2nd Kings Chapter Six

 2Ki 6:1  And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, See, now, the place where we are living with you is too narrow for us. 

2Ki 6:2  Please let us go to the Jordan, and we each one shall take a beam from there. And we shall make for ourselves a place there, to live there. And he said, Go. 

2Ki 6:3  And the one said, Please be willing, and go with your servants. And he said, I will surely go. 

2Ki 6:4  And he went with them. And they came to the Jordan, and cut down trees. 

2Ki 6:5  And it happened that one was felling the log, and the iron fell into the water. And he cried out and said, Alas, my lord! For it was borrowed. 

2Ki 6:6  And the man of God said, Where did it fall? And he made him see the place. And he cut a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. 

2Ki 6:7  And he said, Take it up to you. And he put out his hand and took it. 

2Ki 6:8  And the king of Syria was fighting against Israel, and rose up with his servants, saying, At such and such a place shall be my camp. 

2Ki 6:9  And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, Be on guard in passing by this place, for the Syrians are coming down there. 

2Ki 6:10  And the king of Israel sent to the place of which the man of God spoke to him and warned him. And he protected himself there not once nor twice. 

2Ki 6:11  And the heart of the king of Syria was enraged over this thing. And he called his servants and said to them, Will you not tell me who of us is for the king of Israel? 

2Ki 6:12  And one of his servants said, No, my lord O king, For Elisha the prophet who is in Israel tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your sleeping room. 

2Ki 6:13  And he said, Go and see where he is, and I will send and seize him. And it was told him, Behold, he is in Dothan. 

2Ki 6:14  And he sent horses and chariots there, and a heavy army. And they came in by night and surrounded the city. 

2Ki 6:15  And the servant of the man of God rose up early and went out. And, behold, an army was surrounding the city, and horses and chariots. And his young man said to him, Alas, my lord! What shall we do? 

2Ki 6:16  And he said, Do not fear, for those with us are more than those with them. 

2Ki 6:17  And Elisha prayed and said, I beg You, O Jehovah, open his eyes so that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man. And he looked, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

2Ki 6:18  And they came down to it, and Elisha prayed to Jehovah and said, I beg You, strike this nation with blindness. And He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. 

2Ki 6:19  And Elisha said to them, This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you seek. And he led them to Samaria. 

2Ki 6:20  And it happened, when they came to Samaria, Elisha said, Open the eyes of these, O Jehovah, and they will see. And Jehovah opened their eyes, and they looked; and, behold, they were in the middle of Samaria! 

2Ki 6:21  And when he saw them, the king of Israel said to Elisha, Shall I strike? Shall I strike, my father? 

2Ki 6:22  And he said, You shall not strike. Would you strike those whom you have captured with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them that they may eat and drink and go to their master. 

2Ki 6:23  And he prepared a great banquet for them, and they ate and drank. And he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the companies of Syria did not come into the land of Israel any more. 

2Ki 6:24  And afterwards it happened that Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army and went up and laid siege to Samaria. 

2Ki 6:25  And there was a great famine in Samaria. And behold! They were laying siege to it until the head of an ass was at eighty silver pieces, and a fourth of a cab of dove's dung at five silver pieces. 

2Ki 6:26  And it happened, the king of Israel was passing by on the wall. And a woman cried to him, saying, Save, my lord, O king. 

2Ki 6:27  And he said, If Jehovah does not save you, from where shall I save you? Out of the threshing floor, or out of the winevat? 

2Ki 6:28  And the king said to her, What ails you? And she said, This woman said to me, Give your son and we will eat him today; and tomorrow we will eat my son. 

2Ki 6:29  And we boiled my son and ate him, and I said to her on the next day, Give your son, that we may eat him. But she hid her son. 

2Ki 6:30  And it happened when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his garments. And he was passing by on the wall, and the people looked. And, behold, the sackcloth was inside on his flesh. 

2Ki 6:31  And he said, So may God do to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall remain on him today. 

2Ki 6:32  And Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. And the king sent a man from before him. Before the messenger came to him, even he himself said to the elders, Do you see that this son of the murderer has sent to take away my head? Behold, when the messenger comes in, shut the door, and you shall hold him fast at the door. Is not the sound of the feet of his lord behind him? 

