2 Kings 17:18-41 - They worshipped idols

17:18-23

“The Lord was very angry”. Initially Judah was not affected, but she too followed the ways of Israel, so the Lord rejected all of Israel, and they too were “thrust from His presence. When Israel was torn away from the house of David, Jeroboam was made king, but he enticed Israel from following the Lord., and they continued along that road. The writer is making clear why Israel suffered as she did. The people of Israel went into exile in Assyria.

17:24-28

As well as dispersing Israelites, the king of Assyria brought in various people as well. This was part of the reason why Samaritans were regarded with some suspicion by the rest of Israel, they were considered to be “polluted”, and not “pure Jews”. The Assyrian king wanted the enforced “settlers” to assimilate. One could see this as a form of multiculturalism. So he sent a captured priest to teach the new settlers how to worship the Lord.

17:29-41

This experiment was not totally successful, and various groups persisted in worshipping their own gods. Children were still offered as sacrifices. So they “worshipped” the Lord, and their own gods.So they didn’t really worship the Lord. The text makes it clear that the people were not really worshipping the Lord at all, hence the antagonism towards the Samaritans.

2 Kings 17:1-17 - Syncretism

17:1-6

Hoshea, the son of Elah, became king of Israel. He was to be the last king of Israel, and like most of his predecessors “did evil in the eyes of the Lord”, but apparently wasn’t as bad as his immediate predecessor. He had paid tribute to Assyria, even so Assyria then attacked Hoshea. Hoshea had been seeking help from Egypt and stopped paying tribute to Assyria. Shalmaneser seized Hoshea and imprisoned him. In the ninth and last year of Hoshea's reign the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to \ssytis, settling them in Halah.

17:7-17

The text then states quite clearly that all this happened because Israel had sinned against the Lord. The same Lord who had rescued them from Egypt. We get a litany of the sins of Israel, relating mostly to their idol worship. They committed the very sins that the nations God had enabled them to drive out had committed, so they too would be driven out. They had been warned about this, but had not heeded the warnings. They did not trust in the Lord, instead they followed worthless idols, and so became worthless themselves. They followed the ways of the nations, churches today are foolish if they follow the ways of the world. This included sacrificing children in the fire.

2 Kings 16:7-20 - setting up an altar to an idol

16:7-9

Ahaz then prostrated himself before Assyria, seeking his help to fight against Israel, Ahaz used silver and gold to pay Assyria. Assyria did intervene on Israel's behalf.

16:10-20

Ahaz went to Damascus to congratulate Tiglath-pileser. There he saw an altar and got the priest Uriah to copy it. Ahaz then presented offerings at the altar to an idol. This altar to an idol usurped the godly altar in the temple. Uriah went along with the king’s demands. This process continued. Ahaz died and was succeeded by Hezekiah, who would prove to be a much better king.

2 Kings 16:1-6 - King Ahaz

16:1-4

Ahaz was the next king of Judah, he reigned for sixteen years, but “did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord”.He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, not a good example to follow! In fact, he even sacrificed his own son in the fire, following the practices of the nations that had been driven out by the Lord. We need to recognise that some of the nations defeated were utterly evil. Maybe a similar thing applies to the likes of Hamas today, an utterly despicable group. The High Places continued to have their baleful influence.

16:5,6

Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, king of Israel marched to fight against Jerusalem. What was Israel doing allying itself with Aram. They failed, though Aram did recover Elath, and the Edomites occupied Elath.

2 Kings 15:10-31 - Kings assassinated

15:10-26

Zechariah was assassinated by Shllum, son of Jabesh. So the word of the Lord was fulfilled. Shallum son of Jabesh became king, but he only reigned for one month. He was assassinated by Menahem who became king, he reigned for ten years. When the king of Assyria invaded, Menahem tried to buy him off, taxing the people in the process. The people paid a price for poor leadership. At least the king of Assyria did withdraw.

15:27-31

Pekahaih was the next king. He was another who “did evil in the eyes of the Lord”, and he too was assassinated. Pekah was next, reigning for twenty two years. During his reign Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria attacked the land, taking Gilead and Galilee. He also deported people to Assyria. Mass movements of people was a common tactic of Assyria. Pekah was assassinated. Godless regimes are inherently unstable.

2 Kings 15:1-9 - The Lord afflicted the king with leprosy

15:1-4

Amaziah became king of Israel and reigned for a long time, fifty two years. He did “what was right in the eyes of the Lord”. However, the high places were still not removed. Idol worship had a very strong hold on the nation.

15:5-7

The king was afflicted with leprosy by the Lord. His son Jotham was the effective ruler, and succeeded him as king after he died.

15:8,9

The next king of Israel was Zechariah, son of Jeroboam, but he only reigned for six months. “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord”, following the sins of his father.

2 Kings 14:26 - The Lord saw their suffering

14:26 

The Lord saw the suffering of his people and had pity on them.  So he gave them some relief. Jeroboam died and was succeeded by his son Zechariah.

2 Kings 15:32-38

15:32-38

Remaliah became king of Judah, he reigned for sixteen years, doing “what was right in the eyes of the Lord”, like his father Uzziah. However, the high places remained and idol worship continued. He died ans was succeeded by his son, Ahaz.

2 Kings 14:15-25 - Joash rested with his ancestors

14:15-22

As usual other events were recorded in the annals of the kings of Israel,  he also waged war against Amaziah king of Judah, He died and was succeeded by his son Jeroboam. Azariah became king of Judah.

14:23-25

Jeroboam has previously coreigned with his father, he then reigned for forty one years,  “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, He did restore the boundaries of Israel. Jonah, the prophet gets a mention.

2 Kings 14:7-14 - let us faceach other in battle

14:7

The valley of salt was where David had defeated the Edomites (2 Sam 8:13), he regained some of the territory that

had previously been lost.

14:8-14

Amaziah then challenged Jehoash to battle.  Jehoash regarded Amaziah with scorn, telling him that just because he

had defeated Edom did not make him anything special. Amaziah attacked anyway, but Judah was defeated. Amaziah

was captured by Jehoash, Jehoash also took plunder from Jerusalem.

2 Kings 14:1-6 - Amaziah began to reign

14:1-4

Amaziah became king of Israel, during the second year of Jehoash king of Israel, this would be 796 BC. He reigned for 29 years, so 796-767 BC. “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”, but was not up to David’s standard. He failed to remove the high places, and idol worship continued in the land.

14:5,6

Once he had established his reign he took vengeance on the officials who had murdered his father. However, this vengeance was not uncontrolled, for he did not murder their children, following the Law (Dt 24:16).

2 Kings 13:21,22 - Miracles from the grave

13:21

Elisha had performed miracles while he lived, and he continued to do so even after his death. A man’s body was thrown into Elisha’s tomb, and the man came to life.

13:22-24

Israel had been oppressed by Hazael, king of Aram, but because of his covenant with Abraham, the Lord had compassion on the. Sometimes we are blessed because of the faith of others. Hazael died and was succeeded by Ben-Hadad, Jehoash defeated him three times and recovered the Israelite towns.

2 Kings 13:10-20 - Partial victory

13:10-13

Jehoash refined for sixteen years, but did “evil in the eyes of the Lord”. He fought against  Amaziah king of Judah, died and was succeeded by Jeroboam.

13:14-20

Elisha dies from an illness. Jehoash wept over Elisha, presumably because he recognised him as a man of God, and Jehoash himself sought the Lord. Elisha had a final word for Jehoash, and it concerned victory over the Arameans. However, the victory should have been final, but Jehoash was somewhat half hearted. We need to be ruthless in our battle against sin. Elisha died and was buried.

2 Kings 13:1-9 Elisha dies

13:1-3

Meanwhile Jehoahaz became king of Israel, he reigned for seventeen years, but sadly “did evil in the eyes of the Lord”. So Israel was kept under the power of Hazael, king of Ara, and then his son Ben- Hadadz, . Geopolitical events can be the result of God’s judgement on man’s sin.

13;4-9

Then came some hope for Jehoahaaz “sought the Lord’s favour”, and the Lord listened to him. God was moved by his repentance and by the suffering of the people. God sent an unnamed deliverer and Israel was free for a time. However, Israel did not turn from her sins, particularly her idolatry. There wasn’t much left of the army. Jehoahaz died and was succeeded by his son Jehoash.

2 KIngs 12:13-21 - Joash dies

12:13-18

The people who carried out the work were trustworthy and honest. Things go a lot more smoothly and efficiently when people can be trusted. The priests also received their rightful portion. We then see a darker side of Joash. Hazael eventually attacked and captured Gath, and then turned his attention to Jerusalem. Joash sought to address the situation by buying off Hazael with the sacred objects. Outwardly this tactic worked.

12:19-21

Joash’s officials conspired against him and killed him. Joash was succeeded by Amaziah. Israel did not recognise a good king when they had one. The supreme example of this is the treatment of Jesus.

2 Kings 12:1-12 - Joash became king

12:1-5

`Joash became king of Judah and reigned for forty years. Unlike Jehu, he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”. He was instructed by Jehoiada the priest.However, he did not remove the high places. This was a persistent filing and led to Israel continuing to worship idols.

The temple had fallen into disrepair, and Joash organised the collection of funds to repair the temple.

12:6-12

However, while the money was collected the work was not carried out, so Joash had to take charge of the situation. The priests were not to collect any more money. Joash was a wise man,taking steps to ensure the work was  actually done. Jehoiada the priest also took practical steps. Money needs to be handled wisely in the kingdom, Paul followed this principle as well. The work itself was carried out by those best able to do the work.

