David's Worship - 1 Chronicles 13-17 - Bible Notes

Uzzah and the Ark - 1 Chronicles 13

1. Text summary

David wants to bring the ark to Jerusalem, to make it the spiritual as well as the political capital of Israel - a good thing.  But they move it unbiblically, and God strikes dead the guy who tries to steady the ark when it almost falls.  David aborts the plan, angry, and puts it in a nearby home, of a man from Gath!  Oh, the irony.

2. Jesus

Jesus determined to go to Jerusalem, too.  He is the greater ark, the symbolic-incarnate presence of God.  When they mishandled Him, God struck Him instead of them.

3. Application

a. Who was David angry at?  The priests?  Himself?  God?  Probably all three.

b. God brings disruptive events into our lives to shake us up, bring us up short, and put the fear of Him back into us.

David's Exploits - 1 Chronicles 14

1. Text summary

Tyre sends men and supplies to build David a palace, acknowledging him as king.

David has more wives and children, including Solomon.

David defeats the Philistines and has their idols burned.

2. Jesus

Jesus is building a house with the help of Gentiles who acknowledge Him, too.

Jesus is faithful to one bride, the Church, and sees many spiritual offspring.  It satisfies His soul (Isaiah 53:10-11).

Jesus is defeating nations and powers opposed to Him.

3. Application

a. Accepting aid from, or doing business with, unbelievers is often perfectly fine - usually doesn't entail being "unequally yoked."

b. Multiplying wives was customary for ancient kings, but God's people should not follow the customs of the nations when it goes against God's design for life.  (Adam had one wife.  New Testament elders were to be husbands of one wife.)

David and the Levites - 1 Chronicles 15

1. Text summary

David instructs the Levites in bringing the ark, and their other duties.

He wears their uniform himself and dances as the ark is brought into Jerusalem.

2. Jesus

Jesus is also both king and priest, like David.

3. Application

a.  Church leaders (like everyone else) often need external prodding to fulfill their calling well.

David's Worship - 1 Chronicles 16

1. Text summary

David has the Levites offer Psalms of praise before the ark in Jerusalem, and at the tabernacle in Gibeon, where they took the ark from, where the altar remained.  A sample of Psalms is given.  Obed-Edom - where the ark stayed for a few months after the Uzzah incident - becomes a gatekeeper for the ark in Jerusalem.

2. Jesus

Jesus leads the universe is offering praise to God.

He quotes Psalms from the cross.

3. Application

a.  David innovates liturgically in extraordinary ways:

 - separating the ark from the tabernacle

 - introducing music in tabernacle worship

Such major changes should come only from pivotal figures in history, and not any and every pastor that comes along.

David's Temple? - 1 Chronicles 17

1. Text summary

David intends to build a temple for God, but God says no.  God will build David's house instead, to show His grace.  His descendants' throne will never fail.

David thanks God for doing what He has done, and asks Him to keep His Word.

2. Jesus

Jesus is the descendant of David who still sits on his throne, keeping God's promise, here.

3. Application

a.  Even the great and powerful leave unfulfilled plans when they depart this life.

b.  We need to leave our grand plans to God's providence.  When we want to do great things for Him, we need to remember first that He has done great things for us.

From the Tribes, to Saul and David - 1 Chronicles 6-12 - Bible Notes

Levites - 1 Chronicles 6

1. Text summary

Levi's tribe listed.  Some of them were designated to gatekeep, others to make music, and Aaron's descendants were to offer sacrifice.

Cities given to Levites throughout the land of Israel.

2. Jesus

Jesus was appointed by God to offer the ultimate sacrifice.  He was set apart to God's work in a special way that the rest of us were not.

3. Application

a. Honor those called to serve in the church, as musicians, deacons, and worship leaders.

Fighting Tribes - 1 Chronicles 7

1. Text summary

Issachar, Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher listed.

These are warrior tribes.  Joshua comes from Ephraim.

2. Jesus

Jesus wars Himself (Rev. 19), and has warrior brothers who help Him, as King David had his mighty men.

3. Application

a. Our cynical age would call them "cannon fodder," but they play an important role in God's economy.

Benjamin, to Saul - 1 Chronicles 8

1. Text summary

We branch off to Benjamin's tribe, down to (and through) Saul.

2. Jesus

Jesus does not cut off and wipe out the memory of those in His family who betray Him.  Saul certainly did, but his family were notable warriors whom He commends.

3. Application

a. Don't disdain whole families for the folly of some individuals.

Returning Exiles - 1 Chronicles 9

1. Text summary

The first returned exiles to Jerusalem listed.
Temple gatekeepers, bakers and musicians listed.

Saul's genealogy is repeated.

