Hezekiah's Illness. II Kings 20

 

II Kings 20. Hezekiah’s Illness

 

It must have been a difficult task for Isaiah to deliver a death sentence to Hezekiah, the king.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27.

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. Only God could help him. Hezekiah reminded the Lord that he had walked before Him in truth and with a perfect heart, and he had done that which was good in His sight. The Lord had seen Hezekiah’s tears.

God used natural means to raise up Hezekiah, but He also used supernatural means. They put figs on the “boil” and then God said, “I am going to add fifteen years to your life.”

Hezekiah did a foolish thing during those fifteen years. He let the ambassadors from Babylon see the treasure that Solomon had gathered.

Hezekiah was big-hearted. Babylon had sent him a get-well card, and so he gives these men from Babylon a guided tour of his kingdom. He showed them everything. When they wanted to get the treasure, they knew where to go. This is what is going to happen to Hezekiah’s offspring.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Hezekiah and Isaiah's Prophecy. II Kings 19

 

II Kinga 19 – Hezekiah and Isaiah’s Prophecy

 

Hezekiah came to the throne at a troubled, disturbed, and uncertain time in the land. The northern Kingdom had been taken into captivity. The Syrian Army had come to the gates of Jerusalem. Hezekiah is just learning to turn to the Lord and trust him. Tearing his clothes and wearing sackcloth indicate Hezekiah's deep distress and heavy afflictions. He goes into the House of the Lord.

No nation ever needed God as this nation needs God right now. Thank God Hezekiah had enough sense to call upon God in his hour of need. He sent a delegation to God's prophet, Isaiah. He says, “don't worry about this man. He is not going to come into your city.

The Lord can handle enemies much better than we, as He did in this case. Rab-shakeh returned to his master and found him carrying on a war with Libnah. A threatening move to the king of Ethiopia kept him from returning to attack Jerusalem.

We need to spread our disturbing letters before the Lord just as Hezekiah did. He is a specialist at this sort of thing. God says, “I was listening when you were praying to me.”

God calls Assyria the “rod of mine anger” and the “staff.. mine indignation.” The Assyrian victims were unable to make an effectual resistance because it was God who had put fear in their hearts.

God says through Isaiah that they will not besiege the city in the third year of Jerusalem and that they will not even shoot an arrow into the sky. When they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. They found about 185,000 dead bodies outside the city walls.

Sennacherib was slain by his sons. it is interesting that the prophecy concerning Assyria was literally fulfilled in that day

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Hezekiah's Revival II Kings 18

 

II Kings 18 – Hezekiah’s Revival

 

From this point on we shall be following only the history of the southern kingdom since the northern kingdom is in captivity.

Judah had a few good kings who were responsible for a time of revival. Hezekiah was on of them. He was a remarkable man. He began by attempting to remove idolatry from the land.

The brazen serpent was a symbol that was fulfilled by Christ. These people had turned the thing around and had begun to worship the serpent instead of God. Hezekiah broke it into pieces. He was a courageous king. When the Assyrians came to collect tribute from Hezekiah, he wanted to rebel, but he was not successful. For payment he cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord and gave it to the king of Assyria.

Then comes Sennacherib who threatens Jerusalem with a great army. The Rab-shakeh attempts to frighten them by suggesting two things. Knowing that Hezekiah is expecting aid from Egypt, Rab-shakeh ridicules Egypt. When Hezekiah took away the high places, Sennacherib thought he was taking down the altars to the living and true God. The Jews were lined up on the wall of the city of Jerusalem hearing all that the Rab-shakeh spoke. He is getting through to the people, brainwashing them with propaganda. He is attempting to persuade the Jews to surrender. He repeats that neither Hezekiah nor God can help them. He promises that their lives will be spared only through surrender.

Whatever impression his arguments may have made on the hearts of those who heard, no one said a word.

 

To be continued in the next chapter.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary.

 

Hoshea's Reign. II King 17

 

II Kings 17- Hoshea’s Reign

 

Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, captured the northern kingdom and exacted tribute from them. When he discovered that the king Hoshea had formed a conspiracy against him and was not paying his tribute, he took over Samaria. Samaria was the city that Omri, the father of Ahab, had built.

 

The Lord had been very patient with these people. Over a period of two hundred years (after the division of the kingdom) the Lord had given them every opportunity to return to Him. They continually went after idolatry, so He sent them into captivity because they insisted on worshiping other gods. He allowed Assyria to come and take them away. Every prophet of the people of both kingdoms warned the people what would take place if they did not return to God and forsake their evil ways.

 

They were guilty of unbelief. The great sin of mankind is our refusal to believe God. God will judge us as He judged His own people long ago.

