2 Kings

2 Kings 8:1-6

Things are bad in the land when an Israelite leaves to go live in Philistine territory.  The Philistines were constant enemy and threat to Israel.  Yet, living with them was preferential to staying in Israel.  It shows us that God can even use our enemies to provide for those who trust in Him. 

The Shunammite woman then returned seven years later from the land of the Philistines where she sojourned during the famine.  She sought out the king to ask that her land and property be restored to her.  What seemed like a coincidence to the king was ordained by God.  As Gehazi spoke to the king of this miracle, the woman and her son were there before the king.  Gehazi confirms this was the woman and her son whom Elisha restored to life by God's power.  The king then granted her request restoring her land and home along with the crops from the previous 7 years. 

This woman is a type of Israel who would be living in the territory of her enemy for seven year's time.  At the end, the king would restore her land and blessings to her because of her resurrected son, who is a type of Jesus. 

This section seems to be in the right place chronologically with the famine but in the wrong place with Gehazi being in the presence of the king when he had leprosy (2 Kings 5:27). 

2 Kings 8:7-15

Ben-hadad was sick and Hazael came to Elisha bearing gifts to get a good report.   Elisha told Hazael to tell him he would recover from his disease but would in fact die.  The Lord allowed Elisha the ability to stare into this mans inner being.  He saw more than he wanted to see; that the future of this man was cruel and dark.  He would do things to Israel that he couldn't presently even imagine.   

Hazael was offended that Elisha would suggest he would do these awful things.  Elisha explained that Hazael would become king.  Hazael went back to the king and told him Elisha said he'd recover.  Then Hazael murdered him and reigned in his place

2 Kings 8:16-29

Jehoram became king of Judah after his father Jehoshaphat.  He was 32 years old and reigned 8 years.  He followed the ways of Ahab, having married the dauther of Ahab.  He did evil in the sight of the Lord but God didn't judge him for the sake of His promise to David.  The one noteworthy thing in his life was that Edom, who had been subject to them, now rebelled agaisnt Judah.  He tried to conquer them and remove the king they appointed and bring them to subjection again, but failed. Jehoram died and his son,

Ahaziah became king.  He was 22 years old and reigned one year.  His reign closely resembled that of Ahab than it did that of David.  He made an alliance with Joram, king of Israel to fight against Hazael king of Syria. 

©2016 Doug Ford