Category Archives: 2 Kings

Summary of 2 Kings

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Summary of 2 Kings

Chapter by Chapter:

2 Kings 1-2: “John the Baptist” – Elijah Prophesies the Death of Ahaziah/Elijah and Elisha
2 Kings 3-4: The Moabites are Defeated/Elisha Raises a Boy from Death
2 Kings 5-6: Naaman Washes in the Jordan River/Floating Axe
2 Kings 7-8: Israel Takes Spoil/Elisha Prophesies a Seven Year Famine
2 Kings 9-10: Jezebel Slain and Eaten by Dogs/Ahab’s 70 Sons Are Slain
2 Kings 11-12:  Jehiada Destroys the House of Baal/Jehoash (Joash) Reigns in Righteousness
2 Kings 13-14: Jehoahaz Reigns in Wickedness/Jeroboam Reigns in Wickedness
2 Kings 15-16: Israel and Judah in Wickedness/Ahaz Reigns in Wickedness
2 Kings 17-18: The Catholic Church?/Hezekiah Reigns in Righteousness
2 Kings 19-20: Hezekiah Seeks Counsel from Isaiah/Hezekiah Pleads with the Lord
2 Kings 21-22: Manasseh Does Evil/Josiah Reigns in Righteousness
2 Kings 23-25: The Book of the Covenant/Jerusalem Taken by Nebuchadnezzar/The Fall of Jerusalem

The Second Book of Kings (2 Kings) is a narrative History and Prophecy of the affairs and dealings of the divided nations/kingdoms. The book was written around 550 B.C. and it’s author is unknown, although it has been rumored that Jeremiah might have written it. We learn about many characters including; Elijah, Elisha, Naaman, Jezebel, Jehu, Joash, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Isaiah, Manasseh, Josiah, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah and Nebuchadnezzar. Some things that we can learn or take from this book is that those who obey God, will be blessed and those who do not obey him will not be blessed and are usually cursed. Love GOD!

In the first chapters we read about the miracles of Elijah and his apprentice of sorts “Elisha”. Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind  and because of this Elisha asks God for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit that he might be able to carry on with the work of the Lord as His prophet. The remaining chapters tell of the violence and wars that occurred between the kingdoms. We learn that the last evil king Hoshea, because of his evil ways he and his kingdom are taken in under the Assyrian Empire who take them into captivity!

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2 Kings 23-25

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2 Kings 23-25

Chapter 23: The Book of the Covenant

The King sent for all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem to come unto him. The King then went up into the house of the Lord and read out to them all the words of the Book of the Covenant. Then the King stood by a pillar and made a covenant there with all the elders to God that they would follow the words of the book and do well in the eyes of the Lord.

So the King commanded everyone to take anything that belonged to the worship of Baal and burn it in a field.  In the eighteenth year of King Josiah a Passover was held to the Lord in Jerusalem.

The King of Egypt decides to go up against the Assyrian Empire, but King Josiah went up against him and his servants carried him dead from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. The people then took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and made him king in his father’s stead. Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he began to reign and he reigned for 3 months in Jerusalem and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.

The King of Egypt; Pharaoh-nechoh put king Jehoahaz in band at Riblah in the land of Hamath that he might not reign in Jerusalem. Instead the king of Egypt put Eliakim the other son of Josiah king and renamed him; “Jehoiakim” and took Jeoahaz to Egypt where he would later die. Jehoiakim was 25 years old when he began to reign and he reigned for 11 years in Jerusalem and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.

Chapter 24: Jerusalem Taken by Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon comes up and makes Jehoaikim his servant for three years. But Jehoaikim rebels against him. Jehoaikim gets some help from the Chaldees, Syrians, Moabites and the children of Ammon. Jehoaikim dies and his son Jehoiachin reigns in his stead. Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem for 3 months and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.

The King of Babylon comes and besieges the land and takes Jehoiachin and his household and also carried away all the treasures of the house of the Lord, including vessels of Gold that King Solomon had made in the Temple. The king of Babylon also took over 10,000 captive and brought them back to Babylon, he then appointed Mattaniah his father’s brother, whose name was changed to Zedekiah to reign in his stead.

Zedekiah was 21 years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem for 11 years and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Chapter 25: The Fall of Jerusalem

In the ninth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon he came to Jerusalem and pitched against it and build forts all around the city. Because of the surrounding armies, the city of Jerusalem started to go hungry for the lack of bread. Here is where things really get interesting, and where the Book of Mormon can help us understand more of the story from the Bible….

