Category: BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

Welcome to AtoZMom’s BSF Blog! Learn about BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)’s BSF study People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided as we study the Old Testament and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah in 2022/2023.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 2: Psalm 73:24; Isaiah 28:23; and John 10:27

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

Psalm 73:24:

You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

Isaiah 28:23:

Listen and hear my voice;
    pay attention and hear what I say.

John 10:27:

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 2: Psalm 73:24; Isaiah 28:23; and John 10:27

3a)

Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-20: God communicates with people through the sights of the universe and his creation

Psalm 119:105; John 17:17: God communicates with people through His Word.

Amos 3:7; 2 Peter 1:20-21: God communicates with people via his servants the prophets.

Hebrews 1:1-2: God communicates with people through Jesus.

Isaiah 30:21; John 14:26: God communicates with people through the Holy Spirit.

b) I liked John 14:26 because I feel like the Holy Spirit is personalized and speaks to me when I need it the most.

4a) It gives us comfort to know that God is in control, even if we have no understanding of world events, He does.

b) Through Bible Study, prayer, reading His word, and listening for His voice in Nature and within via the Holy Spirit. You have to drown out all the other voices by knowing truth and believing truth only.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 2: Psalm 73:24; Isaiah 28:23; and John 10:27

Great verses! I love lessons like these where you are comforted by God’s truths and words.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 2: Psalm 73:24; Isaiah 28:23; and John 10:27

Psalm 73:24:

You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

We all should expect to be guided by God’s words and wisdom.

Isaiah 28:23:

Listen and hear my voice;
    pay attention and hear what I say.

We all should listent to hear God’s voice and pay attention to it when we hear it.

John 10:27:

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

True believers hear Jesus’s voice and knows it when they do. Then, they respond and follow him.

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Friday Digest BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF PEOPLE OF THE PROMISE: KINGDOM DIVIDED LESSON 10

  • God is at work unseen at all times
  • We trust God even though we don’t understand His ways
  • Serve others selfishlessly
  • God preserves those who do the right thing
  • God’s power is all that we need
  • God leads you where He wants you to go
  • Must choose God daily
  • God keeps His promises

TAKE AWAY: God’s plans always prevail.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 5: 2 Kings 12-14; 2 Chronicles 24-25

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 12

Joash reigned 40 years. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

Joash wanted the temple repaired, but it took 23 years because the priests did not repair the temple. Hazael king of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it and only left after Joash gave them sacred objects from the temples.

His officials conspired against him and assassinated him at Beth Millo, on the road down to Silla. Amaziah his son succeeded him as king.

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 13

Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and for a long time he kept them under the power of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad his son.

Jehoahaz died and Jehoash his son succeeded him as king. He reigned sixteen years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Jehoash rested with his ancestors, and Jeroboam succeeded him on the throne. 

Elisha died.

Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben-Hadad his son succeeded him as king.

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 14

Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. He reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He executed the officials who had murdered his father the king. 

Amaziah challenged Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, to battle. Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled. Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. Then Jehoash went to Jerusalem and took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace and gave them to Hazael king of Aram who finally withdrew.

Jehoash died and Jeroboam his son succeeded him as king. The people conspired against him and killed him, and Azariah his son who was 16 took the throne.

Jeroboam (II) son of Jehoash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Jeroboam rested and Zechariah his son succeeded him as king.

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 24

The workers rebuilt the temple of God according to its original design and reinforced it. The rest of the money was used to make articles for the Lord’s temple: articles for the service and for the burnt offerings, and also dishes and other objects of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the Lord.

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. 18 They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came on Judah and Jerusalem.

The Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’”

Joash was killed for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 25

Amaziah called the people of Judah together and assigned them according to their families to commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds for all Judah and Benjamin. He then mustered those twenty years old or more and found that there were three hundred thousand men fit for

When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. The anger of the Lord burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?”