2Ki 6:33  While he was speaking with them, then, behold, the messenger came down to him. And he said, Behold, this is the evil from Jehovah. Why should I wait for Jehovah any more? 

2Ki 7:1  Elisha answered, "I have a message for you. The LORD promises that tomorrow here in Samaria, you will be able to buy a large sack of flour or two large sacks of barley for almost nothing." 

2Ki 7:2  The chief officer there with the king replied, "I don't believe it! Even if the LORD sent a rainstorm, it couldn't produce that much grain by tomorrow." "You will see it happen, but you won't eat any of the food," Elisha warned him. 

Verses 1-7 Summary: The sons of the prophets need to build a house for themselves. They go to the Jordan to cut down the necessary trees. Elisha is with them. One of the cutters looses his axe in the Jordan and calls to Elisha. Elisha performs a miracle and has the axe float to the top so it could be retrieved.

Note: Do we see the Christ message here? There are some things that only God can recover...like our salvation, righteousness, our very souls. It may seem all is lost, only God can make us whole.

Verses 8-23 Summary: Syria wars with Israel. The Syrian king is looking for an occasion to kill the king of Israel and sets up camp. Elisha warns the king of Israel and the king does not engage the Syrian army (he stays away). It happens more than once. The king suspects a traitor among his army. His officials tell him it is Elisha who is warning the king of Israel. The Syrian king sends some elite troops to find Elisha. They surround the city. Elisha's servant wakes up, goes outside and sees the army and is terrified. He warns Elisha. Elisha explains that the Syrian army is outnumbered by Elisha's (God's) army. Elisha prays to God to open the servant's eyes. He sees that the hills are filled with warriors. Alisha asks God to blind the Syrian army. He does. Elisha leads them to Samaria. Once in Samaria Elisha prays that the army's eyes would be opened. The king of Israel asks if he should strike the Syrians. Elisha says, no. He reasons with him and convinces him to feed them. The king prepares a banquet for his enemies. They return home and stop warring with Israel for a time.

1. What should we learn from verse 17? There may be an appearance of hopelessness in our lives, but God has us covered. Paul reveals our real situation in Ephesians 6. He states that our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with the spiritual realm. For us, it is a matter of faith in Jehovah through the Christ that enables us to "see" God's army ready to fight for us.

Note: Solomon taught the concept of feeding your enemy in Proverbs 25:22. Jesus references it in Matthew 5:44 (love your enemy) as the proper way to view everyone. Paul uses it to teach the Roman church in Romans 12:20 as a message of proper Christian behavior. 

Verses 24- 7:2 Summary: Syria besieges Samaria. There is also famine. The condition becomes so desperate that citizens are committing cannibalism. When the king learns of it, he despairs and sends a messenger to kill Elisha. Elisha knows he is coming and has him detained at the door. He tells the messenger that Israel will have a bounty of food available the next day. The messenger does not believe him. Elisha tells the messenger that it will happen but that the messenger will not have any.

2. In verse 25 why does the writer use a donkey's head and dove droppings as examples of the severity of the famine? What should these things be used for? None of these items were to be eaten, they were unclean. Dove dung may have been used for fire. The point is that the conditions were dire. During a siege, no one could leave, nor could goods be brought in. All the clean food had been consumed. They were down to eating working livestock, even the unclean animals. This condition leads to the "why" the practice of cannibalism. 

Notes: It's interesting to see the compassion the king has for his people. Being the king, he may be eating unclean food, but he was not yet needing to eat human flesh. The big misunderstanding he has is thinking that if he rids himself of the messenger (Elisha), he will get back at Jehovah. Do we see people today blaming God for the woes of the world? How do we address those who foster this opinion?

2nd Kings Chapter Five

 2Ki 5:1  And Naaman the commander of the army of the king of Syria was a great and exalted man before his lord, for Jehovah had given deliverance to Syria by him. And he was a brave warrior, but leprous. 

2Ki 5:2  And the Syrians had gone out in bands, and they seized from the land of Israel a little girl. And she was before Naaman's wife. 

