A Humanist perspective on what we can learn about what is morality from the Bible.
Showing posts with label 2 Kings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 Kings. Show all posts
2 Kings 10: Jehu cleans house
Synopsis:
Jehu writes to the people raising Ahab’s 70 sons and tells them to kill the kids and deliver their heads. Which they do. All that remained of the house of Ahab were slew in Jezreel. Jehu goes to Samaria and meets with the family of Ahaziah. He kills all 42 men. Jehu then goes to Samaria and asks to meet all the prophets of Baal saying, Ahab served Baal, but I shall serve him much more. He calls for a great feast and once all the worshippers of Baal are together, he kills them all. The Lord promises Jehu that his children for four generations shall sit on the throne of Israel. Which is nice, but Jehu doesn’t walk with the low of the Lord God of Israel. So the Lord begins to give parts of Israel to others, like Hazael of Syria. Jehu reigns for 28 years.In other words:
Now that Jehu is king, he kills all his rivals including the family of Ahab, Ahazial and all the worshippers of Baal.Favorite bit:
2 Kings 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin. (God chooses him specially and he STILL doesn’t do what God wants!)Most interesting bit:
2 Kings 10:1-7 – Jehu writes letters to the prominent men who are raising the sons of Ahab and they are so afraid of him, they kill their wards. It’s interesting how this plays out.Most strategic bit:
2 Kings 10:18-28 – the destruction of Baal from Israel. Basically, he organizes a gathering so ALL the prophets and followers will be in the same place. And he performs a sacrifice. The house of Baal was filled from one end to the other. They killed everyone, destroyed all the images and vestments and turned the house of Baal into a draught house.Least favorite bit:
2 Kings 10:13,14 - Jehu meets with the brethren of Ahaziah and takes them alive, slays them in the pit of a shearing house.Moral Lesson Learned:
Even if you eliminate all your competition, your problems aren’t over (2 King 10)2 Kings 7: The siege ends
Synopsis:
Elisha prophesizes that flour shall be sold for a shekel. The lord upon whose hand the king leans who had sought out Elisha questions this, and Elisha says, you will not see this. There were 4 lepers at the city gate who decided that if they were going to die of starvation, they might as well go to the Syrians and see if they could get some food. If they are killed, so what, they are going to die anyway. It turns out that in the middle of the night the Syrians had fled because they heard loud noises of “chariots” and “horses.” They thought the Hittites and Egyptians had come to aid Samaria and so they left in a hurry and left their tents, horses and food. The lepers found the tents empty, ate their fill and sole as much gold, silver and raiment as they could carry and hit it and then got some more and hid it. They then went to the king and told him what had happened. The king assumed that this was a trap to get them to leave their walled city to explore the campsite of the Syrians and that the Syrians would jump out of the surrounding woods and kills them. He sent 2 chariot horses and behold, there was no one there. The people went out and spoiled the tents. There was so much food, a measure of flour sold for a shekel – just as Elisha had said. But the lord who had sought out Elisha was trampled in the stampede by the gate and didn’t live to see it.In other words:
The Syrians flee because they think the Hittite’s are attacking. They leave tents, food and supplies. The siege is ended and the Samarians can eat again.Favorite bit:
2 Kings 7:3 – And there were four leprous men at the entering in the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?Least favorite bit:
2 Kings 7:17 And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.Moral Lesson Learned:
It’s good to be cautious, but you must also take risks to succeed (2 Kings 7)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)2 Kings 5: Elisha heals a leper
Synopsis:
One of the captains of the king of Syria is noble in valour, but he has leprosy. His wife has a maid from Israel and she says – oh, there is a prophet in Israel who could heal him. So the king of Syria inquires to the king of Israel on behalf of his leprosy ridden captain. The king of Israel tears his clothes – I have no idea how to cure him. When Elisha hears of this he tells the king to let the captain of Syria come to him. The captain comes and Elisha sends a messenger to tell the captain to wash in the Jordan 7 times and his flesh shall become new again. The captain is furious. He was expecting to meet the prophet and to be prayed over. And besides, aren’t the rivers in Syria better than the Jordan? The captain’s servants calmed him down. If the prophet had told you to do a great deed to clean yourself, you would have done it. So why not just wash and be clean. So he did. He went to the Jordan and dipped in 7 times and his flesh was clean and like that of a child. The captain returns to Elisha thanking him and tries to give him a gift, but Elisha refuses. So the captain is sent away. Elisha’s servant Gehazi follows the Syrian captain and asks him for 2 talants of silver and 2 changes of garments. Elisha finds out about this and curses Gehazi with leprosy.In other words:
