Archive for October 2016

This chapter gives the record of the total and complete demise of Ahab’s house, the agent by which it would be accomplished, Jehu who had conspired against King Joram of Israel. We see Jehu used intimidation, blatant threats, deception, manipulation and fear that coerced the leaders, would be rivals and the general population in yielding…

Elisha summoned a prophet, who a number of scholars believe to be Jonah, who had replaced Gehazi as a personal assistant to deliver a message to Jehu. Upon arrival, there seems to be in addition to what Elisha had said to Jehu; which included anointing Jehu with oil to be the agent of fulfilling the…

The first two verses most likely had occurred earlier and are being repeated here by way of introduction to Gehazi and the king’s conversation. Recall Elisha had asked this lady if there was anyone he could speak to on her behalf, including the king. We read here that she initiated an appeal to king, not…

Continuing on with the sharing of the famine and its impact on Israel, Elisha prophecies that within twenty four hours food would be available and in such a quantity that the price would be substantially less than what they had seen recently. One of the king’s servants didn’t believe this could happen and wondered if…

Even progress directed by the Lord often has challenges that are encountered. Some are the result of interference from the enemy, some from those employed in his doing and others the result of error by those involved in the progress. Such is the case with this unnamed prophetic student, who lost a borrowed ax head…

We have an account of the mood swing of one man who was “great and honorable” from his master’s perspective and went from being a proud, haughty man to a humble, contrite believer in the One True God of Israel; as well as that mood swing of a man who desired to be great and…

Jehoshaphat continued his relationship with the leadership of Israel even though Jehoram, Ahab’s son, “did evil in the sight of the Lord”. He did destroy the “sacred pillar of Baal” that his father erected; yet he didn’t repent and/or leave transgressing and continuing to lead Israel into idolatry though. Moab had been placed under tribute…

Elijah is about to be translated into the Presence of the Lord; which had been communicated either from the prophet or the Lord to Elisha, and the two groups of prophetic students from Bethel and Jericho. In viewing this it appears as though it was test by Elijah for Elisha when being exhorted to “stay…

2 Kings is a continuation of a brief overview of the history of Israel and Judah, commencing with the rebellion of Moab against Israel (and likely Judah as well) from when David had defeated them. Their territory was in the area of Judah and Israel. Ahaziah, son of Ahab, had fallen through “the lattice of…

We read of the demise and death of Ahab during a conflict that had sought to reclaim Ramoth in Gilead. This city had likely been included in a treaty with Ben-Hadad; but wasn’t taken. As a result of some treaty or agreement, Israel and Judah had at least cordial attitudes with one another. Jehoshaphat was…