2 Kings

2 Kings

Ahaziah, son of Ahab, fell through a lattice and was injured.

He sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, god of Ekron.

But the messenger of YHWH said to Elijah:

“Is there no God in Israel, that you go to Baal-zebub?”

“You shall not rise—you will surely die.”

Fire from Heaven (Twice)

Ahaziah sent a captain with 50 men to seize Elijah.

He said:

“Man of God, come down!”

Elijah replied:

“If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven.”

Fire fell and consumed them.

He sent another 50. Again—fire consumed them.

A third captain begged:

“Please, let my life be precious in your sight.”

Elijah went with him and repeated YHWH’s word to the king.

“Ahaziah died, and had no son. His brother Jehoram became king.”

———

“When YHWH was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind…”

They traveled:

From Gilgal

To Bethel

To Jericho

To the Jordan

At each place, Elijah said: “Stay here.”

Elisha replied:

“As YHWH lives, I will not leave you.”

The Mantle Passes

At the Jordan, Elijah struck the water with his cloak—it parted.

Elisha asked:

“Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

Elijah replied:

“If you see me as I am taken—it will be so.”

A chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them—Elijah went up in a whirlwind.

Elisha cried:

“My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

He tore his robe, took Elijah’s cloak, and struck the Jordan—the water parted.

The Prophet Confirmed

The sons of the prophets said:

“The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”

Elisha Heals and Judges

He healed the water of Jericho with salt.

Boys mocked him: “Go up, baldhead!”

Two bears came and tore 42 of them.

———

Jehoram king of Israel reigned in Samaria—he did evil, but not like Ahab.

Moab rebelled. Jehoram allied with Jehoshaphat of Judah and the king of Edom.

They lacked water in the desert.

Jehoshaphat asked:

“Is there no prophet of YHWH here?”

They found Elisha, who said:

“If not for Jehoshaphat, I would not look at you.”

He called for a musician.

As music played, the hand of YHWH came upon him:

“Make this valley full of trenches.

Though you see no rain—the valley shall be filled with water.”

“You shall strike every fortified city of Moab.”

The Next Morning

Water filled the valley.

Moab saw it as red as blood and said:

“The kings have struck each other!”

They rushed in—but were defeated.

Moab’s king offered his son on the wall as a burnt offering.

“There was great wrath against Israel—they withdrew.”

———

Oil for the Widow

A widow cried:

“My husband feared YHWH, but the creditor is coming for my sons.”

Elisha said:

“Borrow empty vessels. Pour the oil.”

She poured until every jar was filled.

“Sell the oil—pay your debt. Live on the rest.”

A Son for the Shunammite

A wealthy woman made a room for Elisha.

He promised:

“You will embrace a son.”

She bore a child. Years later, the child died.

She laid him on the prophet’s bed and rode to find Elisha.

Elisha Raises the Boy

Elisha stretched himself over the child.

“The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.”

She fell at his feet and wept.

Death in the Pot

At Gilgal, a stew was made with wild gourds.

“There is death in the pot!”

Elisha threw in flour—and it was healed.

Feeding the Hundred

A man brought 20 barley loaves.

Elisha said:

“Give it to the people.”

“There will be food left over.”

And it was so.

———

Naaman, commander of Aram’s army, was a leper.

A captured Israelite girl told his wife:

“The prophet in Samaria would cure him.”

Naaman went with gifts.

Elisha did not come out—he sent word:

“Go, wash in the Jordan seven times.”

Naaman was furious:

“I thought he would call on his God and wave his hand!”

But his servants said:

“If he told you something difficult, would you not do it?”

He dipped seven times—and was cleansed.

He returned and said:

“There is no God but in Israel.”

Elisha refused his gift.

Gehazi’s Greed

Gehazi pursued Naaman and lied:

“My master sent me—give us silver and garments.”

He took them, hid them, and returned.

Elisha said:

“Was not my spirit with you?

Naaman’s leprosy shall cling to you.”

He went out leprous—white as snow.

———

The Axhead Floats

At the Jordan, the prophets were cutting trees.

One cried out:

“My master, it was borrowed!”

Elisha cut a stick and threw it in.

The iron floated.

The Arameans Blinded

The king of Aram planned ambushes, but Elisha revealed them each time.