 

When the king of Assyria took the northern kingdom captive, he brought in other people to inhabit the land. The Samaritans are the descendants of the colonists brought in by the king of Assyria.

 

The land has become a mixture of peoples, and there is a great deal of intermarriage.  The ten tribes will never again form the northern kingdom. They are scattered now, but they are not lost.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Jotham and Ahaz Reign. II Kings 15, 16

 

II Kings 15- Jotham Reigns over Judah

 

As a time of reckoning drew near, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah suffered under the rule of men whose godless lies brought more and more trouble. Conspiracies abounded as God's law was ignored.

 But there were two exceptions Azariah and his son Jotham, who followed his father's example. Unfortunately, Azariah became proud and wanted to serve as a priest. The Lord punished him by making him a leper. It is a lesson of second kings 14:10 all over again:

Accept the sphere of blessing God gives you and do not meddle with matters that are beyond you.

 

 

II Kings 16 – Ahaz Reigns Over Judah

 

In the seventeenth year of Pekah’s reign in Israel, Ahaz began his reign in Judah. He was not a good king. He offered children as sacrifices to heathen gods. He sacrificed and burnt incense in all the high places, on the hills and under every green tree.

Isaiah challenges this man to trust God. Ahaz appeals to the Assyrians which opens the door to the captivity of the northern kingdom. He bribed the Assyrians who come to his aid by attacking Damascus in Syria and then take the city.

Ahaz mutilated the house of God and stripped it of its elaborate ornamentation. After Ahaz dies, his son Hezekiah reigns in his place.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Good And Bad Kings. II King 14

 

II Kings 14 – Good and Bad Kings

 

Amaziah, the son of Joash, succeeded to the throne of Judah, and we are told that he did that which is right in the sight of the Lord although he failed to measure up to David’s standard. To avoid capture by conspirators, he fled to the city of Lachish, where there was a fortress for refuge.

Jeroboam II reigned over Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. After he died, Zachariah came to the throne.

Azariah reigned over Judah. He was a good king, However, he done something he should not have done; he intruded into the priest’s office. For this he was smitten with leprosy. It broke Isaiah’s heart when he died because Isaiah was Afraid Azariah’s successor would lead the nation back into idolatry. His grandson did just that.

In Israel Zachariah, the last of the line of Jehu, was killed by Shallum after he had reigned for only six months. Shallum only reigned for one month because he was killed by Menahem. Menahem reigned for ten years and did evil as Jeroboam had. At his death, his son Pekaniah succeeded him to the throne but reigned only two years when his captain, Pekah killed him.

Pekah was killed by Hoshea. Jotham then reigned in Judah and was recognized as a good king.

 

Be content with your victories as the Lord gives you faith. When you keep your eyes on the Lord, your victories will humble you, and God will get the glory. But when you forget the Lord, your victories will make you proud and lead you to defeat.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

Final Acts of Elisha. II Kings 13

 

II Kings 13, Final Acts of Elisha

 

There is nothing quite as boring as sin after a while. The man who starts drinking reaches the day when he is a drunkard; and at that point, he is as boring as anyone can possibly be. The same thing is true of any individual who indulges in sin.

Jeroboam is the one who instituted calf-worship in Israel. He led Israel away from the worship of the true God. Ahab and Jezebel began the worship of Baal. Jehoahaz, like his father Jehu, does not go into Ball worship, nor was he like Ahab and Jezebel. He does go as far as Jeroboam did. Because of Israel’s sin, God allowed the king of Syria to come against Israel. Jehoahaz knew he was in danger and in trouble. So, in fear he turned to the Lord.

The minute the king called upon Him, He heard and answered prayer! He delivered the people from Syria’s oppression.

We see the goodness of the Lord in the life of Jehoahaz. But the king and his people went on in sin, and they continued their idol worship, The king of Syria so destroyed the defense of Jehoahaz that he was never able to properly defend his kingdom again. After Jehoahaz died Jehoash reigns over Israel. This king bears the same name as the king of Judah.

It was at this time that Elisha fell sick; it was the illness that brought death to him. Elisha had been a tremendous help to the king, and he was heartbroken when the prophet became ill.

Jehoash is not noted for his faith. Although he wept over the prophet who was dying. He did not believe God was going to give him the victory over Syria. Because of his lack of faith, he struck the ground with his arrows only three times. Discouragement caused him to quit. As his faith, so was it done unto him – three times God gave him victory.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

The Reign of Joash (Jehoash) II Kings 12

 

II Kings 12. The Reign of Joash

 

Joash began his reign as a child of seven and continued until he was forty-seven years old. Joash was taught in the Word of God.