2Ki 5:3  And she said to her mistress, Oh that my lord were before the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would recover him from his leprosy.

2Ki 5:4  And one went in and told his lord, saying, This and this she said, the girl who is from the land of Israel. 

2Ki 5:5  And the king of Syria said, Go, go in, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he went and took in his hand ten talents of silver, and six thousand of gold, and ten changes of garments. 

2Ki 5:6  And he came to the king of Israel with the letter, saying, And now when this letter comes to you, behold, I have sent to you my servant Naaman. And you shall recover him from his leprosy. 

2Ki 5:7  And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his garments and said, Am I God, to kill and to keep alive, that this one is sending to me to recover a man from his leprosy? For consider now, and see for he is seeking an occasion with me. 

2Ki 5:8  And it happened, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his garments, he sent to the king, saying, Why have you torn your garments? Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. 

2Ki 5:9  And Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 

2Ki 5:10  And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go, and you shall wash seven times in the Jordan. And your flesh shall return to you, and you shall be clean. 

2Ki 5:11  And Naaman was angry, and went on, and said, Behold, I said, He will certainly come out to me and will stand and call on the name of Jehovah his God, and will wave his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 

2Ki 5:12  Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Shall I not wash in them and be clean? And he turned and went on in fury. 

2Ki 5:13  And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, My father, if the prophet had spoken a great thing to you would you not do it? How much rather then when he says to you, Wash, and be clean? 

2Ki 5:14  And he went down and dipped in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God. And his flesh returned like the flesh of a little boy, and he was clean. 

2Ki 5:15  And he went back to the man of God, he and all his company, and came in and stood before him, and said, Behold, now I know that there is not a God in all the earth except in Israel. And now, please take a blessing from your servant. 

2Ki 5:16  And he said, As Jehovah lives, before whom I stand, I shall not take. And he pressed on him to take, but he refused. 

2Ki 5:17  And Naaman said, If not, please let a couple of mules' burden of earth be given to your servant. For your servant shall not make any more burnt offering and sacrifice to other gods, only to Jehovah. 

2Ki 5:18  May Jehovah pardon your servant for this thing, when my lord goes to the house of Rimmon to bow there, and he is supported by my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon; when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Jehovah pardon your servant in this thing. 

2Ki 5:19  And he said to him, Go in peace. And he went away a little way from him. 

2Ki 5:20  And Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my lord has spared this Syrian, Naaman, not to receive from his hand that which he has brought. As Jehovah lives, surely I will run after him. Then I shall take something from him. 

2Ki 5:21  And Gehazi ran after Naaman. And Naaman saw one running after him, and got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Peace? 

2Ki 5:22  And he said, Peace. My lord has sent me, saying, Behold this now, two young men from the hills of Ephraim have come to me, of the sons of the prophets. Please give to them a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. 

2Ki 5:23  And Naaman said, Be pleased, take two talents. And he forced these on him, and bound two talents of silver and two purses, and two changes of garments, and gave to two of his young men, and they carried before him. 

2Ki 5:24  And he came into the hill, and took them out of their hand, and put them away in the house, and sent away the men. And they went. 

2Ki 5:25  And he went in and stood by his lord. And Elisha said to him, Where from Gehazi? And he said, Your servant did not go here or there. 

2Ki 5:26  And he said to him, Did not my heart go out when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to take silver, and to take garments and olives, and vineyards, and flock, and herd, and male slaves, and slave-girls? 

2Ki 5:27  Yea, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you, and to your seed forever. And he went out from him as leprous as snow. 

Verses 1-19 Summary: Naaman is a great Syrian general. He has a captured Israelite slave girl. She tells Naaman's wife of a prophet in Israel that can help Naaman. Naaman gets permission to go to Israel. Naaman goes before the king and orders the king to heal him. The king thinks it's a trap since he cannot cure leprosy. Elisha sends word to the king that he will cure him. Naaman goes to Elisha's house. Elisha sends a messenger to tell Naaman to dip seven times in the Jordan and he will be cleansed. Naaman is enraged, since he was expecting Elisha himself to come out, call on Jehovah, wave his hand(s) around and cure him. He leaves in a huff. His servants convince him just to try it. He does. He's cured. He returns to Elisha's house to offer him gifts. Elisha refuses.

