1. Hezekiah at bay
We are reading the Books of Kings, which are historical records written in Babylonia during the time of captivity. Though the authorship is anonymous, the source is called the Deuteronomist (or simply D)*1. The aim of writing was to understand why the kingdom of Judah perished. To begin with, the writers reflected on the incident of Assyrian attack which had taken place 120 years earlier. At that time, Judah had survived despite the siege of Jerusalem by powerful Assyrian forces. But to Babylonia it surrendered itself. The writers wondered why God let Judah ruled by Zedekia perish (in 577 or 576)*2 whereas Hezekia could saved the nation from Assyria. (³¤­…)

1. Wrecking Israel and Judah in crises
We are reading the Books of Kings and today¡Çs lecturing part is 2 Kings chapter18. The passage deals with the reign of Hezekiah, the king of Judah. Last week we learned of dying Elisha who worried about future of the kingdom of Israel. However, despite his gloomy prophecy, the king Jehoash won victories over Aram, a neighbor country, and took back the territory occupied by Aramaeans. Besides, Israel rejoiced in its very flourish time again during the period of JeroboamII, son of Jehoash. Nonetheless, the writers of the Books ignored political achievements of Jeroboam, instead accused him for luck of faith. ; - Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel in Samaria during the fifteenth year Amaziah was king of Judah. (Amaziah was the son of Joash.) Jeroboam ruled forty-one years, and he did what the Lord said was wrong. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and Jeroboam son of Jehoash did not stop doing the same sins. (2 Kings 14:23-24) (³¤­…)

1. Message of the Books of Kings
We keep reading the Books of Kings. Though they tell about reigns of the kings of Israel, the contents don¡Çt represent a secular chronology. It is said that the texts were lectured in religious purpose. They were written in Babylonia where many Israelites lived as captures, isolated far from the homeland.*1 Those people naturally wondered why God made Israel perish and abandoned them. Their faith in God wasn¡Çt firm anymore. The Books were compiled as an encouragement by telling those people that the Lord was alive. The people were also taught that the captivity was a punishment to them who had fallen from God. But the writers concluded that God should forgive them if they repented. Following the teachings, they began to look back their past sincerely to repent and be forgiven. Therefore the contents of the Books seem to be lectures on the religions history of Israel. Writers focused on the problem of the righteousness of Israelites before God, instead of secular policies of the kings, internally or internationally. (³¤­…)

# Today¡Çs lecturer is the co-pastor Mizuguchi.
1. Naaman goes to the enemy country
Today, we observe for the first time Sunday service in this provisional chapel. The place is provided by courtesy of one of our church members. We will keep gathering here every Sunday during the construction work of the new church building.
We are reading the books of Kings and today is the 5th session of the series. The reading part is 2 Kings 5:9-19a which tells the healing story of Naaman, a commander of Aram*. Aram, also called Syria, was a kingdom in the north side of Israel. Naaman was a highly honored general whom the Lord used to give victory to the Aramaean army. But he was suffering a skin disease. (see 2 Kings 5:1) (³¤­…)