Bible in one year 6/17/ 2022 2Kings Chapter 11-13 Elisha’s final prophecy By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 6/17/ 2022  2Kings Chapter 11-13  Elisha’s final prophecy

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

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2 Kings Chapter 11 The reign of Athaliah in Judah (841-835;2Chron.22:10-23:15)

            The story of Ahaziah is resumed from 9:27 Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and the wife of Jehoram. When Athaliah  saw that her son, Ahaziah was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. But Jehosheba and sister of Ahaziah took Joash, son of Ahaziah, stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. And hide him from Athaliah about six years.(vv.1-3) Athaliah’s attempt to exterminate all rivals to the throne was thwarted by the hiding of Joash in the bedroom ( a room where mattresses and couches were stored). Jehoiada the high priest, brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, and proclaimed him king, and anointed him. The people capped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!” (v.12). When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the Lord, She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, bring her out between the ranks and seized her and put her to death. King Joash on the throne because of Jehoiada the priest’s help. The reign of Jehoash (Joash) in Judah (835-796;2Chron.23:16-24:27). Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. The king then took his place on the royal throne, all the people of the land rejoice. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace. Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.(vv.18-21).

2Kings Chapter 12 Joash, king of Judah served the Lord, repaired the Temple, Hazael threatens Jerusalem and the death of Joash

            King of Judah, Joash (Jehoash) served served the Lord as long as Jehoiada the high priest lived to instruct him (2Chron.24:2). Joah reigned in Jerusalem forty years, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.(vv.2-3). Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the Lord the money collected in the the census, the money received from personal vows, and the money brought voluntarily to the temple. Let every priest receive the money from one of the treasurers, and let it be used to repair whatever damage is found in the temple.”(vv.4-5).The law concerning this money is described in a note on Lev.27:2. Freewill offerings were also brought. We are not told how long before the twenty third year the collection had begun.(v.6). Assessors who fixed the value of the offerings. Because the project had been delayed, the king took it out of the hands of the priests, ordering instead that the money be placed in a chest (v.9) and paid directly to those who repaired the Temple (v.11). precious metals, for coinage had not yet been invented.(v.10). After the Temple was repaired, the surplus money was used for these furnishings (2Chron.24:14). Joash’s officials conspired against him and assassinated him at Beth Millo, on the road down to Silla. The officials who murdered him were Jozabad son of Shomer. The details as to why Joash’s officials conspired against him are recorded in 2 Chron.24:17-26). Joash king of Judah reigned forty years in Jerusalem, he died and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. Amaziah his son succeeded him as king.

2Kings Chapter 13 The Reign of Jehoahaz, king of Israel (814-798) and Jehoash king of Israel (798-782) and Elisha’s death and final prophecy  

            In the twenty-third year of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria. He reigned seventeen years, he did evil in the eyes of the Lord by following the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit, and he did not turn away from them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and for a long time he kept them under the power of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad his son.(vv.1-3). The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before. But they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria. Jehoahaz rested and buried in Samaria. Jehoash his son succeeded him as king.

The Reign of Jehoash, king of Israel (798-782) and The death of Elisha and his final commands

There are two kings name Joash (Jehoash) some name but one was king of Israel (northern tribes), the other was king of Judah, in the south (11:2;12:1). This one Joash (Jehoash) was king of Israel. In the thirty –seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria and he reigned sixteen years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Jehoash raised war against Amaziah king of Judah, and rested with his fathers, and Jeroboam succeeded him on the throne. Jeroboam was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel.(v.13). 

Now Elisha was suffering from the illness from which he died, Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him. “ My father! My father!” he cried, “ The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” (v.14). Elisha told him to get a bow and some arrows, “ Take the bow in your hands, open the east window, shoot!” he did it as Elisha said. “ The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “ you will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”(v.17). Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and strike the ground.” The king of Israel Jehoash, struck it three times and stopped. Elisha was angry that he should struck the ground five or six times. Which means, he would have defeated Aram completely, but now he will defeat it only three times.(vv.18-19). Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.(v.20-21). This miracle confirmed Elisha’s promise to Joash of victory over Aram. Three times Jehoash king of Israel defeated Ben-Hada, the son of Hazael king of Aram. After Hazael died, Ben-Hada had taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. But king of Israel, Jehoash defeated him, and recovered the Israelite towns. (v.25).

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986