2 Kings 8:1-29

In chapter 4:8-37 we were told the story of a Shunammite woman.

1. She was a well-to-do woman
2. She offered hospitality to Elisha
3. She had respect for righteousness
4. She was rewarded with a son
5. She demonstrated great faith
6. She was rewarded with a resurrected son

Here, in chapter 8, we pick up her story

7. She was sent away for 7 years to survive famine
8. She came back with nothing to her name
9. The King restored her to her belongings

The power of this story, though, is in the providence of God. At just the moment this woman returned to Israel, Gehazi and the King were talking about her former story! It also causes me to think of the importance of 'little' steps of faith. If she had never responded to the Holy Spirit's calling for her to offer hospitality to the prophet, perhaps she would never have had a son, survived the famine, or had her fortune restored to her.

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Perhaps remembering the story of Namaan, Ben Hadad looked to the prophet Elisha his fate regarding a serious illness. Sending his servant, Hazael, Ben Hadad simply wanted to know if he would recover. Bearing gifts, Hazael, brought this question to Elisha.

Elisha's response may seem confusing. His message to Ben Hadad is:
1) You very well may recover from this illness
2) But you will in fact die

Mysterious as it seems, Elisha was certainly not lying. Ben Hadad, in fact, would have recovered from the illness. But he would not survive another attack about to come his way. Elisha knew the heart of Hazael and stared at him, causing shame. Elisha knew that Hazael would soon be king of Aram and then attack Israel. Low and behold, the very next day Hazael assassinated Ben Hadad and succeeded him as king.
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Next, in chapter 8, we are told some stories from the lives of the Kings of Judah (southern kingdom). Further details are found in 2 Chronicles 21.

Jehoram (Joram)
1. Son of Jehoshaphat (mostly good king)
2. 32 years old when he became king
3. Had an 8 year reign
4. Was like a king of Israel (up until then, southern kings were mostly good)
5. Married a daughter of Ahab (thus linking himself to northern kings)
6. Did evil in the eyes of the Lord
7. Killed all his brothers and some others (2 Chron. 21)
8. Spared only because of God's promises to David
9. Was rebelled against by Edom
10. Eventually died of a disgusting disease to fulfill prophecy
11. Succeeded by his son, Ahaziah

Ahaziah
1. Son of Jehoram
2. 22 years old when he began to reign
3. Had a 1 year reign
4. Followed in Ahab's steps
5. Did evil in the eyes of the Lord
6. Was related by marriage to Ahab's family
7. Went to fight with Ahab's son (Joram) against Hazael
8. Visited a wounded Joram in Jezreel
9. This visit resulted in his death (Negative providence, 2 Chronicles 22:7)