“And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king’s garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain. And the army of the Chaldees took him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him. So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him. And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass and carried him to Babylon.” (2 Kings 2:25)

                According to this story all of the sons of Zedekiah were killed, however in the Book of Mormon it talks about how one of his sons… named Mulek fled and came to the Americas! See Helaman 6:10 and 8:21.

“…the land north was called Mulek, which was after the son of Zedekiah; for the Lord did bring Mulek into the land of the north…” (Helaman 6:10)

“And will you dispute that Jerusalem was destroyed? Will ye say that the sons of Zedekiah were not slain, all except it were Mulek? Yea, and do ye not behold that the seed of Zedekiah are with us, and they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem?” (Helaman 8:21)

This is something that is very interesting and really helps us to understand the purpose of both the Bible (New and Old Testaments) and the Book of Mormon. The Bible is the word of God, but with the Book of Mormon we realize that God has more to say than just what is written in the Bible and had spoken with people of the Old world (middle east) and the New world (the Americas). Nebuchadnezzar with the help of his captain Nebuzar-adan burnt down the house of the Lord and the houses of Jerusalem. The remnants of the people flee to Egypt. Jechoiachin is released from prison and is favored by the new king; Evil-merodach the king of Babylon.

2 Kings 21-22

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2 Kings 21-22

Chapter 21: Manasseh Does Evil

Manasseh was 12 years old when he began to reign and he reigned for 55 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. Manasseh did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. Manasseh raised the high places and replaced the groves and images that his father Hezekiah had worked so hard to remove. The Lord was angered by him and caused all of Jerusalem and Judah to the same evil.

Manasseh dies and his son Amon reigned in his stead. Amon was 22 years old when he began to reign and he reigned for 2 years in Jerusalem. But Amon also did evil in the sight of the Lord, so the servants in his house conspired against him and killed him, putting his son Josiah in as the king, who reigned in his stead.

Chapter 22: Josiah Reigns in Righteousness

Josiah was 8 years old when he started to reign and reigned for 30 years in Jerusalem. Josiah did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, he did righteously. Josiah sent Shaphan to go to the high priest Hilkiah that he might take the tax money from the people to hire people to work on and restore the temple.

While in the temple they find the “Book of the Law” and they take it Josiah who reads it and decides that they must follow the law so that they do not receive the wrath of God.

2 Kings 19-20

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2 Kings 19-20

Chapter 19: Hezekiah Seeks Counsel from Isaiah

Hezekiah rents his clothes and covers himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. Hezekiah sends Eliakim and Shebna also covered in sackcloth to see Isaiah the son of Amoz.

Isaiah receives word from the Lord and tells the messengers to return to Hezekiah saying; “…Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” (2 Kings 19:6-7)

But the king of Assyria (after Hezekiah had heard the above words), tells Hezekiah to not put trust in his God, because the other nations that have fallen into his hands have also put their trust in their gods and they fell under his rule.

But Hezekiah prays to the Lord asking him for deliverance to show the rest of the people roundabout that the Lord God is the ONLY God. Isaiah hears from the Lord and sends message to Hezekiah saying that his prayers would be answered. In the middle of the night an angel comes and slays 185,000 Assyrians while they slept in their camps and Sennacherib the King of Assyria flees only to be killed by his own sons (Adrammelech and Sharezer). Esarhaddon  his other son reigned in his place.

Chapter 20: Hezekiah Pleads with the Lord

Hezekiah is on his death bed and is visited by Isaiah who tells him to set his house in order, because the Lord had told him that he will not live, but surely die. So Hezekiah pleads with the Lord to heal him and permit him more time. So the Lord tells Isaiah to deliver a message to Hezekiah that his prayers had been heard and that he would receive fifteen more years.

Isaiah prophesies about the Babylonian captivity of Judah and Hezekiah dies and is buried. His son Manasseh reigns in his stead.

 

2 Kings 17-18

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2 Kings 17-18

Chapter 17: The Catholic Church?

In the twelfth year of Ahaz the king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign over Samaria in Israel for nine years. Hoshea did evil in the sight of the Lord. Hoshea became a servant to Shal-maneser the king of Assyria. Every year Hoshea would give the king of Assyria a present, but one year he gave a present to the king of Egypt and not him, so he had Hoshea bound and taken to prison. Shal-maneser also took Israel under his control and we learn that because Israel was not righteous and feared other gods, they were put into bondage. This because they worshiped false gods, idols and images!

