23 April

Bible in 365 Days                                                                 

2 Kings 6-8

2 Kings 6

The incident of the swimming of the iron axe head is interesting, but quite secondary. The chief value of the story lies in its revelation of the influence Elisha was exerting in the nation. The growth of the school of the prophets was most remarkable. It was necessary that they should enlarge their borders, as they had not room to dwell. Their relation to Elisha is clearly manifest.

In an hour of national peril he rose above the gentler works which were chiefly characteristic of his ministry. Revealing the plans of the Syrians, he saved his people from peril. The picture of the prophet shut up within the city in company with his servant is very fine, as it brings to light facts of which Elisha was conscious, but which were not seen ordinarily by men closely associated with him. When his servant cried out in despair at the situation of peril, Elisha prayed that his eyes might be opened; and there appeared to the trembling man that of which the prophet was perpetually conscious, the presence of the flaming hosts of God round about him.

It is in such consciousness as this that a man is strong. If he acts in co-operation with God he knows that Hell is nigh, but God is nigher, Circling us with hosts of fire.

The siege of Samaria by the Syrians brought about a state of famine which resulted in most fearful conditions. When a woman in her sore distress appealed to the king he became angry with Elisha. In all probability Josephus is right when he suggests that his anger was kindled because Elisha did nothing to relieve the situation.

2 Kings 7

Under these circumstances of famine and the anger of the king the calmness and strength of the prophet were again manifest. It is another revelation of how quiet and strong a man becomes who is in secret fellowship with God. Elisha knew that deliverance was coming, and foretold the end of the siege and the provision of ample food for the needy. All he said was intended to emphasize the importance of faith in God, and in this case we see how in loyalty to this desire he foretold mercy and yet the judgment which was to come on the men who mocked at the possibility of the things he announced.

The incident of the leprous men in this chapter is full of suggestiveness. Their wise decision to take what appeared to be but half a chance of life rather than perish, and their immediate decision to tell the good news and share the benefit which their venture of faith had introduced them to, were wholly excellent.

2 Kings 8

The influence of Elisha is incidentally seen in the converse of the king with Gehazi and the restoration of the lands of the Shunammite woman for the sake of the prophet.

Elisha visited Damascus, where occurred an incident full of remarkable interest. Benhadad had sent Hazael to ask if he would recover from his sickness. Elisha's reply was strange in the extreme. He declared the king would recover, but that he would die; that is to say, he affirmed that his death would not come by his sickness, but that it was imminent in another way. The prophet gazed long and fixedly into the eyes of Hazael. It would seem that he saw far more in the soul of the man than any other had seen, perhaps more than the man himself was conscious of. He gazed until Hazael was ashamed, and then the prophet broke into tears. He was conscious that he stood in the presence of a man who would be the instrument of terrible chastisement to Israel in days to come, and he told him all the story. This insight into a human soul again reminds us of the Messiah who came so long afterward. In all probability Hazael's protest was sincere, yet every word was fulfilled.

In the last part of the chapter we have the story of Judah's corruption. Joram walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, whose daughter Athaliah he married. Ahaziah was the son of the union.