2. Jesus

Jesus' household is restored from ravaging sin.

3. Application

a. Not sure of the point of Saul's repeated genealogy.  Perhaps to reinforce the royal line that has not fallen?  But it is David's line we focus on...

b. We each have our appointed place among God's people: security, food, music, etc.

Saul's Downfall - 1 Chronicles 10

1. Text summary

The Chronicler picks up the story of Israel at Saul's downfall (end of 1 Samuel).

He fell because he "broke faith" with God.

2. Jesus

Jesus' household includes some, even leaders, who turn against Him.

3. Application

a. Judas comes to mind, here.  He sought his own glory and wealth at the expense of the Christ.  Even as we all often do.

David Takes Jerusalem - 1 Chronicles 11

1. Text summary

David becomes king and takes Jerusalem.

His mighty men and their deeds recounted, Uriah the Hittite among them.

2. Jesus

Jesus' reign is foreshadowed here.  He has many faithful followers who fight successfully.

3. Application

a. Be careful not to make rash promises when you are desperate.  David does this, and gives too much power to Joab.

David's Mighty Men - 1 Chronicles 12

1. Text summary

Israel goes over to David.  Many from various tribes are listed and numbered.

2. Jesus

Jesus' kingdom increases throughout the course of history.

3. Application

a. While the ungodly sit on their thrones, God continually renews the city of God  through conversion and repentance, by His Spirit.

2 Kings 25-1 Chronicles 5 - Bible Notes

Judah conquered - Hope in the End - 2 Kings 25

1. Text summary

Babylon conquers Jerusalem, kills King Zedekiah's sons, and blinds and deports him.  The city is razed, the best stuff carted off.  The city's leadership is executed.  Gedaliah is appointed governor, but a member of the royal house assassinates him with months.  Everybody hightails it for Egypt, for protection.

37 years later, King Jehoiachin of Judah, in captivity in Babylon, is exalted from prisoner to eating at the king's table with a healthy daily allowance.

2. Jesus

Jesus will cut down kings and kingdoms that rail against Him, as Judah did.

3. Application

a. Again, catastrophic consequences.

b. We fight against them, anyway, as they killed Gedaliah.  Don't let a smaller interest (taking down Gedaliah, when you deserved the throne), disrupt more people.

c. Going to Egypt for protection was a fool's errand.  Jeremiah told them so, but they didn't listen.  Their spiritual blindness left them nowhere to turn.

d. 2 Kings is a dark book, but it ends with a ray of hope.  The Judean line of kings is alive and well in Babylon.  Perhaps God's line of promise isn't snuffed out competely, after all.

The Line of Promise - 1 Chronicles 1

1. Text summary

Written for the returning exiles, the intent was to connect Israel's past with its present.  Many of the names at the end of the genealogies are obscure to us, but they were alive or known to the reader, then.

From Adam to Abraham.

Enoch was 7th.  Noah 10th.

Canaan came from Ham.

Abraham came from Shem.

Ishmael and Isaac.

Midianites came from Ishmael.

Edomites and Amalekites came from Esau.

2. Jesus

Jesus is the promised one in the line of Abraham and Isaac.  There are many other peoples apart and opposed to Him.

3. Application

a. There really are specially faithful or blessed people among God's people: Enoch, Noah, Abraham.  God brings unique events upon them.  But in a way that we can learn from their response for our own lives.

b. God in His Word does not intend to castigate and write off all Edomites, Midianites, etc.  Some came out of them and to the Lord.  The Matthew geneology makes that plain.  Ruth, Rahab, Uriah, etc.  This is you, if you lived in rebellion against God for a time, then came to the Lord in faith.   All the nations will follow!

Jacob to David - 1 Chronicles 2

1. Text summary

From Jacob's 12 sons, through Tamar, to David and his family.

Caleb's descendants, and Hur's.

2. Jesus

Jesus is the father of many unknown, faithful people.

3. Application

a. There are many unknown saints of God who lived lives in obscurity to history.  Most of us are in this boat: unknown to the world, but known to God, which is what really counts.

David and Solomon's Line - 1 Chronicles 3

1. Text summary

The sons of David.  This follows the royal line down through the exile and the return to Israel.

2. Jesus

Jesus' line continues, as God promised David, even through the conquest.

3. Application

a. God's people should realize that even in times when they are subjugated to pagan powers, God promises they will prevail in the end.  Jesus will make it so.

b. Even Christ's own people will do wicked and awful things.  Amnon with Tamar.  Solomon with foreign women.

Judah and Simeon - 1 Chronicles 4

1. Text summary

Clan of Judah and Simeon listed.  Some places named were occupied by Samaritans or Canaanites when the exiles returned.

