2 Kings 8
A Famine in Israel; the Shunammite's Possessions RestoredThis passage describes how Israel faced a long famine as a punishment for their sins. During this time, God showed kindness to the Shunammite woman who had helped Elisha. She was warned about the famine and told to leave the country for a while. When she returned, she found her property taken. The story shows how God cares for those who honor Him, and how He can work through rulers and even small events to bring about justice and blessing.v. 1: Elisha warned the Shunammite woman that the Lord was going to send a famine on the land for seven years . This famine was a punishment for Israel’s wickedness. If people do not change after smaller troubles, God may send greater ones. The famine lasted twice as long as the famine in Elijah’s time, showing that God’s judgments become even more serious if people continue to sin. v. 2: Because Elisha warned her, the Shunammite woman left Israel and lived in the land of the Philistines until the famine ended . This showed God’s care for her. While Israel suffered, nearby countries had food. God sometimes punishes His own people more strictly because they know Him and have a special relationship with Him (Amos 3:2 a). The famine did not affect other lands, which made it clear that it came from God. v. 3: After seven years, the woman returned to Israel from the land of the Philistines. She discovered that her home and land had been taken while she was gone . She decided to go to the king to ask for her property back. Sometimes, when we trust people to take care of our things, we can be disappointed, especially in difficult times (Proverbs 25:19; Micah 7:5 b). v. 4: When the woman came to the king, he was talking with Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, about the miracles Elisha had done . It was good that the king was interested in Elisha’s miracles now, even though he had ignored them before. Sometimes, God arranges events perfectly so that people are in the right place at the right time. v. 5: Just as Gehazi was telling the king about Elisha raising the Shunammite’s son from the dead, the woman herself came in to make her request . Gehazi said, "This is the woman, and this is her son." The king now had proof that Gehazi was telling the truth, and he was more willing to help her. v. 6: The king listened to the woman’s story, and then he ordered that her land be given back to her. He also told his officials to return all the profits from her land that had been made during the seven years she was gone . This was both generous and just. People in authority should not only avoid doing wrong themselves but also help those who have been wronged (Psalm 82:3-4; Proverbs 31:9 c). Hazael's Barbarity PredictedThis passage describes Elisha’s visit to Damascus, the capital of Syria. During his visit, he meets Hazael and predicts that Hazael will become king and bring great suffering to Israel. The story shows that God knows the future and uses prophets to give warnings, even to other nations. It also warns us how people can change when they gain power, and how evil can come from those who once seemed harmless.v. 7: Elisha traveled to Damascus, the main city of Syria . He may have gone because God sent him, as was once told to Elijah (1 Kings 19:15 d), or perhaps to visit Naaman, who had become a follower of the true God. Elisha’s visit shows that God sometimes sends his prophets to other nations as well as to Israel. v. 8-9: At this time, Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, was sick. He heard that Elisha was in Damascus and sent Hazael, his top servant, to ask Elisha if he would recover. Hazael brought a large gift—forty camels loaded with the best goods of Damascus—to honor the prophet (2 Kings 8:8-9 e). Even powerful kings cannot escape sickness. In his weakness, Ben-hadad wanted advice from the man of God, even though he had worshipped false gods before. – v. 10: Elisha told Hazael that the king’s disease was not fatal by itself, but that he would still die another way . Sometimes, people try to avoid one kind of danger but fall into another. v. 11: Elisha stared at Hazael until Hazael became embarrassed, and then Elisha began to weep . God had shown Elisha the terrible things that Hazael would do in the future. The more a person understands about what will happen, the more they may feel sorrow. v. 12: Hazael asked why Elisha was crying. Elisha explained that he knew Hazael would hurt Israel, destroy strong cities, and kill many innocent people, even women and children . The sins of Israel would lead to their suffering, but Elisha was still sad about the pain that would come. v. 13: Hazael was shocked and said, "Is your servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" He could not believe he would ever do such cruel acts or become so powerful. Sometimes, people think they would never do evil, but when they get power or face temptation, they may change (Ecclesiastes 8:9; Matthew 26:35 f). v. 14: Hazael returned to Ben-hadad and lied to him. He said Elisha told him the king would recover, but he did not say anything about the king’s coming death . Sometimes people hide the truth to get what they want or to avoid trouble. v. 15: The next day, Hazael killed Ben-hadad by smothering him with a wet cloth while he was weak or sleeping . Then Hazael became king, just as Elisha had said. Even powerful rulers are not safe from violence. This fulfills God’s word, but it also shows the terrible results of ambition and sin (Ezekiel 32:27 g). The Reign of JehoramThis section gives a summary of King Jehoram’s reign over Judah. Jehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat, a good king, but he turned out to be one of Judah's worst rulers. His life is a warning that having good parents does not guarantee a good life, and that bad choices can bring trouble to a whole nation. God still kept his promise to David, even during Jehoram's wicked rule.v. 16: Jehoram began to reign as king of Judah while his father Jehoshaphat was still alive . Sometimes, giving power to someone too soon can be harmful, especially if they are not ready for the responsibility. v. 17-18: Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king and he ruled for eight years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 8:17 h). He followed the evil ways of King Ahab’s family, because he had married Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah. He did what was wrong in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 8:18 i). The people you choose to follow or marry can strongly influence your life, for good or bad. – v. 19: Even though Jehoram was so wicked, the Lord did not destroy Judah. God kept his promise to David that his family would always have a king—a “lamp”—until the Messiah came (2 Kings 8:19; Psalm 132:17 j). God is always faithful to his promises, even when people fail. v. 20-22: During Jehoram’s reign, Edom, which had been under Judah’s control for a long time, rebelled and became independent (2 Kings 8:20-22 k). Jehoram tried to stop them, but he failed. This was a punishment for his disobedience. Even a city in Judah, Libnah, also rebelled against him because he had turned away from God (2 Chronicles 21:10-11 l). – – v. 23-24: Jehoram’s reign was short and ended sadly. He died after ruling for only eight years and was not loved or missed by his people (2 Kings 8:23-24; 2 Chronicles 21:19-20 m). Sin and pride can bring a person to a shameful end, even if they come from a good family. – The Reign of AhaziahThis section tells about Ahaziah, king of Judah. He was not a strong or good king. His story is short and sad. Ahaziah’s life shows that having a famous name or royal family does not make someone great in God’s eyes. He followed the bad example of Ahab’s family, and this led to his downfall. When people join with others in doing wrong, they often share in their troubles too.v. 25-26: Ahaziah became king of Judah in the twelfth year of Joram, king of Israel. He was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he ruled for only one year in Jerusalem. His mother was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri, king of Israel (2 Kings 8:25-26 n). Because his mother was from Ahab’s family, he learned their evil ways from a young age. The people we choose to be close to can greatly affect our lives. – v. 27: Ahaziah followed the ways of Ahab’s family and did evil in the sight of the Lord. He copied the idolatry and wickedness of his relatives in Israel . When people choose to follow bad examples, it often leads to their own ruin. v. 28: Ahaziah joined his uncle Joram, king of Israel, in a war against Hazael, king of Syria, at Ramoth-Gilead. Joram was wounded in the battle . Ahaziah’s close friendship with Ahab’s family led him into danger. v. 29: Joram went to Jezreel to recover from his wounds, and Ahaziah went there to visit him (2 Kings 8:29 o). God’s plan was at work, and Ahaziah’s connection with Ahab’s family would soon bring about his own end. Those who join with sinners in their actions often share in their punishment as well.
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