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

Chapter Twenty-Two

 Ki 22:1  And they continued three years; there was no war between Syria and Israel. 

1Ki 22:2  And it happened in the third year, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 

1Ki 22:3  And the king of Israel said to his servants, Have you known that Ramoth-gilead is ours? And we remain still from taking it from the king of Syria's hand. 

1Ki 22:4  And he said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go to battle with me, to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as you, my people as your people; my horses as your horses. 

1Ki 22:5  And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Please inquire at the Word of Jehovah today. 

1Ki 22:6  And the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up, that the Lord may give it into the hand of the king. 

1Ki 22:7  And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we might inquire of him? 

1Ki 22:8  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Yet one man, to seek Jehovah by him. But I hate him, for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil, Micaiah the son of Imlah. And Jehoshaphat said, let not the king say so. 

1Ki 22:9  And the king of Israel called to a certain eunuch and said, Cause Micaiah the son of Imlah to hurry. 

1Ki 22:10  And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah each was sitting on his throne having put on their robes, in a grain-floor in the entrance of the gate of Samaria. And all the prophets prophesied before them. 

1Ki 22:11  And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself. And he said, So says Jehovah, With these you shall push the Syrians until you have consumed them. 

1Ki 22:12  And all the prophets were prophesying so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper. For Jehovah shall give it into the king's hand. 

1Ki 22:13  And the messenger that had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets with one mouth are good to the king. Please let your word be as the word of one of them, and speak good. 

1Ki 22:14  And Micaiah said, As Jehovah lives, Surely that which Jehovah says to me, that I will speak. 

1Ki 22:15  And he came in to the king. And the king said to him, Micaiah, shall we go to battle to Ramoth-gilead, or shall we forbear? And he said to him, Go up, and prosper, and Jehovah shall give it into the king's hand. 

1Ki 22:16  And the king said to him, How many times have I adjured you that you shall speak nothing to me but truth in the name of Jehovah? 

1Ki 22:17  And he said, I have seen all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep that have no shepherd. And Jehovah said, These have no ruler; they shall each return to his house in peace. 

1Ki 22:18  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not say to you, He will not prophesy good of me, but evil? 

1Ki 22:19  And he said, Therefore, hear the Word of Jehovah: I saw Jehovah sitting on His throne, and all the host of Heaven were standing by Him, on His right and on His left. 

1Ki 22:20  And Jehovah said, Who shall entice Ahab, and he shall go up and fall in Ramoth-gilead? And this one said this, and this one said that. 

1Ki 22:21  And a spirit came forth and stood before Jehovah, and said, I surely will entice him. 

1Ki 22:22  And Jehovah said to him, By what means? And he said, I will go out and shall be a spirit of falsehood in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said, You shall entice him, and also you are able. Go out and do so. 

1Ki 22:23  And now, behold, Jehovah has put a spirit of falsehood in the mouth of all these prophets of yours; and Jehovah has spoken evil as to you! 

1Ki 22:24  And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Where did the Spirit of Jehovah pass over from me to speak with you? 

1Ki 22:25  And Micaiah said, Behold, You shall see on that day when you go into the innermost room to be hidden. 

1Ki 22:26  And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the ruler of the city, and to Joash the king's son, 

1Ki 22:27  and say, So says the king, Put this one in the house of restraint, and cause him to eat the bread of oppression, and the water of oppression, until I come in peace. 

1Ki 22:28  And Micaiah said, If you at all return in peace, Jehovah has not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, O people, all of them. 

1Ki 22:29  And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 

1Ki 22:30  And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and enter into the battle. But you put on your robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. 

1Ki 22:31  And the king of Syria commanded the thirty two commanders of the chariots, saying, You shall not fight with small or great, but with the king of Israel. 

1Ki 22:32  And it happened when the commanders of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, Surely he is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight with him. And Jehoshaphat cried out. 

1Ki 22:33  And it happened when the commanders of the chariots saw that he was not the king of Israel, they turned back from following him. 

