Category: 2 Kings

In this chapter we learn a little more of Ahaz, the current king of Judah who performed many evils in the sight of the Lord. One of his worst acts is desecrating the holy things of the temple, and giving new commandments to the priests. “And Uriah the priest built the altar; in accordance with…

This chapter overviews a series of kings – one in Judah, and five in Israel (many of the Israelite kings were short-lived). “In the thirty-eighth year of [Uzziah]… Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel… and he reigned six months. Shallum son of Jabesh became king in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah… and he…

This chapter is a flurry of activity with several more kings and conquests within the sister countries of Judah and Israel. ” ‘…Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?’ But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of…

This chapter is chock full of events including two more kings in Israel’s timeline, and the death of Elisha. As usual, there is far too happening to cover everything in detail, so you may wish to read the full chapter. “And Elisha said to [Jehoash], ‘Take a bow and arrows… Draw the bow… Open the…

This chapter recounts some of King Jehoash’s acts, such as repairing the temple of the Lord. “Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in the lid of it and set it beside the altar… And whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest… they bagged and counted the…

This chapter recounts the next King of Judah, Jehoash (also spelled Joash), being anointed and crowned at seven years old. “Then [the priest] brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, ‘Long…

This chapter recounts more acts of Jehu (the one God raised up to destroy the house of Ahab). “And Jehu sent throughout all Israel, and all the worshipers of Baal came… And they entered the house of Baal, and the house of Baal was filled from one end to the other. Now Jehu had stationed…

This chapter is dense, with many major events. The Shunammite woman (whose son Elisha raised from the dead) has her property restored, Elisha prophesies regarding a coup in Syria, and we learn of the next two kings of Judah. “…when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram [his] son… began to reign… and he reigned eight…

This chapter recounts the end of famine in Israel which was caused by the land being besieged (blockaded). Elisha prophesies that in 24 hours grain will be plentiful again and sell for a reasonable price. “It happened as [Elisha] had said to the king: ‘About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will…

This chapter is one of the oddest I have read in a long time. It contains a series of accounts centered around Elisha’s ministry, and ends on a cliff-hanger with an assassin sent to kill him (for something that wasn’t even his fault). “When [Elisha’s] servant… rose early in the morning and went out, behold,…