Kingdom Divided Lesson 10 – 2 Kings 6:8 – 14:1-29; 2 Chronicles 21-25

 

Note:  For clarity the Kings of Israel are coded in Orange and Kings of Judah are coded in Blue.

2 Kings 6:8-23 – Blinded

The king of Aram was at war with Israel.  Elisha didn’t support the corrupt kings of Israel, but he knew that it was worse for Israel to be conquered by Aram.  So he gave the king of Israel information of Aram’s plans.  The king of Aram was mystified as to how the king of Israel knew all his plans beforehand.  He thought there was a traitor among his officers until his servant revealed that Elisha knew and had revealed these things.  So he sent soldiers to capture Elisha.

Elisha’s servant saw that Aramean forces were surrounding them and became afraid.  Elisha told him, “Don’t be afraid... those who are with us are more than those who are with them”. – 2 Kings 6:16.  Elisha prayed that God would open his servant’s eyes to see the angel army that protected them.  God answered his prayer and his servant saw the spiritual army of horses and fiery chariots that filled the hills.  Then Elisha prayed that the eyes of the Aramean forces be blinded.  God used Elisha to protect Israel and reveal his unseen power by answering his prayer and blinding the soldiers – not with total blindness or they wouldn’t be able to follow him.  The soldiers were led into the capital city of Samaria to stand before the king of Israel.  The king wanted to kill them, but Elisha advised him to feed them and send them home.  The king did as Elisha advised.  The raiding of Israel’s territory stopped.

When a person is blind to spiritual truth, only God can open his eyes.  God may do it through the words someone speaks, but the work done belongs to God alone.  We may not see God’s angel army around us, but His army is certainly there protecting all believers from the fiery darts of the enemy.  There is NOTHING to fear when you are on the side of God’s Angel Armies! 

You may not be under attack from a foreign king, but you may be fighting depression, temptation, a difficult relationship, or struggles at school, work or home.  But there is nothing to fear when you are on the side of God and His Angel Armies.  Your sight may be limited, but pray that your eyes will be opened and your ears unstopped so you can see and hear God at work.  You might see His army of angels or maybe He will show you a wise Biblical counselor, neighbor, or friend to help you through a crisis.  May our eyes be opened to see all the ways God guides and provides!

Principle:  There is nothing to fear when you are on the side of God and His angel Armies.

2 Kings 6:24 – 7:20 – Siege and Famine

Elisha had changed the heart of the raiders, but not the heart of their king.  Sometime later Aram’s king, Ben-Hadad marched on the city of Samaria.  There was a famine in the land and the people were starving.  It led to cannibalism.  It was so terrible the mothers were so hungry that they ate their own children.  Because of the state of his nation, the king turned his anger on God’s prophet Elisha.

Elisha predicted that in 24 hours the famine would be lifted.  There would be abundance of food for all.  One of the king’s officers doubted God’s messenger and God.  He had no idea that God would bring provision especially so quickly.  Through Elisha, God pronounced a harsh judgment on the officer.  He would see this miracle happen, but he would not benefit from it.  He doubted the power and creativity of God and the messenger of God.

Principle:  Unbelief is highly offensive to God.

There were four men with leprosy who reasoned they were going to die no matter what they did so they decided to see if the Aramean soldiers had food for them.  They found that the camp had been abandoned and to their amazement they found it fully stocked with provisions.  God had caused the army to flee from the camp because of noise they heard thinking it was an invading army.   The men ate to their satisfaction and plundered the camp of food and valuables. 

They enjoyed the miracle God provided.  Then they realized what they were doing was not right.  They had a responsibility to tell others the good news.  They returned to the city to report the finding to the king.  Since they were not allowed beyond the city gates, they told the gate keepers who shouted out the message.  When the people heard the good news, they rushed to the camp and in their rush they trampled the doubting officer and he died.  This was just as Elisha had prophesied – he would not benefit from the miracle.

Are you keeping the “good news” to yourself?  Salvation of God is free.  Like the lepers, we were hopeless and starving.  Through Jesus we found food for our souls and treasures beyond compare.  Don’t keep it for yourself.  Go out and share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

Principle:  The good news of salvation of God is free.

2 Kings 8 – More Drama

This Scripture begins with a little confusion and seems to be out of chronological order.  We learned in 2 Kings 4 about the Shunammite woman whose son Elisha raised from the dead and Elisha’s servant Gehazi who previously lied and was stricken with leprosy.  But here goes.

