2 Kings 8: Kings die and Kings are Replaced

Synopsis:

The woman whose son was healed by Elisha is told that there will be a 7 year famine so she should leave. When she comes back, all her stuff has been taken. She petitions the king who restores her her home and fiels. The king of Syria, Ben-hadad, gets sick and sends his servant Hazael to ask Elisha whether the king will survive or not. The answer is yes, yu will recover, but you shall surely die. Hazael asks how, and he answers, because I know what you will do, you will be king over Syria. So Hazael goes back, tells the king he will recover. Takes a thick cloth, dips it in water, spreads it on the face of the king, kills him and reigns in his stead. In the fifth year of Joram, son of Ahab of Israel, Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat of Judah begins to reign. He reigns 32 years and 8 in Jerusalem. He was evil, but god did not destroy him for David’s sake. Edom revolts and names their own king. Joram was unable to stop this. Libnah also revolted. Ahaziah, son of Jehoram of Judah, begins his reigh. He wages war against Syria with Joram, king of Israel/Samaria.  Joram is wounded and goes back to Jezreel to heal.

In other words:

Kings die and are replaced. Wars are fought.

Favorite bit:

2 Kings 8:15: And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead. (I realize this is gruesome, but it’s an interesting suffocation technique and it appears that Elisha gave him the idea to do it).

Least favorite bit:

2 Kings 8:19: Yet the Lord would not destroy Judah for David his servant’s sake, as he promised him to give him always a light, and to his children.  (How many generations have failed to honor this god, and still he doesn’t do anything about it?)

Moral Lesson Learned:

It doesn’t matter how important something at the time, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really impact anything. (2 Kings 8)