3. Naaman was obviously saved by grace. What else was he saved by? There was no grace until he humbled himself.

4. What applications can we make from Naaman's reaction in verses 11-12? Pride. Naaman had specific expectations of how he would be healed. He is important so he expected Elisha to come to him face to face (not sending a servant). He expected a grand gesture by Elisha, calling on God and waving his hand about the place. At the very least, if he is to dip in a river, why the Jordan? The Jordan could be unimpressive during the warmer months. It was all just too banal....too plain for a man as great as he is. It isn't until Naaman humbles himself that he becomes clean. 

Notes: Who are the unsung heroes in this story? Consider the attitude of the slave girl. She's been taken from her people and still, her concern is for her captor. Consider the servants of Naaman, willing to speak up when their master is in a rage.

What do you think of Naaman's request before God?  ...when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Jehovah pardon your servant in this thing. Obviously, this was not a full blown conversion. Naaman knew that Jehovah is God, the only true God. He states this fact. He is not only humbled, but has gained a measure of faith. He understands verse one.

Verses 20-27 Summary: Gehazi decides to get some of the gift that was offered to Elisha. He runs to meet Naaman and asks for a talent of silver and two changes of clothes. Naaman gives it and sends two slaves to carry it. Naaman places the gift in the house. Elisha confronts Gehazi for what he did and curses him with the leprosy that left the Syrian general.  

5. What applications can we make from the sin of Gehazi? Coveting is a strong adversary. It causes delusions with anyone deciding to follow its path. It was clear that the gift was not to be taken. Gehazi had to reconcile his wrong with a warped logic. "Why should this gift go to waste?" "If I take this, the general will feel better about the transaction. It will lighten his load on the way home." All of this took planning, quick planning. Giving into the urges, he RUNS to sin. Then lies. When he gets home he stows the gift in the house (thinking Elisha won't notice?). When confronted, he lies. Then he suffers the consequences of giving into his urges (sin).  

6. What lesson can we learn from the leprosy clinging even to Gehazi's descendants? The consequences of sin might last beyond just the sinner. David learned this lesson as well. After his sin with Bathsheba, we see his life becomes full of trouble (from his own house).

2nd Kings Chapter Four

 2Ki 4:1  And a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets had cried to Elisha, saying, My husband, your servant, is dead. And you know that your servant has seen Jehovah. And the lender has come to take my two children to himself for slaves. 

2Ki 4:2  And Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? Tell me. What do you have in the house? And she said, Your handmaid has nothing in the house except a pot of oil. 

2Ki 4:3  And he said, Go, beg vessels for yourself from outside, from your neighbors, empty vessels. Do not let them be few. 

2Ki 4:4  And you shall go in and shut the door on you, and on your sons, and shall pour out into all these vessels. And you shall set aside the full ones. 

2Ki 4:5  And she left him, and shut the door on her and on her sons. They carried to her, and she poured out. 

2Ki 4:6  And it happened when the vessels were full, she said to her son, Bring another vessel to me. And he said to her, There is no other vessel; and the oil stopped. 

2Ki 4:7  And she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and repay your loan. And you and your sons shall live from the rest. 

2Ki 4:8  And the day came that Elisha crossed over to Shunem. And a great woman was there. And she lay hold on him to eat bread. And it happened, as often as he passed by, he turned aside there to eat bread. 

2Ki 4:9  And she said to her husband, Behold now, I know that he is a holy man of God who passes by us continually. 

2Ki 4:10  Now let us make a little walled roof room, and let us set a bed for him there, and a table, and a chair, and a lampstand. And it shall be, when he comes to us, he shall turn in there. 

2Ki 4:11  And the day came when he came in there and turned into the roof room, and lay there. 

2Ki 4:12  And he said to his young man Gehazi, Call this Shunammite. And he called her, and she stood before him. 

2Ki 4:13  And he said to him, Now say to her, Behold, you have trembled with all this care for us. What shall I do for you? Shall I speak to the king for you, or to the army commander? And she said, I live among my people. 

