Rebelling against the King

Found 4 Search results

1. Navot's Vineyard (Part 2)

   "Have You Murdered And Also Inherited?!" ֠- Ahav's Responsibility

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   While Izevel plots and executes Navot’s murder, Ahav becomes a hidden but necessary partner. The attempt to enjoy the fruits of wickedness without dirtying one's hands with the actual deed, may work in relation to other people, but it cannot work in the real reckoning between man and God. This is Eliyahu’s harsh accusation towards Ahav.

2. The Yehu Revolution

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   At first glance Yehu seems to adopt the zealotry of Eliyahu in destroying the house of Ahav and the worship of Ba'al. Elisha removes himself from this episode by sending one of his disciples to anoint Yehu and begin the rebellion. However, are all the people killed by Yehu justified? Are the violent and gory methods which he utilizes to execute his plans justified? Is Yehu to be remembered as a righteous king?

3. The Wicked Queen and the Boy King - Atalya and Yoash

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   Despite the fact that the House of Ahav is in ruins after Yehu's rebellion, Atalya, driven like her mother Izevel by power, seizes the opportunity of her son Ahazyahu's death, killing her children and grandchildren and seizes the throne. Her rule marks the first break in the Davidic dynasty and is only overturned by a conspiracy in the highest circles of the kingdom. Yoash, her grandson, becomes the king at the age of seven and his heavily influenced by the Kohanim and the Beit HaMikdash. When he grows into a man he demands that the Kohanim raise money to repair the Beit HaMikdash. The initial method for raising funds - private initiatives by the Kohanim - fails and is not accountable. Only when a public and accountable system is initiated are the necessary funds raised.

4. Tumult and Decline

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   The chapter opens with the formidable King Uzzia of Yehuda, and closes with his son, "the flawless" Yotam, presenting a sixty-two year span of dynastic stability and serenity in the South. Concurrently, and occupying the central space of the chapter, five Northern kings are described as passing in rapid, tumultuous succession, with the Northern state racked by relentless political opportunism in which one national revolt is swiftly followed by further mutiny. The quick pace of coup and counter-coup along with foreign invasion race toward Yisrael's end, as Yisrael stands on the precipice of exile.

   The looming danger is the ascent of the Empire of Ashur, a superpower the likes of which the Middle East has never seen. It is a historical event that will fundamentally change the region. As a result, an unprecedented four prophets prophesy during this period.