The Minor Prophets Part 13 (Zephaniah)

INTRO: We have now come to the little book of Zephaniah. Once more we go to the very first verse for some important introductory information (read). Again, we note that this book is a word from the Lord, and that it came to a man named Zephaniah. This Zephaniah is said to be the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah. Now it is questioned whether this Hezekiah is King Hezekiah of whom we spoke in the book of Nahum. What gives credibility to this view is that we read further that Zephaniah prophesied during the days of Josiah. The timing would be about right as far as dates are concerned. If this is so, then the good king, Josiah, and Zephaniah are related through Hezekiah.

After Hezekiah, Manasseh began to reign and he reigned for some 55 years. He was a very wicked king almost right up to the last, when he repented of his wicked ways. But his son, Amon reigned after him for a very short time, but once more he was a wicked king. But turn to 2 Kings 21 to see what happens (read 21:19-22:2).