2Ki 4:14  And he said, What then shall I do for her? And Gehazi said, Truly there is no son to her. And her husband is old. 

2Ki 4:15  And he said, Call for her. And he called for her. And she stood at the door. 

2Ki 4:16  And he said, At this season, according to the time of life you shall embrace a son. And she said, No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your handmaid. 

2Ki 4:17  And the woman conceived and bore a son, at this season, according to the time of life that Elisha spoke of to her. 

2Ki 4:18  And the boy grew, and the day came that he went out to his father, to the reapers. 

2Ki 4:19  And he said to his father, My head! My head! And he said to the young man, Carry him to his mother. 

2Ki 4:20  And he carried him, and brought him to his mother. And he sat on her knees until noon, and died. 

2Ki 4:21  And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door on him, and went out. 

2Ki 4:22  And she called to her husband, and said, Please send to me one of the young men, and one of the asses, and I shall run to the man of God, and return. 

2Ki 4:23  And he said, Why are you going to him today; it is neither new moon nor sabbath? And she said, Peace. 

2Ki 4:24  And she saddled the ass and said to her young man, Lead on, and go. Do not hold back riding for me except I speak to you. 

2Ki 4:25  And she went, and came to the man of God, to Mount Carmel. And it happened, when the man of God saw her from afar, he said to his young man Gehazi, Behold, The Shunammite! 

2Ki 4:26  Now please run to meet her, and say to her, Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the boy? And she said, Well. 

2Ki 4:27  And she came to the mountain to the man of God, and lay hold on his feet. And Gehazi came near to thrust her away. But the man of God said, Let her alone, for her soul is bitter in her, and Jehovah has hidden it from me, and has not told me. 

2Ki 4:28  And she said, Did I ask a son from my lord? Did I not say, Do not deceive me? 

2Ki 4:29  And he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand, and go. When you meet a man, you shall not greet him. And when a man shall greet you, you shall not answer him. And you shall lay my staff on the face of the boy. 

2Ki 4:30  And the mother of the boy said, As Jehovah lives, and your soul lives, I will not leave you. And he rose up and went after her. 

2Ki 4:31  And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff on the face of the boy. But there was no voice, and there was no hearing. And he turned back to meet him, and told him, saying, The boy has not awakened. 

2Ki 4:32  And Elisha came into the house. And, behold, the boy was dead, laid out on his bed. 

2Ki 4:33  And he went in and shut the door on both of them, and prayed to Jehovah. 

2Ki 4:34  And he went up and lay down on the boy, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands, and stretched himself on him. And the flesh of the boy became warm. 

2Ki 4:35  And he returned, and walked in the house, once here and once there. And he went up and stretched himself on him. And the boy sneezed seven times, and the boy opened his eyes. 

2Ki 4:36  And he called Gehazi and said, Call this Shunammite. And he called her, and she came in to him. And he said, Take up your son. 

2Ki 4:37  And she went in and fell at his feet, and bowed to the earth, and took up her son, and went out. 

2Ki 4:38  And Elisha returned to Gilgal. And the famine was in the land. And the sons of the prophets were sitting before him. And he said to his young man, Set on the big pot and boil soup for the sons of the prophets. 

2Ki 4:39  And one went out to the field to gather herbs, and found a vine of the field, and gathered gourds from it in the field. And with the lap of his garment full, he came in and shredded them into the pot of soup; for they did not know. 

2Ki 4:40  And they poured out for the men to eat. And it happened, when they were eating the soup, they cried out and said, Death is in the pot O man of God! And they were not able to eat. 

2Ki 4:41  And he said, Then bring meal. And he threw into the pot, and said, Pour out for the people and they shall eat. And there was no evil thing in the pot. 

2Ki 4:42  And a man came from Baal-shalisha and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and ripe ears of grain in his sack. And he said, Give to the people, and they may eat. 

2Ki 4:43  And his servant said, What? Should I set this before a hundred men? And he said, Give to the people, and they shall eat. For so says Jehovah, Eat and have some left. 