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 5: 2 Kings 12-14; 2 Chronicles 24-25

12a) Jehoiada guided his nephew Joash. He helped with the temple’s repairs and helped Israel to be faithful.

b) After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came on Judah and Jerusalem. Jehoash went to Jerusalem and took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace and gave them to Hazael king of Aram who finally withdrew.

13) Jehoahaz King of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Israel did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit; they continued in them. Also, the Asherah pole remained standing in Samaria. Jehoash King of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He warred against against Amaziah king of Judah.

14) Elisha’s confidence in the fact that God always had his back.

15) Dear Lord, help me to live faithfully and give me the power to do so. Help me to be strong in the face of temptation and give me perseverance for you.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 5: 2 Kings 12-14; 2 Chronicles 24-25

Long readings. Lots of redundancy. Lots of similar names. Keep at it. You’re growing closer to God!

I’m surprised no one took Elisha’s bones after the first miracle for other miracles. I would have!

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 5: 2 Kings 12-14; 2 Chronicles 24-25

The temple needed repairs because it was vandalized by Athaliah and her sons (2 Chronicles 24:7). The money coming into the temple was from the census, taxes, and offerings. The priest did get the repairs done. Remember building projects took a long time in ancient times.

The kingdom of Syria attacked Judah, and King Joash was wounded. 2 Chronicles 24:23-24 To get rid of Syria, he used the temple’s treasures rather than trusting God.

Joash began strong but strayed at the end, as did so many of Israel’s kings.

2 Kings 13

Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu became king over Israel according to God’s promise to Jehu 2 Kings 10:30.

God rescues his unbelieving people again when they cry out to Him.

We see a civil war between Israel and Judah.

Elisha dies.  Elisha said these words to Elijah at the end of his life.  2 Kings 2:12

The arrows represented victories and Joash did not use them properly as Elisha’s last gift to him before he dies. Shooting an arrow in the direction of the enemy was an ancient custom.

Anytime God tells us to have faith, we must be bold, not timid like Joash here. Small actions can add up to a lot.

Fun Fact: This is the only time in the Bible that a miracle was performed by the bones of a dead guy. Yet, the entire relic idea pushed by the Catholic church began here.

2 Kings 14

Amaziah executed the servants who killed his dad. This is wise to protect himself and Biblical Genesis 9:5-7 as murderers were punished by execution but not the children (Deuteronomy 24:16) as God’s law says (but custom demanded).

Amaziah destroyed the Edomites with God’s help  2 Chronicles 25:5-16 but then turned from God afterward (2 Chronicles 25:14) and decided to attack Israel. 2 Chronicles 25:5-16

Amaziah was captured and turned into a prisoner in Israel. He lost all his wealth, too. Then he was assassinated (2 Kings 12:20-21).

The reign of Azariah is about to begin, and he’s the greatest king of Judah after David. Finally!

God let Jeroboam II enjoy great prosperity in Israel. He also helped to neutralize Syria, Israel’s great enemy, with the rise of Assyria. He died in 752 BC. His sone, Zechariah reigned next. He is the fourth generation of Jehu (2 Kings 10:30).

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 4: 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 11

When King Ahaziah died, his mother Athaliah killed all the princes except Joash who was saved by Jehosheba, a princess and sister to Ahaziah. He remained hidden for six years. In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest commanded guards to kill anyone who tries to kill the king. Jehoiada anointed Joash king. Athaliah protested and was put to death.

Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Joash took his place as king and everyone was calm now that Athaliah was gone. Joash was 7 years old when he began to reign.

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 22:10-23:21

Jehoiada said to the people, “The king’s son shall reign, as the Lord promised concerning the descendants of David. Then Jehoiada placed the oversight of the temple of the Lord in the hands of the Levitical priests, to whom David had made assignments in the temple, to present the burnt offerings of the Lord as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, as David had ordered.  He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 4: 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

9) Athaliah was the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.

10a) Joash was saved by Jehosheba, a princess and sister to Ahaziah. He remained hidden for six years.

b) I find it interesting how the people were calm after the death of Athaliah the kingdom was calm. It’s almost a sigh of relief when a bad person in power dies.

