2 Kings 8:1-29
Q.1. How did the reputation of the prophet Elisha again bless the faithful Shunammite woman? – (2 Kgs.8:1-6)
This prominent woman had supported the Prophet Elisha (c.f. 2 Kgs.4:8-10). God used Elisha to repay the woman, and thus protect her from the ravages of a coming seven-year drought (2 Kgs.8:1 c.f. 2 Kgs.4:32-37). Droughts were common. There had been a severe drought for three and a half years at the time of Elijah (c.f. 1 Kgs.17:1; Jms.5:17). The woman packed up her household and moved to the coastal region of the Philistines (2 Kgs.8:2). Upon her return, she found her home and property had been occupied. When she laid her claim before the king, he ‘happened to be’ inquiring from Gehazi, about the ministry of Elisha. (2 Kgs.8:3-4). Gehazi was relating the story of the resurrection of the Shunammite woman’s son, at the very time she sought the king to intervene for her family (2 Kgs.8:5). Consequently, the king granted her plea without question (2 Kgs.8:6). This story underscores God’s special care for His servants whom He loves. He had not forgotten her kindness to His servant Elisha.
Q.2. What do we learn from Elisha’s involvement in the state affairs of the Arameans? – (2 Kgs.8:7-15)
The fame of Elisha had spread beyond the borders of Israel. When he went to sojourn in Damascus, God generously provided for him there (2 Kgs.8:7-9). How should he respond to an assassin in a foreign land? Jesus told us to be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves (c.f. Mt.10:16-20). Elisha was directed by God and when asked about king Ben-hadad by Hazael, Elisha responded astutely – Go say to him, ‘You will surely recover, but the Lord has told me that he will certainly die (2 Kgs.8:10). Elisha then spoke to Hazael, while at the same time weeping about all the evil he would do when he became king (2 Kgs.8:11-13). The northern kingdom of Israel was ripe for judgment. We learn that God controls the destiny of all nations and will use whomever to execute His judgments. After delivering the Prophet’s message to the king, Hazael suffocated the king, and succeeded him himself (2 Kgs.8:14-15).
Q.3. How did the connection between the kings of Judah and Israel trouble God’s people? How important are godly relations? – (2 Kgs.8:16-29)
Joram or Jehoram was a popular name for kings, so there is a little confusion when both the kings of Israel and Judah carried that name. Part of the reason was the interconnection between both these nations: (i) Jehoram (Joram), king of Judah – … walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab became his wife; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kgs.8:18). His father, the godly Jehoshaphat, by his involvement with the wicked Ahab, had confused his family. (ii) Ahaziah, next king of Judah continued the downward spiral because of the influence of his mother, Athaliah – He walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the Lord, like the house of Ahab had done, because he was a son-in-law of the house of Ahab (2 Kgs.8:27). The lesson is clear. The marriage alliance between the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel threatened the welfare of future generations (2 Kgs.8:28-29). The reason wh Judah was not destroyed was because of the promise made to David – However, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David His servant, since He had promised him to give a lamp to him through his sons always (2 Kgs.8:19).