21 April

Bible In 365 Days

2 Kings 1-3

2 Kings 1

The history of the second Book of Kings is a continuation of that contained in the first Book. There everything ended with the dark days immediately following the death of Ahab and the passing into comparative obscurity of Elijah. This book centers first around Elisha.

The condition of things is evident from the opening statement of this chapter. Israel was at war with Moab. Ahaziah, the son of Alah, was on the throne; he was an evil man, and unable to govern because of sickness. He sought counsel from Baal-zebub, the god of Ehon. Elijah, who had been in seclusion, suddenly appeared, protesting against this action of the king. Twice Ahaziah attempted to capture him, and in each case the answer of God on behalf of His servant was a swift judgment of fire. At last Elijah went to the king and pronounced a sentence on him that was immediately carried out.

Thus, while we see the terrible degradation of the nation, we also observe how the testimony of truth was kept alive, and how over the ruin of His people through apostasy God was still governing and moving carrying out His own purpose.

To all such as are in any way called into fellowship with God in service how great a vision this is. There is nothing more calculated to keep the heart firm and steady than this truth perpetually taught through Old Testament history, that God abides, and retains in His own hand the reins of government.

2 Kings 2

There is something pathetic and even weird in these final movement's of Elijah, as we see him accompanied by Elisha, and watched by the prophets. It would seem as though he tried to escape into loneliness for his translation, which he knew was at hand. The man upon whom his mantle had already been cast followed him loyally, determined to stand by him. When presently the chariots and horses of fire conveyed Elijah out of earthly sight the cry of Elisha, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof!" in all probability borrowed its symbolism from the vision, yet had reference, not to the chariots on which he had looked, but to Elijah. In the vision of Elisha the strength of Israel had lain in the presence of the prophet of God, not in her military equipment, but in the message of truth delivered by the rough yet loyal soul who had now been removed from sight. It was a wail from Elisha's heart, expressing his sense of loss to the nation.

He at once commenced his own ministry, and two incidents are recorded: one beneficent, the healing of the waters; and the other punitive, the destruction of the children. The last is misinterpreted if looked upon as an act of personal vengeance. It was rather an evidence of the sacredness of his office, and of the sin of refusing this method of divine manifestation.

2 Kings 3

At this point the history goes back and describes the beginning of the war with Moab, to which reference was made at the opening of the book. It was a combined movement of Israel and Judah and Edom against Moab.

Elisha's capacity for sternness was manifested in the refusal to deal with the king of Israel. The armies lacked water, and appealed to him. His answer immediately called into prominence the fact of the divine government, that God is still able, in supernatural ways, to make provision for the needs of His people if they will but trust Him. Their faith was called into activity in digging the trenches. The coming of the water was by the act and will of God. Thus the prophet stood for the righteousness of God in his refusal to deal with the king of Israel, and for the beneficent purpose of God in providing water for the armies. He thus stood before them as a veritable prophet, and called them back, if they would but hear it, into true relationship to their one King, Jehovah.