📖 2 Kings 17

2 Kings 17 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel for nine years.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.

Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “For he tore Israel from David’s house; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king; and Jeroboam drove Israel from following Yahweh, and made them sin a great sin.” 2 Kings 17 opens with these words: “In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel for nine years.” The line to keep is 2 Kings 17:31: “and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.” Carry the word “avvites” from that verse into the rest of the day.

The line worth learning out loud is 2 Kings 17:31: “and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.

What happens first in 2 Kings 17? Then try this: Read “and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.