The king said:

“Who is betraying us?”

A servant answered:

“Elisha, the prophet, tells the king of Israel what you whisper in your bedroom.”

Horses and Chariots of Fire

At Dothan, Elisha’s servant saw the enemy surrounding them and feared.

Elisha said:

“Do not be afraid—those with us are more than those with them.”

He prayed:

“Open his eyes.”

He saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire.

Elisha prayed again:

“Strike them with blindness.”

He led them to Samaria, then prayed:

“Open their eyes.”

They were in the heart of the city.

The king asked:

“Shall I kill them?”

Elisha said:

“Feed them and send them home.”

The raids ceased.

The Siege of Samaria and Cannibalism

Ben-hadad besieged Samaria—famine became so severe that a donkey’s head cost silver.

Two women made a pact to eat their sons. One hid hers.

The king tore his clothes and wore sackcloth.

He said:

“Elisha shall die today.”

———

Elisha said:

“Tomorrow, flour and barley will be cheap at the gate of Samaria.”

An officer said:

“Even if YHWH opened heaven, could this be?”

Elisha replied:

“You will see it—but not eat of it.”

Four Lepers at the Gate

They said:

“Why stay here and die? Let’s go to the Aramean camp.”

They found it empty—YHWH had made the Arameans hear the sound of chariots.

They fled, leaving food, gold, and tents.

The lepers told the city. The king sent scouts—confirmed it.

Food flowed into Samaria—just as Elisha said.

The officer who mocked was trampled in the gate.

“He saw it, but did not eat.”

———

The Shunammite’s Land Restored

Elisha told the woman whose son he had raised:

“Go to another land—famine is coming for seven years.”

She returned and appealed to the king.

Gehazi was just telling her story:

“This is the woman!”

The king restored her land.

Elisha Weeps for Hazael’s Violence

Elisha visited Damascus. Ben-hadad was ill.

He sent Hazael with gifts to inquire.

Elisha said:

“He will recover—but he will surely die.”

He stared at Hazael, then wept:

“You will set fire, kill young men, dash infants, and rip open pregnant women.”

Hazael replied:

“Am I a dog to do this?”

But he returned and suffocated Ben-hadad—then reigned.

Jehoram Reigns in Judah

Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram reigned in Judah. He married Ahab’s daughter and did evil.

“Yet YHWH would not destroy Judah—because of David.”

Edom Rebelled

Jehoram went to war but could not subdue them.

———

Elisha sent a prophet to anoint Jehu secretly.

“Pour oil on his head and say:

‘YHWH has anointed you king over Israel—

to strike the house of Ahab and avenge the blood of the prophets.’”

The young prophet ran after delivering the word.

Jehu Rises

Jehu told his fellow commanders.

They shouted:

“Jehu is king!”

They blew the trumpet.

Joram and Ahaziah Killed

King Joram was healing in Jezreel.

Jehu approached. A watchman said:

“He drives like a madman—it is Jehu.”

Joram and Ahaziah went out to meet him in Naboth’s field.

Jehu said:

“How can there be peace while your mother Jezebel’s harlotries continue?”

Jehu shot Joram through the heart.

He ordered his body cast into Naboth’s field.

Ahaziah fled—but was struck down near Ibleam.

Jezebel’s Death

Jezebel painted her eyes and mocked from the window:

“Zimri, murderer of your master!”

Jehu said:

“Who is on my side?”

Two or three eunuchs looked down.

“Throw her down.”

She was trampled, and dogs ate her body.

They found only her skull, feet, and hands.

“This fulfilled the word of YHWH by Elijah.”

———

Jehu wrote letters to Samaria:

“If you are on my side—bring me the heads of Ahab’s sons.”

Seventy heads were brought in baskets.

Jehu struck down all remaining relatives and loyalists of Ahab.

Meeting Jehonadab

On the way, Jehu met Jehonadab son of Rechab.

He said:

“Is your heart right, as mine is?”

He took him up into the chariot and brought him to see the zeal of YHWH.

The Destruction of Baal Worship

Jehu summoned all the prophets and worshippers of Baal:

“Ahab served Baal a little—Jehu will serve him much.”

They filled the temple.

