2nd Kings Chapter Two

 2Ki 2:1  And it happened, when Jehovah was to cause Elijah to go up to Heaven in a tempest, Elijah and Elisha went from Gilgal. 

2Ki 2:2  And Elijah said to Elisha, Please stay here, for Jehovah has sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said, As Jehovah lives, and your soul lives, I will not leave you. And they went down to Bethel. 

2Ki 2:3  And the sons of the prophets in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, Do you know that today Jehovah will take your lord from your head? And he said, Yes, I know. Keep silent. 

2Ki 2:4  And Elijah said to him, Elisha, please stay here, for Jehovah has sent me to Jericho. And he said, As Jehovah lives, and your soul lives, I will not leave you. And they came into Jericho. 

2Ki 2:5  And the sons of the prophets in Jericho came near to Elisha, and said to him, Do you know that today Jehovah will take away your lord from your head? And he said, Yes, I know. Keep silent. 

2Ki 2:6  And Elijah said to him, Please stay here, for Jehovah has sent me to the Jordan. And he said, As Jehovah lives, and your soul lives, I will not leave you. And they went on, both of them. 

2Ki 2:7  And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went on and stood afar off, across from them. And they both stood by the Jordan. 

2Ki 2:8  And Elijah took his mantle, and rolled it up, and struck the waters. And they were divided here and there, so that they both went over on dry ground. 

2Ki 2:9  And it happened, when they were crossing, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, Then let there now be a double portion of your spirit on me. 

2Ki 2:10  And he said, You have asked a hard thing. If you shall see me taken from you, it shall be so to you. And if not, it shall not be. 

2Ki 2:11  And it happened, as they were going on and speaking, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire came. And they separated between them both, and Elijah went up in a tempest to Heaven. 

2Ki 2:12  And Elisha was watching, and he was crying, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen! And he did not see him again. And he took hold on his garments and tore them into two pieces. 

2Ki 2:13  And he lifted up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and turned back and stood on the lip of the Jordan. 

2Ki 2:14  And he took Elijah's mantle that had fallen from him, and struck the waters, and said, Where is Jehovah the God of Elijah, even He? And he struck the waters; and they were split in two here and there, and Elisha crossed over. 

2Ki 2:15  And when they saw him, the sons of the prophets across in Jericho, then they said, The spirit of Elijah has rested on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed to the earth to him. 

2Ki 2:16  And they said to him, Behold, now, there are with your servants fifty men, mighty sons. Please let them go, and they shall seek your lord, lest the Spirit of Jehovah has taken him up and has cast him on one of the mountains, or into one of the valleys. And he said, You shall not send. 

2Ki 2:17  And they pressed on him until he was ashamed. And he said, Send. And they sent fifty men, and they sought three days and did not find him. 

2Ki 2:18  And they returned to him, and he was staying in Jericho. And he said to them, Did I not say to you, Do not go? 

2Ki 2:19  And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, now, the site of the city is good, as my lord sees, but the waters are bad; and the ground causes barrenness. 

2Ki 2:20  And he said, Bring a new dish to me, and put salt there. And they took it to him. 

2Ki 2:21  And he went out to the source of the waters and threw salt there, and said, So says Jehovah, I have given healing to these waters; there shall not be death and sterility there any more. 

2Ki 2:22  And the waters were healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha that he spoke. 

2Ki 2:23  And he went up from there to Bethel. And he was going up in the highway. And little boys came out from the city and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, bald head! Go up, bald head! 

2Ki 2:24  And he turned behind him and saw them, and declared them vile in the name of Jehovah. And two bears came out of the forest and tore forty two boys of them. 

2Ki 2:25  And he went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria. 

Verses 1-8 Summary: Elijah is to be taken by God. Elijah seems to be trying to get rid of Elisha, or he is testing him. He tells Elisha, "God has told me to go to X so stay here. Elisha refuses to leave his side. In every place they are sent the prophets tell Elisha that "today God is taking Elijah." He answers "I know, be silent." The last place they come to Elijah breaks out his mantle and parts the Jordan.