Elisha heals a leper by having him wash in the Jordan River.Favorite bit:
2 Kings 5:10-14 Naaman, the Syrian captain is cranky. I thought , He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. But nooooo. The healing is done without the laying on of hands.Least favorite bit:
Gehazi taking money from the captain and being turned into a leper by his boss. (2 Kings 5:17-27)Moral lesson Learned:
Flashy solutions aren’t necessarily the best solution. (2 Kings 5)2 Kings 6: The siege of Samaria begins
Synopsis:
The prophets under Elisha decide to build a new home. One loses his axe head in the Jordan, and Elisha is able to make it float to get it back. In the meantime the King of Syria decides to wage war against Samaria and Elisha tells the king, don’t go to where the king of Syria is camped. The king of Syria wants to know why his plans keep failing and is told that Elisha the prophet is to blame because he keeps warning the king of Israel. So the king of Syria sieges Dothan where Elisha is. A young servant of Elisha wanted to know what they were going to do and Elisha said, don’t worry, we have more on our side. And Elisha asked the Lord to open the young man’s eyes and he saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire to protect Elisha. Elisha then asked the Lord to make the Syrians blind. Elisha then leads the Syrians to where they are supposed to go and that is right into the hands of the king of Israel. The king wanted to know if he should smite them. Elisha said no, feed them and send them home. Later, the king Ben-hadad of Syria besieged Samaria. Things got so bad that people started eating their kids. When the king heard of this he rent his clothes and went about in a sackcloth. He orders the head of Elisha to be brought. So he locked the door.In other words:
Samaria is sieged by Syria and the king wants Elisha killed.Favorite bit:
2 Kings 6:17 – And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full or horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (very cool imagery)Most interesting bit:
2 Kings 6:25 – And there was a great famine in Samara: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver. (I wonder what dove’s dung is used for. Is it something you eat? – Wikiepedia isn’t very helpful here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dove%27s_dung)Least favorite bit:
2 Kings 6:28,29 – And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son tomorrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.Moral Lesson Learned:
People will do just about anything when they are desperate (2 Kings 6)2 Kings 3: Revolt is in the air
Synopsis:
Jehoram, another son of Ahab takes the thrown. But Mesha of Moab, who is a sheepmaster revolts as he doesn’t want to keep sending sheep and wool to Israel. So Jehoram asks Jehoshaphat of Juda to help him quell the rebellion. So the three kings of Israel, Judah and Edom march for 7 days without food or water. They get desperate and call Elisha to help them out. Elisha tells them to dig ditches and water flowed into them from Edom. The kings of Moab came to fight and in the morning, the sun on the water made it look like rivers of blood. The Moabites figured that the 3 kings had started fighting each other and went out to the camp of Israel to search the spoils only to find the Israelites fine and ready to fight. When the king of Moab saw the battle was lost for him, he took his eldest son and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall. Israelites are disgusted and go home.In other words:
Now that Ahab is dead, the Moabites revolt and fail.Favorite bit:
2 Kings 3:23: And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another,: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil. (oops)2nd favorite bit:
2 Kings 3:15 – But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. (Apparently Elisha needs music to be able to prophesize.)Least favorite bit:
2 Kings 3:26,27 – And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not. Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel and they departed from him, and returned to their own land. (So he doesn’t immolate himself to turn public opinion. He immolates his son. Ugh)Moral Lesson Learned:
Just because you want something to be true, doesn’t mean it is true. (2 Kings 3)2 Kings 4: The miracles of Elisha
Synopsis:
Miracle 1: A woman whose husband has died is worried her sons will be taken as bondsmen to pay off her late husband’s death. So Elisha has her gather all the empty vessels she could find. She poured the little oil she had into the vessels until they were all full, then she sold all the oil and was able to pay off the debt.Miracle 2: A woman puts out bread and provides shelter for Elisha every time he passes through her town of Shunam. He asks what he can do. She wants a son. She got pregnant, had the son, but when he was grown, he got sick. She put him on Elisha’s bed and went to go find Elisha. He sent his servant Gehazi to put his staff on the child. But the child did not wake up. So Elisha went. He put his mouth upon the child’s mouth his eyes upon his yes and his hands upon his hands and stretched himself up on the child. He got up, walked about and did it again. The child sneezes 7 times and opened his eyes.
Miracle 3: Elisha makes porrage for the people of Gilgal, but they are afraid it is poisonous. So they add meal to it and everyone ate and no one died.
