2 Raja-raja 2:24

2:24 When he turned around and saw them, he called God’s judgment down on them. ¹  Two female bears came out of the woods and ripped forty-two of the boys to pieces.

2 Raja-raja 11:18

11:18 All the people of the land went and demolished ²  the temple of Baal. They smashed its altars and idols ³  to bits. ⁴  They killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altar. Jehoiada the priest ⁵  then placed guards at the Lord’s temple.

[2:24]  ¹ tn Heb “he cursed them in the name of the Lord.” A curse was a formal appeal to a higher authority (here the Lord) to vindicate one’s cause through judgment. As in chapter one, this account makes it clear that disrespect for the Lord’s designated spokesmen can be deadly, for it is ultimately rejection of the Lord’s authority.

[11:18]  ² tn Or “tore down.”

[11:18]  ³ tn Or “images.”

[11:18]  ⁴ tn The Hebrew construction translated “smashed…to bits” is emphatic. The adverbial infinitive absolute (הֵיטֵב [hetev], “well”) accompanying the Piel form of the verb שָׁבַר (shavar), “break,” suggests thorough demolition.

[11:18]  ⁵ tn Heb “the priest.” Jehoiada’s name is added for clarification.