1Ki 22:34  And a man drew a bow in his simplicity, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints and the breastplate. And he said to his charioteer, Turn your hand and take me out from the host, for I have been wounded. 

1Ki 22:35  And on that day the battle went on, and the king was caused to stand up in the chariot against Syria. And he died in the evening, and the blood of the wound poured out into the middle of the chariot. 

1Ki 22:36  And the cry passed through the camp when the sun went, saying, Each to his city, and each to his land. 

1Ki 22:37  And the king died, and came to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. 

1Ki 22:38  And they rinsed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood when they had washed the armor, according to the Word of Jehovah that He spoke. 

1Ki 22:39  And the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the house of ivory that he built, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Matters of the Days of the Kings of Israel? 

1Ki 22:40  And Ahab lay with his fathers. And his son Ahaziah reigned in his place. 

1Ki 22:41  And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa reigned over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab the king of Israel. 

1Ki 22:42  He was a son of thirty five years when he began to reign. And he reigned twenty five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 

1Ki 22:43  And he walked in all the ways of his father Asa. He did not turn aside from it, doing right in the eyes of Jehovah. But the high places were not taken away; the people offered and burned incense yet in the high places. 

1Ki 22:44  And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. 

1Ki 22:45  And the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written in the Book of the Matters of the Days of the Kings of Judah? 

1Ki 22:46  And he took out of the land the rest of the sodomites which remained in the days of his father Asa. 

1Ki 22:47  No king was in Edom; a deputy was king. 

1Ki 22:48  Jehoshaphat had ten ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold. But they did not go, for the ships were broken at Eziongeber. 

1Ki 22:49  Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with your servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat was not willing. 

1Ki 22:50  And Jehoshaphat lay with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David. And his son Jehoram reigned in his place. 

1Ki 22:51  Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel. 

1Ki 22:52  And he did evil in the eyes of Jehovah, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 

1Ki 22:53  For he served Baal, and bowed to it, and provoked to anger Jehovah the God of Israel, according to all his father had done. 

Verses 1-12 Summary: Jehoshaphat visits Ahab. Ahab asks Jehoshaphat if he would fight with him to take Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat tells Ahab to inquire of God. Ahab inquires of his priests, they encourage him to go. Jehoshaphat realizes these "prophets" are phony and tells Ahab to get a real prophet. Ahab says there is one "Micaiah" "but I hate him." (Micaiah speaks God's harsh words against Ahab). Micaiah is sent for and the false prophets continue to tell Ahab to go to war.

3. Though Jehoshaphat was a good king, his relationship with Ahab was obviously a mistake. Look up *2Chron. 18:1 and 2 Kings 8:16-18 to see how he established his friendship with Ahab:

*Jehoshaphat's son married a daughter of Ahab. 
2Ki 8:18  Jehoram disobeyed the LORD by doing wrong. He married Ahab's daughter and was as sinful as Ahab's family and the kings of Israel. 

Verses 13-23 Summary: The king's messenger finds Micaiah and tells him to go prophesy and that everyone else is encouraging the king for war and he should do the same. Micaiah promises to speak what God tells him to say. Before Ahab, Micaiah tells Ahab to go to war and win. Ahab tells him to speak only the truth, so Micaiah prophesies Ahab's defeat. Micaiah explains that God has sent a spirit of false influence to Ahab's prophets to lie to him.

4. What are some of the things that we learn about the heavenly realm from the story told by Micaiah? God discusses things. He looks for volunteers. He will use an evil spirit to accomplish His will (of judgement). Does this mean we are void of free will? How does Paul address this in Romans 9? If you look at Romans chapter nine, he addresses the accusation against God judging something He made. If He made it for evil purposes, how can He justify judging it? 
In his answer, he first remands the accuser saying "who are you to accuse God." Which we know as a true observation. More to the point, he continues on to show how all things, even evil, will come around to glorifying Him. In each instance, the actions by humans are by choice and character. Paul's main argument is to smash the bigotry against Gentiles.   

