Was this a test for Elisha? He knew that God was taking Elijah away within hours, and he also knew that he was to be Elijah’s successor. And, once again, he told Elisha to stay behind. Elisha knew, but he didn’t want to talk about it ( 2:3).Ģ:4 Elijah’s next destination at the Lord’s command was Jericho. Having divine insight, they asked Elisha whether he knew that God would take his master away that day. The phrase doesn’t mean “children of the prophets” instead, it was apparently some sort of school or seminary (a prophet training center). At Bethel, they encountered some sons of the prophets. But, Elisha refused to abandon his mentor. Elisha, the man whom God appointed to be Elijah’s helper and successor (see 1 Kgs 19:16, 19-21), was aware of this, as the following narrative makes plain.Ģ:2-3 As the two men were traveling together, Elijah told Elisha to stay in Gilgal because the Lord was sending him to Bethel ( 2:2). The Departure of Elijah and the Ministry of Elisha ( 2:1–8:15)Ģ:1 As the previous chapter revealed, Elijah had lost none of his power, but it was time for him to be taken up to heaven and pass on the spiritual baton of prophetic leadership ( 2:1). His son Joram, who would also prove to be faithless, succeeded him to the throne ( 1:17). And, indeed, Ahaziah died in accordance with the Lord’s pronouncement. Ahaziah was an idolater who would not recover from his injury he would certainly die ( 1:16). The prophet repeated his earlier prophecy. In light of the captain’s humility and recognition that Elijah was truly a man of God, the Lord told Elijah to accompany them to the king ( 1:13, 15).ġ:16-18 Ahaziah accomplished two things through his efforts to take Elijah into custody: the death of more than a hundred of his men and the opportunity for Elijah to pronounce God’s judgment in person. He fell on his knees and begged Elijah not to wipe them out ( 1:13). But, the third captain wasn’t as bold as the other two. But, the only thing that happened immediately was a doubling of the body count ( 1:12).ġ:13-15 It seems the king was short on wisdom and long on expendable troops because he sent a third detachment. The second captain made the same demand of Elijah but insisted that he come with them immediately ( 1:11). Unfortunately for captain number two and his men, Ahaziah was not deterred. And, in an instant, they were wiped out ( 1:10). But, if he was truly a “man of God,” why were fifty soldiers trying to arrest him? Given the respect he should’ve been shown, Elijah said, If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men. The captain demanded that this man of God come with them ( 1:9). Nevertheless, the king sent a captain with his fifty men to take Elijah into custody ( 1:9). This was the same prophet who had stood on a mountain and called down fire from heaven (see 1 Kgs 18:30-40). Apparently, Ahaziah had learned nothing from his father’s encounters with Elijah. Second, as a result of the king’s failure to seek the Lord, Elijah sent him a divine prognosis: he would certainly die ( 1:4).ġ:5-12 When the messengers returned and relayed the news ( 1:5-6), the king only needed a physical description to know exactly who the prophet of doom was: Elijah the Tishbite ( 1:7-8). First, he asked Ahaziah why he was seeking advice from a foreign god-as if Israel had no God of their own ( 1:3). God told Elijah to intercept the king’s messengers and deliver to them a question and a pronouncement. His son Ahaziah was about to get a dose of the same harsh treatment he’d received from the prophet. And, though the king hadn’t inquired of the true God, he was about to receive an answer from him anyway.ġ:3-4 The prophet Elijah the Tishbite had been a thorn in King Ahab’s side. Ahaziah chose to look to a Philistine idol (Ekron was a Philistine city) for help. “Baal-zebub” means “Lord of the Flies.” With this term, the author was intentionally mocking this false god, by changing the name “Baal-zebul,” which means “Lord of Glory,” to something less impressive. Even when he suffered a serious injury by falling from a window, he sought a word from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, rather than the Lord. The international political landscape was changing, leading to an approaching war.ġ:2 King Ahab had been an idolater, and his son Ahaziah was a chip off the old block. When Ahaziah’s father Ahab died, Moab-who had been paying tribute to Israel (see 3:4)- rebelled. The Reign of Ahaziah in Israel ( 1:1-18)ġ:1 Having learned at the end of 1 Kings that King Ahaziah of Israel “served Baal” ( 1 Kgs 22:53), we will soon catch a glimpse of the king’s devotion to this abominable god. The Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah ( 1:1–17:41) A.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |