2 Kings 1 – 5
Most of first and second Kings is fast paced chapters for each king, yet the opening of 2 Kings focuses on Elijah and Elisha. There are some classic Bible stories in these chapters which should be read to understand the glory of God. Verse 1:4 is God’s message to the king:
This is the message of the Eternal to Ahaziah: “You have made your bed, and you will lie in it. You will never leave your bed in your upper room; it will become your grave.”
The saying was not in scripture, but used to have us more easily understand the meaning of the translation, hence the italics. The point to the king is you have already made the choices that have created the direction you are on. It’s like the person, like myself, who ate poorly and then expects God to heal them in the last hour. As we know this can be done, but most often it’s not. Death bed conversions will give a person entry into the kingdom, but will not suddenly reverse a life time of abuse to one’s body.
Chapter 2 has Elijah and Elisha both parting the Jordan. This story often gets forgotten along with Joshua parting the Jordan when compared to Moses’ experience parting the Red Sea. Think about it, none of these men actually parted anything, they just called on the power of God.
Verse 2:21 has another amazing story with Elisha:
He then walked outside to the water spring and tossed some salt into it.
Elisha: This is the Eternal’s message: “This water is now entirely pure. It will no longer bring death or cause the earth to be barren.”
This was a bitter spring that was not useable for the population nearby. God changed all that through Elisha to give them a useable spring.
Chapter 4 has the story of the woman with the oil that never ran out. This again is another amazing story of God’s faithful act helping man out in a time of need. It also has the story of a woman who was older and barren who bore a son. Verse 4:37 is the end of her son being brought to Elisha dead:
She fell to the floor before Elisha’s feet, bowing to the ground, and she wept with happiness. She picked up her son and left the room with him.
Elijah and Elisha were great prophets who were able to channel God’s power. Here a child was raised from the dead and later in the chapter a large crowd was fed to satisfaction with little resources. These stories sound a lot like Jesus’ stories. I don’t remember these being talked about much in the Christian church, but it’s something that is amazing all the same.