2Ki 4:44  And he set before them, and they ate, and left some of it, according to the Word of Jehovah. 

Verses 1-7 Summary: A widow comes to Elisha asking for help. Her husband has died with debt owed. The man who lent to her husband is calling in the loan and she has nothing to pay. The lender is going to take her sons as slaves as payment. Elisha tells her to "beg" as many as many pots as possible, shut herself in her home and pour out what little oil she has into the pots. She performs this and fills all the pots, then reports this to Elisha. Elisha advises her to sell some of the oil to pay off her debt, then live off the rest.

NOTES:
The King James version terms "beg" as "borrow." Interesting since borrowing is how she  ended up in this conundrum.
King James also differentiates between how much oil she had - אָסוּךְ 'âsûk aw-sook'From H5480; anointed, that is, an oil flask: - pot
Elisha's directive required: כְּלִי kelı̂y kel-ee' From H3615; something prepared, that is, any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon): - armour ([-bearer]), artillery, bag, carriage, + furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, X one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, + psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel
It is likely she had a flask of oil only. Elisha's orders would include just about anything that could hold this oil including larger pots. Along with "borrow not a few" we see that Elisha is fully aware of what the miracle is to produce. The final implementation of the gain is not revealed until AFTER she does what he asks. 
What does this say about her faith, or faith in general? Trusting in God's word takes faith (belief). We may not always understand some of it when we practice it. God has provided us a system founded in proofs, but still will requires our trust, even though we might not understand it all.

Verses 8-37 Summary: During Elisha's travels he would pass by a house with a "great" Shunamite woman living there. She would accommodate Elisha during his travels. She convinced her husband to reserve a room for Elisha where he could stay when he passed through. Elisha asks what he can do for her. She essentially says she needs nothing. Gehazi informs Elisha that she is without a son. Elisha tells her by this time next year you will have a son. She does not believe him (her husband is old). She bears a son. The son dies. She goes to Elisha for help. Gehazi goes ahead of them to use Elisha's staff to revive the by (as directed by Elisha). It does not work. Elisha covers the boy with his body, and the boy is revived. 

Notes: We can't ignore that the last two miracles are a parallel to miracles Elijah had performed. There are differences but do they reveal Elisha's "double portion of spirit?"

Elijah	Elisha
1Kings 17:9-24 The woman was a widow and destitute (due to a famine), and a non-believer. The miracle was a pitcher of flour and a jar of oil that did not run out. It lasted until rains came and more could be made available.	2Kings 4:9-37 Elisha helps a woman (believer) who is in great distress because her husband died and left her with debt. The miracle provides her with enough oil to pay off the debt and sustain her family (she has sons). The assumption is that she made a living on the surplus (enough until her sons could make provisions, and they were spared becoming slaves.
The woman’s only son dies. Elijah covers him with his body three times and the son is revived. This second miracle prompts the woman to declare Elijah as a “man of God.”	The Shunammite woman (believer)was not in distress, she was “great.” Likely she was rich. She makes decisions and implements them, though she does inform her husband. She perceives Elisha as a “holy” man of God. This woman has no children and her husband is old, beyond child-bearing age. The hospitality of the woman prompts Elisha to promise her a son. She does not believe it. When the son dies Elisha seems to think Gehazi can perform the revival, but the woman insists that Elisha come. Gehazi’s attempts fail. Elisha covers the lad and the boy is revived.

 Can it be that the double portion mostly covers the sheer quantity?

Verses 38-41 Summary: Elisha returns to Gilgal. While there he asks Gehazi to make a soup for the sons of the prophets. One of them gathers gourds and puts it into the soup. Unknown to them they are poisonous. When they taste the soup, they realize it is poisonous. Elisha has them put in some flour and the soup is made edible.

