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2 Kings 1

Verse 1

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parWalking Thru The Bible

2 KINGS

INTRODUCTION

First and Second Kings are just a continuation of the Books of Samuel. As their name suggests, they record the events of the reign of Solomon and then the succeeding kings of Judah and Israel. In the Hebrew Bible 1^st and 2^nd Samuel form one book, 1^st and 2^nd Kings form a second, and 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles form a third book.

Author: The Jews understood that the book was written my Jeremiah, and indeed there are many resemblances (cf. 2 Kings 24:18-25:30 and Jeremiah 52:1-34).

Date: The books cover the time from Solomon’s reign to the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity, a time span of about 400 years.

Background: First Kings begins with the death of David and the chapters 1-11 deal with the reign of Solomon. The nation divided into two kingdoms when Solomon died ca. 930 BC.

The northern kingdom (Israel) was made up by ten tribes and during its existence till 722 BC it had nine dynasties and 19 kings. It was sometimes called by the name of its leading tribe, Ephraim.

The southern kingdom composed of two tribes was referred to by its leading tribe, Judah. It had only one dynasty (i.e., David’s) and some 20 kings.

SECOND KINGS

Second Kings has been said to be "Hebrew history from the prophetic standpoint." In the period we meet such great prophets as Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah and Jeremiah who were "faithfully testifying of the moral foundation of the nation, vindicating the righteousness of God and rebuking sin and upholding the divine ideal to which God’s people as a nation had been called."

Date: The history of 2nd Kings covers approximately 265 years. We see the kingdom of Israel coming to an end when its capital, Samaria, was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BC after lasting 250 years (2 Kings 17). The kingdom of Judah lasted nearly 150 years after Israel came to an end when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC (2 Kings 25).

Structure of Second Kings:

I. Elisha the prophet and his work - 2 Kings 1:1 - 13:21

1. Associated with Elijah in his last days - 1:1-2:12

2. Performed many miracles in Israel - 2:12-13:21

II. Alternating history and kings of the two nations described

1. The downfall of Israel (God gave reasons why in ch. 17)

a. Sinned against the Lord their God - 2 Kings 17:7

b. Walked in the statutes of the heathen -2 Kings 17:8

c. "Did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God" - 2 Kings 17:9

d. Set up images, idols and high places - 2 Kings 17:10-12

e. Rejected the warning of the prophets - 2 Kings 17:13-14

f. Rejected statues and left commandments of God - 2 Kings 17:15-16

g. Offered their children as burnt offerings - 2 Kings 17:17

The nation Israel was carried into Assyrian captivity.

2. The downfall of Judah (Some Reasons why listed)

a. Did more evil than the heathen nations about them (2 Kings 21:9, 2 Kings 21:11, 2 Kings 21:15)

b. Manasseh shed innocent blood in Jerusalem - (2 Kings 21:16)

The nation of Judah was carried in Babylonian captivity.

Some Practical Lessons From First Kings

1. David’s advice to his son Solomon is good advice for every father to give his son, (2 Kings 2:1-3.)

2. Solomon prayed for wisdom just as we may, (2 Kings 3:5) James 1:5-7.

3. Solomon’s apostasy stands as a warning today against marrying someone who does not have the same regards for God as we do, (2 Kings 11:4; 2 Kings 21:25).

4. Jeroboam introduces convenient religion to Israel and it has been with us ever since (1 Kings 12:28) 2 Kings 15:28

5. A warning against being deceived under the guise of religion is gained from the experience of the young prophet (2 Kings 13:18).

6. God’s people must be completely on his side as the contest at Mt. Carmel shows, (1 Kings 18:17-21).

7. Children usually follow the example of their parents as Ahaziah followed Ahab and Jezebel, (1 Kings 22:51.

Some Practical Lessons From Second Kings

1. The essentially of doing what God says do is illustrated by Naaman, (2 Kings 5:1-14).

2. Our responsibility and opportunity is like that of the four lepers who had good tidings that needed to be told, (2 Kings 7:1-9).

3. It is dangerous to trust in "bruised reeds," (2 Kings 18:21).

a. Power, money, "doctrines of men", etc.

4. "What have they seen in thine house?" (2 Kings 20:15).

5. Second Kings is valuable in teaching great moral lessons as backed up an illustrated in history.

Lessons from Naaman the Leper

2 Kings 5:1-14

Introduction

1. Naaman was "a captain," "a great man," "honorable," "BUT he was a leper."

I. SOME THINGS ABOUT LEPROSY

1. It was a loathsome disease. (A description)

2. It was a contagious disease.

3. It was a deceptive disease.

4. It was a disease not inherited, but acquired.

5. It was a disease that had a tendency to increase.

6. It was a disease incurable except by the power of God.

II. AN ANALOGY BETWEEN LEPROSY AND SIN

1. It is loathsome (Ezekiel 18:20)

2. Sin is contagious (1 Corinthians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 15:33)

3. Sin is deceptive (Hebrews 3:12-13)

4. Sin is not inherited, but acquired (Ezekiel 18:20; Ezekiel 28:15)

5. Sin has a tendency to increase (James 1:15)

6. Sin in incurable except by the power of God.

(Hebrews 9:22; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:10)

III. NAAMAN WAS KEPT FROM BEING CLEANSED AT FIRST:

1. Because he got mad (2 Kings 5:11-12)

2. Because he had pride (2 Kings 5:13)

3. Because he was prejudice (2 Kings 5:11)

4. Because he wanted something sensational to happen (2 Kings 5:11, 2 Kings 5:13)

5. Because of the Jordan (2 Kings 5:12)

IV. NAAMAN HUMBLED HIMSELF TO OBEY

1. 2 Kings 5:14

Conclusion:

1. What was the secret of Naaman’s obedience?

2. The same thing must be true of sinners today.

3. Will you manifest the same kind of faith as Naaman had?

Enough to take God at His word? Enough to obey God?

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