5. What New Testament passage would indicate that God would do a similar thing today as He did through the false prophets?

Mar 4:10  And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 

Mar 4:11  And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, 

Mar 4:12  so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” 

This is a reference to Isaiah 6 which is a judgement call by God. It got to this point BECAUSE of the hearts and actions of people.

6. What are the similarities and differences between the false prophets and Micaiah? How could a person know the difference? If Micaiah was a Levite priest, he would have dressed the part, although the others may have worn similar clothes. In this incident, it was apparent to Ahab that Micaiah was being sarcastic when he told the king to go to war. Was it his delivery? Not sure, but he said it in a way that Ahab knew what was up. In the end, Micaiah was the only one with God's truth. He didn't care what anyone thought. Nor did he even care for his own life. When it comes to God's word, you just don't mess with it. THAT is what separated him from the rest of these characters.

Verses 24-28 Summary: Zedekiah smacks Micaiah out of rage (since his prophesy has been implicated as false). Ahab has Micaiah arrested until Ahab "returns in peace." Micaiah states that if Ahab returns, Micaiah's prophesy is false. (Confirming Ahab will die in battle - see 17)

7. What does Zedekiah mean by his statement to Micaiah in verse 24? "I'm the real prophet, why would God talk to you neener neener neener." Yeah, Zedekiah was saying he was more important, he would know if God spoke with Micaiah but He did not, and was obviously embarrassed for losing face in front of the king and the other four hundred wrong guys. 

Verses 29-40 Summary: Ahab and Jehoshaphat go to battle?! Ahab tells Jehoshaphat to put on his robes and Ahab will disguise himself. The Syrian king ordered the chariots to seek out the king of Israel only (Ahab). They mistook Jehoshaphat as Israel's king and charged him. Once they realized he was not Ahab, they broke off the attack. A bowman shot Ahab and Ahab ended up bleeding out and died. He is buried in Samaria and his son Ahaziah takes over. (God's prophecy of dogs licking up Ahab's blood comes to pass).

8. Look at 2Chron. 19:2 and discover God's words to Jehoshaphat after returning from the battle with the Syrians: By helping that wicked Ahab, you have made friends with someone who hates the LORD. Now the LORD God is angry at you! Uh oh, what does this say about how we should choose important relationships?
2Cor. 16:4 Unequally yoked with unbelievers. (See Deut.22:10) - Fortunately for Jehoshaphat this was not the overall case. He was a good king that sought after God, had a good heart toward his people, and truly respected Jehovah. This incident was a slip. 

Verses 41-50 Summary: Jehoshaphat was king for 25 years. He was a good king like Asa, continuing to NOT commit idolatry. He removed what was left of the sodomites for his realm. The high places were still intact. Jehoram reigns after Jehoshaphat. 

2Cron. 17, 19-20: Read these chapters and jot down some of the other works of Jehoshaphat that tell of the greatness of his reign:
17) Strengthens defenses against Israel. Remains faithful to Jehovah. The people like him. HE sends Levite teachers throughout the land to teach them God's laws. Surrounding nations fear God/peace. Enemies send him gifts. Builds fortresses/cities. Over 1mil. soldiers. 
18) Rich, famous. Chapter is similar to 1Kings 22.

19) God is angry with the alliance with Ahab, but pleased the he removed Asherah. Jehoshphat encourages his people to worship God. Assigns judges, tells them "be careful, these are God's people." The judicial system is per God's pattern. Tells his people, "Faithfully serve the Lord." 

20) Edom/Ammon/Meunites war with Judah. Jehoshaphat prays a fervent public prayer to God. Jahaziel prophecies victory without any battle. Judah moves out to the desert singing a song led by Jehoshaphat, "Praise the Lord, His love never ends." When they crest the hill, they see that the enemy became confused by the song and killed each other. Judah takes the spoils. They stop in a valley to sing to God (Praise Valley). Go directly to the temple.

Verses 51-53 Summary: Ahaziah is an evil king over Israel (after his father Ahab). 