11) I still have my job. I have found (hopefully) someone who will help  me reach my goals. That was God because I just wanted to quit and not deal with it.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 4: 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

I love how God always wins by sparing Joash so David’s line could continue. It’s encouraging when you are not winning in your life’s trials.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 4: 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

Remember that Ahaziah was executed by Jehu (2 Kings 9:27-29.)

Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and was given to King Jehoram of Judah as a bride. She obviously was a bad influence on both her husband (Jehoram of Judah) and her son (King Ahaziah of Judah).

This was after Jehu killed all of Ahab’s line. Thus, Athaliah took it upon herself to enact revenge by killing all of David’s line.

Yet, God wins with Jehosheba saving Joash.

Jehoiada the priest chose the Sabbath for the day of the coup because that was the day when the guards changed their shifts. This allowed him to assemble two groups of guards at the temple at the same time without attracting attention. Jehoiada followed all the processes of declaring Joash king.

Athaliah had to know her game was over when she say Joash, her grandson. They killed her mercifully, and Joash took reign and began enacting reforms.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 3: 2 Kings 8:7-10:36; 2 Chronicles 21:1-22:9

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 8:7-10:36

Elisha foretells that Hazael, a servant of the king of Aram, will end up murdering the king of Aram (Ben-Hadad) and taking the throne.

Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, reigned in Israel 8 years as the King of Judah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord but was spared due to God’s promise to David. Edom rebelled against Judah during Jehoram’s reign.

Jehoram’s son, Ahaziah, reigned. He reigned in Jerusalem one year and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Ahaziah went to war against the king of Aram.

2 Kings 9

Jehu is anointed King of Israel according to God’s wishes as conveyed by Elisha. He is to destroy the house of Ahab (Judah).

Jehu then kills Joram and Ahaziah. He then killed Jezebel. He then killed all of Ahab’s family in 2 Kings 10.

Jehu then kills the prophets of Baal, effectively ending Baal worship in Israel.

Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria 28 years. God promises him his descendents will rule over Israel to the 4th generation for his obedience. However, he did sin, and God began to reduce the size of Israel.

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 21:1-22:9

The Lord aroused against Jehoram the hostility of the Philistines and the Arabs near the Cushites. They attacked Judah and carried off the goods from the palace. The Lord afflicted Jehoram with an incurable, painful disease from which he died of.

All of Jehoram’s sons were killed except Ahaziah, the youngest, who then became king of Judah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and was killed by Jehu.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 3: 2 Kings 8:7-10:36; 2 Chronicles 21:1-22:9

6) Kings in Aram: Hazael, a servant of the king of Aram, will end up murdering the king of Aram (Ben-Hadad) and taking the throne.

Kings in Judah:

Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, reigned in Israel 8 years as the King of Judah. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord but was spared due to God’s promise to David. Edom rebelled against Judah during Jehoram’s reign.

Jehoram’s son, Ahaziah, reigned. He reigned in Jerusalem one year and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Ahaziah went to war against the king of Aram.

Kings in Israel: Jehu is anointed King of Israel according to God’s wishes as conveyed by Elisha. He is to destroy the house of Ahab (Judah).

7) Jehu was previously anointed as a future king of Israel, who would overthrow the king of Ahab (1 Kings 19:16-18). God’s promise against Jezebel and the house of Ahab was exactly and righteously fulfilled (1 Kings 21:19, 21:23-25).

8 ) No. He did what God ordered, which was to destroy the house of Ahab and avenge the prophets killed by Ahab and Jezebel. However, his methods were not honoring to God. Hosea predicts that God will punish the house of Jehu for his murderous rampage and that he will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 3: 2 Kings 8:7-10:36; 2 Chronicles 21:1-22:9

Very interesting how God uses others to enact His consequences of disobedience. Sometimes, it can be severe.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 3: 2 Kings 8:7-10:36; 2 Chronicles 21:1-22:9

Sometimes God’s calling on your life is a burden, as Elisha experienced when he weeped at what he knew Hazael would do to the Israelites.