Miracle 4: A man brought first fruits, 20 loaves of barley and corn. Elisha said give it to the people. The man didn’t think it was enough, but everyone was able to eat and there was some left over.
In other words:
Elisha performs a series of miracles.Favorite bit:
Miracle 2: 2 Kings 4:8-37 I love that he did mouth to mouth and used his body to warm up the “dead” kid.Least favorite bit:
Miracle 3: 2 Kings 4:38-41 – The problem was a guy they didn’t know had put vines and goards into the pottage and it tasted funny when they went to eat it, so they added meal to make it taste better. There is no guarantee this was a miracle.Moral Lesson Learned:
You never know what you can accomplish if you try. 2 Kings 4)2 Kings 1: The son of Ahab dies
Synopsis:
After Ahab’s death the Moabites rebel. Ahaziah fell through a lattice in his chamber and was sick, so he sent messengers to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron to see if he would recover. The messengers met the prophet Elijah on the road and he told them to turn back. He told them God was made that Ahaziah had enquired to Baal-zebub and not Him, so Ahaziah will die of his injuries. Ahaziah isn’t happy about this so he sends 3 units of 50 men to try and bring Elijah to him, but Elijah has God kills all 100 of them with fire from heaven. The third unit is spared because the captain of that group asked for mercy. Elijah went with this guard to the king and told him he was going to die, which he did. Jehoram of Judah took over because Ahaziah had no son.In other words:
The king of Israel has an accident and dies from his injuries, leaving no heir.Favorite bit:
2 Kings 1:8 (a description of the prophet Elijah) He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.2nd favorite bit:
2 Kings 1:9-14 – The killing of the king’s men in spectacular fashion. The king sent a captain of 50 with his 50. And he went to Elijah and told him to come down. Elijah answer, “If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy 50.” And there came down fire from heave, and consumed him and his 50. This happens twice. The third captain was smart enough to plead for mercy.3rd favorite bit:
Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron.Moral Lesson Learned:
If you are injured, don’t waste your time on prayers, get a doctor! (2 Kings 1)2 Kings 2: Elijah is taken to heaven
Synopsis:
It was time for Elijah to be taken to heaven. He told Elisha to stay as he was going to Beth-el. But Elisha insisted on going with him. They went to Beth-el together and the son’s of prophets told Elisha that the Lord was going to take away Elijah that day. Elijah then told Elisha to stay in Beth-el as he was going on to Jericho. Again Elisha insisted on coming. And again, the sons of the prophets at Jericho told Elisha that Elijah was going to be taken. Elijah then told Elisha to stay as he was going to Jordan. Again Elisha refused to stay and went with Elijah to Jordan. Elijah took his mantle and parted the waters of the Jordan so he and Elisha could walk across it on dry ground. Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before he was taken away. And Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. They walked on and a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeard and Elijah went up in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha witnessed this and tore his clothes in two and took up the mantle of Elijah and used it to part the waters again so he could cross the Jordan. He met up with the sons of the prophets. They convinced him to send men to look for Elijah in case the lord had taken him up and cast him upon some mountain but they didn’t find Elijah’s body. They then asked Elisha to use his new powers to fix the water situation as they were in drought. This Elisha did. On his way to Beth-el – several children came and teased him so he set two she bears upon the kids to tear them apart. He continued on to Mount Carmel and returned to Samaria.In other words:
Prophet Elijah is taken to heaven in a whirlwind of fire and Elisha is given his powers.Favorite bit:
2 Kings 2:11 – And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (I like this because whatever magic Elijah had – all had to do with fire. The sacrifice, the killing of the guards and now this – it’s an apt way for him to disappear).
Least favorite bit:
2 Kings 2:23,24 – Some kid tease Elisha calling him baldy so he has them torn apart by bears! 42 of them. They are kids. Seems like overkill to me. Literally.
What got me thinking:
Wondering what the trick was. On the other hand, no one witnessed Elijah’s ascension except Elisha so it may not have happened at all. And clearly all the other prophets, including those who warned Elisha that Elijah was leaving, still wondered whether it really happened or had his body be thrown somewhere. Regardless, the idea that he was taken up in a fiery whirlwind is pretty spectacular and would have been an awesome sight to see. Can’t help wondering how modern magicians might pull something like that off. Or, Elisha knew that Elijah just wanted to leave and wouldn’t let him so Elijah – who had planned to just walk away, had to stage something spectacular to get Elisha to stop following him.Moral Lesson Learned:
- Don’t mock people (2 Kings 2)
- Don’t overreact to being mocked (2 Kings 2)
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