2 Kings 11:13-21 - Joash the king

11:13-16

Athaliah heard that something was going on, she went to the temple, saw Joash in position and the people rejoicing. She was in distress. \jehoiada took charge and ordered her arrest and the killing of anyone who was following her. However, she was not to be killed in the temple.

11:17-21

Jehoiada did what a priest was meant to do, bringing the  people back to God. Athaliah was slain and there was hope for the land, returning to God was the key factor. \joash took his place on the royal throne. He was only seven years old.

2 Kings 11:1-12 - Athaliah and Joash

11:1-3

Jude fulfilled the word of the Lord, but he was a violent man with no love for the Lord, Joash was different, he would do God’s will and genuinely worshipped Him. Athaliah was the mother of Ahaziah and was a terrible woman. She tried to destroy the whole royal family, including Joash, but Jehosheba protected Joash. There is a history of the devil seeking to destroy God’s servants, e.g. Moses, Jesus., and failing.  \joash remained hidden while Athaliah ruled the land.

11:4-12

Jehoiada now comes on the scene. He organised the commanders of the units of a hundred, seeking to protect Joash. They did as Jehoiada had commanded them. Jehoiada then crowned Joash as king and gave him a copy of the covenant, the people supported the king.

2 Kings 10:15-36 - Job done, but no love for the Lord

10:15-17

Jehu meets Jehonadab, the son of Rekab, and asks which side he is on, Jehonadab says he is, so Jehu calls him up. Jehu then kills all the remnants of Ahab’s family. Jehu is very thorough in fulfilling the word of the Lord.

10:18-36

Next Jehu goes for the servants of Baal. He uses subterfuge, claiming to be keen on Baal worship, so summons all the servants of Baal to a Baal fest. Having tricked them all, he then kills them. However, while Jehu is dedicated to fulfilling the word of God, he is not dedicated to the Lord Himself, worshipping the golden calves. The Lord now set about reducing the size of Israel. In the end jehu reigned for twenty eight years.

2 Kings 10:1-14 Wiping out Ahab's family

10:1-8

Jehu was a rather murderous person. But was used by God to carry out His judgement on Ahab. Ahab had seventy sons, and they were all going to die. Initially it seems that Jehu is seeking to put one of Ahab’s sons on the throne, but he is forcing the guardians (of Ahab’s children) to choose sides. The guardians did not think they could defeat Jehu, so gave allegiance to Jehu, they would do whatever Jehu wanted.  So Jehu now enlists them to slaughter the sons of Ahab. This is what they did, so all seventy of them were killed, and brought their heads to Jezreel and the heads were put in two piles at the city gate. This would give a clear message that Ahab’s reign was over.

10:9-14

Jehu accepts full responsibility for what has happened He also declares that what has happened was according to the word of the Lord. Anyone associated with Ahab was killed. Next he took the chance to kill the relatives of Ahaziah

2 Kings 9:21-37 - How can there be peace?

9:21-26

Joram then decides to go out himself together with Ahaziah, king of Judah. He also asks Jehu if he comes in peace. Jehu tells him explicitly what the problem is, namely the idolatry and witchcraft in the land. Joram realises that he is in trouble and attempts to flee. However.Jehu draws his bow and fires an arrow which hits Joram, he slumps in the chariot. Jehu tells his chariot officer to throw joram into the field that belonged to Naboth.

9:27-29

Ahaziah  saw what had happened and he too fled. However, he too was wounded. He escaped to Megiddo,  but died there.He was buried with his ancestors in Jerusalem.

9:30-37

Next Jehu went to Jezreel, Jezebel heard about it and guessed she was in trouble. She put on eye makeup and arranged her hair, perhaps hoping to sweet talk her way out of things. However, Jehu was determined to get her, and got the help of some eunuchs.  She was thrown down and trampled underfoot by horses. Jehu gave orders for her to be given a proper burial, but her body had been utterly mutilated. The word of the Lord against her was being fulfilled.

2 Kings 9:1-20 - Do you come in peace?

9:1-13

Jehu is anointed king over Israel, and he is anointed with a purpose, it is to destroy the house of Ahab, The Lord is avenging the prophets killed by Jezebel. It is a mistake to go against the will of God. While Elisha instigated the move it was another prophet who actually carried out the deed. One of the officers wanted to know what was happening, thinking the prophet to be a madman. Jehu told him and the officers proclaimed Jehu as king. All this happened as a fulfilment of the prophecy against Ahab and Jezebel for their general godlessness and specifically for their taking of Naboth’s vineyard.

9:14-20

2 Kings can be rather confusing because it flips between Israel and Judah, and some of the Israelite kings are given the same names as Judean kings. Jehu was approaching Jezreel, where Joram was recovering from his wounds. On learning of Jehu’s approach he sent a rider to inquire as to the purpose of his visit. So the rider asks Jehu “do you come in peace?” Jehu gives him a dismissive reply, for the problem for Israel was Joram’s disobedience. Jehu also told the rider to “fall in behind me”, which he did, Joram then sent out a second rider, and the same thing happened.

2 Kings 9:1-20 - I have a message for you

9:1-13

Jehu is anointed king over Israel, and he is anointed with a purpose, it is to destroy the house of Ahab, The Lord is avenging the prophets killed by Jezebel. It is a mistake to go against the will of God. While Elisha instigated the move it was another prophet who actually carried out the deed. One of the officers wanted to know what was happening, thinking the prophet to be a madman. Jehu told him and the officers proclaimed Jehu as king. All this happened as a fulfilment of the prophecy against Ahab and Jezebel for their general godlessness and specifically for their taking of Naboth’s vineyard.

9:14-20

2 Kings can be rather confusing because it flips between Israel and Judah, and some of the Israelite kings are given the same names as Judean kings. Jehu was approaching Jezreel, where Joram was recovering from his wounds. On learning of Jehu’s approach he sent a rider to inquire as to the purpose of his visit. So the rider asks Jehu “do you come in peace?” Jehu gives him a dismissive reply, for the problem for Israel was Joram’s disobedience. Jehu also told the rider to “fall in behind me”, which he did, Joram then sent out a second rider, and the same thing happened.

2 Kings 8:20-29 - Edom rebelled against Israel

8:20-24

Edom had been under the control of Judah, but rebelled and set up its own king. Libnah also rebelled. Jehoram tried to put down the rebellion, but failed.Jehoram reigned for eight years and other events were recorded in the annals of the kings of Judah. He was succeeded by his son Ahaziah.

8:25-29

Ahaziah was related to Ahab through marriage, and he followed the ways of Ahab, and reigned for one year. Joram was wounded in a battle against the Arameans, he then returned to Jezreel to recover. While there, Ahaziah came to see him.

2 kINGS 8:13-29 - How could your servant accomplish sucha feat?

8:13-15

Hazael does not believe he is capable of doing such a thing, but Elisha tells him the Lord has decreed it, so it will happen. Ben-HadadHazael murdered the king, and became king. 

8:16-19

Jehoshaphat’s son, Jehoram became king of Judah, he reigned for eight years. However, he followed the ways of the kings of Israel, marrying the daughter of Ahab. We should be very careful whom we marry. However, the Lord remembered his promise to David, and so did not destroy Judah. Our faithfulness (or otherwise) can have long term consequences.

2 Kings 8:1-12 - The Shunammite woman again

8:1-6

The Shunammite woman now reappears. Elisha had told her to go away for a famine was coming and would last for seven years, so she went away to the land of the Philistines. After seven years she came back. \in the meantime her land had been taken and she went to the king to hopefully get it back. At the time the king was speaking to Gehazi about Elisha, Gehazi was able to tell the king who the woman was, and her connection to Elisha. There are two key lessons here. One is the faithfulness of the Lord, the other is that the exile was for a period of time only. Kings may have been written for the time that Israel was in exile in Babylon.

8:7-12

The king of Aram became ill  and sent someone to Elisha to see if he would recover. This is in contrast to Ahaziah who sent someone to inquire of Baal. So the people of God consult an idol, while the pagan king consults the Lord. see Romans 9-11.1 Elisha tells the king he will recover, but will do harm to Israel. There is a parallel with the response to the gospel. Israel should have accepted Christ, but the Gentiles were more ready to receive Him. Israel should have consulted the Lord, but the pagan nation was more ready to consult the Lord.

2 Kings 7:9-20 - Can this be true?

7:9-20

The lepers looted the camp taking silver and gold. They then decided that they should tell the palace the news. There was freedom to be had. So they told the city gatekeepers what they had discovered. The guards were very wary, fearing a trap. So they sent a small group to investigate, and of course, they found that the lepers were telling the truth. And food stuffs did sell for the low prices Elisha had foretold. The man who had doubted Elisha’s words was trampled to death.

2 Kings 7:1-8 - Why stay here until we die?

7:1,2

Elisha now prophecies that the famine will come to an end. Prophets do not just foretell bad things. But it is not just important that we believe the bad things, but also the good things. The prices foretold would imply plentiful supply, but the office did not believe it  and thought it impossible. Elish tells him that though he will see it come true, he would not enjoy any of it.

7:3-8

We now read of it coming true. There were four lepers at the city gate. They were in a desperate state. They realised that if they did nothing they would die, they had nothing to lose so decided to go to the camp of the Arameans, the worst that could happen is that they would be killed, but they were going to die anyway. So they went to the camp, but when they got there no one was around. The Lord had deceived them so that they had fled.