Note: This is why I make the comment about shear numbers of miracles as the "double portion." Through chapter nine we will see either miracles or prophecies of Elisha. The narrative is quite different than from Elijah. Elijah's narrative would come and go as he was needed by God. Elisha's tenure narrates a little more linear. (no breaks)

Verses 42-44 Summary (Though Israel was extremely wicked, what does this text remind us about the condition of the nation?): A man brings a sacrifice to Elisha. Elisha tells Gehazi to distribute the food. Gehazi pushes back, like the job was too great. Elisha tells him to do it and there will be left-overs. He does it as directed.
It is unclear whether or not this sacrifice was of the remnant-seven-thousand. Remember, there was a famine, and this was a provision of sacrifice to help. Jehovah in some ways was still respected, just not as He prescribed. What is more interesting to me is Gehazi's attitude. 

2nd Kings Chapter Three

 2Ki 3:1  And Jehoram the son of Ahab reigned over Israel in Samaria, in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah; and he reigned twelve years. 

2Ki 3:2  And he did that which was evil in the eyes of Jehovah; only not like his father and his mother. For he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. 

2Ki 3:3  But he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. He did not turn aside from it. 

2Ki 3:4  And Mesha the king of Moab was a sheepmaster. And he paid a hundred thousand lambs to the king of Israel and a hundred thousand rams with wool. 

2Ki 3:5  And it happened when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. 

2Ki 3:6  And King Jehoram went out in that day from Samaria, and called up all Israel. 

2Ki 3:7  And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up. I am as you; my people as your people; my horses as your horses. 

2Ki 3:8  And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom. 

2Ki 3:9  And the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom. And they made a circuit of seven days' journey. And there was no water for the army, and for the livestock that were at their feet. 

2Ki 3:10  And the king of Israel said, Alas, that Jehovah has called these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab! 

2Ki 3:11  And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, that we may inquire of Jehovah by him? And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah. 

2Ki 3:12  And Jehoshaphat said, The Word of Jehovah is with him. And the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom went down to him. 

2Ki 3:13  And Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father, and to the prophets of your mother. And the king of Israel said to him, No, for Jehovah has called these three kings in order to give them into the hand of Moab. 

2Ki 3:14  And Elisha said, As Jehovah of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely, if I did not regard the face of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah I would not look toward you, nor see you. 

2Ki 3:15  And now, bring a minstrel to me. And it happened when the minstrel played, the hand of Jehovah was on him. 

2Ki 3:16  And he said, So says Jehovah, Make this valley full of ditches. 

2Ki 3:17  For so says Jehovah, You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain. Yet that stream bed shall be filled with water, so that you may drink, both you and your livestock, and your animals. 

2Ki 3:18  But this is a light thing in the eyes of Jehovah; He also has given Moab into your hand. 

2Ki 3:19  And you shall strike every fortified city, and every choice city. And you shall fell every good tree, and you shall stop all the fountains of water. And you shall mar every good lot with stones. 

2Ki 3:20  And it happened in the morning, when the food offering was caused to go up, behold, water came by the way of Edom; and the country was filled with water.

2Ki 3:21  And all Moab had heard that the kings had come up to fight against them. And they were called together, everyone able to gird on a girdle, and upward. And they stood by the border. 

2Ki 3:22  And they rose up early in the morning. And the sun was shining on the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the opposite side as red as blood. 

2Ki 3:23  And they said, This is blood. The kings fighting have fought one another, and they each man struck his neighbor. And now to the plunder, Moab! 

2Ki 3:24  And they came to the camp of Israel. And the Israelites rose up and struck the Moabites. And they fled from before them. And striking they struck Moab. 

2Ki 3:25  And they broke down the cities; and they each man cast his stone on every good piece of land, and filled it. And they stopped every fountain of water. And they felled every good tree, until there was left only Kir-haraseth with its stones. But the slingers surrounded it and struck it. 

2Ki 3:26  And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too strong for him, then he took with him seven hundred men who drew swords to break through to the king of Edom. And they were not able. 

2Ki 3:27  And he took his son, the firstborn who would reign in his place and caused him to go up for a burnt offering on the wall. And there was great wrath against Israel. And they left him and returned to the land. 

Verses 1-5 Summary: Jehoram is an evil king, although he does remove the Baal idol. Moab was gifting 100,000 lambs and 100,000 rams with wool to Israel. After Ahab's death, Moab stopped this practice and rebelled. 

