The end of the line for Judah as an independent state, as good king Josiah dies and a new king is ushered in, becomes unfaithful, and is then deposed.

2 Kings ends with everyone in Jerusalem being taken to Babylon as prisoner.

Psalm 51 is even more beautiful in this light. It is the prayer that David gave after God cuts him off for murdering Uriah in order to get his wife Bathsheba.

It is also the subject of our beautiful litany in our Lutheran church:

“Create in me a clean heart O Lord, and put a new and right spirit within me.

“Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit”

Dear Father, my God, my Lord. Forgive me for all the sins I do – including those of which I am not even aware. Please protect me and all around me from evils and tempations. Please, most importantly, love me, and my family, and sustain us in your House. Teach us to worship you properly if our ways have gotten lost. Put us back on your path. In Jesus’ name, Amen