Who Wrote the Bible

He promoted the centralization of the religion at the Temple in Jerusalem.

It also meant destroying the places of worship of Yahweh outside of the Temple in Jerusalem. In

The political reform included rebellion against Assyria and an attempt to extend Judah’s control over areas that had been part of the now defunct kingdom of Israel and over Philistine cities

King Hezekiah ruled Judah from around 715 to 687

There was no more role at all after 722 for tribal leaders. For

The king’s power and stature were diminished. David’s descendants on the throne in Jerusalem were, most of the time, vassals to the emperors of Assyria or Babylonia.

Different Judeans (and refugee Israelites) may have interpreted it in different ways, but no one could ignore its implications, politically or religiously. To some, the fact that Israel fell and Judah stood showed that Judah was better, ethically or in terms of fidelity to Yahweh. To others, it showed that it was possible to fall, and this was a warning to Judah. Presumably, it would be harder to laugh off a prophet who predicted the fall of Judah after the catastrophe of 722.

Periods when Assyria dominated Judah often meant religious conflict in Jerusalem. The king of Judah would honor a pagan god in the Temple, and then Judean prophets would attack him for promoting idolatry

The new international politics had an impact on religion as well

Subjugating Judah meant income (spoils initially, tribute thereafter), control of a trade route between Africa and Asia, and strategic placement on Egypt’s doorstep