5. What can we learn from the persistence of Elisha? Elisha was dedicated to God and to Elijah. In his response concerning the taking of Elijah "I know" we may have some insight to his motives. In his dedication, knowing your prophet brother is going to be taken by God and you stay behind to NOT witness it would be failure. He was going to be there as sure as "God lives."

Note the places mentioned:
Gilgal: Defined as "wheel and rolling" - Historically important see Joshua 4/5. Israel made camp there after crossing the Jordan (eastern border of Jericho). They erected the twelve stones as a remembrance of this new beginning and to give God glory (they crossed by God's miracle). God also declared that the Egyptian reproach had been "rolled back" at Gilgal.
Bethel: H1008 בֵּית־אֵל, bêyth-'êl, bayth-ale' From H1004 and H410; house of God. Another significant  historical city. 
Jericho: (fragrant) Israel's first conquest after crossing the Jordan. The conquering was by the hand of God.
Jordan: The last physical obstacle to overcome before entering the promised land. (Near Gilgal).

The text reads like the trip took one day. Each time the prophets spoke with Elisha, they mentioned that Elijah would be taken "today." Most maps put the trip at 30+ miles all together. If it did happen in one day, that was a lot of walking.

Crossing the Jordan on dry land by the hand of God should not go unnoticed for it's parallel to the entry into the land. This was a crossing for one man's journey. It was to be a new beginning for Elijah, and Elisha.

Verses 9-17 Summary: While crossing the Jordan, Elijah asks Elisha what he should do for him before he is taken. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Elijah's not sure it will happen but tells Elisha it will happen if Elisha witnesses Elijah's departure. He does see Elijah taken up in a whirlwind. Elisha tears his clothes. Elijah's mantle falls to him. Elisha takes the mantle, strikes the Jordan and crosses. The prophets see that Elisha ahs the sprit of Elijah. They suggest sending out a search party for Elijah's body in case God cast it off somewhere. Elisha says no but they persist and go, and find nothing. 

Note: It's interesting to see the prophet's take on God thinking He would abandon Elijah. Elisha is having none of it to begin with, but eventually they "shame" him into agreeing. It's a little humorous to read his response when they come back empty. Basically "I told you so."

Verses 18-25 Summary: Elisha purifies bitter waters. Some boys taunt/mock Elisha. He "cursed them in the name of the LORD" and a bear tears up forty of them.

Note: The double portion seems to be in effect. Elisha has performed three miracles in the last verses of this chapter! What's most important is that Elisha understands where this power emanates:

14- "Where is Jehovah"
21- "So says Jehovah"

24-"declared them vile in the name of Jehovah"

2nd Kings Chapter One

 2Ki 1:1  And Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. 

2Ki 1:2  And Ahaziah fell through the lattice-work in his upper room in Samaria, and was sick. And he sent messengers and said to them, Go, ask of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron if I will recover from this sickness. 

2Ki 1:3  And an angel of Jehovah spoke to Elijah the Tishbite, Rise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, Is it because there is not a God in Israel that you are going to ask of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? 

2Ki 1:4  And so Jehovah says this, You shall not come down from that bed on which you have gone up, but dying you shall die. And Elijah departed. 

2Ki 1:5  And the messengers returned to him. And he said to them, What is this, that you have turned back? 

2Ki 1:6  And they said to him, A man came up to meet us, and said to us, Go, return to the king who sent you. And you shall say to him, So says Jehovah, Is it because there is not a God in Israel that you are sending to ask of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Therefore, you shall not come down from the bed on which you have gone up, for dying you shall die. 

2Ki 1:7  And he said to them, What was the fashion of the man who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you? 

2Ki 1:8  And they said to him, A hairy man, and a girdle of leather was girded about his loins. And he said, He is Elijah the Tishbite. 

2Ki 1:9  And the king sent to him the commander of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him. And behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he spoke to him, O man of God, the king has said, Come down. 