Many were still sacrificing and offering incense in the high places. Even among the priests there were those who were not revived.

The temple was in disrepair. It needed to be repaired. The priests took the money that was supposed to be used to repair the breaches of the temple and used it for other things. They had to prepare a locked box so that the money would be safe, and the priests could not get their hands on it. “Joash chest” is used today by many organizations to raise money. The chest was secured so that some deacons and preachers and other religious racketeers could not get their hands on the offerings.

Although there had been a great spiritual movement in the land, the nation was beginning to go downhill. After Jehoida’s death, Joash was alone, and he led the nation back into sin. Joash was buying time. He was trying to buy off Hazael, king of Syria.

Joash was just forty-seven years old when he died. His servants killed him, and he was buried with his fathers in the city of David. Joash had been a good king. His son Amaziah will be a good king.

 

It is not enough to promote religious works; we must have true devotion to God in our hearts. If our faith is “propped up” by others, what will we do when the props are gone?

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J. Vernon McGee Commentary and NKJ Bible and Nelson’s Quick Reference.

 

The Boy King, Joash. II Kings 11

 

II Kings 11- The Boy King, Joash

 

As long as Ahaziah lived, Athaliah had been the queen because she had control over her son. She was very much like Jezebel. Now that Ahaziah was dead, a grandson would come to the throne. Athaliah was afraid that she would not be able to control him. She killed all the line of David that she could get her hands on. She thought she had killed all of them, but she missed one.

This was another attempt of Satan to destroy the line that is leading to the Lord Jesus Christ.

She came to the throne after her son was killed and for years she was ruling alone. That was the way she wanted it. But little Joash, her grandson was growing up. When he was seven years old, Jehoiada sent for the rulers, the captains and the guard. When they discovered that there was a son in the line of David it brought encouragement, joy, and hope to their hearts. They jumped at the chance to overthrow Athaliah.

This young boy was well protected until the time he could be brought before the people.

Athaliah knew nothing about the coronation of the king. When she heard the noise in the temple area, she went to see what was going on. She exclaimed this was treason. Then she begun to run, but they caught her and killed her.

 

Under the counsel of Jehoiada who had engineered bringing Joash to the throne and executing Athaliah, he began to reign.

 

What a day of rejoicing this was to have a descendant of David back on the throne and the wicked foreigner usurper and her temple of Baal gone from the land!

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. J. Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

 

 

Ahab's House is Judged. II Kings 10

 

II Kings 10. Ahab’s House is Judged.

 

Jehu is giving the sons of Ahab the privilege of fighting for the throne of Israel. Not one of the seventy sons was willing to tackle Jehu.

Then the elders of Israel – to save their own necks, prove their allegiance to Jehu by slaying these seventy sons of Ahab.

After dealing with the house of Ahab, Jehu was on his way to assume the throne in Samaria. He met forty-two sons of Ahaziah, the king of Judah. He killed them also, however, one of them was spared, and he was a descendant of the house of Saul.

Jehu, then met Johanandab, the Rechabite. Apparently, he heartily approved of Jehu’s anti-Ahab policy and was willing to lend his support by being seen in Jehu’s chariot.

The next thing Jehu did was to bring together the prophets of Baal by issuing a false statement that he would offer a great sacrifice to Baal. Jehu had no intention of worshiping Baal. When all the prophets came together, he killed them.

Jehu did not turn to the prophets of God, instead he went back to the calf worship that Jeroboam had established. That came out of the land of Egypt. Jehu did not turn to the Lord, but because he was zealous for the Lord, God extended the reign of his house for four generations.

Although Jehu was a very brutal man, God makes the wrath of man to praise Him!

Jehu had been king of Israel for twenty-eight years and then he died.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

Jehu, King of Israel. II Kings 9

 

II Kings 9 – Jehu, King of Israel.

 

Elisha sent the young prophet to anoint Jehu king and he did it secretly and privately. Jehu was one of the bloodiest rascals you will meet on the pages of scripture, and yet he did the will of God in many respects. God said that he would cut off from Ahab every male member and none would be left in Israel. when it was known that Jehu had been anointed king, they blew the trumpets and said, “Jehu is king.”

Joram is sick and Jezreel and Ahaziah is there visiting him. now Joram doesn't know that God has removed him from his throne and has anointed Jehu king over Israel. The watchman reports that a company of horsemen is coming. Joram sends a messenger to meet them. They were sent but never came back to report to the king, because Jehu is coming to exterminate this king so Joram and Ahaziah themselves ride out to meet Jehu.  Joram instantly recognizes that Jehu is leading a revolt. As Joram was trying to escape Jehu drew his bow and put an arrow through his heart. Ahaziah was in the wrong place at the wrong time because Jehu’s followers pursued and mortally wounded Ahaziah.