2. Jesus

Jesus came from Judah, and from Bethlehem (verse 4).

3. Application

a. Again, some of God's people are better known than others.  Caleb, the daughter of Pharaoh (!), Shimei.  But the vast majority are not known.  Their listing is a reminder that God knows each of us, and that matters more than being well known by people.

Eastern Tribes - 1 Chronicles 5

1. Text summary

Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh listed.  Reuben was firstborn, but replaced in office due to moral failure.  They fought Canaanites faithfully, and lived east of the Jordan.  But they were unfaithful to God over the years and exiled for it, like the rest of Israel.

2. Jesus

Jesus is the firstborn of the Father, and remained faithful, fighting God's enemies.

3. Application

a. When your history has flaws, you can still fight faithfully now.

b. There is hierarchy in the family of God, and that is okay.  Judah had primacy among the tribes.  Jesus is Lord.  He appoints a succession of elders.

From Hezekiah to the End of Judah - 2 Kings 20-24 - Bible Notes

Hezekiah's answered prayer, and complacency - 2 Kings 20

1. Text summary

Hezekiah gets sick near death.  He prays to God and He promises healing and 15 more years of life.  God offers a supernatural sign, he asks for it, and God moves the shadow backward on his bedroom steps.

Babylonian emissaries visit Jerusalem and Hezekiah shows them all his wealth.  Isaiah prophesies that they will take it all in the future.  Hezekiah isn't worried because it won't happen in his lifetime.  His tunnel bringing water into the city from a spring outside is noted.

2. Jesus

Jesus did also prayed to be spared death, but it was denied.  More good came from that than from Hezekiah's answered prayer.

3. Application

a. After years of faithfulness, do not grow complacent, as Hezekiah seems to have.

Manasseh's Reign of Terror - 2 Kings 21

1. Text summary

Hezekiah begets Manasseh, during his extra 15 years of life.  He is king for 55 years, and does greater idolatry than the Canaanites before Israel in the land.

Manasseh's son Amon reigns 2 years.  He continues his father's wickedeness.  His advisors assassinate him, but they are in turn assassinated by the people.

2. Jesus

Jesus leads people to worship God, not idols.  His ways are life, not death.

3. Application

a. Was this a culture war?  Amon's advisors were loyal to Yahweh, but the people loved their idols?  Or the other way around?

Josiah's Faithfulness amidst a Doomed City - 2 Kings 22

1. Text summary

Josiah reigns 31 years, starting from age 8 (!).  He repairs the temple, and they find a scroll of Scripture.  Josiah submits to it, and sends to a prophetess for guidance.  She encourages him: he will die in peace, though the nation is under judgment for great disobedience.

2. Jesus

Jesus pronounces judgment on Israel for their disobedience, too, though He goes to His Father in glory.

3. Application

a. Receive God's Word as the weighty judgment it is.  Not casually or flippantly.

Idolatry Amok - Judah conquered - 2 Kings 23

1. Text summary

Josiah stamps out idolatry extensively, in Jerusalem and Bethel.  It doesn't atone for Israel's past sin though.  Josiah goes to fight Egypt and is easily killed.

Jehoahaz reigns only 3 months before Egypt comes and makes his brother Jehoiakim king.  Judah serves Egypt.  Jehoiakim does evil against Yahweh.

2. Jesus

Jesus alone can atone for our sins, not our reforming after our sins.

3. Application

a. The extensive list of idols that Josiah removes shows how far gone Israel was.

b. Our reforms alone cannot establish a nation.  God must be in it.

Babylon takes over - Judah deported - 2 Kings 24

1. Text summary

Babylon invades Judah and rules for 3 years.  Raiders ravage the land.  Jehoiachin reigns only 3 months before Babylon invades and conquers.  All the strong and skillful are deported to Babylon.  Jehoiachin's uncle is made king: Zedekiah.  He "reigns" for 11 years, doing evil, then rebels against Babylon.

2. Jesus

Jesus rules the superpowers of the world, though it looks like they are driving things.

3. Application

a. There will be times when unbelieving powers, stronger than you, control parts of your life.  The Bible speaks to this.

b. God's patience against our sin is not forever.  He will bring catastrophic consequences if we persist.