Was Elisha’s words to Hazael a self-fulfilling prophecy? No one makes anyone do anything. Everything is of their own accord.

Do note: King Jehoram of Judah in this passage should not be confused with the King Jehoram of Israel mentioned in 2 Kings 3. That Jehoram is called Joram in this passage and following.

The anointing of Jehu is kept secret so that Jehoram would not have time to oppose him.

Fun Fact: Jehu is the only king of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) to be anointed.

Jehu was God’s chosen one to enact judgment on the house of Ahab.

Jezreel is the city where Joram is recovering from his injury.

Jehu knew he was fulfilling God’s will with his murders. We know this by him throwing Joram’s body in Naboth’s vineyard, where Ahab had murdered Naboth.

Jehu was not commissioned to kill the king of Jusah (Ahaziah), but he did anyway. Technically, Ahaziah was a relative of Ahab.

Jezebel references Zimri (1 Kings 16:9-12) who assassinated King Baasha of Israel who was a commander in the army, too. When Jezebel was trampled, it was considered a desecration of the body and was worse than death. Yet, Jehu is not perturbed at all, eating and drinking afterward.

The sons of Ahab were definitely a threat to take Jehu’s throne, which is why he had them killed.

Jehu killed 42 members of Ahaziah’s family, which many Bible Scholars believe crossed a line. He then kills the remainder of Ahab’s family in Samaria.

Note the mention of the founder of the Rechabites, a reform movement that wants everyone to live a Godly life.  Jeremiah 35

Jehu deceived the prophets of Baal to kill them. The destroys the prophets and their temple.

Jehu still promoted the false worship of idols of the true God.

Jehu did good (God’s work), but was still bad of the kings of Israel. He did the work still in sin.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 2: 2 Kings 6:8-8:6

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 6:8-8:6

Elisha keeps telling the king of Israel where the Arameans are at, so they can avoid them. The King of Aram decides to go and try and capture Elisha who is at Dothan. The king surrounds the city, but the king is surrounded by an unseen army of God with chariots of fire. Elisha asks God to blind the Arameans, which He does. Elisha led the army of Arameans to Samaria where he fed them and sent them home. After this, the raids upon Israel stopped.

The king of Aram then laid seige to Samaria. There was a famine in the land, and the people were so hungry they were resorting to cannabalism. The king of Israel blamed God and Elisha for this. Elisha foretold that the seige would end. The Lord has scared the Aramean army by creating sounds of chariots, horses, and an army. They fled, leaving everything behind, including riches and food. Now, the people of Israel could eat once again.

Elisha has told the woman whose son he had restored that there would be a famine in the land for seven years and they should flee. They stayed in the land of the Philistines for seven years, and when they returned, they asked for their land back. The king granted them their request.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 2: 2 Kings 6:8-8:6

3a) Elisha keeps telling the king of Israel where the Arameans are at, so they can avoid them. The King of Aram decides to go and try and capture Elisha who is at Dothan. The king surrounds the city, but the king is surrounded by an unseen army of God with chariots of fire. Elisha asks God to blind the Arameans, which He does. Elisha led the army of Arameans to Samaria where he fed them and sent them home. After this, the raids upon Israel stopped.

Elisha made sure the army got sent away without anyone losing their lives, as God made noises to mimic an army. He used his unseen army to keep them safe.

b) I think I do this every day to be honest. I wish I could learn to do things His way, instead of mine.

4) There was a famine in Samaria and they were beseigned by the Arameans. The king of Israel blamed God and Elisha. The seige lifted in God’s timing, which Elisha foretold.

5) God is good. He teaches His people a lesson, but He ultimately provides them with everything they need.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 2: 2 Kings 6:8-8:6

I love how God has resources to help us that we can’t see. I wonder at the invisible chareiots of fire that surround and protect me each and every day.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 2: 2 Kings 6:8-8:6

Elisha saves Israel because they are God’s people, not because he approves of the kings of Israel.

