2 Kings 17 speaks of the downfall of the people of Israel and Judah. They knew that they were supposed to keep the law of God and yet they all turned away. God turned his back on them and they fell into the hands of Assyria. The king of Assyria captures Samaria and God sends lions to kill them. So the king of Assyria has one of the priests of Israel come to Samaria to teach the people about the Lord. The people follow the Lord but still do not give up their worship of other gods against God’s commands.

In 2 Kings 18 Hezekiah becomes the king of Judah. He does what is right in God’s sight. Unlike his ancestors he tears down the high places, pillars and sacred pole. He breaks the bronze snake that Moses had made because it had become an object of worship. Hezekiah trusts the Lord more than any who came before him or who follow him The Lord prospers Hezekiah.

King Sennacharib of Assyria captures all the lands around Jerusalem. He sends his captains against Jerusalem. They try to entice the people to rebel against Hezekiah saying that his God will not be able to withstand his attack. The people follow Hezekiah and do not respond to Sennacharib.

In 2 Corinthians 7 Paul speak of godly grief. This is a grief brought on by the realization of our sin and the troubles it causes others and God. This grief leads to repentance and brings not regret but consolation.