ELISHA PROMISES FOOD-THE PROPHET’S WORD FULFILLED

The Decline and Fall of Israel and Judah

INTRODUCTION

The Second Book of Kings is a continuation of the First. It records the reigns of fifteen kings in Judah and of eleven kings in Israel. In Judah the dynasty of David continued to the end, while in Israel there were nine changes of dynasty.

The northern kingdom maintained an unbroken course of idolatry, until the nation was ripe for destruction. The end came in 722 B.C., when Samaria was taken by the Assyrians. Judah continued her course for nearly 150 years longer. But in spite of the efforts of prophets and good kings, the tide of idolatry could not be stayed, and Jerusalem fell before the Babylonians, 586 B.C. Nothing but the Exile could avail to purify the nation and restore the spirit of true worship.

I. FROM THE REIGN OF AHAZIAH TO THE FALL OF SAMARIA, 1Ki_22:512Ki_17:1-41; 2Ki_18:9-12

3. The Work of Elisha, II Kings 3:1-9:11

(6) The Siege of Samaria, 2Ki_6:24-33; 2Ki_7:1-20

17. What prophecies of Elisha were fulfilled in the events that followed?

2 Kings 7:12-20

Then the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “I will tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are hungry; so they have left the camp to hide themselves in the open country, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive and get into the city.'”

One of his servants replied, “Please let some men take five of the horses which remain inside the city. Consider this: [if they are caught then at worst] they will be like all the people of Israel who are left in the city; [even if they are killed then] they will be like all the people of Israel who have already died. So let us send [them] and see [what happens].”

So they took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.”

They went after them to the Jordan, and all the road was entirely littered with clothing and equipment which the Arameans (Syrians) had thrown away when they hurriedly fled. And the messengers returned and told the king.

Then the people [of Israel] went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So [goods were so plentiful that] a measure of finely-milled flour [was sold] for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in accordance with the word of the LORD [as spoken through Elisha]. [2Ki_7:1]

Now the king had appointed the royal officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the [city] gate; and the [starving] people trampled him at the gate [as they struggled to get through for food], and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king came down to him.

It happened just as [Elisha] the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, “Two measures of barley will be sold for a shekel and a measure of finely-milled flour for a shekel tomorrow about this time at the gate of Samaria.”

The royal officer had answered the man of God and said, “Now behold, [even] if the LORD should make windows in heaven, could such a thing happen?” And Elisha had answered, “You will see it with your own eyes, but [because of your doubt] you will not eat it.” [2Ki_7:2]

And so it happened to him; for the people trampled him at the gate, and he died.

F.B.Meyer
On
2 Kings 7:2-20 

The lepers were first in the deserted camp. The abundance was awaiting the starving populace, but only a few outcasts tasted it. So Christ’s wealth and unsearchable riches are for all, but often the outcasts gathered by the Salvation Army know more about them than the children of the church. The cottager who early opens his window for his sick child, knows more of the summer morning, than does the millionaire who sleeps within curtained windows. But be sure you tell out what you know, else you sin against God and man. There is enough for all. To scatter is to increase.

Though this plenty had been predicted, it seemed too good to be believed. Send out your scouts, O Church of God! As the result of our Lord’s victory at Calvary, the roads-north, south, east, and west-have been trodden by your fleeing foes, and are strewn, with spoil. But beware lest, in the day of the Lord’s deliverance, you see with your eyes but are unable, through unbelief, to partake, Luk_13:28. Man’s unbelief cannot hinder God’s purpose, but it excludes the unbeliever, who perishes amid abundance.

We give thanks and acknowledgement to Rick Meyers for e-Sword.
P.O. Box 1626
Franklin, TN 37065
United States of America
www.e-sword.net

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By Philippus Schutte

New Covenant Israelite! "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee."  Rom 11:17 -18

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