Chapter Twenty-One

 1Ki 21:1  And it happened after these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, near the palace of Ahab the king of Samaria. 

1Ki 21:2  And Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, Give me your vineyard, and it shall be a garden of green herbs for me, for it is near my house. And I will give to you in its place a better vineyard than it. If it is good in your eyes, I will give silver to you, the price of this one. 

1Ki 21:3  And Naboth said to Ahab, Far be it from me, by Jehovah, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you. 

1Ki 21:4  And Ahab came into his house sullen and angry over the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken. For he had said, I will not give the inheritance of my fathers to you. And he lay on his bed and turned away his face, and would not eat food. 

1Ki 21:5  And his wife Jezebel came in to him, and said to him, Why is your spirit sullen that you are not eating food? 

1Ki 21:6  And he said to her, Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you desire, I will give you a vineyard in its place. And he said, I will not give you my vineyard. 

1Ki 21:7  And his wife Jezebel said to him, Do you now rule over Israel? Rise up, eat food and let your heart be good. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. 

1Ki 21:8  And she wrote letters in the name of Ahab, and sealed with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles of his city, dwelling with Naboth. 

1Ki 21:9  And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. 

1Ki 21:10  And set two men, sons of worthlessness, across from him; and they shall testify of him, saying, You have cursed God and the king. And they shall bring him out and stone him; and he shall die. 

1Ki 21:11  And the men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, as was written in the letters that she sent to them. 

1Ki 21:12  They proclaimed a fast, and made Naboth to sit at the head of the people. 

1Ki 21:13  And two men, sons of worthlessness, came in and sat across from him. And the men of worthlessness testified of him before the people, even Naboth, saying, Naboth has cursed God and the king. And they took him out to the outside of the city, and stoned him with stones. And he died. 

1Ki 21:14  And they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth has been stoned and is dead. 

1Ki 21:15  And it happened when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned, and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, Rise up, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, that he refused to give to you for silver. For Naboth is not alive, but dead. 

1Ki 21:16  And it happened, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab rose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. 

1Ki 21:17  And the Word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 

1Ki 21:18  Rise up, Go down to meet Ahab the king of Israel, who is in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to possess it. 

1Ki 21:19  And you shall speak to him, saying, So says Jehovah, Have you murdered, and also taken possession? And you shall speak to him, saying, So says Jehovah, In the place where the dogs lick the blood of Naboth, so the dogs shall lick your blood, even yours. 

1Ki 21:20  And Ahab said to Elijah, Have you found me, O my enemy? And he said, I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in the eyes of Jehovah. 

1Ki 21:21  Behold, I shall bring evil on you, and shall take away your posterity, and cut off to Ahab him who urinates against a wall, both bond and free in Israel. 

1Ki 21:22  And I shall give up your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked to anger, and have caused Israel to sin. 

1Ki 21:23  And also Jehovah has spoken of Jezebel, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. 

1Ki 21:24  He who dies of Ahab in the city, the dogs shall eat. And the birds of the heaven shall eat him who dies in a field. 

1Ki 21:25  Surely, none has been like Ahab, who sold himself to do that which was evil in the eyes of Jehovah, whom his wife Jezebel incited. 

1Ki 21:26  And he did abominably, to go after idols, according to all that the Amorites did, whom Jehovah expelled from before the sons of Israel. 

1Ki 21:27  And it happened, when Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. 

1Ki 21:28  And the Word of Jehovah came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 

1Ki 21:29  Have you seen that Ahab has been humbled before Me? Because he was humbled before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days. I will bring the evil on his house in the days of his son. 

Verses 1-16 Summary: Ahab covets Naboth's vineyard, but Naboth will not sell/trade it away. Ahab becomes distraught and sulks in bed and will not eat. Jezebel hears of it and conspires to have liars cast false accusations against Naboth that he would be executed. After they do it, Jezebel reports the death to Ahab and tells him to take the vineyard. 