Jehu posted guards:

“Let no one escape.”

Then he gave the signal.

They struck them all down and burned the temple.

“They tore down the pillar of Baal—until nothing remained.”

Jehu's Judgment and Legacy

YHWH said:

“You have done well in executing My judgment on Ahab—

your sons will sit on the throne to the fourth generation.”

But Jehu did not walk in the Torah of YHWH with all his heart.

Israel lost land to Hazael of Aram.

Jehu reigned 28 years and died.

———

Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw her son was dead and destroyed all royal heirs.

But Jehosheba, sister of Ahaziah, hid Joash, the infant son, in the Temple for six years.

The Seventh Year

Jehoiada the priest made a covenant with the commanders.

They brought Joash out and crowned him. They gave him the Testimony (scroll of the covenant).

Athaliah’s Fall

Athaliah cried:

“Treason! Treason!”

Jehoiada said:

“Bring her out—do not kill her in the house of YHWH.”

They killed her at the Horse Gate.

Covenant Renewal

Jehoiada made a covenant between YHWH, the king, and the people.

“All the people tore down the house of Baal.”

Joash was seven years old when he became king.

———

Joash reigned 40 years in Jerusalem.

“He did what was right in the eyes of YHWH all the days of Jehoiada.”

But the high places were not removed.

Restoring the Temple

Joash ordered repairs to the Temple.

He set up a chest for offerings at the gate.

Funds were used to pay workers—carpenters, masons, and artisans.

Jehoiada Died

After his death, Joash’s fidelity declined.

Judgment and Death

Hazael of Aram came up against Jerusalem.

Joash gave him gold from the Temple to withdraw.

“His own servants conspired and struck him down at Beth-millo.”

Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

———

Jehoahaz reigned in Israel.

“He did evil and followed Jeroboam’s sins.”

YHWH allowed Hazael and Ben-hadad to oppress Israel.

Jehoahaz sought YHWH, and He gave a deliverer—yet the sins persisted.

Jehoash (Joash) Succeeds

He too did evil.

Elisha’s Final Prophecy

Elisha was sick.

Jehoash wept:

“My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

Elisha said:

“Take a bow and arrows.”

He shot an arrow eastward:

“The arrow of YHWH’s victory over Aram!”

He struck the ground three times. Elisha said:

“You should have struck five or six—you will defeat Aram only three times.”

Elisha’s Bones

A dead man was thrown into Elisha’s tomb. When he touched the bones—he revived and stood up.

———

Amaziah son of Joash reigned in Judah.

“He did what was right—but not like David.”

He executed the servants who killed his father—but not their children.

Victory Over Edom

He struck Edom and brought their gods to Jerusalem.

He challenged Jehoash of Israel to battle.

Jehoash replied:

“Why provoke trouble?”

But Amaziah would not listen.

Israel defeated Judah, broke the wall of Jerusalem, and took gold from the Temple.

Amaziah was assassinated after fleeing to Lachish.

Jeroboam II Reigns in Israel

He reigned 41 years, did evil, but restored boundaries from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah.

“YHWH had compassion—He did not blot out Israel yet.”

He died, and his son Zechariah reigned in his place.

———

Azariah (Uzziah) reigned in Judah for 52 years.

“He did what was right—but the high places were not removed.”

“YHWH struck him with leprosy—he lived in a separate house.”

His son Jotham ruled in his place.

Zechariah (Israel)

Reigned 6 months. Assassinated by Shallum.

“This fulfilled the word of YHWH to Jehu: Four generations on the throne.”

Shallum (Israel)

Reigned 1 month. Killed by Menahem.

Menahem (Israel)

Reigned 10 years. Brutally suppressed rebellion.

“Ripped open pregnant women in Tiphsah.”

He paid tribute to Pul king of Assyria—1,000 talents of silver.

Pekahiah (Israel)

Reigned 2 years. Assassinated by Pekah.

Pekah (Israel)

Reigned 20 years. Did evil.

Tiglath-pileser of Assyria captured Galilee and exiled people to Assyria.

Hoshea conspired and killed Pekah.

———

Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah.

“He did not do what was right—he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel.”

He made molten images of Baal and even passed his son through fire, according to the abominations of the nations.