The Lord even sent messengers to tell them of their bad ways; “…the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God.” (2 Kings 17:13-14). God has always sent prophets, but the people always reject them. See Amos 3:7. God has restored his church on the earth today, and he did so by using an instrument (a prophet) by the name of Joseph Smith to restore his church and that very same church has a living prophet today!

Israel would not hearken and because they did not hearken nor follow in the commandments that the Lord had set for them they were captives under the Assyrian Empire and only when they leave behind other gods and images will the Lord hear them.

Chapter 18: Hezekiah Reigns in Righteousness

In the third year of the reign of Hoshea, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz reigned as the king of Judah. Hezekiah was 25 years old when he began to reign and he reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. Hezekiah was righteous and did well in the eyes of the Lord by removing the high places and breaking the images and cutting down the groves and break into pieces the serpent that Moses had made. Hezekiah listened to the counsel of the Lord and followed his commandments. He prospered where ever he went and he rebelled against the king of Assyria.

During this time the King of Assyria did carry away Israel into Assyria because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord. In the 14th year of the reign of Hezekiah, Assyria came to Judah and besieged them and took them. But Hezekiah sent to the King of Assyria and told him to put whatever offense on him. So the king of Assyria asked for three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. So Hezekiah took all the silver out of the house of the Lord and also took Gold off the temple and gave them to the king of Assyria. The King of Assyria wants the people of Judah to pay tribute to him and not follow Hezekiah, he warns that their Lord will not save them… because the gods of all the other lands did not save them from the Assyria Empire.

2 Kings 15-16

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2 Kings 15-16

Chapter 15: Israel and Judah in Wickedness

In the twenty seventh year of the reign of Jeroboam, reined also Azariah the son of Amaziah in Judah. Azariah began to reign when he was only 16 years old and reigned for 52 years! Azariah did right in the eyes of the Lord, but became a leper until the end of his life 2 Chronicles 26 tells us more about that. Jotham was over the land and did the judging for Azariah until he died and was buried with his fathers.

The 5 Kings over the Kingdom of Israel:

Zechariah reigned over Israel in Samaria for 6 months, in which time he did evil in the sight of the Lord, making Israel to sin! Jabesh conspired against him, and Shallum the son of Jabesh killed him in front of the people and reigning in his stead. Shallum reigned for 1 full month, before Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah and struck Shallum dead. Mehahem was very wicked he went into Tirzah and killed everyone and ripped open all the pregnant women there. Menahem reigned for 10 years! During his reign he gave Pul a thousand talents of silver so that Israel could in tribute to the Assyrian Empire!

After his reign, Pekahiah, the son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria. He reigned for 2 years and he did evil in the sight of the Lord. In the 52nd year of Azariah, king of Judah the son of Remaliah (Pekah) became king over Israel in Samaria. Pekah’s reign lasted for twenty years! In the days of Pekah, Tiglath-Pileser the king of Assria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maachah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gildead, and Galilee, which is all the land of Naphtali and carried them captive into Assyria. Then Hoshea the son of Elah led a conspiracy against the king of Assyria and killed him, taking his place.

Jotham dies and his sons Ahaz reigns in his place.

Chapter 16: Ahaz Reigns in Wickedness

In the 17th year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Ahaz was only twenty years old when he became a king and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem and he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord, he did evil.

Ahaz walked in the way of the many kings that had gone before him. He did not worship God properly. Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the king of Israel went to war with Jerusalem and they attacked Ahaz, but could not overcome him. But Ahaz was not cocky he immediately sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser to make a treaty with him.

Ahaz perverts the worship at the temple by designing an altar that he saw in Damascus. This was done to please the Assyrian Empire. Ahaz also directs the renovation of the temple court to give it preference to the new altar. Ahaz made the altar, ruled over the people and was a priest of his own design… not something that God would have.

2 Kings 13-14

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2 Kings 13-14

Chapter 13: Jehoahaz Reigns in Wickedness

In the 23rd year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, his reign lasted 17 years. While Jehoahaz reigned in did so in wickedness. Because of this wickedness, the Lord was angry and caused that all of Israel fell into the hands of Hazael the king of Syria. Jehoahaz  hearkened unto the Lord and because of this the Lord caused a savior to arise among the Israelites and lead them out from underneath the Syrians. Because of their past wickedness Jehoahaz was left with a very small army of men.