God sends an invisible army to protect Elisha and his people.

Because Elisha met evil with good, the army left and did not invade again.

Cannabalism is something God never approves of. This seige was punishment because Israel disobeyed God, rejected Him, and rejected the covenant He had made with them.

Once again, in God’s wisdom, He would relent and turn the famine around for the kingdom of Israel. Elisha is allowed to foretell this.

The king’s officer doubted Elisha’s prophecy and, ultimately, God, which is why he paid the ultimate price of death.

The leprous men were probably going to die in their minds, so they decided to take their chances with the Syrians. They discovered that God has caused the Syrians to flee, and the Israelites were now free.

The lepers did the right thing: they nourished themselves, but then they told the Good News. This should be us today.

The doubting officer did, indeed, die as foretold by Elisha once the promise by God was realized to be true.

2 Kings 4 describes Elisha’s relationship with the woman who cared for him. Her land was restored.

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Who is Elisha?

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

Elisha’s name means “God is salvation.” His ministry lasted almost 60 years around 800 BC whereby he did many miracles. He was one of about 30 prophets that God sent to try to direct his people to Him. He was humble, and he loved his people. He was faithful to God and to God’s calling upon his life. He sought God eagerly and faithfully. He is an example of how to live a Godly life.

It’s interesting to note that Elisha had asked God for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kings 2:9) and the Bible records twice as many of Elisha’s miracles than Elijah’s. Many of the miracles are similar to Christ’s, and they show God caring for His people. Elisha was famous in his own time.

Fun Fact: Elisha’s name appears only one time outside of the book of Kings in Luke 4:27; whereas, Elijah’s name is mentioned often and John the Baptist is compared to him.

God used Elisha to show us that He cares about our physical needs and the deepest desires of our hearts. To Elisha, the nameless people mattered; to God, they matter, too.

Each of us is important to God. You are important to God. I am important to God. Tell yourself that when life tells you otherwise.

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Friday Digest BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF PEOPLE OF THE PROMISE: KINGDOM DIVIDED LESSON 9

  • God knows our pain and He is there in the midst of it
  • God cares for all of our needs
  • God’s grace has no bounds
  • God loves his enemies, too
  • God transforms hearts
  • God’s judgment is perfect, as is His mercy
  • God’s there in the little things, as He is in the big things
  • God’s acts reveal His character
  • God watches over our work
  • We hold God’s power

TAKE AWAY: God cares for His people daily, in small ways and in big ways.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 5: 2 Kings 5:1-6:7

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 5:1-6:7

Naaman was a well regarded commander of the army of the king of Aram. However, he had leprosy. A captive girl from Israel told Naaman’s wife about Elisha who could heal him. Naaman asked the king for permission to go and see Elisha, which the king granted and he gave him a letter, too. The king of Israel couldn’t help him, but Elisha could.

Elisha told Naaman to go wash himself 7 times in the Jordan River and he would be cured. But Naaman was mad. He thought Elisha would cure him in a big hoopla and display of God’s power. Naaman’s servants told him to follow Elisha’s orders, which he did. Naaman was cured. Naaman converts to worshipping God. He offers Elisha gifts, but he refuses.

Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, got greedy. He followed Naaman to ask for some money and he kept it for himself. Elisha cursed him with leprosy for this.

Elisha then retrieves an axhead from the Jordan River using God’s power.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 5: 2 Kings 5:1-6:7

11) Naaman was a well regarded commander of the army of the king of Aram. However, he had leprosy.

12a) A captive girl from Israel told Naaman’s wife about Elisha who could heal him. Naaman asked the king for permission to go and see Elisha and he went.

b) He thought Elisha would cure him in a big hoopla and display of God’s power. Naaman’s servants told him to follow Elisha’s orders, which he did. Washing in the River was the same as being told to do great things, they reasoned.

c) I’m super bad at admitting when I’m wrong and apologizing.

