2 Kings

Sparkling as it crashes against boulders along its banks, the river swiftly cascades toward the sea. The current grabs, pushes and tugs at leaves and logs, carrying them along for the ride. Here and there a sportsman is spotted in a kayak or a canoe, going with the flow. Gravity pulls the water and the river pulls the rest...downward. Suddenly, a silver missile breaks the surface and darts upstream, and then another. Oblivious to the swirling opposition, the shining salmon swim against the stream. They must go upstream, and nothing will stop them from reaching their destination.

The current of society’s river is flowing fast and furious, pulling downward everything in its way. It would be easy to float along with the current. But God calls us to swim against the flow. It may not be easy, and we might be alone, but it will be right.

In the book of 2 Kings, we read of evil rulers, rampant idolatry and a complacent populace – certainly pulling downward. Despite the pressure to conform, to turn from the Lord and to serve only self, a minority of chosen people moved in the opposite direction, toward God. The Bethel prophets and others, as well as two righteous kings, spoke God’s word and stood for him. As you read 2 Kings, watch these courageous individuals. Catch the strength and force of Elijah and Elisha and the commitment of Hezekiah and Josiah, and determine to be one who swims against the current!

Second Kings continues the history of Israel, halfway between the death of David and the death of the nation. Israel had been divided (1 Kings 12), and the two kingdoms had begun to slide into idolatry and corruption toward collapse and captivity. Second Kings relates the sordid stories of the 12 kings of the northern kingdom (called Israel) and the 16 kings of the southern kingdom (called Judah). For 130 years Israel endured the succession of evil rulers until they were conquered by Shalmaneser of Assyria and led into captivity in 722 B.C. (17:6). Of all the kings in both the north and the south, only two – Hezekiah and Josiah – were called good. Because of their obedience to God and the spiritual revivals during their reigns, Judah stood for an additional 136 years until falling to Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

Throughout this dark period, the Bible mentions 30 prophets who proclaimed God’s message to the people and their leaders. Most notable of these fearless people of God are Elijah and Elisha. As Elijah neared the end of his earthly ministry, Elisha asked for a double portion of his beloved mentor’s spirit (2:9). Soon after, Elijah was taken into heaven in a whirlwind (2:11), and Elisha became God’s spokesman to the northern kingdom. Elisha’s life was filled with signs, proclamations, warnings, and miracles. Four of the most memorable are the flowing oil (4:1 – 7), the healing of the Shunammite woman’s son (4: 8 -37), the healing of Naaman’s leprosy (5:1-27), and the floating axhead (6:1-7).

Even in the midst of terrible situations, God will have his faithful minority, his remnant (19:31). He desires courageous men and women to proclaim his truth.

VITAL STATISTICS:

Purpose: To demonstrate the fate that awaits all who refuse to make God their true leader.

Author: Unknown. Possibly Jeremiah or a group of prophets.

Original Audience: The people of Israel.

Setting: The once united – nation of Israel has been divided into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, for over a century.

Key Verses: “The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: ‘Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered you through my servants the prophets.’ But they would not listen and were stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the LORD their God” (17:13, 14).

Key People: Elijah, Elisha, Shunammite woman, Naaman, Jezebel, Jehu, Joash, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Isaiah, Manasseh, Josiah, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar.

Special Feature: The 17 prophetic books at the end of the Old Testament give great insights into the time period of 2 Kings.

MEGA THEMES:

Themes	Explanation	Importance
Elisha	The purpose of Elisha’s ministry was to restore respect for God and his message, and he stood firmly against the evil kings of Israel. By faith, with courage and prayer, he revealed not only God’s judgment on sin but also his mercy, love and tenderness toward faithful people.	Elisha’s mighty miracles showed that God controls not only great armies but also events in everyday life. When we listen to and obey god, he shows us power to transform any situation. God’s care is for all who are willing to follow him. He can perform miracles in our lives.
Idolatry	Every evil king in both Israel and Judah encouraged idolatry. These false gods represent war, cruelty, power and sex. Although they had God’s law, priests and prophets to guide them, these kings sought priests and prophets whom they could manipulate to their own advantage.	An idol is any idea, ability, possession or person that we regard more highly than God. We condemn Israel and Judah for foolishly worshipping idols, but we also worship other gods – power, money, physical attractiveness. Those who believe in God must resist the lure of these attractive idols.
Evil kings/ Good kings	Only 20 percent of Israel and Judah’s kings followed God. The evil kings were short sighted, they thought they could control their nation’s destinies by importing other religions, forming other alliances with pagan nations and enriching themselves. The good kings had spent most of their time undoing the evil done by their predecessors.	Although the evil kings led the people into sin, the priests, prince, head of families and military leaders all had to cooperate with the evil plans and practices in order for them to be carried out. We cannot discharge our responsibility to obey God by blaming our leaders. We are responsible to know God’s word and obey it.
God’s patience	God told his people that if they obeyed him, they would live successfully; if they disobeyed him, they would be judged and destroyed. God had been patient with the people for hundreds of years. He sent many prophets to guide them. And he gave ample warning of coming destruction. But even God’s patience has limits.	God is patient with us. He gives us many chances to hear his message, to turn from sin, and to believe him. His patience does not mean he is indifferent to how we live, nor does it mean we can ignore his warnings. His patience should make us want to come to him now.
Judgment	After King Solomon’s reign, Israel lasted 209 years before the Assyrians destroyed it; Judah last 345 years before the Babylonians took Jerusalem. After repeated warnings to his people, God used evil nations as instruments for his justice.	The consequences of rejecting God’s commands and purpose for our lives are severe. He will not ignore unbelief or rebellion. We must believe in him and accept Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf, or we will be judged also.