do with all this? What are the redeeming qualities of King Yeruvam?

King Yehoash goes to Bet Shemesh, the territory of Judea, and soundly defeats the Judean army.  The temple treasury is pillaged. We then sum up both kings Amazyiahu and Yehoash. 

We learn from Chronicles some major events in King Amazyiahu's war against Edom. Then, Amazyiahu takes on Yoash the King of Israel. We discuss the motivations behind this, and try to interpret King Yoash's parable about the thistle and the cedar. 

Kings Amatziyahu, King of Judea is the subject. He executes the assassins of his father Yoash, wars with Edom.

G-d delays the inevitable exile of the Kingdom of Israel because of the brit avot.  We review Jeremiah Ch. 31 to see how it relates to the ten tribes. 

Before Elisha the prophet passes away, he instructs King Yoash to shoot an arrow out the window eastward, and then to pound the arrows into the ground. What are the meanings of these symbols? Finally, Elisha performs a miracle while in the grave!

We continue learning about King Yehoachaz, who is replaced by his son Yoash. Why do the kings of Israel and Judea have identical names? Yoash visits the prophet Elisha, showing great reverence for the prophet. 

King Yehoachaz, the son of Yehu ben Nimshi takes the throne. He continues in the sinful ways of Yeruvam son of Navat. We review the sin of Yeruvam, and try to figure out who the "savior" is, that is mentioned in verse 5. 

Regarding King Yohash, the narrative in Chronicles is vastly different than the narrative in the Book of Kings. Why? What caused Yohash to suddenly stray from the righteous path?

After repairing the Temple, the end of the chapter describes how Yoash is attacked by the armies of Aram. After opening the Temple treasuries to bribe the King of Aram, Yohash is executed by his servants. What happened and why?

King Yohash is described as a righteous king. He starts to repair the Temple, which had deteriorated over time.

In a perfectly executed rebellion directed by Yehoyada the Priest, Atalya is Executed, Yoash is Crowned as the new king of Yehuda. Yehoyada then leads the charge to trash the Baal worship that had been established in Yehuda during Atalya's wicked reign.

We summarize Yehu Ben Nimshi's reign. Was he a tzadeek? How does he go down in Bible history?

The priest Yehoyada steps up to rebel against Ayalyia. He enlists allies and plans a rebellion in cooperation with the priests and soldiers.  The goal is to crown the 7 year old Yoash. 

Atalyia, the mother of the slain King Achaziyahu exterminates the offspring of the royal family. Yehoshaeva, the sister of the king, saves the day.  Why did Atalyia do it?

Yehu feigns that he is loyal to the Baal, drawing all the Baal worshipers to the Temple of Baal. He then proceeds to destroy them all, including their idols.