Jezebel is one of the most remarkable women in history she was capable, she was influential, and she had a dominant personality. Her evil influence was felt in three kingdoms and extended beyond her lifetime. She dominated Ahab and ruled the northern Kingdom. She introduced the worship of Baal. She killed Gods prophets. She arranged the death of Naboth so that Ahab might possess his vineyard. God's patience was exhausted, and he sent Elijah to announce his judgment. First Ahab was killed, and the dogs licked up his blood just as the prophet had said they would. 14 years since the death of Ahab Jezebel was unmoved. she defied God. As she looks from an upstairs window at Jehu, she begins with flattery, but Jehu is unmoved and untouched by Jezebels words. He said, “throw her down” and the Eunuchs threw her down. When Jehu sent servants to bury Jezebel, the dogs had already devoured her. Galatians 6-7 says, “do not be deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

Judgement of the Wicked. II Kings 8

 

II Kings 8 -Judgment of the Wicked

 

Elisha told the Shunammite woman to leave the land and go to another place because there was going to be a seven-year famine in the land. She believed and obeyed Elisha. She took her household into the land of the Philistines and lived there during the period of the famine.

When the famine was over and the Shunammite woman returned to her former home, she found others living on her land. At the same time, in God’s providence, the king was inquiring about some of the lesser-known acts of the prophet Elisha, and Gehazi was telling him about Elisha raising the Shunammite woman’s son from the dead. The king made a ruling that her property was to be restored to her as well as all the fruit of the land.

 

Elisha Predicts Hazael’s Treason

 

Hazael went to meet Elisha. He is the captain of Ben-hadad’s hosts. Hazael had been anointed king many years earlier, he was waiting around for Ben-hadad to die. He took an impressive gift to Elisha, which was from the king. Hazael told Elisha, “thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, shall I recover of this disease?” Elisha answered, “You will surely live, but you won’t live.” This news makes Hazael happy because he is soon to be king. Elisha’s knowing eyes bore into him until Hazael felt embarrassed. Then Elisha began to cry. Hazael professes that he isn’t going to do evil, Elisha knows better. Elisha says, “Of course the king will be glad to hear he is going to recover, and that’s what you are going to tell him, but you won’t let him recover.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Elisha's Promise Fulfilled. II Kings 7

 

II Kings 7 – Elisha’s promise Fulfilled

 

The king of Israel sends an executioner to slay Elisha. God forewarns Elisha and gives him the good news that the famine will end on the following day. One shekel would probably be worth about $0.65 that means the inflation would be over. Apparently, the king believed Elisha's prophecy because he spared his life at this time. This prediction was literally fulfilled the next day.

There were four leprous men at the gate and they said one to another “why sit we here until we die?” Because they were lepers, they were excluded from society and were dependent upon relatives or friends bringing them food. Now that everyone inside the city was starving, of course, there was no surplus for them. The lepers realizing, they had nothing to lose, decided to throw themselves upon the mercy of the enemy. When they reached the camp of the Syrians they found it deserted.

The sound of an approaching army had put them in a panic and the Syrians took off. It was every man for himself. In their scramble to get away they had left everything, all the supplies they had. After the Syrian Army had left the lepers went into the camp and gorged themselves on gourmet food for as long as they could eat, then they found and had more gold and silver than they would ever need. “We've got to tell them the good news.”

At this moment you and I are enjoying the word of God. Today is the day of good tidings and we sit here and enjoy it. What about getting the word out to others? What are you doing to share the word of God with those who are starving spiritually?

After the lepers told the king the good news the children of Israel went into the abandoned Syrian camp and found enough food to feed an army of several thousand the prophecy of Elijah was literally fulfilled.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible. Nelsons Quick Reference Commentary.

 

The Floating Ax Head. II Kings 6

 

II Kings 6 – The Floating Ax Head

 

Elisha taught in the school of the prophets. The school grew and they needed larger quarters. These students went out to work, to build a larger school and Elisha encouraged them in it.  They'd asked Elisha to go with them and while they were working one of them lost an axe head into the waters. the loss of an axe head was very important to this young man and of course he had borrowed it. Obviously, there was a danger of an axe head coming off.  It evidently was something that occurred quite frequently. The boy was distressed, and he could not reimburse the owner. The Jordan river was a muddy river, but the young man knew right where it was only, he could not get it because he could not see it. It is a miracle when iron swims. Elisha had cut down a stick and he cast it into the waters of death. That stick is the cross of Christ. Our Lord came down to that cross and he went down into the waters of death for you and me. Men today can rise from the waters of death and judgment through Christ.