Alliance with Assyria

Rezin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel attacked Judah but could not conquer it.

Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria:

“I am your servant. Come rescue me.”

He gave him silver and gold from the Temple.

The Damascus Altar

Ahaz went to Damascus and saw an altar.

He sent its design to Urijah the priest, who built it in Jerusalem.

Ahaz offered on the new altar and moved the bronze altar aside.

“He did according to the design from Damascus.”

“Because of the king of Assyria, he cut off parts of the furnishings and shut the Temple’s outer entrance.”

———

Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel.

“He did evil—but not like the kings before him.”

He paid tribute to Assyria, then conspired with Egypt.

Tiglath-pileser imprisoned him.

The Siege of Samaria

The king of Assyria besieged Samaria for three years.

In the ninth year of Hoshea, Samaria was captured.

Israel was exiled to Assyria.

Why Was Israel Exiled?

“Because they sinned against YHWH their God…”

They:

Built high places in every city

Made images of Asherah

Worshipped Baal

Practiced divination

Rejected His prophets

“They hardened their necks like their fathers…

until YHWH removed them from His sight.”

Only Judah remained—but they also did not keep the commands.

Assyrian Resettlement

The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon and other nations to inhabit Samaria.

“They did not fear YHWH—so He sent lions among them.”

A priest was sent to teach them.

“They feared YHWH—but still served their own gods.”

“They do not obey the statutes, the covenant, or the Torah YHWH gave to Israel.”

———

Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah.

“He did what was right—he trusted YHWH like none before or after.”

He:

Removed high places

Broke down sacred pillars

Smashed the bronze serpent Moses had made (which had become idolatrous)

“He held fast to YHWH.”

Assyria Invades

In the 14th year of Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and captured fortified cities of Judah.

Hezekiah sent silver and gold to appease him—even stripped gold from Temple doors.

The Rabshakeh’s Mockery

Assyria sent the Rabshakeh with a large army to Jerusalem.

He mocked:

“Do not trust in Egypt—or in YHWH.

Has any god of any nation delivered its land?”

“Was it not YHWH who told me to attack this land?”

He spoke in Hebrew to instill fear:

“Eat your own dung, drink your own urine!”

Hezekiah’s officials said:

“Speak in Aramaic—we understand it.”

He refused. The people remained silent.

“They tore their clothes and reported to Hezekiah.”

———

Hezekiah sent word to Isaiah the prophet:

“This is a day of distress… perhaps YHWH will hear.”

Isaiah replied:

“Do not fear. I will cause him to return to his land—he will fall by the sword there.”

Hezekiah’s Prayer

When a letter came from Assyria, Hezekiah spread it before YHWH:

“You alone are God… deliver us, that all kingdoms may know You alone are YHWH.”

Isaiah’s Prophecy

YHWH replied:

“She (Jerusalem) despises you.

Whom have you mocked? The Holy One of Israel.”

“I will put a hook in your nose and send you back by the way you came.”

“The remnant shall again take root.

The zeal of YHWH will accomplish this.”

The Angel of YHWH Strikes

“That night the angel of YHWH struck down 185,000 in the Assyrian camp.”

Sennacherib withdrew to Nineveh.

“While worshiping in the temple of Nisroch, his sons assassinated him.”

———

Hezekiah became mortally ill.

Isaiah said:

“Set your house in order—you will die.”

Hezekiah wept bitterly:

“Remember how I walked before You in truth…”

YHWH replied:

“I have heard your prayer. I will heal you—on the third day you will go up to My house.”

The Sign: The Shadow Turns Back

Hezekiah asked for a sign.

Isaiah said:

“Shall the shadow go forward or backward?”

Hezekiah replied:

“Let it go backward ten steps.”

The shadow went backward on the steps of Ahaz.

Envoys from Babylon

Hezekiah received envoys and showed them all his treasures.

Isaiah asked:

“What did they see?”

“Everything,” Hezekiah said.

Isaiah replied:

“Behold, the days are coming when all will be carried to Babylon.”

Hezekiah said:

“The word of YHWH is good.”

“At least there will be peace and truth in my days.”

———

Manasseh was 12 years old when he began to reign in Jerusalem—he reigned 55 years.

“He did evil in the eyes of YHWH—more than the nations whom YHWH had destroyed.”