Israel Conquered - Judah Spared - 2 Kings 15-19 - Bible Notes

1. Text summary

2. How is Christ in the text?

3. Application

A Series of Kings - 2 Kings 15

1. Text summary

Azariah reigns in Judah for 52 years.  He follows God, but doesn't tear down high places to idols.  He is a leper, and his son Jotham rules for him.  Zechariah reigns in Israel for only 6 months.  God had promised Jehu his descendant would have the throne to the 4th generation, and that was it.  Short-lived.  Shallum kills him and takes the throne.  After one month, Menahem assassinates him, and rules for 10 years.  He is brutal and doesn't follow God.  He has to bribe Assyria 1000 talents of silver (probably billions of dollars, today) to not conquer Israel.  Pekahiah his son reigns 2 years after him.  His army captain Pekah assassinates him, and reigns 20 years.  Assyria conquers much of Israel at this time.

Uzziah's son Jotham reigns 16 years in Judah.  Syria and Israel both press Judah militarily at this time.   Read Isaiah 6-7, which happens at this time.

2. Jesus

Jesus is an everlasting king, invulnerable to assassination.

Jesus is on the throne (Isaiah 6) regardless what king or ruler passes from the scene.

3. Application

a. Political instability will result from not following God's ways.

Kings Meddling with the Church - 2 Kings 16

1. Text summary

Ahaz reigns 16 years in Judah.  He worships idols, even sacrificing his own son to one.  Syria and Israel besiege Judah.  Ahaz bribes Assyria to attack Syria.  Ahaz copies a Syrian altar and replaces the temple bronze altar with it, and messes with other temple furniture.  The priest just goes along.

2. Jesus

Jesus modeled faithful worship of God for us, unlike Ahaz.

Jesus did not entrust Himself to earthly rulers or people for His success.

3. Application

a. The church today needs to know when to tell civil rulers they have crossed the line and are interfering with church authority.

Israel's Final Judgment - 2 Kings 17

1. Text summary

Hoshea reigns in Israel 9 years.  He pays tribute to Assyria, but sends to Egypt for help, and is found out.  Assyria conquers and deports northern Israel.  God allowed this, because they had been worshiping other gods secretly for a long time, ignoring God's prophets.  Child sacrifice and sorcery were involved in this idolatry.

Assyria moved Babylonians into Israel, but didn't worship God, so He sent lions (Assyria's mascot!) who killed them.  Assyria actually sends Israelite priests back to teach them how to worship God!  They do, but also keep serving their Babylonian gods, which involve child sacrifice.  (These are the Samaritans of the New Testament!)

2. Jesus

Jesus will come and judge the nations for their wickedness, as Assyria did, here.  And teach them to worship God rightly.

3. Application

a. God gives us a long leash, a long time to repent and turn back to Him.  When He judges, it is more than fair.

b. Don't look to earthly powers to save you, as Hoshea looked to Egypt.

Hezekiah Reforms - 2 Kings 18

1. Text summary

Hezekiah reigns in Judah for 29 years.  He is faithful to God, and tears down idols.  Assyria conquers Israel, and attacks Judah.  Hezekiah buys them off with gold and silver from the temple, but they still besiege Jerusalem.  The Assyrian army commander speaks against Yahweh, to intimidate the city and get them to surrender.

2. Jesus

Jesus is a greater Hezekiah, who rebukes His people and stops their idolatry, who protects His city.

3. Application

a. It's a bad idea to try to bribe unbelievers hostile to you with money, nicety, or other concessions, if they are out to take you down.

God Spares Hezekiah - 2 Kings 19

1. Text summary

Hezekiah seeks the Lord.  Isaiah says not to fear Assyria.  Assyria hears news of attacks on them elsewhere and plans to leave, sending Hezekiah a letter that they should still fear Assyria, not Yahweh.  Hezekiah prays for help, and Isaiah promises God will judge Assyria for their pride.  185,000 of them die of plague outside the city.  The king of Assyria dies later.

2. Jesus

Jesus trusts God to save Him when nations surround and attack Him.  He listens to the Spirit promise to help Him.

3. Application

a. We are tempted to attribute God's salvation to natural causes (Assyria's departure to shore up their defenses elsewhere).

Assassinations Galore, and Resurrection - 2 Kings 10-14 - Bible Notes

1. Text summary

2. How is Christ in the text?

3. Application

Jehu's Vengeance Continues - 2 Kings 10

1. Text summary

Jehu challenges Ahab's 70 sons, but their guardians are afraid and kill them all on Jehu's order.  He kills relatives of Ahaziah, who were heading to fraternize with the 70 just killed.  He kills all Ahab's advisors and priests.  He kills Baal's priests using deception.  But he keeps the golden calves at Dan and Bethel.  He reigns 28 years.  Israel loses some territory.

2. Jesus

Jesus' return will look and feel a bit like this for ungodly kings, which is a comfort to believers oppressed by them.

3. Application

a. Often (not always) there is a connection between lack of faithfulness to God, and "losing ground" or territory in your life.

b. What were the guardians of Ahab's 70 sons SUPPOSED to do??  They were involved in an ungodly calling, so were bound to get in a bind.