 The king of Syria was disturbed because every plan he made and every place he went was discovered by the king of Israel. He concluded that there was a spy in his camp. He called together his military and attempted to ferret out the traitor, “which one of you is for the king of Israel?” honestly all of them were loyal to him. So, the king of Syria decided to eliminate Elisha. They located him in Dothan. The king of Syria sends in the military, and they entirely surround the place. The servant of Elisha goes out in the morning and is alarmed. He comes back and reports to Elisha who was very much alone with his servant and that servant was frightened to death. Elisha asked God to smite the host of the Syrians with blindness and God did just that. Then Elisha led them all the way into Samaria and told them that he was leading them where Elisha was. When they got to Samaria he turned them over to the king of Samaria. the king wanted to slay them, but Elisha said feed them and said them home. The Syrian king then abandoned his war against Israel.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

Naaman The Syrian. II Kings 5

 

II Kings 5 Naaman the Syrian

                                  

Naaman was captain of the host of Syria. By him the Lord had given Syria deliverance. He was a man the Lord had used. You will find that the Lord uses men in this world who are not Christian. Naaman was a mighty man of valor, and he was a leper. There are many people in the world today about whom nice things can be said although they are not Christians. You must conclude it all by saying that they are sinners. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23. No matter how nice people might be, they are all sinners in God’s sight. Leprosy in scripture is a type of sin. One reason is that it was incurable by human means. Only God can cure sin and save a sinner. The Syrians had taken captive a little maid and she waited on Naaman’s wife. One day she said, “Oh, that my master would go down and see the prophet in Samaria. He would recover him of his leprosy.” His wife heard what she said, and it reached the ears of the king of Syria. The king sent a letter to the King of Israel, but it should have gone to Elisha. The king was very disturbed by this letter, so Elisha said, “send Naaman to me.”

Once there, he sent his servant to tell the king of Syria to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. Naaman, being a very proud man, became very upset. He thought the Jordan River a very dirty river. God is not only going to heal his leprosy, He is also going to heal him of his pride. God hates the pride in man’s heart. When God heals a person, it is by faith. He lays your pride in the ground. You do not go to a man for healing, you go to God, the Great Physician. The Jordan was a muddy stream, why not dip in a stream with clean water? As Naaman, was riding away in a rage, his servants attempted to reason with him. Naaman then went down to the Jordan and dipped in the water seven times according to Elisha’s instructions and was healed. The king wanted to pay Elisha, but Elisha refused payment for what God has done. Gehazi, a servant of Elisha, thought otherwise and went after Naaman. Gehazi allowed the servants to carry the gifts as far as the tower; then he took them himself and sent the servants back to Naaman so that Elisha would not see them. The great sin of Naaman was pride. The great sin of Gehazi was greed. Greed is leprosy of the soul.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

Miracles of Elisha. II Kings 4

 

1I Kings 4 – Miracles of Elisha

 

A certain woman reminds Elisha that her husband was a true believer. When he died he left an unpaid debt which the creditor has now come to collect. If a borrower did not have personal property as security, his own person and that of his dependents would serve as security. Therefore, the creditor could legally take the widows sons as payment. Elisha recognizes his responsibility to help this little family. Th Mosaic law insists that widows and fatherless children be cared for. Per Elisha’s instructions, they had a regular oil well going on in that house. This was a great miracle.

 

Another woman of Shunem entertained Elisha whenever he passed through town. Elisha appreciated this home that was always open to him. Lying on the bed one day, he determined to somehow reward this thoughtful woman for her kindness. Elisha summons his servant Gehazi to tell her that she would have a son in the season of her life. She did conceive a son and years later, when her son was a grown child, he died. Elisha restored him to life using the same method that Elijah had used. That is personal contact with the dead child.

 

The great principal here is that when we are dead in trespasses and sins, personal contact with Jesus Christ brings life. In Him we have life. He is life.

 

The fourth miracle concerns food for the prophets during a famine. One of the boys went out to gather wild fruits or vegetables. They concocted a stew but when they passed it out, they screamed “there is death in the pot.” Elisha added meal to the pot and made it harmless.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

Jehoram, Son of Ahab. II Kings 3

 

I1 Kings 3 Jehoram, Son of Ahab

 

Jehoram was the son of Ahab and Jezebel and successor of his brother Ahaziah, who died without having any children. He did not sin as Ahab had sinned, but he did do the sins of Jeroboam, which was calf-worship.