Jehoahaz dies and is buried with his fathers. Elisha falls sick and is on his death bed. Joash comes to visit him and cries over him. Elisha tells him to grab a bow and some arrows and point to the window and tells Joash to shoot out the window, and he does. Elisha tells him that the arrow he shot symbolizes the deliverance of the Lord and that he would have victory over the Syrians. So Elisha tells him to shoot into the ground some more… so Joash shoots three times and then stops, but before Elisha dies he tells him that he should have shot 6 or more times, because that is how many times he would have victory over the Syrians.

One of the more bizarre things of the Bible happens in verse 21, where they lower another dead man into Elisha’s tomb and when the man touches the bones of Elisha he revives and stands up! The verse does not give any more details, and the reader is left to wonder why Elisha’s bones would make some re-live? Maybe it is to honor this great prophet?

Hazael, the king of Syria oppresses Israel… but the Lord was gracious unto them because of the covenant that He had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and would not destroy them. Hazael the king of Syria died and his son, Ben-hadad reigned in his place.

Chapter 14: Jeroboam Reigns in Wickedness

In the second year of the reign of Joash, reined Amaziah in Judah. Amaziah was only 25 years old when he began to reign and he reigned for a total of 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan.

Amaziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Once, however he came to power he slew the servants who had killed his father. But he did not kill the children of the murderers. The reason he did not do this, is because it was written in the “Book of the Law of Moses” that

“…The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” (2 Kings 14:6)

There are a few things that I can say about this…

First; “The book of the Law of Moses” could very well be referring to one of the five books of Moses that we know of today as the first 5 books of the Bible. However, more likely than not this verse is referring to a book that we do not know about currently TODAY. The Bible is not complete, because there were at least 10 times as many books that should have or could have been part of the Bible and 10 times is a LOW number. We know that the Bible is not complete, because the Bible refers often to books that DO NOT EXIST today. So we must accept that the Bible (while very important book, and I personally believe to be the WORD of God) is not a complete WORD of God, but not doubt words from God.

Second; it mentions that we are not responsible for the sin of our parents. So if we are to assume that Adam and Eve are our first parents (which all human life according to the Bible stems from) then why would we be held accountable for their sin? What exactly am I talking about? I am talking about the “Original Sin”. I know that there might be other religions that believe in this, but I know for a fact that the Catholic Church does believe this. Now, I am not going to tell anyone how to worship… we are all free and we all were given agency to do as we please. I believe that everyone has a right to worship God in any way that they see fit. However, I do not understand why a baby (whose life has just begun) could possibly be a sinner!  This is why babies are baptized. But in my personal opinion it is a great abomination before the Lord. We are not responsible for our parent’s sins… so why are we being held accountable for something that Adam and Eve did? We must be baptized when we gain faith in Jesus Christ and want to change our lives to follow him… which means we have to repent of our sins. How can a baby possibly repent? A baby cannot. Therefore should not be baptized. This is a doctrine that is unique to the LDS church (the Mormons) that a person should not be baptized until the age of accountability (which we know, through modern revelation is 8 years old.)

Amaziah with his new found power as king goes and kills ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and took Sela and renamed is Joktheel. Amaziah with his cocky winning streak decided to send a letter to Jehoash the king of Israel and told him to battle against him. But Jehoash writes back and tells Amaziah to glory in his victory, but to stay home and not come up to battle against him, because he would essentially destroy him. But Amaziah does not listen and goes to battle anyways… and just like Jehoash said, Judah was defeated and the men ran back to their tents. As a result of their defeat the king of Israel takes Amaziah as prisoner and also takes all his gold and silver along with the gold and silver of the treasuries of God. He had lost not only personal belongings, but that which also belonged to the children of the Lord.

Jehoash dies and his sons Jeroboam reigns in his place. Amaziah lived for 15 more years after the death of Jehoash before he too passed away. The people arise and form a conspiracy against Jehoash and end up killing him and burying him in the City of David and put Azariah the son of Amaziah in charge.

Jeroboam the second, the son of Joash became king in Samaria and reigned for 41 years. But did so wickedly. Jeroboam recaptured many parts of Israel. He died and his son Zechariah reigned in his place.