2Ki 1:10  And Elijah answered and said to the commander of fifty, And if I am a man of God, fire will come down from the heavens and consume you and your fifty. And fire came down from the heavens and consumed him and his fifty. 

2Ki 1:11  And he turned and sent another commander of fifty and his fifty to him. And he answered and said to him, O man of God, so says the king, Hurry, come down. 

2Ki 1:12  And Elijah answered and said to them, If I am a man of God, fire will come down from the heavens and will consume you and your fifty. And fire from God came down from the heavens and consumed him and his fifty. 

2Ki 1:13  And he turned and sent a third commander of fifty and his fifty. And the third commander of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, and said to him, O man of God, please let my life and the life of your servants, these fifty, be precious in your eyes. 

2Ki 1:14  Behold, fire has come down from the heavens and has consumed the two commanders of the former fifties and their fifties. And now let my life be precious in your eyes. 

2Ki 1:15  And the Angel of Jehovah spoke to Elijah, Go down with him. Do not be afraid of him. And he rose up and went down with him to the king. 

2Ki 1:16  And he said to him, So says Jehovah, Because you have sent messengers to ask of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it because there is not a God in Israel to inquire of His Word? Therefore, you shall not come down from the bed on which you have gone up, for dying you shall die. 

2Ki 1:17  And he died, according to the Word of Jehovah that Elijah spoke. And Jehoram reigned in his place, in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, for he had no son. 

2Ki 1:18  And the rest of the acts of Ahaziah that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Matters of the Days of the Kings of Israel? 

Verses 1-8 Summary: Moab rebels against Israel after Ahab dies. King Ahaziah (Ahab's son) Falls through the lattice floor and injures himself. He sends messengers to Ekron to inquire of Baal-zebeub about his condition. God sends Elijah to intercept the messengers and sends a message to Ahaziah telling him that he will die (for not trusting God). Ahaziah figures out it is Elijah.

3. Where is Ekron? Ekron was south of Samaria near the Dan/Judean border and due east of Jerusalem. It would have been more of a straight shot to go to Jerusalem to inquire of the true God as opposed to this. Ekron was also a Philistine stronghold, arch enemies of Jehovah and his people. What alliance did Ahaziah have with them to think their god would serve his purpose?

4. Look up Baal-zebub in a Bible dictionary. What kind of god was this?
Strongs: 

בַּעַל זְבוּב

ba‛al zebûb

bah'-al zeb-oob'

From H1168 and H2070; Baal of (the) Fly; Baal Zebub, a special deity of the Ekronites: - Baal-zebub.
1168:  Baal - 1167  master

2070=
 זְבוּב

zebûb

zeb-oob'

From an unused root (meaning to flit); a fly (especially one of a stinging nature): - fly

Essentially lord of the flies. The concept could mean the master over flies, perhaps one who drives out flies (disease/pestilence) or a mixture of both. I don't think a concept of worshiping flies would apply here. 

NOTES: 
Why is the mention of Moab here? It is likely just a historical footnote, however it is insightful. Moab was brought into subjection during the Davidic reign. It would seem that after the split, control went to Israel, even though Moab was due east of Judah (past the dead Sea). What we see in the reading is a slow loss of power as the years go by. Since Solomon's end, we've seen loss of power/influence and territory continually.

It is interesting to compare the appearance of Elijah (8) "A hairy man, and a girdle of leather was girded about his loins" to John the baptist. Remember, it wasn't unusual for God to send Elijah into a wilderness, into a cave, under a tree etc. 
Similar to John the baptist: 
Mat 3:4  And John himself had his clothing from hairs of a camel, and a belt of leather about his loins...
Luke 3:2 ...the Word of God came on John the son of Zacharias in the desert. 

The parallels are striking and the fulfilment of:
Mal 4:5  Behold, I am sending you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Jehovah.
Makes us realize why the Jews were looking for an Elijah as THE sign of the coming of the Messiah.

It also reveals how God works through anyone he wishes. These great prophets had no royal blood, nor were they big and powerful like Samson. These were commoners, likely dusty and rugged.

