Scripture reading – 2 Kings 8; 2 Kings 9
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We have seen the fierce faith and courage of the prophet Elisha in earlier devotionals, and in 2 Kings 8 and 9, we will observe his compassionate spirit.
2 Kings 8
Lands Restored to the Shunammite Mother and Son (2 Kings 8:1-6)
Knowing Israel would face seven years of famine, Elisha encouraged the mother, whose son he raised from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-35), to leave Israel. She obeyed the prophet and “sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years” (2 Kings 8:2). When the seven years passed, she returned to Israel but found others occupied her home and lands in her absence.
Providentially, her appeal to the king coincided with that ruler questioning “Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done,” 2 Kings 8:4). As Gehazi told how Elisha “restored a dead body to life,” the mother whose son was raised from the dead, entered the king’s presence and appealed to him to for her lands (2 Kings 8:5). The king asked if the story of her son’s resurrection was true, and she confirmed it was so. “So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now” (2 Kings 8:6).
Elisha Foretold the Ascension of Hazael to be King of Syria (2 Kings 8:7-15)
Elisha’s prophetic ministry was not limited to Israel. The prophet journeyed to Damascus, where Benhadad, the king of Syria, was sick and feared he was near death (2 Kings 8:7). Learning the prophet was in Syria, the king sent a servant named Hazael to inquire if he would recover from his disease (2 Kings 8:8). That servant came to Elisha, and though he was told the king would recover (for no servant desires to say otherwise); nevertheless, Elisha foretold Hazael, his servant would be king (2 Kings 8:10).
Elisha wept after he foretold Hazael’s future, for the LORD revealed how Israel would suffer under Hazael’s rule (2 Kings 8:11-12). Hazael was offended by the prophecy. Nevertheless, Elisha assured him, “Thou shalt beking over Syria” (2 Kings 8:13).
Hazael returned to Benhadad’s bedside, and he told the king Elisha “told me that thou shouldest surely recover” (2 Kings 8:14). Yet, the next day, Hazael took matters into his hands and smothered the king with a thick cloth, which he dipped in water. Benhadad died, and “Hazael reigned in his stead” (2 Kings 8:15).
The Rise and Fall of the Kings of Judah and Israel (2 Kings 8:16-29)
The events recorded in 2 Kings 8:16-29 are parallel to the same from an earlier study in 2 Chronicles 21-22. Joram was king of Israel, and Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, was king of Judah (2 Kings 8:16). Tragically, rather than walk in the way of his father, Jehoram was influenced by his wife, who was “the daughter of Ahab…and he did evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Kings 8:17-18). Yet, the LORD was merciful to Judah, for He remembered his covenant with David, how He “promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children” (2 Kings 8:19).
Because the sin and wickedness of Israel and Judah weakened those nations, the Edomites and Libnah “revolted at the same time” (2 Kings 8:20-22). Jehoram (i.e., Joram, 2 Kings 8:24), king of Judah, died, and his son Ahaziah “reigned in his stead” (2 Kings 8:24; 2 Chronicles 21:12-19). However, he reigned for only one year, and his mother, Athaliah, “the daughter of Omri king of Israel,” ascended to Judah’s throne (2 Kings 8:25-26).
Joram, king of Israel, was wounded in battle with Syria (2 Kings 8:28) and “returned to Jezreel to be healed” of his wounds (2 Kings 8:29), where Ahaziah visited him before he died (2 Kings 8:28-29).
2 Kings 9
Jehu Anointed King of Judah (2 Kings 9:1-10)
While King Joram was away in Jezreel, the prophet Elisha sent a messenger to anoint Jehu to become Israel’s next king (2 Kings 9:2-6). To avenge the deaths of his prophets, Jehu was charged with annihilating the lineage of Ahab and ensuring there would be no heir of that wicked king’s family (2 Kings 9:7-10). True to the prophecy of Elijah, Joram was told, “The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her” (2 Kings 9:10).
Jehu’s Insurrection and the Assassination of King Joram (Israel) and King Ahaziah (Judah, 2 Kings 9:13-27)
With the LORD’s anointing to be king in Israel, Jehu journeyed to Jezreel and was determined to slay Joram and claim Israel’s throne (2 Kings 9:13-15). Jehu and his soldiers came within sight of Jezreel, and King Joram twice sent messengers to ask him if he had come in peace (2 Kings 9:17-20).
Rather than return to the king, the messengers joined Jehu. Then, Joram and Ahaziah ordered their chariots “made ready” and went out of the city to meet Jehu (2 Kings 9:21). When Joram asked Jehu, “Is it peace?” (meaning, have you come in peace), Jehu replied, “What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?” (2 Kings 9:22)
The king of Israel realized he was betrayed, and he warned Ahaziah (king of Judah) to flee, even as an arrow from Jehu’s bow pierced Joram’s heart (2 Kings 9:23-24). Remembering how Jezebel murdered Naboth and Ahab claimed his vineyard, Jehu ordered Joram to be buried in the field of Naboth (2 Kings 9:25-26). Jehu then pursued Ahaziah, king of Judah, and he was wounded and died that day at Megiddo, where he fled (2 Kings 9:27).
The Inglorious Death of Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30-37)
Fulfilling the prophecies of Elijah and Elisha, Jehu came to Jezreel. Jezebel, hearing Jehu had arrived in Jezreel, adorned herself for his arrival (2 Kings 9:30). Looking out the window of the palace, she scorned Jehu, but he challenged others and said, “Who is on my side?… 33And he [Jehu] said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall” (2 Kings 9:33).
Jehu’s horses and chariots then trampled Jezebel and left her lifeless body at the wall (2 Kings 9:33). When Jehu ordered Jezebel’s body to be buried, he learned Elijah’s prophecy was fulfilled, for the dogs had eaten her flesh (2 Kings 9:34-37; 1 Kings 21:23).
Closing thoughts –
We have followed the deaths of kings and queens and the ascension of their sons to rule and reign. Even so, as it was then, so it is today. The nations of our day have the same political intrigue and corruption as nations of the ancient world.
Wicked men and women continue to aspire to wealth, power, and position. Few give thought to the day when “the dead, small and great, stand before God…[and will be] judged every man according to their works…and whosever [is] not found written in the book of life [will be] cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:12-15).
Are you ready for God’s judgment day?
Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith
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