 

2 Kings 11-12

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2 Kings 11-12

Chapter 11: Jehiada Destroys the House of Baal

When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead she went off to destroy all the royal heirs. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, who was also the sister of Ahaziah took Joash the sons of Ahaziah and took him and hid him away so that he would not be murdered. He was hidden with her for six years while Queen Athaliah reigned over the land. In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the captains of hundreds as body guards and escorts and brought them into the house of the Lord. There he made a covenant with them and made them take an oath that they would take 1/3 of them to come on duty during the Sabbath, that they might keep watch over the kings house, 1/3 at the gate of Sur and the other 1/3 at the gate behind the escorts. All of them are to watch out for the king and anyone who comes within range of the king shall be put to death. Jehoiada then gave the captains of the hundreds spears and shields that  had belonged to King David, that were in the temple of the Lord.

Joash is crowned King. Athaliah the queen (after hearing the commotion) came to see what was going on, and when she found that Joash was no crowned king and the people were shouting for him… she stripped off her clothes and shouted “Treason! Treason!” Jehoiada then commanded the captains to take her outside under guard and slay whoever follows after her, they then took her to the entrance of the king’s house and killed her there. Jehoiada then made a covenant with the Lord, the king and the people that they would be the “Lord’s” people.

All of the people of the land therefore came to the temple of Baal and tore it all down! Then they broke the altars and the images and killed Mattan the priest before the altars. Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.

Chapter 12: Jehoash (Joash) Reigns in Righteousness

Jehoash and Joash are only different spellings of the same name.

Jehoash reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheeba. Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord with the help and instruction of Jehoiada the priest. Jehoash takes all the money and asks for more money to reconstruct the temple and any parts of the temple that was starting to fall apart.

After several years of no construction or very minimal restoration work… King Jehoash calls in the priests and tells them that they are taking too much money in their salaries and not enough is going to restore the temple. So they agree and take less money, the money is to be put into a chest then when the chest is full they are to empty the chest, count the money and then give the money out to those who are working on the temple, all of the workers, carpenters etc. Those who worked on the project dealt fairly and needed no management or Administration to get the job done with the money they had, because they all dealt fairly.

Hazael the king of Syria went up and fought against Gath and was able to take it in battle. Hazael with his victories then set his mind toward Jerusalem. Jehoash the king of Judah took all the sacred things that his fathers, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, kings of Judah had dedicated, his own sacred tings and all the gold in the treasuries and sent them to Hazael the king of Syria, which causes Hazael to go away from Jerusalem.

The servants of Jehoash formed a conspiracy against him and they killed Joash in the house of Millo. Jehoash was murdered and was buried in the City of David. Amaziah, his son reigned in his place.

2 Kings 9-10

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2 Kings 9-10

Chapter 9: Jezebel Slain and Eaten by Dogs

Elisha calls one of the children of the prophets and tells him to take a box of oil and go to Ramoth-gilead, there he is commanded to take a man into an inner chamber and anoint him king.. So the man goes and meets Jehu and tells him that he has some business with him. The young prophet anoints Jehu and commands him to take over the house of his master Ahab, that they might avenge the death of all the prophets at the hand of Jezebel. For the house of Ahab shall be smitten and be like unto the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. Jezebel shall be eaten by dogs and no one will bury her. After telling Jehu all of this the young prophet left. Jehu is then asked by his men if everything is ok. Jehu tells them what has happened and all the men blew trumpets announcing that Jehu was

Chapter 10: Ahab’s 70 Sons Are Slain

Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. Jehu wrote and sent letters to Samaria to the rulers of Jezreel and the elders. His later stated something to the effect of: “When this letter reaches you take your masters sons and their chariots and horses and your fortified city and place your most qualified of your sons to sit on his father’s thrown.” Jehu was trying to incite violence. Jehu then wrote another letter telling the leaders to kill the 70 sons of Ahab and cut their heads off. The leaders then sent Jehu the heads of the 70 sons in baskets.

Jehu then departed and headed towards Samaria. On his way there he stopped to meet the brothers of Ahaziah the king of Judah. Jehu then orders for their execution and kills 42 men, leaving none of them alive. Jehu then left to meet Jehonadab the son of Rechab asking him if his heart was right. Jehonadab responded that his heart was right and left with Jehu in his chariot to go to Samaria to kill all that remained of Ahab and his household.