Verses 9-18 Summary: Ahaziah sends for Elijah. He sends a captain with fifty troops. The captain finds Elijah and says "Oh man of God, the king says "come down."" Elijah answers "if I am a man of God, fire will come down from the heavens and consume you and your fifty." Then that happened. The king sends a captain and fifty men again, and the same thing happens. He does it a third time. This time the captain bows and shows respect and requests Elijah to come. An angel tells Elijah to go. Elijah goes and delivers he same message to Ahaziah that he will die. He does die as prophesied. Jehoram (not  a son) takes over as king.

Note: This incident (along with others) cemented Elijah's standing in Jewish culture as a strong prophet of God. There was at least one New Testament reference that reveals that sentiment:
Luk 9:54  And seeing, His disciples, James and John, said Lord, do You desire that we tell fire to come down from Heaven, and to destroy them even as Elijah did?  

This revelation depicts the disciples' misunderstanding of the mission of the messiah. That revelation would come later under the teaching of the holy Spirit.

2nd Kings/2nd Chronicles Lesson 2

Introduction: The book of 1Kings concluded with the death of Ahab in the middle of the reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. Before beginning 2Kings we need to look at the conclusion of Jehoshaphat's reign. 2Chronicles 19 picks up immediately following the death of Ahab in the battle and the return of Jehoshaphat to Jerusalem. 

2Chronicles 19: In the space below make an outline of the flow of events in this text as well as points of interest. Be prepared to discuss in class.
Verses 1-3:
2Ch 19:1  And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 

2Ch 19:2  And Jehu the son of Hanani, the seer, went out before him and said to King Jehoshaphat, Do you love to help the bad one, and those who hate Jehovah, and by this bring wrath on you from the face of Jehovah? 

2Ch 19:3  But good things have been found with you, for you have burned the Asherahs out of the land, and have fixed your heart to seek God. 

Summary: Jehoshaphat gets a big ooops judgement against him for allying with Ahab. God allows Jehoshaphat to save some face by complimenting his work against idolatry. This had to sting somewhat for the king but I don't think it changes him much. We see later that he consorts with Ahab's son.

Verses 4-11:
2Ch 19:4  And Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people, from Beer-sheba to the hills of Ephraim, and brought them back to Jehovah the God of their fathers. 

2Ch 19:5  And he placed judges in the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, for every city; 

2Ch 19:6  and said to the judges, Watch what you are doing, for you shall not judge for man, but for Jehovah, and He is with you in the matter of judgment; 

2Ch 19:7  and now, let the fear of Jehovah be upon you; watch and act, for there is no perverseness with Jehovah our God, nor lifting up of faces, nor taking of a bribe. 

2Ch 19:8  And also in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat caused to stand from the Levites and from the priests, and from the heads of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for strife; and they returned to Jerusalem. 

2Ch 19:9  And he charged them, saying, So shall you do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 

2Ch 19:10  And when any contention shall come to you from your brothers who are living in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, then you shall warn them, and they shall not be guilty before Jehovah; and wrath shall not be on you and on your brothers; so you shall do, and you shall not be guilty. 

2Ch 19:11  And, behold, Amariah the chief priest shall be over you for every matter of Jehovah, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, shall be for every matter of the king; and the Levites shall be officers before you. Be strong and act; and Jehovah shall be with the good. 

Summary:
Wow. The sincerity of this man's heart seems to be so right dead center on God. He is looking to keep justice and righteousness among the people. He charges these judges rightfully with "Watch what you are doing, for you shall not judge for man, but for Jehovah, and He is with you in the matter of judgment." He is so God centered that it makes me personally ask...."then why did he make the Ahab alliance?"
Jehoshaphat just seems to have a heart for God and His people. I can only postulate that he just wanted peace/unity with Israel. The fact that Jehovah is unhappy about the alliance teaches us so much! Jehoshaphat was not worshiping idols, but because Ahab HATED Jehovah so much, God just couldn't stay silent on the matter. 

2Chronicles 20:
Verses 1-19:
2Ch 20:1  And after this it happened that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon came in, and with them from the Ammonites, to battle against Jehoshaphat. 