Athaliah's Despicable Deed and Result - 2 Kings 11

1. Text summary

When Ahaziah is killed by Jehu, Ahaziah's mother Athaliah kills her whole family (her own children!) to consolidate power in herself.  But baby Joash escapes.  7 years later, priest Jehoiada shows Joash to all the priests, and charges them to protect him as Jehoiada crowns him king.  When Athaliah cries treason, Jehoiada has her killed.  They tear down Baal's temple, and commit to Yahweh as 7-year old Joash sits on the throne.

2. Jesus

Jesus is a faithful priest, who bides His time, and leads His people to reject evil rulers and establish rulers loyal to God.

3. Application

a. Timing is important in culture wars and politics.  Know when to act, not just how.

b. You also need to know people.  Jehoiada knew most were appalled at Athaliah.  She had little support after what she did to her own family.

Joash's Reign - 2 Kings 12

1. Text summary

Joash reigns 40 years, doing right with Jehoiada's guidance.  But they still can't take down the high places: too ingrained in the people's desires.  Joash tries to repair the temple, but the priests keep the money (needed to live on, or out of greed?).  Jehoiada responds by setting up a building fund.  They had mixed offerings meant for the priests' livelihood with temple repair.  Joash pays off Syria to not invade Judea!  Joash is assassinated, and his son Amaziah reigns next.

2. Jesus

Jesus orders His house well, though His followers often clash over conflicting interests.

Jesus was killed by His own people, too, after years of faithfulness.

3. Application

a. Leaders need to communicate clear intent for people to follow well.

b. Sometimes years of faithfulness will only get you a foreign invader you have to pay off to protect your people.

Amidst so much death, Resurrection! - 2 Kings 13

1. Text summary

Jehu's son reigns for 17 years.  He isn't faithful to God, and Syria defeats Israel horribly in war.  His son Joash reigns 16 years, and conducts civil war against Judah's king Amaziah.

Elisha on his deathbed prophesies that Israel's king will defeat Syria, but only 3 times.  It happens.  Elisha dies and is buried.  Another funeral comes to the same tomb, later, and they hastily throw the body in when raiders appear.  The man is resurrected on touching Elisha's body.  THE 14TH MIRACLE OF ELISHA.

2. Jesus

Jesus, with a double portion of God's Spirit, does His final and climactic miracle after His death, in His tomb: a resurrection.

3. Application

a. The times of the Judges, when God's enemies dominate His people, periodically return to them.  We are entering one of those times again.

b. There is hope and life after death.

c. God gives some earthly victories to point to this hope beyond the grave.

Make Israel Great Again! - 2 Kings 14

1. Text summary

Joash's son Amaziah reigns for 29 years.  He kills his father's assassins, but not their children, according to God's Word.  He isn't strong in insisting on Yahweh worship only.  He defeats Edom, then challenges Israel to battle.  Israel warns him off, but he won't listen.  Amaziah and Judah suffer a humiliating defeat.  Israel captures Amaziah, plunders Jerusalem, breaks down the wall, and takes hostages.  Judah conspires against Amaziah, kills him, and puts his 16 year old son on the throne.

Jeroboam reigns 41 years in Israel, after his father Joash.  He restores territory to Israel, but does not follow God.

2. Jesus

Jesus at times allows His people to be defeated and humbled, in His providence.

3. Application

a. A victory can intoxicate us to proceed to bite off more than we can chew.

b. Civil war is a reality of life in each nation, and in the church.  The right side doesn't always win in the short term.

c. Sometimes an ungodly leader can make a country great again, by God's will.

Giving Our Heart at His Table

This table engages not only our mouths and tongues, it engages our heart and our loyalties. We are doing this to acknowledge and remember Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, which we believe sealed our pardon with God. All our hearts and all our songs join to admire the feast. Is your heart, soul, and body leaning toward Jesus here? God is at work in strange places, purifying a people for Himself. He removed the dross of Saul, condemning him in a witch’s house in Endor, at the table of demons (1 Samuel 28). He preserves through fire the silver of His people here, feeding us in His house, at the table of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t be found at the table of demons, with your heart, soul, and body yearning for forbidden things. Give Him your heart to purify further. He is looking upon it even now, sifting your intentions and desires. Covenant with the Lord, according to His covenant of grace with us in Christ, to believe His Word and live for Him always.