Jehu gathered all the people together and told them that Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him more. So he called for all the prophets of Baal and his servants and priests to come to perform a huge sacrifice for Baal. So all the people from all over the land came to the temple of Baal to witness this great sacrifice. Once all the worshippers of Baal where in the temple he had 80 men waiting outside to kill all of them and not let one out. After the killing began, most of the worshippers gathered near the center of the temple… then Jehu caused that the building should collapse in on itself and be burned… thus ending the worship of Baal throughout all of Israel. Jehu, even after doing the will of the Lord was still sinning. Jehu reigns and his family until the fourth generation.

Because of the wickedness of parts of Israel, the Lord made other parts of Israel that were enemies to Israel successful that they started to gain victory over many pieces of land. Jehu dies and his buried in Samaria. Jehoahaz his son, reigned in his place and the period that Jehu reigned for over Israel was 28 years.

2 Kings 7-8

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2 Kings 7-8

Chapter 7: Israel Takes Spoil

After the great besiegement of Samaria the King of Israel was angered toward God. However God made a promise through Elisha that the economic situation in Samaria would be cured within 24 hours and that the price of food would plummet. One of the officers of the king was doubtful and asked how such a thing could be done, implying that it in fact could not happen. So Elisha told him that he would see the great miracle but not partake or participate in the greatness of it.

During this time a group of lepers were sitting at the gates of the city pondering over the situation… if they thought, food does come… they would surely be the last to receive it. So they decided instead of sitting and waiting to die of hunger that they would go and surrender to the Syrians who had been surrounding the city for months. When the lepers arrived at the outskirts of the town, to their surprise they found a Syrian camp, full stocked with materials and food… but no men. So the Lepers take advantage of the situation and they eat and drink. But not only that, they also find gold and clothing, which they carry out of the camp to go and hide. But after some time they realize that something bad would befall them if they did not use these supplies to help out the rest of the city. So they decide to go and speak to the household of the king. With this information the King decides to send people to the camp to see what is going on. He thinks however that it is a trick to get the people to come to them and then get captured alive. But the men he sends come back with a different report. After following the trail of the Syrians the servants of the king realize that the Syrians left in haste and threw out all their provisions alongside the road as they fled.

So the people go and plunder the tents of the Syrians, therefore validating the prophecy made by Elisha that the problems (economic) would be solved within 24 hours. The officer who had doubted the words of Elisha was charged with opening the gate at the city, where the excited and desperate people fled the city to get provisions… trampling the man to death. So we see that the man learned of the miracle, but never had the chance to participate in the miracle.

Chapter 8: Elisha Prophesies a Seven Year Famine

The woman, to whom Elisha restored life back into her son is around the area Elisha is and he tells her to go and stay wherever she can, because the Lord has called for a famine and it will stay for seven years. She goes to the king and asks for a repeal of her land that was taken away. The interesting part is that the woman came to make this request at the same time Gehazi was telling the king about all the great miracles of Elisha. Jehoram tells her that she can have all her land and everything that came from it back. This was very different from his father Ahab, who was a land grabbing control freak.

Elisha then went down to Damascus, where Ben-Hadad the king of Syria was sick. So he sends a messenger (Hazael, who is a high official to the king) to Elisha asking him if he would be cured of his sickness.

Elisha tells Hazael to tell the king, that he shall recover.  But in reality he will die (but after he is cured from the illness). Elisha just stares and him and cries, so Hazael asks Elisha why he is crying. Elisha explains he will cause evil will befall Israel, that the strongholds will be burned, young men will kill with the sword and that he will dash the children and kill pregnant women.

Hazael then departed from Elisha and came to his master (the King of Syria). The king of Syria asked him if he would recover and Hazael told him that he would. But, the next day, Hazael puts a thick cloth (dipped in water) and puts it over the king’s face, suffocating him and causing him to die.

Jehoram, the song of Jehoshaphat began to reign as king over all Judah. (this is a continued story from 1 kings 22:50 and is not to be confused with the Jehoram of 2 Kings 3 who is called “Joram” in these next passages. Jehoram walked in the ways of all the kings of Israel that is in wickedness and evil. The evil was so great that the Lord could destroy Judah, but for the sake of his ancestor, David and the promise that God made to him, the Lord did not destroy Judah. Edom revolted against this king and caused many problems. So Ahaziah reigns over Judah (the son of Jehoram) began to reign and he too walked in the ways of Ahab. They caused war against Hazael the king of Syria.