2Ch 20:2  And they came in and spoke to Jehoshaphat, saying, A great multitude has come against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi. 

2Ch 20:3  And Jehoshaphat feared, and set his face to seek to Jehovah, and proclaimed a fast over all Judah. 

2Ch 20:4  And Judah was gathered to inquire of Jehovah; also they came in to seek Jehovah from all the cities of Judah. 

2Ch 20:5  And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Jehovah, at the front of the new court, 

2Ch 20:6  and said, O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, are not You the God in Heaven? Yea, You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is power and might; and there is none able to withstand You. 

2Ch 20:7  Are You not our God? You have driven out the inhabitants of this land from before Your people Israel, and have given it to the seed of Abraham, Your friend, forever; 

2Ch 20:8  and they have lived in it, and have built in it a sanctuary to You for Your name, saying, 

2Ch 20:9  If evil shall come upon us, whether sword, judgment, or pestilence and famine, we shall stand before this house and before You, for Your name is in this house, and shall cry to You out of our distress, and You shall hear and save. 

2Ch 20:10  And now, behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not allow Israel to go against when they came out of the land of Egypt, (for they turned away from them and did not destroy them) 

2Ch 20:11  yea, behold, they are repaying us by coming in to drive us out of Your possession, that You have caused us to possess. 

2Ch 20:12  O our God, shall You not execute judgment upon them? For there is no power in us before this great multitude that has come against us, and we do not know what we shall do; but our eyes are on You. 

2Ch 20:13  And all Judah was standing before Jehovah, and their infants and their wives and their sons. 

2Ch 20:14  And on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, the Spirit of Jehovah came on him in the midst of the assembly; 

2Ch 20:15  and He said, Listen, all Judah, and you living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat; so says Jehovah to you, You shall not fear nor be terrified of the face of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 

2Ch 20:16  Tomorrow, go down against them; behold, they are coming up by the ascent of Ziz, and you shall find them in the end of the valley, at the front of the wilderness of Jeruel. 

2Ch 20:17  You shall not fight in this: station yourselves; stand and see the salvation of Jehovah with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; do not be terrified nor fear; tomorrow go out before them, and Jehovah shall be with you. 

2Ch 20:18  And Jehoshaphat bowed his nose to the earth, and all Judah and the ones living in Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, to bow themselves to Jehovah. 

2Ch 20:19  And the Levites, of the sons of the Kohathites, and of the sons of the Korahites, rose to give praise to Jehovah the God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 

Summary: Nobody can read this and not get chills from the depth of the faith of Jehoshaphat. He gathers EVERYONE to take their fear to God.
2Ch 20:13  And all Judah was standing before Jehovah, and their infants and their wives and their sons.
His prayer is so simple, direct and humble. He is afraid!
God tells him/them not to worry over the multitude. God will take take care of it.
2 things: You shall not fight and station yourselves. Consider the faith it took to do this thing.
This has always been His message. JESUS was this message!

Verses 20-30:
2Ch 20:20  And they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Trust in Jehovah, stand firm; trust in His prophets and prosper. 

2Ch 20:21  And he consulted with the people, and appointed singers to Jehovah, and those giving praise to the glory of holiness, when going out before those armed, and said, Give thanks to Jehovah, for His mercy endures forever. 

2Ch 20:22  And at the time they began with rejoicing and praise, Jehovah set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, that had come against Judah; and they were stricken. 

2Ch 20:23  And the sons of Ammon stood up, and Moab, against the people of Mount Seir, to devote and destroy; and when they finished with the ones living in Seir, they helped, each man against his neighbor, to destroy. 

2Ch 20:24  And when Judah had come to the watchtower, to the wilderness, then they looked toward the multitude; and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there was no survivor. 

2Ch 20:25  And Jehoshaphat and his people came to seize their plunder; and they found among them in abundance both riches and valuable things on the corpses; and they stripped off for themselves until there was no carrying it; and they were three days plundering the spoil; for it was much. 

