2 Kings 8 - Introduction

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ELISHA AND THE ARAMEANS

2 Kings 6:8 to 2 Kings 8:29

The focus in 2 Kings 6-8 is still on Elisha, but here a new dimension of his ministry comes into view. The Arameans, who had long been hostile to Israel, began to exert their power in the days of Jehoram the son of Ahab. Israel is definitely on the defensive in these Chapter s. Here the author of Kings treats (1) two patriotic miracles (2 Kings 6:8-23), and (2) three predictive miracles (2 Kings 6:24 to 2 Kings 8:15) of Elisha. To this material the author adds brief notes on the reigns of two contemporary kings of Judah (2 Kings 8:16-29).

REVIEW OF CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

I. FACTS TO MASTER

A. Important names to identify in relation to this chapter:

1. Elisha

5. Benhadad

2. Gehazi

6. Hazael

3. Jehoram

7. Athaliah

4. Ahaziah

B. Important places to be identified in relation to this chapter:

1. Samaria

4. Philistia

7. Libnah

2. Jordan

5. Damascus

8. Ramoth-gilead

3. Dothan

6. Edom

9. Jezreel

C. Important numbers

1.

Number of lepers who discovered the abandonment of the Aramean camp

2.

Number of camel burdens Hazael brought as a gift to Elisha

3.

Number of years Elisha predicted famine in Israel

4.

Number of chariots sent forth from Samaria to investigate the flight of the Arameans

5.

Price of a measure of flour and two measures of barley after the flight of the Arameans

6.

Number of times Elisha revealed the whereabouts of Aramean ambushes

D. Words and phrases which should call to remembrance key events in this chapter:

1. chariots of fire

6. heavenly windows

2. blindness

7. famine

3. feast

8. donkey's head

4. a wet cloth

9. sackcloth

5. a lamp

10. elders

II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.

Why did Elisha reveal the military plans of the Aramean raiding parties to King Jehoram? (Remember, Jehoram was quite wicked.)

2.

How was Elisha able to know what Aramean plans were?

3.

What is symbolized by the horses and chariots of fire on the hills about Dothan?

4.

Why did the prophet order his Aramean captives to be Libnah Ramoth-gilead Jezreel heavenly windows famine donkey's head sackcloth elders treated with kindness?

5.

Why did Jehoram become so embittered against Elisha during the siege of Samaria?

6.

What missionary lesson can the modern church observe in the actions of the four lepers? (2 Kings 7:8-9).

7.

What is there in the opening verses of chapter 8 that would suggest these stories from the ministry of Elisha are not in chronological order?

8.

Did the prophecy of Elisha in Damascus cause Hazael to kill his master?

9.

In 2 Kings 8:10 is Elisha instructing Hazael to lie to Benhadad?

10.

Of both Jehoram and Ahaziah of Judah it is said, he walked in the way of the house of Ahab. How did the house of Ahab come to have such an influence on the kings of Judah?

11.

2 Kings 8:26 states Ahaziah was twenty-two when he began to reign; 2 Chronicles 22:2 states he was forty-two. If the Scriptures are inerrant, how can such a discrepancy be explained?

Cedars of Lebanon for Solomon's Temple

Actual construction of the Temple
Drawings by Horace Knowles from the British and Foreign Bible Society