Day 67 Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 8-12

2 Kings 8: Elisha Prophesies in Damascus

[Summary]

This chapter shows that Elisha’s influence was not only within Israel but also extended to Aram outside the country, and that God’s presence and power were being revealed to all nations. The content includes the seven-year famine (verses 1-2), the restoration of the Shunammite woman’s inheritance (verses 3-6), Hazael’s murder of Ben-hadad (verses 7-15), Jehoram’s deeds (verses 16-24), and Ahaziah’s deeds (verses 25-29). The three kings revealed in this content have one thing in common: they were evil kings and idolatrous kings. Ultimately, through the text, we can see that even if they are kings, evil and rebellious people cannot help but be judged by God and destroyed.

[Explanation]

This chapter describes three events. First, the Shunammite woman who welcomed Elisha recovers her property through God’s grace, and second, Elisha strangely goes to Damascus, a place that could be considered an enemy, and ministers. Finally, the history of Jehoram and Ahaziah ruling Judah is recorded. In these events, God’s mercy, which cares for His people who faithfully serve Him, is revealed first. 

2 Kings 9: Jehu Who Brings Down the Dynasty of Ahab

[Summary]

This chapter records the situation in the latter half of the reign of King Ahaziah of Judah. ​​In particular, it shows God’s appearance of definitely judging sin through the downfall of the Omri Dynasty, which led Israel to sin. The prophet Elisha, through his prophetic cadets, made Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, the king of Israel, and delivered God’s word to Jehu to destroy the entire family of Ahab. The people then made Jehu the official king (verses 1-13). At that time, Joram was injured in a battle with Aram and was receiving treatment in Jezreel, and King Ahaziah of Judah visited him to visit him. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Jehu shot Joram dead with an arrow as he came to greet him, and pursued Ahaziah, who was fleeing, and killed him on the slope of Gur (vv. 14-29). After that, Jehu returned to Jezreel, killed Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, and left her body behind (vv. 30-37). In this way, God’s prophecy of judgment on the Omri dynasty was fulfilled. 

[Explanation] 

The prophets Elijah and Elisha warned the rebellious royal family of Ahab of the judgment that would come upon them throughout their ministry. However, they did not repent, and instead committed extreme crimes such as tempting even the southern kingdom of Judah to worship Baal and fall into sin. Thus, God used Jehu as an instrument of judgment on the royal family of Ahab. As a result, the royal family of Ahab was completely destroyed. God's judgment on crimes was clearly revealed, and God's justice was realized once again. 

2 Kings 10: Jehu's Great Purge

[Summary]

Jehu, who ascended to the throne of Israel in the previous chapter and destroyed the Ahab dynasty, annihilated the last remaining Ahabites and carried out a large-scale purge in this chapter. As a result, Israel entered an era of great political and religious reform. After the deaths of Joram and Ahaziah, Ahab's seventy sons were still alive in Samaria. Jehu sent a letter to Samaria and ordered them to be annihilated. In the end, Ahab's family and their close relatives and friends were completely killed (verses 1-11). Meanwhile, Jehu, who was heading to Samaria, met Ahaziah's forty-two brothers on the way and killed them, and when he arrived in Samaria, he killed all of Ahab's followers (verses 12-17). After carrying out a political purge, Jehu carried out a religious purge again. Jehu, who gathered all the Baal worshipers by declaring that he would serve Baal like Ahab, killed them all and destroyed Baal. However, he did not remove the golden calf that Jeroboam had set up (vv. 18-29). Jehu, who carried out all these reforms, was blessed by God, but he also committed the sin of idolatry (vv. 30-36). 

[Explanation] 

Jehu killed Ahab's wife Jezebel and her son King Joram according to the will of the Lord. However, this alone was not enough to wash away the sins of Israel. Therefore, Jehu was more careful and completely eliminated the remnants of Baal worship, such as Ahab's relatives, sons, and Baal prophets. However, Jehu could not escape from evil deeds and was unable to escape the wrath of the Lord. 

2 Kings 11: Jehoiada's Righteous Rebellion

[Summary]

This chapter records the revival of Judah through the activities of the priest Jehoiada in the religious and political crisis caused by the political ambitions of King Ahab's daughter Athaliah. It records Athaliah's tyranny (verses 1-3), Jehoiada's uprising (verses 4-8), and Joash's ascension to the throne (verses 9-12). It then records the end of Athaliah (verses 13-16) and Jehoiada's reform measures (verses 17-21). Jehovah always prepares an unquenchable lamp. No matter how strong Satan is, God's kingdom ultimately triumphs. This is because God does not break His covenant with His people.

[Explanation]

From this chapter, the focus of the story shifts to the southern kingdom of Judah. ​​Unlike Israel, Judah was a legitimate dynasty in which David's descendants succeeded to the throne. However, one incident occurred that attempted to destroy it. When King Ahaziah of Judah was killed by Jehu, Athaliah killed several royal family members and usurped the throne. However, God spared Joash and appointed a servant named Jehoiada to restore the lineage of David. 

2 Kings 12: Joash's Reign in Judah 

[Summary] 

This chapter records the evaluation of the spirituality of Joash, who reigned as the eighth king of the southern kingdom of Judah, the religious and political situation under his reign, and his death. His religious ministry was carried out under the regency of the priest Jehoiada, showing Joash's righteous ruling power, but his political work, which was mentioned later, was an evil act of unbelief. The contents of this chapter are the selection of Joash (verses 1-3), Joash ordering the repair of the temple (verses 4-8), the temple being repaired (verses 9-16), the invasion of Hazael, the king of Aram, and the end of Joash (verses 17-21). King Joash initially entrusted the repair of the temple to the priests as a matter of concern, but later the king himself took the lead and developed it into a nationwide movement. This is his greatest achievement. 

[Explanation] 

Joash was a king who experienced God's salvation as soon as he was born. He was dramatically rescued from the hands of Athaliah, and he also had a moving coronation ceremony. Now that he had taken the throne from Athaliah, Joash devoted all his energy to governing and reorganizing the disorganized Judah. ​​As a result, Judah was able to maintain peace for nearly 100 years after Joash.