Ezekiel 37:21-28

Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. 22 And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. 23 They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But I will save them from all the backslidings[f] in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

24 “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. 25 They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever. 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land[g] and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. 27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”

6/6/21

Inward Heart over Outward Appearance

1 Samuel 16:7:
"Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

God doesn’t just check you off as okay because you are physically here in worship.  He looks on your heart and knows whether you really want Him or not.  Where do you go to satisfy your life desires?  What table has the menu that suits you, the Lord’s table, or the world’s?  Re-acquire a taste for the Lord’s food, and renounce the world’s dishes, whenever they lead you away from Him.

        Isa 55:1-3 - “Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
                                 And your wages for what does not satisfy?
                              Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
                           And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
                                               Incline your ear, and come to Me.
                                                      Hear, and your soul shall live;
               And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
                                                            The sure mercies of David.

6/6/21

Elisha, Ahab, and Jehu - 2 Kings 7-9 - Bible Notes

1. Text summary

2. How is Christ in the text?

3. Application

 - 2 Kings 7

1. Text summary

Elisha promises, not only will the siege be lifted, but the economic distress (price inflation) will be gone tomorrow.  The king's aide expresses doubt, and Elisha says he won't see it for himself.  Some lepers at the gate decide to give themselves up to the Syrians.  When they arrive, they are all fled.  They plunder for a while, then realize they need to tell the city!  They hardly dare to believe it, but send out 2 horses to check, and it's true.  The king's aide/captain is trampled to death in the gate, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy.

2. Jesus

Jesus' resurrection was also not believed at first, though it meant life for the city and nation.

Jesus condemns rulers who won't believe in Him, and they die without hope.

3. Application

a. Don't live off the benefits of God's work without seeking to bless others (the lepers).

b. Believe God when He speaks promise and comfort to you!

Restoration, and Prophecy - 2 Kings 8

1. Text summary

The widow who helped Elisha returns to claim her land after 7 years out of state.  Providentially, Gehazi is telling the king about Elisha's great deeds at the time, so the king grants her request.

The Syrian king is sick, and sends to Elisha for counsel.  Elisha tells the messenger that he, the messenger!, will become king and commit atrocities against Israel.  The messenger goes back and assassinates the king.

Jehoram, king of Judah, reigns 8 years and dies.

Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, reigns 1 year

2. Jesus

Jesus restores our inheritance, for His sake, not ours.

Jesus sometimes allows wicked rulers to harass and harm His people for a time.

3. Application

a. Trust God to provide for you tangibly - sometimes miraculously.

b. Sometimes prophecy is self-fulfilling, for good or bad.  We hear of God promising us blessing for our good, and it moves us to BE good.  Or we hear God promise to condemn us for wickedness, and it plunges us to commit that very wickedness.

Jehu's vengeance - 2 Kings 9

1. Text summary

Elisha sends a prophet to anoint Jehu king of Israel.

His leaders accept it when he makes it known to them.

He goes to Samaria, and the kings of Israel and Judah both meet him.

Jehu condemns them for Jezebel's sorceries, and kills them both.

Ahab's son dies on Naboth's vineyard.

Jehu pursues and kills Jezebel, as well.

2. Jesus

Jesus will cut down earthly kings, when the time He appoints comes.

Jesus has a special vendetta against earthly rulers who seduce His people to sin.

3. Application

a. We should cheer the death of the wicked, in one sense (for the good of Christ's people), while also lamenting their unredeemed state.

b. Committing gross injustice will come back to bite you, or your family/heirs.

Miracles 12-13 - 2 Kings 5-6 - Bible Notes

1. Text summary

2. How is Christ in the text?

3. Application

Naaman's Leprosy; Gehazi's Greed - 2 Kings 5

1. Text summary

A Syrian general Naaman gets leprosy.  He has an Israelite slave girl who knows about Elisha's miracles and tells him.  Syria's king sends him to Israel, asking Israel to heal him.  Israel's king is helpless, but Elisha is not.  Elisha sends Naaman to the Jordan, which Naaman disdains.  But his servant persuades him to give it a try, and he is healed.  He returns to Elisha, who accepts no money (Naaman offers a LOT).  Elisha's servant is tempted, and schemes to get some for himself.  Elisha rebukes him and he contracts leprosy on the spot.  Miracle 10.

2. Jesus

Jesus cures many lepers, too.  Some were Gentiles.

Jesus had a servant who gave in to greed, too.  Judas.

3. Application

a. Don't despise God's messy ways of healing you.  (The muddy Jordan?  Yes!)

b. Your humble position may be used by God to heal others.  (The slave girl)

c. Don't be tempted by money or power to do things God forbids (Gehazi)

 - 2 Kings 6

1. Text summary

Elisha makes a prophet's borrowed axehead float in the river, so he can return it.

