2 Kings 8 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
2 Kings 8 Short Summary:
2 Kings chapter 8 is best summarized in 4 sections. First, the Shunammite woman received her property back after a 7-year famine in Israel. Second, Hazael murdered Ben-hadad to become the king of Syria. Third, Jehoram (Joram) became king of Judah. Fourth, Ahaziah replaces Jehoram in Judah but only reigns for 1 year.
2 Kings 8 Extended Summary
WHEN:
According to the timeline we are using for this study, the kingdom of Israel and Judah divided in 975 B.C. The period that followed, sometimes called the period of the “Divided Kingdom,” lasted the next few centuries. Israel remained a cohesive nation until 721 B.C. (Assyrian captivity), while Judah lasted until 607 B.C. (Babylonian exile).
The events of 2 Kings 8 probably took place between 900-880 B.C.
CHARACTERS:
Elisha – The student of Elijah who replaced his master as the prophet of God in Israel.
Gehazi – Elisha’s servant.
Shunammite Woman – A generous woman who extended hospitality to Elisha during his travels.
Hazael – He became king of Syria after killing Ben-hadad.
Jehoram – Also known as Joram. He became king of Judah after Jehoshaphat.
Ahaziah – He became king of Judah after Jehoram (Joram).
WHERE:
The Shunammite woman was from the city of Shunem.
Hazael spoke to Elisha in Damascus.
Jehoram and Ahaziah reigned as kings of Judah from Jerusalem.
OUTLINE:
A FAMINE IN ISRAEL AND THE RESTORATION OF THE SHUNAMMITE WOMAN’S PROPERTY (8:1-6):
In chapter 4, the author of 2 Kings introduced us to the Shunammite woman, whose son Elisha raised from the dead.
This chapter opens with Elisha warning the Shunammite woman about a famine that would afflict her homeland.
To evade the famine, she moved to the land of the Philistines for 7 years.
Afterwards, she returned to Shunem, and made an appeal to the king to receive her land back. Evidently someone else had taken possession of it in her absence.
It so happened that the king was talking to Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, at the time.
He recognized her and told the king she was the woman whose son had been raised by the prophet.
The king granted her request, gave her back her land, and ordered all the produce of the field from the time she left be given to her.
HAZEAL MURDERS BEN-HADAD OF SYRIA (8:7-15):
Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, was sick and sent his servant Hazael to ask Elisha if he would recover.
Elisha confirmed that he would recover, but he would still die.
Elisha prophesied that Hazael would become king, and he would do terrible things to the people of Israel.
Hazael returned to Ben-hadad and told him Elisha prophesied his recovery.
But the next day, in fulfillment of the second part of the prophecy, Hazael decided to kill the king. He put a wet bedsheet over his face and killed him.
Hazael became king in Ben-hadad’s place.
JEHORAM BECOMES KING IN JUDAH (8:16-24):
In the 5th year of Joram’s reign in Israel, Jehoram became the king of Judah. He was 32 years old.
He married the daughter of Ahab and was wicked like Ahab.
During his reign, the people of Edom and Libnah revolted and declared independence.
AHAZIAH’S REIGN IN JUDAH (8:25-29):
In the 12th year of Joram of Israel, Ahaziah became king of Judah. He was 22 years old.
His mother was Athaliah, the granddaughter of king Omri of Israel.
He was also followed the example of wicked Ahab.
He only reigned 1 year in Jerusalem.
APPLICATION:
1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
It is extremely difficult to attach yourself to wicked people without being negatively affected.
The kings of Judah’s made peace with Ahab’s household and married into his family. Ahab and Jezebel were extremely wicked people.
Is it any surprise Judah suffered from bad kings while their rulers kept such a close connection to Ahab’s family? No!
Keeping company with wicked people is not wise. You put your soul in a dangerous position when you constantly surround it with people who have no love or respect for God.
