2 Kings Chapter Highlights

2 Kings Chapter Highlights

• Moab rebels against Israel, and King Ahaziah, injured, consults Baalzebub; Elijah prophesies his demise.
• Elisha becomes the successor of Elijah after Elijah's ascension to heaven; receives Elijah's spirit and performs miracles, including healing water and defending against mocking youths.
• Jehoram and Jehoshaphat unite to battle Moab; Elisha foretells victory, water appears miraculously, leading to Moab's defeat.
• Miracles by Elisha include multiplying a widow's oil to clear debts, raising the Shunammite's son, and providing food amid scarcity.
• Naaman, a Syrian commander, is healed of leprosy after washing in the Jordan at Elisha's command; his servant is struck with leprosy for lying.
• Elisha performs wonders, including making an iron ax head float; he warns Israel about Syrian plans; during a siege, the king of Israel seeks to kill Elisha.
• Elisha predicts the siege's end; God causes the Syrians to flee; four lepers discover and report the abandoned camp, ending the siege.
• The Shunammite woman recovers her land; Hazael murders Benhadad, the Syrian king; Jehoram and Ahaziah's reigns are documented.
• Jehu is anointed by Elisha's messenger; he kills Joram and Ahaziah along with the infamous Jezebel, fulfilling prophecies against Ahab's house.
• Jehu orchestrates the execution of Ahab's descendants and exterminates Baal worshippers in Israel.
• Athaliah seizes the throne by killing royal heirs; Joash is hidden and later crowned king, leading to the death of Athaliah and restoration of true worship.
• Joash's 40-year reign emphasizes temple restoration and service to God but ends with his assassination by his own officials.
• Reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash of Israel are marked by sin; Elisha's death occurs amid Israel's oppression and eventual deliverance.
• The reigns of Amaziah and Azariah in Judah contrast with Jehoash and Jeroboam in Israel; Amaziah's conflicts result in defeat, while prophecy indicates growth.
• Multiple rulers in Israel face divine disfavor; Azariah and Jotham in Judah maintain faithfulness to God.
• King Ahaz of Judah, under siege, allies with Assyria, adopting foreign idolatrous practices; he meets his end.
• Israel under King Hoshea falls to Assyrian captivity; the people’s transgressions lead to an explanation of their fate.
• King Hezekiah's righteous reign sees the Assyrians capture Israel; they threaten Judah, challenging God.
• Hezekiah's prayer leads to divine intervention; an angel annihilates the Assyrian army; Sennacherib is later murdered.
• Hezekiah is miraculously granted 15 additional years of life after prayer; a sign involves the sun's position reversing.
• Manasseh's reign in Judah shows idolatry and prophecy of Jerusalem’s fate; his son Amon also turns against God.
• Josiah reigns righteously, restoring temple worship; the discovery of the Law prompts repentance and divine communication through Huldah.
• Josiah reads the covenant to Judah, revives worship of Yahweh, and abolishes pagan practices; subsequent kings Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim revert to disobedience.
• Jehoiakim's rebellion against Babylon results in turmoil; Jehoiachin’s short rule sees Jerusalem besieged, leading to captivity.
• The destruction of Jerusalem culminates in Nebuchadnezzar's conquest; the temple and city fall, with future leadership in Babylon outlined.