Moab was in subjection to Israel and paid tribute. When Ahab died, Moab attempted to regain her freedom, refusing to pay the tribute. Jehoram gathered his troops together and made an alliance with Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to bring Moab back into subjection.

King Jehoshaphat, being a god-fearing man, suggested they call a prophet of God to give them direction. Elisha’s response reveals his contempt for Jehoram. “Get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother.”

Then God promises that there will be victory – they will be given water and they will completely subjugate Moab. The ditches are the pits that will retain the water that is coming.

The Moabite troops which are gathered to defend their country against Israel now look out toward the advancing armies. Thinking that the confederate kings had come to blows and the troops had destroyed each other, the Moabites forget about warfare and each man takes off to get his share of the spoil. This, of course, gives Israel an advantage. The King of Moab saw that the battle was too hard for him, he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel; and they departed from him and returned to their own land.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

Elijah and Elisha. II Kings 2

 

11 Kings 2 Elijah and Elisha

 

Elijah is trying to get Elisha to stay back. Elisha will not leave because he knows Elijah is going to leave the earth that day. Elisha wants to be present when the Lord takes him home.

The sons of the prophets had information that Elijah was going to leave, but Elisha already knew it. They could not tell him anything new.

The Lord had parted the river Jordan for Elijah and Elisha. “As they went on, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” Elisha saw it and is now taking Elijah’s place. He demonstrates his faith by taking Elijah’s robe and hitting the water just as Elijah done. The power is not in the robe, nor in Elijah, the power is in God, and Elisha knows that.

The sons of the prophets saw Elisha part the waters and return across the Jordan River. They doubted that Elijah had really gone up, they suspected that the Lord had dumped him in some abandoned area.

Elijah was indeed gone, and there was no need to investigate. Elisha said, “I told you so!”

Then the men of the city of Jericho came to Elisha with a problem. He solved the problem by making the bitter waters sweet.

As he went up to Beth-el, “little children” mocked him. Elisha cursed them in the name of the Lord, and two female bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two children. These hoodlums who taunted Elisha were young men. They were students of the false prophets. They were a gang that mocked and ridiculed Elisha by calling him bald head. “Why don't you take off like Elijah did?” They were ridiculing the truth in scripture that God will take a people out of this world.

2 Peter 3:3-4 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his coming?” When gangs of young people terrorize our neighborhoods, there should be a punishment. After the bears did their work, nobody else around Beth-el ridiculed Elisha.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

Fire From Heaven. II Kings 1

 

11kings 1 Fire from Heaven                                                                                                                                                                                  

Ahaziah, king of Israel and son of Ahab and Jezebel, fell through a lattice and seriously injured himself. Instead of going to the Lord for help, Ahaziah, who was influenced by his mother Jezebel, went to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron. Ahaziah’s request for an oracle was a direct challenge to the Lord God of Israel. He wanted to know if he would recover from the effects of the accident.

This was one of Elijah’s last missions. He went to meet the messengers and gave them this challenge. “Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that you go to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?” Elijah’s prognosis was that Ahaziah would not recover, he would die.

Even today the world will not listen unless the church declares the Word of God.

Elijah managed to communicate. He was heard. People listened to him. He was a rough type of individual. The king sent a captain with fifty men, and he ordered Elijah to come down from the top of the hill. What came down was fire from heaven which consumed the captain and his men. This happened a second time and the third time, the last man asks for mercy, and God extended mercy to him.

 

Elijah boldly repeated God’s pronouncement. Ahab would die.

 

This chapter ends the line of Omri and Ahab.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Ahab and Micaiah. I kings 22

 

I Kings 22 – Ahab and Micaiah

 

Ramoth-Gilead was one of the chief cities of the tribe of Gad, and it had been lost to Syria.

Jehoshaphat should have followed the advice given to him by the prophet of the Lord. This was not Jehoshaphat's fight. Gilead did not belong to him -it belonged to Ahab. It was Ahab’s quarrel.

Jehoshaphat was God’s man. He wanted to know what God’s will was. He asks, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of him?” Ahab then introduces Micaiah. Ahab hates him and Jehoshaphat says, “you really don’t mean that you hate a man of God.”

The apostle Paul once said, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth.” Gal. 4:16. They brought Micaiah in from where Ahab was keeping him in prison.

Four hundred prophets were running around saying to Ahab, “Go up against the king of Syria, you will win.”