2Ch 20:26  And on the fourth day they gathered at the Valley of Blessing, for they blessed Jehovah there; on account of this they have called the name of that place the Valley of Blessing to this day. 

2Ch 20:27  And they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, to go back to Jerusalem with joy; for Jehovah had made them rejoice over their enemies. 

2Ch 20:28  And they entered Jerusalem with harps and with lyres, and with trumpets, to the house of Jehovah. 

2Ch 20:29  And there was a fear of God on all kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Jehovah had fought with the enemies of Israel. 

2Ch 20:30  And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was quiet, and his God gave him rest all around. 

Summary: In true faithful-king fashion, Jehoshaphat leads the army. Note no hesitation: They rose early in the morning. The king inspires his people to sing about God on their way to battle! So they are praising God on the journey! When they get there, the enemy is already dead. They plunder the camp, it takes three days. They stop in the "Valley of Blessing" to worship then enter Jerusalem rejoicing.

Note the impact: "there was a fear of God on all kingdoms" and "the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was quiet, and his God gave him rest all around."

Verses 31-37:
2Ch 20:31  And Jehoshaphat was king over Judah, a son of thirty five years when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty five years in Jerusalem; and the name of his mother was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 

2Ch 20:32  And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, to do the right in the eyes of Jehovah. 

2Ch 20:33  Only, the high places were not removed, and the people still had not settled their hearts for the God of their fathers. 

2Ch 20:34  And the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, the first and the last, behold, they are written in the words of Jehu the son of Hanani, which were taken up in the Book of the Kings of Israel. 

2Ch 20:35  And after this Jehoshaphat the king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah the king of Israel; he did wickedly to do so. 

2Ch 20:36  And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Eziongeber. 

2Ch 20:37  And Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Jehovah has broken your works. And the ships were broken, so that they did not hold to go to Tarshish. 

Summary: As good and faithful as Jehoshaphat was, he didn't learn from the Ahab mistake. Still not sure what verse 33 means in its totality: "the people still had not settled their hearts for the God of their fathers"
Kings James says "prepare" their hearts - the word denotes to "stand." I have to assume the "high places" was a revelation of the heart not being wholly/'singularly devoted to God. There is a message to the Christian here as well. 

1. How do you reconcile 2Chronicles 17:6 with 20:33? 
2Ch 17:6  And his heart was exalted in the ways of Jehovah. And he again removed the high places and the Asherahs out of Judah. 
There must have been a persistence of idolatry minded influence in the land, possibly even from the king (not likely). We see Judah grappling with this issue constantly. It comes and goes, and comes back.

Now to the beginning of 2Kings:
2.  Who is the main character of the first ten chapters of 2Kings? What nation are these chapters mainly about? Elisha/Israel

                     

2Kings/2Chronicles Introduction

Note: All study data here and in the 1Kings study was compiled by Berry Kercheville. (Summary breaks, questions, charts, etc.)

Berry has thoughtfully integrated the books of Kings and Chronicles in this study. In this approach we see God's intent and purpose for the books.

In this first chart we see the CONTRASTS of these books. The top section shows the book's historical approach. The bottom section reveals each book's focus.

The graph below reviews all the kings from Solomon forward. Judah and Israel are listed separately and each king's reign is noted as "good" or "evil." Note: For historic reference, IKings ends with the death of Ahab.

2Kings Survey/Overview - it is always good to have a cursory overview of what we are about to study. Reading chapter headings, chapter break titles, scanning for repeated words/themes and a quick read through will help fill in the survey.

  This filled-in survey of 1&2Chronicles reveals how the books flow as well as their narrative intent. 

Questions/Notations from the Booklet: 

Page 1:

Read carefully the following texts to determine the approximate time the Chronicles were written: 1Chronicles 6:15, 9:1, 3:16-24.
What are your conclusions?

6:15 Speaks of  Judah and Jerusalem being "carried away" by Nebuchadnezzar.

9:1 Judah was carried away into Babylon

3:16-24 Verse 17 notes Jeconiah as "the prisoner." He is released from prison in 2Kings 25.