Elisha tells Israel's king the secret plans of Syria's king several times.  Syria besieges the town where Elisha is, to get him.  Elisha's servant freaks, but Elisha prays so God opens his eyes to see God's chariots of fire surrounding Syria.  God blinds all the Syrians, at Elisha's request, and he leads them to Israel's capital, Samaria.  Israel's king calls Elisha father, and asks if he may kill them.  Elisha tells him to send them home.  Later, Syria besieges Samaria again.  It's so bad the king hears that mothers are eating their children!  Israel's king sends to arrest  and execute Elisha for not preventing this.

2. Jesus

Jesus knows and foils the plans of kings.

Earthly kings should call Jesus "Father."

Earthly kings often blame Jesus or His people for disasters.

3. Application

a. Neutralize enmity with kindness.

b. Earthly rulers want to take advantage of God's supernatural acts, but should not.

c. God will help you keep obligations to your neighbor.

d. We often freak out at the news, or earthly danger, but should remember God's power is far greater than the one that currently threatens.

Take Every Thought Captive

We tend to let our thoughts, feelings, and mood be shaped too much by personal circumstances, and by news and cultural trends.

Back in the late 1800s, when America was moving West for our Manifest Destiny, when the world was absorbing Darwin's new thought of evolutionary progress, people were prone to optimism.  Onward Christian Soldiers!  

But after the Great War, the mood changed dramatically.  We saw what carnage nations and machines could and would wreak on humanity.  

On a personal level, how out of sorts do we get when the grocery store line is longer than usual, the car needs repair, your toddler missed their nap and now he's cranky!

In our present cultural moment, I strongly believe that Christians are overly prone to discouragement and pessimism.  We are letting national events and shifts away from God shape us more than we should.  We let the media convince us "this is just what everybody thinks now," when they don't.  

And more importantly, we aren't letting the Word of God shape our thoughts and outlook.  

Here are some things we know for sure, from the Bible:

1. God is all powerful, knows you intimately, and is working everything together for your good.

2. The only One whose opinion matters in the end is God, and He favors you because of Christ.

3. Governments and societies can be beasts that grind up, maul, and kill Christians for their faith (Revelation).  But God will put a stop to that and punish it in the end, when Jesus returns in victory.

4. Meanwhile, Jesus is on the throne in heaven.  Earthly thrones and offices don't hold a candle to Him, in their enduring power and influence.

5. Your eternal destiny is secure in the Lord Jesus.  Pinning your hopes to a candidate, or to winning the culture wars or an election, is a recipe for being "tossed to and fro" (Ephesians 4:14).

Try an experiment some time: time how many minutes a day you take in the Bible or solid devotional or theological literature, and compare it with how many minutes a day you take in news or commentary on culture or politics.  You might be surprised at the result.

This is part of why we let our thoughts, feelings, and mood be shaped too much by personal circumstances, and by news and cultural trends.

Chariot of Fire - Elisha's 14 miracles begin - 2 Kings 1-4 - Bible Notes

1. Text summary

2. How is Christ in the text?
3. Application

God Judges Kings - 2 Kings 1

1. Text summary

Ahab's son Ahaziah is king.  He is injured and sends messengers to ask Baal-Zebub if he will recover.  Prophet Elijah meets the messengers and rebukes Ahaziah for not asking Yahweh.  Ahaziah sends 50 soldiers to arrest Elijah, who calls fire down and burns them up.  It happens twice!  The third captain wises up and humbles himself before Elijah.  Elijah rebukes Ahaziah in person.  Ahaziah dies, and his brother Jehoram becomes king of Israel.

2. Jesus

Jesus is the prophet who condemns wicked rulers, and restores life to those who believe.

Jesus' mission on earth was NOT to call down fire on current enemies of God (Luke 9:54ff).

Like Elijah over Ahaziah, Jesus stands over every wicked ruler as they die and go to face judgment.

3. Application

a. Don't think you can summon God - it'll end badly for you.

b. Don't seek answers to your life or future from sources outside of God's will.

c. Don't fret over wicked rulers.  Their time will end.

Elijah's Chariot of Fire - 2 Kings 2

1. Text summary

Elijah is about to "die," and all the prophets know it.

He parts the Jordan with his cloak, then a chariot of fire takes Elijah up to heaven.

Elisha takes Elijah's cloak, and uses it to part the Jordan.

Prophets search for Elijah, but he is gone.

Elisha cures the bad water of the prophets' town.

Youths mock Elisha, he curses them, and bears maul them.

2. Jesus

Jesus has a double portion of the Spirit.

Elijah did 7 miracles; Elisha does 14.  The last one is after his death, resurrecting a dead man.  Jesus does 7 signs/miracles in John 2-12, the last being raising Lazaurs.  Jesus' last miracle is His own resurrection.