Elisha announced another famine that would last for seven years.  He warned the Shunammite woman to get out of Israel because of the famine to come.  The woman did as she was told and went to dwell in the land of the Philistines.  When she returned someone had taken over her house and land.  She complained to the king of Israel.  The king sought more information from the Elisha’s servant Gehazi.  The king restored her land and all she owned.

Elisha was sent to Syria to pay a visit to king Ben-Hadad who was ill.  He informed the king’s aid, Hazael that the king would recover from his illness but would later die.  Elisha cried because Hazael would become king of Syria and do vicious and terrible things towards Israel.  Hazael couldn’t believe he would do such things.  Hazael took the message to the king and told him he would recover.  The next day Hazael killed king Ben-Hadad and took his throne.  God knew that Hazael would kill the king, but God didn’t make him do it.

This chapter continues with Israel and Judah and all their drama.  We should not forget they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

2 Kings 9-10 – King Jehu

Elisha sent one of his prophets to anoint Israel’s next king, Jehu.  Jehu was a commander in Israel’s army.  God intended to use him as a tool for judgment against the house of Ahab.  God told him to destroy the house of Ahab bringing judgment for the blood of the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel.  So Jehu went on a killing spree and killed king Joram of Israel, Ahab, Jezebel, and all Ahab’s family.  He also killed king Ahaziah of Judah - not because God had directly commanded it, but because of his association with the wicked kings of Israel.  He was also the grandson of Ahab making him liable under the judgment against the house of Ahab. 

Jehu went even further and tricked the Baal worshippers.  He announced a big feast to Baal and invited all Baals’ priest and supporters and if they didn’t attend, they would be killed.  No one who worshipped the Lord was allowed.  He placed eighty men outside to guard against anyone who would try to escape.  Then Jehu unleashed his guards to begin killing all the worshippers. 

They killed everyone and threw their bodies outside.  They carried off the statue of Baal and burned it.  But he didn’t get rid of all pagan worship.  He failed to remove the golden calves from Bethel and Dan.  The Lord had told Jehu that he did what was right and in His eyes so his descendant would sit on the throne of Israel for four generations.  Yet Jehu didn’t continue to keep the law of the Lord with all his heart.  Jehu reigned for 28 years and then died.  His son Jehoahaz succeeded him as king.  God began to reduce the size of Israel.

Jehu served as God’s instrument of judgment.  He carried out God’s will, but he went too far and executed more people than God intended.

All people are accountable to God.  “I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel”. – Hosea 1:4. 

Principle:  All people are accountable to God.

2 Kings 11 – Athaliah

This chapter begins with devious woman Athaliah. When she learned her son Ahaziah was killed she didn’t mourn, but decided to murder the royal family and take the throne for herself.  She was even going to kill her grandson who was a baby.  Her niece took the grandson Joash and hid him for six years.  During this time Athaliah took over the land of Judah. 

The priest Jehoiada organized a coup.  He showed the leaders of the country the surviving Son.  They announced him as the new king.  The priest commanded Athaliah to be killed.  She tried to escape, but was caught and killed.  She really wasn’t an official ruler because she wasn’t authorized by the Lord, but she reigned as dictator for six years.

Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people for them to be the Lord’s people.  They broke down the house of Baal, killed the priest of Baal, and appointed officers over the house of the Lord.  The people rejoiced.  Joash became king at seven years old.

2 Kings 12 – King Joash

Joash’s rule was blessed for forty years and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  He wanted to repair the Temple of the Lord.  In his 23^rd year the repairs still were not done, because the priests weren’t paying the workers.  So he stopped paying the priests and put honest men in charge of paying the workers.  The temple repairs were finally done.

Hazael decided to go to war with Gath and intended to go to war with Jerusalem.  Joash paid Hazael off by giving him the treasures of the temple.  Hazael withdrew.  Some men in Joash’s cabinet decided to conspire against him and had him killed.  His son, Amaziah became king of Judah. 

2 Kings 13 – Elisha Died

King Jehoahaz of Israel ruled for seventeen years  He wasn’t righteous before the Lord.  He followed in the footsteps of Jeroboam.  Because of  his evil nature, the Lord made him and Israel subject to King Hazael of Aram and Ben-Hadad his son.  Jehoahaz prayed to God for relief and God listened.  His son King Jehoash took over as king after his death and reigned sixteen years.

