Read: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 13:42-14:7; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 17:19-21
First and Second Kings was written by the prophets about both kingdoms with Israel as its biggest focus. The Kings were written during the time of exile. The Chronicles were written by the priests, mainly Ezra, after the exile and his perspective as he looked back. The Chronicles focus is Judah since that is where the Temple was and where the priests lived.
After Ahab died, his son Ahaziah ruled. He fell through the lattice work of his second story and was badly injured. He sent his messengers to ask the prophets of Baal-zebub in Ekron if he would live. On the way, Elijah met them. God had told him to stop them and give them His answer.
When they returned with the answer so soon after they had left the king asked them why. They told him about meeting Elijah and what he said. Elijah had wanted to know why he sent for answers from Baal instead of the God of Israel. He told him that because he did that he would not get out of bed but die there. When they described Elijah, Ahaziah recognized who it was and sent 50 men to get him. He had fire consume them from heaven. Ahab sent another 50 and the same thing happened. He sent another 50 but this officer climbed the mountain that Ahab was sitting on and bowed down in humility and respect and begged him not to kill him. God told Elijah to go with him. He went and told the same thing. He died with out a successor so his brother, Joram became king.
Elijah was about to be taken in a whirlwind to heaven and Elisha knew the time was coming so he refused to leave his side. Elijah went to Bethel, Jericho, to the Jordan River and everywhere they went they met prophets who told Elisha that God was taking Elijah that day. Elijah was revisiting the place where God called Abraham, the place where Israel had their first victory and back across the River that they had crossed to get to their promised. Only this time he was going across to the other side. It was like he was walking full circle the story of their people.
Elisha had one request, that he would be given a double portion of his spirit. Elijah told him that if Elisha saw him leave, then he would get his request. Elisha did see Elijah leave when a fiery chariot came down from heaven and took Elijah up in a whirlwind. Elijah’s cloak was left behind so Elisha put it on and came back to the Jordan River and struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and it parted.
Elisha retraced the steps of Elijah.
Soon, Elisha got to use his new anointing. The waters of Jericho were bad and causing infertility in the land and the women. Elisha put salt in the water and it cleansed the water.
Elisha then went to Bethel where a group of boys called Elisha names, mocking him. Elisha cursed them in God’s name. Two bears came out of the woods and killed them.
In Acts, Paul left them begging for more that Sabbath. When he returned the next week, the place was packed and the Jewish leaders were jealous of all the attention that they were getting. They slandered them and argued everything they said. Paul wiped the dust off his feet and told them that they offered them the good news first but now they were free to take it to the Gentiles. They left and went to other towns where the same thing happened.
At one place a mob of Gentiles and Jews planned to attack and stone them but they learned of the plot and fled to Lycaonia.
Lord, help us to realize that the gospel is not welcomed by the world because it is the power to change and save.
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