These statements indicate a "near" historical writing of the book.

Page 2: Chronicles' Emphasis On The Temple And Purity Of Worship:

1. As is noted in the 1&2 Chronicles Chart, 1 Chronicles 11-29 covers the reign of David. Look carefully at the chart and at the same time skim these chapters of 1Chronicles to justify the summations given on the chart. What significant events in the life of David are absent in the Chronicles account? Most significant would be the murder of Uriah, the taking of Bathsheba, the revolts of Absalom and Adonijah. I would not say that the absence of notable sin denotes a more righteous presentation. Those issues are just covered somewhere else. It does however, point more to what God wants to see in the lives of those who serve Him. Even in Chronicles, David is judged by God for his census taking.

2. Instead of significant events in David's personal life, what does this section of Chronicles emphasize? It points more towards becoming a Jehovah-centered kingdom. There are victories and growth. The expansion under David is with both eyes toward God. 

3. In 2Chronicles  the account of Solomon's reign is much shorter than 1Kings. Of the nine chapters devoted to Solomon, how many of these chapters are about the building of the temple?

Starts in chapter three, the dedication is in chapter six.

4. 2Chronicles 10 records the Northern Kingdom's revolt against Rehoboam and the division of the kingdom. From this point on, what story do the Chronicles NOT tell? At this point, the Chronicles will exclude Israel's rebellious history. That by itself draws a very strong conclusion as to what God wants the reader to know and focus on.

5. 2Chronicles gives prominence to worship as we see the reigns of Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, and Josiah are emphasized because of the religious reforms and temple restorations associated with them. In 2Kings, only three verses are given to Hezekiah's reforms, but three chapters are given to it in 2Chronicles. 
Chapter 29: Hezekiah restores priests and temple duties/sacrifice after cleansing the temple. They worship God and rejoice.

Chapter 30: All Israel is reunited in a Passover feast instituted by Hezekiah. They praise God and rejoice.

Chapter 31: The Levitical service providers are reinstituted by genealogy.

Chapter 32: God rescues Hezekiah from Sennacherib. Hezekiah is tested. 

6. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1-9 are necessary as a basis for the temple service and the dues by which that service was to be supported. This would fit into the "temple and priests" narrative of the book(s).

Page 3:

7. Note one other incident to further illustrate the point. In 1Kings 15:1-8 the reign of Abijam is briefly mentioned as wicked. How is the record of Abijam's reign different in 2Chronicles 13?
Kings: Abijam - ab-ee-yawm' From H1 and H3220; father of (the) sea 

2Chronicles: Abijah - ab-ee-yaw', ab-ee-yaw'-hoo From H1 and H3050; father (that is worshipper) of Jah

It is notable that Abijam leverages God's promise to David when Judah wars against Israel early on. He trusts God to give him the victory even when Israel has twice as many troops, (800,000). This is not that unusual. Kings would leverage whatever advantage they thought they may wield against an opponent. It is not however, always a testimony to what is in the heart. Jehovah was one of several other gods AbiJAM followed. The scriptures in Chronicles do not call Abijah good nor do they say that he walked in the ways of a good king to "do right." All we are left with is: 
1Ki 15:3  And he walked in all the sins of his father, those that he did before him, and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of his father David. 

The Outline of 2Kings:

8. The beginning of 2Kings corresponds to what chapter in 2Chronicles? 2Kings 1, Ahaziah dies.  Jehoshaphat becomes king in 2 Chronicles 17. 2Chronicles 19, God is unhappy with Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab. Jehoshaphat allies with Ahaziah in 2Chronicles 20.

9. Skim through 2Kings especially noting the chapter titles in your bible. Jot down a brief summary statement of each chapter on you Survey Chart.

10. In what chapter did Israel go into captivity? Who took them captive? 17, Assyria

11. In what chapter did Judah go into captivity? Who took them captive? 25, Babylon

12. What literary prophets warned Israel of her captivity? Jonah, Amos, Hosea

13. What literary prophets warned Judah of her captivity? Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Jeremiah