A FREQUENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ME as a minister was speaking at church retreats. On one such occasion the topic was faithfulness; a passage that intrigued me in this regard was the description of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18:5–8. Hezekiah’s faithfulness was uncompromising, even though the end of the story depicted his failure of faith (20:14–19). The story resonated as a genuine experience of the pilgrimage in learning to trust God, and it has continued to captivate my attention.
Many aspects of the Hezekiah story were difficult to unravel. Could Hezekiah really have been born when his father was just eleven years old (cf. 2 Kings 16:2; 17:1; 18:1–2)? How could Hezekiah have begun to reign in the time of King Hoshea of Israel if the siege of Sennacherib was fourteen years after Hezekiah began to reign (18:13), seven years after Hoshea’s reign ended? Eventually I came to do a doctoral dissertation examining the Hezekiah story in all the biblical and Assyrian records.
My doctoral studies have led to a lifetime of study of the work of Kings, alongside Isaiah and Chronicles. I felt therefore particularly privileged when Tremper Longman III asked me to participate in this NIV Application Commentary series. In that regard, I am indebted to my lifelong mentor not only for the opportunity to participate in this project, but also for continuous progress in research, which involved numerous other publishing projects.
This commentary has been significantly enhanced through the review of John Walton, with his extensive knowledge of Ancient Near Eastern history and culture, and the editorial work of Verlyn Verbrugge, particularly in the Contemporary Significance sections. It was my desire to know more of the history and culture of biblical times that drove me to doctoral studies during my days as a pastor. By the grace of God, my doctoral studies were the beginning of a life-changing journey in understanding Scripture. I have always wanted to make the Bible a living Word to those who read it; they need to understand the social and historical contexts of its origins and to grasp how those issues might relate to contemporary times. The editors of this commentary have taught me much in that regard.
Students are one of the greatest contributors to growth in biblical knowledge. I wish to thank the students in my classes at Providence Theological Seminary in Manitoba who have stimulated, challenged, and informed my thinking over the last twenty years. Of particular note are those students who undertook the discipline of a thesis in which they researched topics of interest and importance.
The freedom to do biblical research can only happen with the support of family. In that regard, this book is dedicated to my wife, Esther, a tribute that love desires and is far less than debt requires. She has always been patient and understanding especially when what was needed was a great sacrifice of time and financial resources. She has not only been a constant encouragement, but has cheerfully and competently borne the task of caring for our four beautiful children. Melanie, Blythe, Theodore, and Tessa have been a joy and inspiration, a profound insight into God’s design of creating us in his image. My family has not only provided much happiness, but also much significance in my work. God’s story in this world is that of his name being glorified from generation to generation. Our two grandchildren, Liesl and Charis, have made that an existential truth for me, and it is profoundly gratifying.
In spite of its shortcomings, for which I alone remain responsible, it is my prayer this study may serve as a resource for pastors and teachers in years to come. May it be one of the ways in which the majesty of the name of God is proclaimed to all the earth.
August H. Konkel
July 2006