The messenger that brought forth Micaiah warned him that all the prophets are telling the king to fight, and he should do likewise. Micaiah said sarcastically, “Go and prosper for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. The king replied, “I know you are kidding me because you have never agreed with the false prophets.” Macaiah says, “you smart little fellow! I wish I would have thought of that.” This was the nicest way Micaiah could call these prophets a bunch of liars. Then Zedekiah, the prophet slapped Micaiah on the cheek. Micaiah said to Ahab, “In view of the fact that you won’t be coming back, I want the people to witness that what I have spoken is truth, that you shall die in battle.

Israel lost the battle and Jehoshaphat almost lost his life because of Ahab’s deception. The soldier did not shoot at Ahab – yet the arrow found him. That which God had predicted through Elijah came to pass: Ahab died, and his blood was licked up by dogs in the same place that Naboth had died.

No one gets by with sin. He is still on the throne. The son of Ahab now wants to align with Jehoshaphat, but he had learned his lesson and refused to deal with him. Jehoshaphat died and was succeeded by his son, Jehoram. Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, began to reign over Israel in Samaria. He reigned for two years and followed in the steps of Ahab and Jezebel.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Naboth's Vineyard. I Kings 21

 

I Kings 21 – Naboth’s Vineyard

 

As lovely a palace as Ahab had, you would think he would be satisfied. But, no, he wants that vineyard. Naboth does not want to sell it for the very simple reason God had given to it to his ancestors and had been passed down from father to son.

 

Ahab doesn't get his way, so he goes home and pouts like a little boy. Ahab is like a spoiled brat and won't eat now because he cannot have what he wants.

 

Jezebel is going to work out something that will enable her husband to get it. She was a dominant and domineering woman. She contrives a nice little plot and arranges to have two lawless men witness against Naboth. They say that he blasphemed God and the king. Naboth is then carried out of the city and stoned to death. So, Jezebel came in and announced to her husband, Ahab, “Naboth is dead, and you can have the vineyard.”

 

Thank God that there is a man around who will declare the word of God! “be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”

 

God says to Ahab, “I'm removing your house, your line will not reign here. now God is not through: Both of these judgments very definitely came to pass.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Israel is Attacked by Syria. I Kings 20

 

 

I Kings 20. Israel is attacked by Syria

 

God is now permitting the enemy to come in from the outside. Up to this time God had not permitted it.

 

The promise of God’s deliverance in this situation was not based upon Ahab’s fidelity but on God’s love for His people. We must never believe that we receive blessings because we deserve them.  God was telling Ahab, “I have given you a victory now, but don’t return to the worship of Baal. The king of Syria is going to come against you again at the return of the year.”

 

Once again God gave Ahab victory over the enemy, but unfortunately, Ahab made the mistake of sparing Ben-hadad’s life. Ahab was told to eliminate the enemy, but he did not obey. There can be no compromise with sin.

 

It is very hard for one sinner to judge another sinner. This was the case with Ahab- that is why he spared Ben-hadad’s life. In the end Ahab pronounced his own death sentence with his disobedience to God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Elijah Runs From Jezebel. I Kings 19

 

I Kinga 19 – Elijah Runs From Jezebel

 

Elijah did a strange thing when he heard Jezebel’s message threatening to kill him. Elijah lost his courage and ran. He got as far away as Beer-sheba. When he reached the desert, he left his servant there and continued another day’s journey.

Jezebel hated Elijah and she was not going to let him live if she could help it.

He took his eyes off the Lord and ran to an area that was beyond the farthest outpost of civilization. Elijah was overworked, Overwrought, over worried, and physically exhausted. He was worn out from the hard task of standing for God against so much opposition. He went under the juniper tree because he was exhausted. Elijah was a rough and rugged man, but he concealed a sensitive soul. He was ruled by his emotions, and he could go from elation to dejection. Then he cried out to God to take his life. Elijah needed rest and the Lord knew it, so He put him to sleep. He awoke to some bread being baked. The Lord who comforted him, fed him, and put him back to sleep. When He fed Elijah the second time, He told him, “The journey is too great for him.” The journey of life is too great for us, we are going to need a Savior.

Strengthened by the food, Elijah continued to run. First there was a great, strong wind that split the mountains and broke the rocks. Then the mountain rolled and shook under his feet. After the earthquake there was a fire. After the fire, there was a still small voice. God moves in a quiet way. God uses small things to open mighty doors. That is what Elijah had to learn. God tells him to return to the north country because he has more work for him to do. He is to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria and Jehu, king over Israel. Then God tells him about his successor, Elisha. He also told Elijah that there was a remnant of seven thousand people who have not bowed to Baal. They were true to the God of Israel. God then prepares Elijah to die and will train Elisha to take his place.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Elijah Versus Baal, I Kings 18

 

I Kings 18 – Elijah Versus Baal,

 

God is ready to use Elijah. This man can now step out with boldness -he has learned that he is nothing and God is everything. He goes out to meet Ahab, and he is prepared.