He:

Rebuilt the high places

Erected altars to Baal

Made an Asherah pole

Built altars for all the host of heaven in the Temple courts

Burned his son in fire

Practiced witchcraft, omens, and consulted mediums

“He even set the carved image of Asherah in the house of YHWH.”

YHWH’s Word

Through the prophets, YHWH said:

“I will bring such disaster on Jerusalem that ears will tingle.

I will wipe Jerusalem like a dish—wiping it and turning it upside down.”

“Because of Manasseh, I will deliver Judah into enemy hands.”

“Manasseh also shed very much innocent blood.”

Amon Reigns

Amon his son reigned 2 years.

He did evil and walked in his father’s ways.

His servants conspired and killed him.

The people killed the conspirators and made Josiah king.

———

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king—he reigned 31 years.

“He did what was right—he did not turn aside.”

The Book of the Torah Found

In the 18th year of his reign, Josiah ordered repairs to the Temple.

Hilkiah the priest found:

“The Book of the Torah of YHWH.”

He gave it to Shaphan the scribe, who read it before the king.

When Josiah heard the words, he tore his clothes.

Seeking the Word of YHWH

Josiah said:

“Great is YHWH’s wrath—for our fathers have not obeyed.”

They went to the prophetess Huldah, who said:

“Disaster will come upon this place—because they have forsaken Me.

But because your heart was tender… you shall be gathered in peace.”

———

Josiah gathered all the people and read the Book aloud.

He made a covenant:

“To walk after YHWH with all his heart and soul…”

He Removed:

All vessels for Baal and Asherah

Priests of the high places

The Asherah from the Temple

Houses of male prostitutes near the Temple

High places from Geba to Beersheba

Horses and chariots dedicated to the sun

“He defiled Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom,

so no one could cause a child to pass through fire.”

He Destroyed:

Altars Solomon had built for foreign gods

Jeroboam’s golden calf altar at Bethel (he burned bones upon it)

High places in Samaria

“There was no king like him before or after.”

Yet YHWH Did Not Turn from His Wrath

“Because of all that Manasseh had done.”

YHWH said:

“I will remove Judah from My sight, as I removed Israel.”

Josiah’s Death

Pharaoh Necho of Egypt came up to fight at Carchemish.

Josiah went to meet him—but was struck down at Megiddo.

“His servants brought him to Jerusalem, and he died.

They buried him in his own tomb.”

Jehoahaz Reigns and Is Exiled

He reigned 3 months.

Pharaoh Necho deposed him, imposed tribute, and made his brother Eliakim king—renamed Jehoiakim.

Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt—and died there.

———

Jehoiakim reigned 11 years.

“He did evil in the eyes of YHWH.”

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up.

Jehoiakim became his vassal for 3 years, then rebelled.

YHWH sent raiding bands against Judah.

“This was according to YHWH’s word—because of Manasseh’s sins.”

Jehoiachin Reigns and Is Taken

Jehoiakim died.

Jehoiachin (his son) reigned 3 months.

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem.

Jehoiachin, his family, and all the officials surrendered.

All treasures of the Temple and palace were taken.

10,000 captives—including all craftsmen and soldiers.

Only the poorest were left.

Zedekiah Made King

Nebuchadnezzar made Mattaniah king and renamed him Zedekiah.

“He did evil in the eyes of YHWH.”

He rebelled against Babylon.

———

In the ninth year of Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem.

The famine was severe.

In the 11th year, the city wall was breached.

Zedekiah fled—but was captured near Jericho.

“His sons were slaughtered before his eyes.

Then his eyes were put out.

He was taken in chains to Babylon.”

The Temple Burned

On the 7th day of the 5th month:

The Temple, palace, and all houses were burned

The walls were torn down

Bronze from the Temple was carried off

The priests and leaders were executed

“So Judah was exiled from the land.”

Gedaliah Appointed Governor

He ruled from Mizpah over the remnant.

But Ishmael assassinated him.

People fled to Egypt in fear.

In the 37th year of exile, Evil-merodach, king of Babylon, released Jehoiachin.

He spoke kindly to him, gave him a seat above other kings, and provided for him.

“And he ate at the king’s table continually… all the days of his life.”