Elisha fell sick and eventually died.  Jehoash went to see him.  Elisha told him he would defeat Syria.  Elisha died and was buried.  During an attack on Samaria, a Moabite man was killed and buried in the grave of Elisha.  When the man’s corpse touched Elisha’s body, the man came back to life. 

The Lord was compassionate with Israel because of the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Jehoash defeated Ben-Hadad three times and recovered the cities Syria had taken from Israel.

2 Kings 14 – King Amaziah

Amaziah king of Judah took over the throne after his father, Joash and ruled for twenty-nine years and did right in the eyes of the Lord.  He went to war against Edom and destroyed them.  He went to war with Jehoash and Judah was put to shame and fled for their lives.  He was captured and forced to give up a lot of resources to the king of Israel.

Jehoash king of Israel died and Jeroboam II took over the throne.  Amaziah lived another fifteen years, but a conspiracy was staged against him and he was murdered.  Amaziah’s son, Azariah was made king of Judah. 

The king of Israel, Jeroboam II ruled for 41 evil years.  He did all the things the Jeroboam I did, but he did do some good things.  He restored the coast of Israel.  The Lord helped him to protect the people and not blot out the name of Israel.  Jeroboam II died and his son Zachariah took over.

This week’s study has been hard and confusing by trying make sense and keeping straight all these kings.  But remember the history of Judah and Israel shows us God is faithful despite ongoing rebellion.  The only sure thing is Israel’s story and our story is God Himself.  He has a plan and nothing or no one can stop Him.  He continued to protect the royal lineage of the promised Messiah through the kingdom of Judah.

Principle:  God preserves His purposes, His promises, and His people by His power. 

This week’s attribute of God is He is Preserver.  He preserves our lives for His purpose and for our salvation.  His plans cannot be stopped – not by enemies, worry, doubt, or fear.  God preserved the line of Abraham, David, and the Israelite people to accomplish His plan to send His Son to be our Savior.  “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” – Psalm 33:11

Key Verses:

“Don’t be afraid... those who are with us are more than those who are with them”. – 2 Kings 6:16.

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” – Psalm 33:11

Next time we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided in the book of Amos.  Hope to see you here. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

 

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

 

Kingdom Divided Lesson 9 – 2 Kings 4 – 6:1-7

 

2 Kings 4 – 6:7 – God Works Miracles Through Elisha

The Widow’s Oil

A woman whose husband from the company of prophets died leaving his family destitute.  She appealed to Elisha asking him what she should do to pay off her debts.  The only thing she had of any value was a small jar of olive oil.  Elisha sent the woman to her neighbors to ask for every empty jar they could spare.  He told her to put her oil into all the jars.  As she filled each jar the oil miraculously multiplied and filled all the jars.  He then told her to sell the oil and pay her debts.

As usual there are lessons in miracles.  The lesson here is faith.  Having faith often doesn’t make sense.  She probably thought this gathering of empty jars didn’t make sense and may have felt uncomfortable and embarrassed.  Her faith was demonstrated by saying yes to God’s plan.  Having faith doesn’t mean we should sit around and wait for God to do all the work.  Have you noticed the miracles in the Bible?  God’s plan unusually involves people actually doing something.  Sometime we have to ask before we receive.  What would have happened is she hadn’t asked her neighbors for the jars?  God wanted others to be involved.  He wanted to show Himself to her and to her neighbors.  Let’s be like the widow and live by faith. 

The Shunammite Woman

Elisha often traveled through the town of Shunem.  There he would visit a rich woman and her husband for a meal.  She knew he was a man of God so she made a small bedroom for him to stay when he was in town.  He offered to repay her in some way, but she told Elisha that she had everything she needed but a child.  Elisha told her next year she would have a son.  One year later, she had a son.  He grew and one day he became ill.  Soon after he died.  She and her servant went to Elisha for help.  Elisha told the servant to go on ahead and take his staff and lay it on the boy’s face.  He did as he was told, but there was no response from the boy.  When Elisha reached the woman’s house and saw the boy had not awakened.  He shut the door and prayed to the Lord.  He lay on the boy and he awoke.

The woman believed that God could save her son.  She knew God gave her the son in the first place and she knew He was the One who could restore his life.  She didn’t hesitate to go to Elisha, the man of God.  From kings to widows, God cares about the needs of His followers.  He hears our prayers.

The lessons here are: use what you have to be a blessing, share generously, offer hospitality, seek to serve even in suffering, give God gratitude, and walk by faith in the one true God.