There was a famine and much of the vegetation had dried up and the cattle could no longer find places to graze. So, Ahab and his servant, Obadiah set out to find pastureland. They went in different directions. Obadiah was a God-fearing man, and he had hidden one hundred prophets of God from Jezebel’s wrath. Obadiah met Elijah and Elijah told him to tell the king that he was here. Obadiah does not want to deliver Elijah’s message because he is afraid that Elijah will disappear before Ahab sees him. He was fearful for his own life. With Elijah’s assurance that he will certainly meet Ahab, Obadiah goes to the king. Elijah always tells it like it is.

Ahab blames Elijah for the problem in the land.  He accuses Elijah of stirring things up. Then Elijah challenges Ahab to a contest between him and the prophets of Baal. It was actually between the Lord and Satan. Outwardly it was a battle of Ahab and Jezebel with 450 prophets against Elijah.

The people of Israel have assembled at Carmel. They were pretending o worship the living and true God, but they were also worshiping Baal. Elijah says, “let us taste of the Lord and see whether His is good or not. If Baal is God, then let us worship him. And if he is not, then let’s kick him out.

The prophets of Baal put on quite a performance. Elijah sits and watches with a great deal of cynicism. Their actions almost become hysterical. All the people of Israel were watching. Elijah stood alone arrayed against the prophets of Baal.

Elijah is now going to have to depend on God. The altar of the Lord has been broken, and Elijah spends some time cementing it together. Then he made a trench around the altar, put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces. Finally, he ordered that four barrels be filled with water and poured on the sacrifice and on the wood.  Under his breath Elijah probably said, “Lord, if You don’t do it, it won’t be done.” “Let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.” Then the fire fell and consumed the sacrifice. Then he took all the prophets of Baal down to the Brook Kishon and slew them there.

When the people turned to God, the rain came, and the blessings came.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

God Trains Elijah I Kings 17

 

I Kings 17- God Trains Elijah

 

Elijah walked into the court of Ahab and Jezebel and gave them the latest weather report. He told them that it wasn’t going to rain unless he said so and that he was leaving town. He had no intention of saying when it would rain again. He was a man who spoke boldly.

God told Elijah to go to the desert by a little stream in which he was to drink from. His food was to be delivered by Ravens. All was well with Elijah until the stream began to dry up. Elijah then learned a valuable lesson; he saw that his life was a dried-up brook. God was telling Elijah that he was not a strong, big, rugged individual. You are no stronger than the dried-up brook. There will be no strength for you until the water of life flows through you.

Elijah had to learn that. “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confuse the things which are mighty.” I Cor. 1:27.

Then Elijah got up and went to Zarephath where a widow woman was gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and asked her to bring him a vessel of water. After the widow told him her story, Elijah told her to go into the house and make the cake. He assured her she was not going to die. Her and Elijah lived off the flour bin for many days. This nothing became something.

We are nothing until the water of life and the bread of life has been put into us.

Later, we read that the widow’s son died, and Elijah made contact with the boy’s body three times “and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.”

Until we recognize that we are nothing, God can do nothing with us. We need to recognize that the water of Life and the bread of Life is Jesus. His Holy Spirit must dwell within us for God to use us. We are nothing without Jesus in our life.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Baasha, Elah, and Zimri. I Kings 16

 

I Kings 16 – Baasha, Elah and Zimri

 

Baasha reigned twenty-four years in the northern kingdom. He chose to share in the sins of the house of Jeroboam, he would also share in the severe penalty, even to the point of being devoured by dogs. Baasha slept with his fathers and Elah reigned two years and Zimri conspired against him and led a rebellion. When Elah got drunk, Zimri went in and killed him. Zimri began to reign but did not last but seven days. Another conspiracy and rebellion got rid of Zimri. He died when he burned the kings house with him in it.

 

Omri’s conspiracy succeeded in establishing him as king, another problem arose. A rival of Omri’s also claimed to be king – his name is Tibni. Omri put Tibni to death and then Omri reigned. He ruled for twelve years. He was a bad king and exceeded the other kings in his evil deeds. He slept with his fathers and was succeeded by his son Ahab.

 

Omri had been the most corrupt ruler up to that time, but his son Ahab exceeded him in evil and his wife, jezebel helped him with his evil ways. She was a mean woman. The combination of Ahab and Jezebel was the worst possible. Jezebel was the daughter of a king who was also a priest of Baal and who murdered his brother. She was strong-willed and possessed a dominant personality, but she had no moral sense. She was hardened into insensibility.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.