Note: Moab was brought under subjection by David (pre-division) in 2nd Sam 8 (Edom also). The Moabite or "Mesha" stone speaks of Omri oppressing Moab into the tribute spoken of in 2nd Kings 3. It may be a catalyst for Moab's "rebellion" during these years. Were they being forced to make multiple tributes?

In Order: 
IKings 22: Ahab dies, Ahaziah ascends. Jehoshaphat returns to Jerusalem
2nd Chron. 20 - Judah defeats Moab under Jehoshaphat - Ahaziah still alive.
2nd Kings 1 - Moab rebels against Israel (Ahaziah)
2nd Kings 3 - Moab still rebels against Israel (Jehoram) 

Reference: Moabites and Ammonites were descendants of Lot (Gen.19: 37-38). Edomites are descendants of Esau (Gen. 36:1).

Verses 6-19 Summary: Jehoram calls for help to Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat agrees. Jehoshaphat says to enter through Edom. This endeavor was WITH Edom's help. During the journey they run out of water and despair. Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet of Jehovah. Elisha is consulted (and is reluctant). The prophecy is that not only will God supply water, but he will provide victory.

1. When these kings run out of water, compare the reaction of the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat's reaction: Jehoram is convinced that God will defeat them: "the king of Israel said, Alas, that Jehovah has called these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"
Jehoshaphat: "Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah, that we may inquire of Jehovah by him?" 
The emphasis is FOCUS. Jehoshaphat's focus was on God. What does that tell us about Jehoram's character? He knew God was against him. Why didn't he just subject himself to God?
- Too Proud
- Too deep into evil alliances. Even with that, could God have helped him overcome?

Notes: Why didn't Jehoshaphat consult God before all of this? It may have been a respect thing. This war was Israel's making and required their "gods." 
After learning of God's Displeasure of Jehoshaphat's alliances with Ahab, then Ahaziah, why would he slip up a third time? Athaliah. Jehoshaphat's son was married to Ahab's daughter. This was a bad covenant, but like a vow, was not to be broken. THAT is what made Jehovah so angry about the situation.

Verses 20-27 Summary: God delivers water as promised. Moab sees the water and it looks like blood to them. They assume Israel has fought among themselves and Moab goes in expecting to just take plunder at will. Israel battles and defeats Moab. The Moabite king takes 700 swordsmen and attempts to break the battle line of Edom They fail. The Moabite king is so distraught that he sacrifices his own son in front of the armies. The armies see this and leave. 

2. Explain 3:27. Who had "great indignations" and therefore "departed from him"?
The personal pronoun "him" in this verse is the Moabite king (or Mesha).

The term "indignation": 7110 - קֶצֶף qetseph keh'-tsef From H7107; a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively rage or strife: - foam, indignation, X sore, wrath
7107: קָצַף qâtsaph kaw-tsaf' A primitive root; to crack off, that is, (figuratively) burst out in rage: - (be) anger (-ry), displease, fret self, (provoke to) wrath (come), be wroth.

The overriding statement would include all armies leaving Mesha/Moab. Some historical readings indicate that this act of sacrificing the heir to the throne was a last ditch attempt for mercy. It seemed to work. The question is what was the "great wrath against Israel"? 

Notes: It's important to note that Edom was not part of the Moab uprisings. When Jehoshaphat goes to battle against Moab, they had crossed the dead sea: 2Ch 20:2  And they came in and spoke to Jehoshaphat, saying, A great multitude has come against you from beyond the sea...
The victory took place at the "ascent of Ziz" which is in Judah.
In this battle Israel's (Jehoshaphat's) plan was to take the fight into Moab territory through Edom. Moab was Edom's neighbor and maintaining peace is typically better than waging war with a neighbor.

It could be said that Israel's double taking of tribute was indeed oppressive and unjust.
Jehoshaphat's alliance forced his hand to help. (Note that all fighting is attributed to Israel)
Jehoshaphat leaned on his alliance with Edom to aid Israel. This puts Edom in a bad position.
Mesha's sacrifice of his own son deflates the battle. The will of the men turns to "wrath" which may mean many different things. Anger, disgust, division, or a reevaluation of righteousness were all likely in the mix. 

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