Stew Purified

Elisha returned to the company of prophet in Gilgal.  There was  famine in the land, food was scarce and resources were limited.  One of the servants went out and gathered herbs and wild vine to prepare a large pot of stew for the prophets.   As they ate the stew they realized it was toxic and they shouldn’t eat it.  They said, there is death in the pot!  Elisha added flour and the stew became edible and nourishing.  It wasn’t the flour that made the stew good to it.  The real purification was the miraculous work of God through Elisha.

There is death in the pot when you don’t desire Bible truth, when you don’t grow spiritually, when you focus on worldly ways, when you accept false doctrine and worldly philosophy, and when you know there is death in the pot but you continue to eat.

Are you in a situation that seems like “poisonous stew”?

What part of your life will you ask God to purify?

Loaves Multiplied

A man brought Elisha 20 loaves of bread.  Elisha said to give it to the people to eat.  His small amount of bread fed 100 men.  God promised to provide beyond the immediate need.  Elisha trusted the promise of God, acted on it and saw the promise miraculously fulfilled.  They ate and had food left over.  This reminds me of the miracle where Jesus fed the 5,000.  Elisha was like Jesus. 

Leprosy Healed

Naaman was the commander in the army of the king of Aram who had leprosy.  A maid to Naaman’s wife told her the prophet Elisha could cure Naaman.  Naaman didn’t know that God’s grace was free and was willing to pay the prophet for His service.  The king of Aram sent a letter to the king of Israel asking for help for Naaman.  The king of Israel had no relationship with God or Elisha.  When the king of Israel read the letter, he became suspicious and tore his clothes.  Elisha heard of the situation and sent his servant to meet with Naaman.  Naaman was told him to wash in the Jordan seven times and he would be healed.  Naaman resisted and was offended, because he was sent instructions by a servant and it was such a simply plan.  He left in anger. 

Naaman was a proud man and it wasn’t easy for a proud man to do such a humble thing, but his servants showed wisdom.  They urged him to obey the prophet.  Naaman followed their advice and went to the Jordan.  He dipped himself seven times as he was told and God cured him.  Naaman returned and offered gifts to Elisha, but Elisha refused.  Elisha wanted to show that God’s grace and love was free.

Naaman experienced something more wonderful than his healing.  He saw God as the true God and he believed.  He wanted to worship the true God so he asked for a little soil the take home.   He thought he could only worship God on Israel’s soil and Elisha didn’t argue with him.  He began his new life of faith and knew all other gods were false gods.

Elisha’s servant Gehazi overheard that Elisha refuse Naaman’s gifts.  Gehazi ran after Naaman and told him a lie.  He falsely claimed Elisha had sent him to ask for the money and gifts.  Naaman was pleased and wanted to thank God.  This was an opportunity to give to God so he gave him twice as much.  Gehazi hid the gifts in the house before Elisha could see.  When he returned, Elisha confronted him.  Elisha knew Gehazi had lied and did this evil thing against God.  In judgment Gehazi was struck with Naaman’s leprosy which would cling to him and to his descendants forever.  This might seem harsh, but God in His wisdom gives blessings and also judgments.  His ways are always right.

Gehazi was like Judas.  Both loved money.  A person can’t serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24).  The love of money is the root of all sin (1 Timothy 6:10).   

Ax Head Recovered

The place where the prophets lived and trained was not large enough to meet the needs of all those who wanted to be trained in ministry.  So they asked Elisha to go with them to the Jordan and they would build a larger center. During the construction there was an accident.  As one of them was cutting down a tree, the ax head fell into the water.  This alarmed them because they had borrowed the ax head and didn’t want to lose it.  They told Elisha.  Elisha cut a stick and threw it where the ax head had gone in the water.  Then the ax head was made to float.  This was another miracle from God through Elisha.  We all know that iron is very heavy and doesn’t float.  But with God all things are possible. 

This story teaches us that God supplies what His people need.  He even cares about the small things that His people worry about each day (Matthew 6:28-34).

The principles for these miracles:

God will provide what we need.

Our actions give proof of our faith in God.

In His mercy God doesn’t leave us with poisonous stew; His grace is extended to anyone who calls on Him.

God’s power can be used either for us or against us.

With God all things are possible.

This week’s attribute of God is He is Good.  God does not always fix every problem or make all pain go away, but He is good, righteous, faithful, and compassionate.  He offers hope, refuge and care for those who come to Him.  “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7.

Next time we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided in 2 Kings.  Hope to see you here. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus. 

__________________________________________

 

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below