1. Why would it have been wrong for Naboth to sell his vineyard to Ahab?  (Lev. Chapter 11) The Year of Jubilee was an indication that land or other property was of the promise of God. It was to stay in the family that God gifted it to. If the family fell on hard times property could be "sold" but must be made redeemable or just returned in the year of Jubilee (every 50 years). If the property was within a walled city, if it was not redeemed within one year, the purchaser kept it (likely Naboth's dilema). 

Note: If Israel was so sinful with idolatry, why would blaspheme against God matter? Naboth cites Jehovah and his understanding of the significance of releasing a God-given property. Was Israel "completely" evil? What do we learn from this? The answer is disturbing. We/They can have an outward appearance of righteousness in regards to Jehovah and still be found unfaithful. The problem is IDOLATRY. I say this constantly, God has righteous avenues to affording grace to those seeking Him with honest hearts. Literally everyone in the scriptures finds grace in Jehovah if they seek it correctly (in one form or another). The cut-off point for Jehovah is when we put idols into our lives.

Verses 17-24 Summary: God tells Ahab through Elijah that his house is as cursed as Jeroboam and Baasha. His lineage will be cut off. Even Jezebel will die a humiliating death.

Note: Again, Ahab calls Elijah his enemy. Why, and what does that say about humans? Humans have the ability to rationalize away their own responsibility in personal and public matters. Ahab would have done well to mourn before God, repent and beg for forgiveness. There is a pride factor that not only keeps him from God, but also insists on saving face. It's everyone else's fault. 

Verses 25-29 Summary: The final of God's accusations against Ahab includes idolatry. Ahab becomes humbled and even acts the part. Unfortunately, the curses against him and his house stand.

2. Was Ahab's heart in his repentance? It is assumed no since God did not relent on the final outcome. However, for his outward showing, God's grace was that Ahab would not have to witness his family's executions. Remember his sullen attitude over Naboth? In that scene he turned away and was sad. Similarly, he "went softly" when he heard the verdict against him and his family. It humbled him, it made him sad, but we do not see him seeking God.

Chapter Twenty

 Ki 20:1  And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it. 

1Ki 20:2  And he sent messengers to Ahab the king of Israel, to the city, and said to him, So says Ben-hadad, 

1Ki 20:3  Your silver and your gold are mine, and your wives and your sons, the best, are mine. 

1Ki 20:4  And the king of Israel answered and said, According to your word, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have. 

1Ki 20:5  And the messengers came again and said, So says Ben-hadad, saying, Sending I sent to you, saying, Your silver and your gold and your wives and your sons you shall give to me; 

1Ki 20:6  I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house, and your servants' houses; and it shall be that whatever is pleasing in your eyes, they will put it in their hand and take it away. 

1Ki 20:7  And the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Please note, and see the evil this one is seeking, for he sent to me for my wives, and for my sons, and for my silver, and for my gold, and I did not withhold from him. 

1Ki 20:8  And all the elders and all the people said to him, Do not listen nor consent. 

1Ki 20:9  And he said to the messengers of Ben-hadad, Say to my lord the king, All that you sent for to your servant at the first, I will do; but this thing I am not able to do; and the messengers went and took word back to him. 

1Ki 20:10  And Ben-hadad sent to him, and said, So shall the gods do to me and more also if the dust of Samaria shall be enough for handfuls for all the people that follow me. 

1Ki 20:11  And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Do not let him that girds on boast himself like one who loosens his armor. 

1Ki 20:12  And it happened when this word was heard, and he was drinking, he and the kings, in the booths, that he said to his servants, Set in order; and they set in order against the city. 

1Ki 20:13  And behold, a certain prophet came near to Ahab the king of Israel, and said, So says Jehovah, Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold I am going to give it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am Jehovah. 

1Ki 20:14  And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, So says Jehovah, by the young men of the rulers of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall begin the battle? And he answered, You. 

1Ki 20:15  Then he called up the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two; and after them he called up all the people, even all the sons of Israel, being seven thousand. 

