SCRIPTURE: 2 KINGS 8
THE SHUNAMMITE’S LAND RESTORED (vs. 1-6)
Elisha told the woman whose son he restored to go away and stay in the land of Philistines because there will be a famine for 7 years. The woman did as what Elisha said and went away to stay in the land of the Philistines for 7 years. At the end of 7 years, she returned and went to the king to beg for her house and land.
The king asked Gehazi, the servant of Elisha about what great things Elisha had done. While they were talking, the woman came to the king. So Gehazi said: “This is the son of the of the woman whom Elisha restored to life. The woman confirmed to the king and the king assigned her case to an official to give back everything that belong to her including all the income of the land from the day she left the country until now.
HAZAEL MURDERS BEN-HADAD (vs. 7-15)
Elisha went to Damascus while Ben-Hadad, king of Aram wea ill. Hazael told Ben-Hadad that the man of god had come. Ben-Hadad told Hazael to take a gift and meet Elisha to consult the Lord through him if he could recover his illness. When Hazael met Elisha and asked if Ben-Hadad will recover from his illness, Elisha answered: “Go and say to him. You will certainly recover but the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact die” (v. 10). Then Elisha wept and said: “I know the harm you will do to the Israelites. You will set fire in their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground and rip open their pregnant women” (v. 12) Hazael denied that he would do such things. Then Elisha answered: The Lord has shown me that you will become king of Aram” (v. 13).
Then Hazael left Elisha and returned to his master. But the next day, he took a thick cloth soaked in water and spread it over the king’s face, so he died. The Hazael succeeded him as king.
JEHORAM KING OF JUDAH (vs. 16-24)
Jehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat. He was 32 years old when he became king of Judah. He reigned in Jerusalem for 8 years. He did evil in the eyes of God for he married a daughter of king Ahad. During his time, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king. Jehoram rested with his father and was buried with them in the city of David. And Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.
AHAZIAH KING OF JUDAH (vs. 25-29)
Ahaziah was 22 years old when became king and he reigned in Jerusalem for 1 year. He walked in wicked ways because he was related with the Ahab’s family. Ahaziah went with Joram, son of Ahab to war against Hazael, king of Aram. The Arameans wounded Joram, so Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds.
THOUGHTS:
The Shunammite woman experienced three tragedies. The death of her son, the uprooting of her household and the loss of property. But because she was faithful to the Lord and kind to God’s servant, God help her escape the famine and used the miracle of his son’s resurrection to help her regain her property. Sometimes, God permit trials work together for our good.
When Elisha stared at Hazael with a fixed gaze and told him the harm he will do. Hazael protested that he would never do those things. Oftentimes, we will not admit that we will do sinful acts but we should take a more biblical and realistic look at ourselves and admit our sinful potential. Then ask God’s strength to rescind such evil acts.
King Jehoshaphat arranged the marriage between his son Jehoram and Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. When Jehoram died, his son Ahaziah became king but he was killed in battle. Athaliah murdered all her grandson except Joash and made herself queen.