13) He converted him and, odds are, his family, too.

14) God ultimately wants everyone to come to him. He reveals himself as a testimony to others to follow Him, too.

15) First, he was greedy. Second, he lied about it instead of confessing and asking for forgiveness.

16) Elisha knew that the man would have to pay for the axhead that he lost since it wasn’t his, so he took compassion on the man and retrieve it for him.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 5: 2 Kings 5:1-6:7

My favorite part was the captive girl. I’m unsure if I would have done the same due to my anger at being a slave. Here, God uses a girl’s tragedy to convert her enemy. Powerful stuff!

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 5: 2 Kings 5:1-6:7

Aram or Syria was a bitter enemy of Israel and Judah. (1 Kings 22:35-36).

Note that the title “man of valor” is used with Gideon (Judges 6:12), Jephthah (Judges 11:1), David (1 Samuel 16:18), Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:28), and Eliada (2 Chronicles 17:17). In fact, Naaman is the only Gentile in the Bible referred to with this title.

Leprosy in the ancient world was a death sentence. It also was a cause for ostracism, as people didn’t understand and didn’t want to catch it.

The servant girl cared and had faith. That is all God requires of us, too. God used her to accomplish a greater good.

Many Bible scholars believe this story is out of order since the letter sent by the king of Syria to the king of Israel would likely not have happened during intense hostilities.

Ten talents of gold would be equivalent to $1.2 million today.

Elisha rebukes the king of Israel for having no faith in God or him.

Note Elisha did not see Naaman, only sent him a message. He had the wrong expectations of God, like many of us do.

When Naaman’s servants pointed out that his reasoning was inconsistent about washing in the river and that he was only refusing because it was humbling, Naaman agreed. Only God could heal, especially since Elisha was not there. God gets all the credit here unequivocally.

Naaman was like the leper who came back to thank Jesus after he was healed (Luke 17:12-19).

The taking of the soil with him was common in the ancient world. He also asked to be pardoned when he pretended to worship the gods of Syria, as he would be expected to do as an official.

Gehazi hid the talents because he knew Elisha would not approve. The judgement is more severe for believers who know better. It was his selfish desire to gain from God’s blessings.

2 Kings 6

Elisha’s following had grown so much that he needed a new building.

Iron was precious and uncommon in ancient times. The way Elisha retrieved it left no doubt that God retrieved it.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 4: 2 Kings 4:38-44

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 2:4:38-44

Elisha instructs his servant to feed the company of prophets. The servant collects a wild vine’s gourds and cooked it in the stew. The men could not eat it because it tasted of death. Elisha put some flour in the stew to neutralize the bad ingredients.

Elisha feeds 100 men with 20 loaves of barley bread and some heads of new grain. The Lord had said the men would eat and have some left over.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 4: 2 Kings 4:38-44

8 ) The needs are the basic need to eat.

9a) God is showing how he cares to meet our basic needs.

b) None.

10) It’s encouraging because sometimes it is the little things or the basic things that can be the most meaningful to others.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 4: 2 Kings 4:38-44

More great miracles I had forgotten. Immediately upon reading Elisha feeding the 100, you think of Jesus feeding the 5,000. How great the Lord is to show his people precursors to Jesus.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 4: 2 Kings 4:38-44

The famine mentioned in verse 38 may be the seven-year famine alluded to in 2 Kings 8:1-3

Elisha feels he has to fix the food since it was his servant that mistakenly prepared a bad food to eat. Some Bible scholars think it was a gourd known as colocynth that grows near the Dead Sea. It can be fatal, and it tastes extremely bitter. God purified the pot; not the flour.

Normally, firstfruits were reserved for God (Leviticus 23:20) and the Levitical priests (Numbers 18:13; Deuteronomy 18:4-5). Because the religion in the Northern Kingdom was apostate, the loaves of bread were brought to the most religious person.

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