1Ki 20:16  And they went out at noon, and Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the booths, he and the kings, the thirty two kings helping him. 

1Ki 20:17  And the young men of the rulers of the provinces went out at first; and Ben-hadad sent, and they told him, saying, Men have come out of Samaria. 

1Ki 20:18  And he said, If they have come out for peace, seize them alive; and if they have come to battle, seize them alive. 

1Ki 20:19  And these went out of the city, the young men of the rulers of the provinces, and the army which followed them. 

1Ki 20:20  And each struck his man, and Syria fled, and Israel pursued them; and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on a horse, also the horsemen. 

1Ki 20:21  And the king of Israel went out and struck the horses, and the chariots, and struck the Syrians with a great blow. 

1Ki 20:22  And the prophet came to the king of Israel and said to him, Go, make yourself strong, and look and see what you do; for at the return of the year the king of Syria will come up against you. 

1Ki 20:23  And the king of Syria's servants said to him, Their god is a god of the hills; on account of this they were stronger than us; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely, we shall be stronger than them, 

1Ki 20:24  And do this thing: take away the kings, each out of his place, and set commanders in their place. 

1Ki 20:25  And number to yourself an army like the army that was lost from you, even, horse for horse and chariot for chariot; and we shall fight with them in the plain. Are we not stronger than them? And he listened to their voice and did so. 

1Ki 20:26  And it happened at the turn of the year, Ben-hadad called up the Syrians, and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 

1Ki 20:27  And the sons of Israel were called up, and were supplied. And they went to meet them. And the sons of Israel camped before them, like two flocks of goats. And the Syrians filled the land. 

1Ki 20:28  And a man of God came near to the king of Israel and said, So says Jehovah, Because the Syrians have said, Jehovah is God of the hills and not God of the valleys, therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am Jehovah. 

1Ki 20:29  And they pitched, these against those, seven days. And it happened in the seventh day, the battle came up. And the sons of Israel struck Syria, a hundred thousand footmen in one day. 

1Ki 20:30  And those remaining fled to Aphek, to the city. And the wall fell on twenty seven thousand of those left. And Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner room. 

1Ki 20:31  And his servants said to him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes on our heads, and we shall go to the king of Israel. It may be he will keep alive your life. 

1Ki 20:32  And they girded sackcloth on their loins, and ropes on their heads. And they came in to the king of Israel and said, Your servant Ben-hadad has said, Please let me live. And he said, Is he yet alive? He is my brother. 

1Ki 20:33  And the men keenly observed, and quickly caught it from him, and said, Your brother, Ben-hadad. And he said, Go, bring him. And Ben-hadad came out to him. And he took him up on the chariot. 

1Ki 20:34  And he said to him, The cities that my father took from your father, I give back. And you shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria. Then I will let you go with a covenant. And he cut a covenant with him and sent him away. 

1Ki 20:35  And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor, By the Word of Jehovah, please strike me. And the man refused to strike him. 

1Ki 20:36  And he said to him, Because you have not listened to the voice of Jehovah, behold, you shall go from me, and a lion shall kill you. And he left him, and a lion found him and killed him. 

1Ki 20:37  And he found another man and said, Please strike me. And the man struck him, striking and wounding. 

1Ki 20:38  And the prophet went and stood for the king on the highway, and disguised himself with ashes on his eyes. 

1Ki 20:39  And as the king passed by, it happened that he cried to the king, and said, Your servant went out into the middle of the battle, and behold, a man turned aside and brought a man to me, and said, Keep this man. If he is at all missing, then your life shall be for his life; or you shall weigh out a talent of silver. 

1Ki 20:40  And it happened, your servant was working here and there, and he was not there. And the king of Israel said to him, Your judgment is right. You have decided it. 

1Ki 20:41  And he hurried and took the ashes from his eyes. And the king of Israel saw him, that he was of the prophets. 

1Ki 20:42  And he said to him, So says Jehovah, Because you have sent away the man I had devoted from your hand, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people. 

1Ki 20:43  And the king of Israel went to his house sullen and angry, and came to Samaria. 

Verses 1-12 Summary: First, diplomacy: Benhadad sends word to Ahab that all he has belongs to Benhadad. This would include wives, sons etc. Initially, Ahab agrees, but then consults his court. They advise that he resist. Ahab changes his mind. Benhadad prepares for war.

Note: Ben-hadad means "son of Hadad, the god of thunder/weather/storm (much like Baal).

6. We already studied earlier in 1Kings how Solomon as Adonijah as a threat to his throne when he asked for Abishag. Knowing this, what are the implications of Ben-hadad's demands? These sorts of actions were made against David as well in the case of Absalom. It is speculated that David may have even taken one of Saul's wives (2Sam 12:8). This sort of action proved the king to be impotent and unworthy of being a king. The taker was assumed the new king.

Note: As we saw earlier, Asa, king of Judah conspired against Baasha with Benhadad (possibly a different king), and it did not set well with Jehovah ( Chapter15)+(2Chro. 16). The initial conquests of Benhadad included all of Naphtali the likely region Elijah was from.

Verses 13-22 Summary: A prophet delivers God's word to Ahab. God tells him that Ahab with battle and win, and Ahab will start the battle. Ahab is told that young fighters will do this thing. It does happen this way. Syria is routed and Benhadad has to flee for his life. The prophet tells Ahab to strengthen himself because at the beginning of the year Behadad will come again.

Note: What does the writer want us to know about Benhadad in verses 12 and 16? Why is this important? There is no ambiguity of the effects of alcohol and decision making in this narrative. It's just a bad idea. In this second battle, heavy drinking is not implicated. Perhaps Ben-hadad thought that was an issue, while ignoring the Jehovah factor. 

Verses 23-30 Summary: As prophesied Benhadad plans to attack Israel at the turn of the year. He is advised this time to fight them on the plains and not the mountains. He agrees. A prophet tells Ahab that Benhadad will be defeated because they underestimated God. Benhadad gathers his armies to the plains. They are routed and 127,000 ultimately fall. Benhadad flees.  

7. Why would the Syrians believed that the gods of the Israelites were the gods of the hills? On the surface of it, they seem find it unbelievable to have lost the last battle. So they look to blame something. That thing was that Israel has an advantage in the mountains/hills because of their God. 
To another point, why does God make this statement part of the reason why He is going to rout them?!

Note: Ben-hadad has had to literally RUN AWAY from Israel to avoid death two times. This had to have an impact on him and his advisors. Total humiliation. By all rights, he has been shown to be an impotent king. More importantly, his god has been revealed to be impotent as well. 

Verses 31-43 Summary:  After two defeats, Ben-hadad is advised to ask for mercy. He does. Ahab, calls him "brother," gives him back the cities Omri defeated, the cuts a covenant with him.A prophet disguises himself and speaks to Ahab. He tells Ahab a parable  and Ahab says that the prophet has been justifiably judged. The prophet removes his disguise and tells Ahab the parable was about him and God has judged Ahab AND the people for letting Ben-hadad go free (as well as strengthening the alliance). 

8. What do you learn from Ahab in this section?
1) He does not want war.
2) He does not understand his position under Jehovah.

3) We don't see him asking for God's guidance. Does he think God gave him victory to build up the king?

4) He was easily duped by "'taking a road of peace." Preferring that over Jehovah. God was not finished with false idols or their kings. "you have sent away the man I had devoted" is the judgement against Ahab:
The term "dedicated" or "appointed": chêrem    cherem  - is typical of what God requires to be utterly destroyed. 

Again. These actions are indicative of a misunderstanding of our relationship to God. We are here to serve Him, not the other way around. It can be all too easy to think too highly of ourselves and make God out to be a buddy or pal we can call in favors for. There are strong implications for the Christian in this as well. God's gracious character is made available to us, not as a tool to build us up selfishly, but as a way to reveal our inadequacies and total need/reliance of God. 
All of that blew right by Ahab.