John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah, and Jesus followed Him with greater works.

3. Application

a. Believe that God has given you His Spirit, though Jesus has ascended to heaven out of our visible sight.

b. Do not presume on God's miracles, but do expect them to happen according to His timing and plan.

Miracle Four - 2 Kings 3

1. Text summary

Moab rebels against Israelite subjugation.  Jehoram asks Judah to fight against them, and Jehoshaphat agrees (he doesn't learn!).  They get stuck without water in the desert.  Elisha miraculously provides water in trenches they dig, in the morning.  Moab sees it in the morning sun as red blood, and thinks Israel and Judah fought each other.  So they plunge in to loot, not ready to fight, and Israel defeats them.  Moab's king sacrifices his oldest son on the city wall, which disgusts Israel, and they leave.

2. Jesus

Jesus is living water, which we need to live.

Those opposing Him, see Him as death, and His people as an opportunity to exploit.

3. Application

a. Learn from your mistakes (Jehoshaphat didn't).

b. Make sure your goals are God's (Jehoram's weren't).

c. Count the cost to get your project done 

(take an army into the desert without enough water??).

d. If you're opposed to God, He's going to spring a trap on you at some point 

(Moab fell for it).

Miracles 5-9 - 2 Kings 4

1. Text summary

Elisha provides as much oil as a prophet's widow can gather jars for, to provide for her financially.  Miracle 5.

A rich old woman provides Elisha a room to stay overnight in.  He wants to reward her, but she asks for nothing.  He promises she will conceive a son, and she does.  Miracle 6.  Note the parallel with Genesis 18 (Abraham and Sarah) and Luke 1 (Zechariah and Elizabeth).

Years later, the lad falls ill and dies.  The mother runs to Elisha, who raises him back to life.  Miracle 7.

Elisha cures a stew that had mistakenly been poisoned.

Elisha multiplies a bit of bread to feed all the prophets.  Miracles 8-9.

2. Jesus

Jesus resurrects a widow's son, too.

Jesus is the promised and miraculous Son, born to us.

Jesus' 7th miracle was also a resurrection, of Lazarus.  John 11.

Jesus fed 5000 with just a little bread.  Both Elisha and the Gospels refer obliquely to Moses and the manna.

3. Application

a. The jars represent our faith.  The greater our faith, the more blessing God gives.

b. Often with a blessing (the son born) God also gives trouble (his death).  Trust God even in the face of death.

c. God can multiply the inadequacy that we see to provide abundantly for us.

The Elijah-Ahab Showdown - 1 Kings 17-22 - Bible Notes

1. Text summary

2. How is Christ in the text?
3. Application

Elijah on the Scene - 1 Kings 17

1. Text summary

Prophet Elijah pronounces to Ahab a drought, then God tells Elijah to hide.

God sends him to a widow in Sidon, where Jezebel is from, when his water runs out.

Elijah asks for food for himself before she and her son, as an act of faith, promising they will miraculously have flour and oil to spare.

The son falls deathly ill, not breathing, and Elijah prays and God restores his life.

2. Jesus

Jesus is the prophet who condemns wicked rulers, and restores life to those who believe.

3. Application

a. Don't revile a whole country, just because wicked rulers come from there (Jezebel and Sidon.)  See Jesus' reference to this in Luke 4, and Nazareth's horrendous response!

b. Give God your first fruits, even if you're not sure how you'll live on the rest.

c. Jesus can and will restore your life, even when it appears past hope of saving.

The Showdown on Mt Carmel - 1 Kings 18

1. Text summary

God sends Elijah to Ahab.  Ahab commissions another prophet of Yahweh, Obadiah, to help him find grass and water.  (Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets of God to save them from Jezebel's purge.)  Elijah meets Obadiah and sends him to meet Ahab.  Elijah asks Ahab to call Baal's prophets to a showdown at Mt Carmel.

Elijah appeals to the people to be loyal to God, but they don't answer.

He proposes a contest - a sacrifice, and the god to answer by fire is the true God.

They agree, and Elijah lets Baal's followers go first.  They cut themselves and tear down Elijah's altar for hours, but nothing happens.

Elijah's turn.  He asks for 12 jars of water (4, 3 times) to soak the altar.  A precious commodity!

He prays.  Fire falls.  Israel professes "El Yah!" Yahweh is God.  (Elijah!)

Elijah calls for the killing of Baal's prophets.

He warns Ahab to head home, because rain is coming, then runs and beats him home.

2. Jesus

Jesus is the prophet who can get God to answer, and expose false wickedness for what it is.  He gets people to realize that Yahweh is the true and only God.

3. Application

a. Trust God's prophet and mission, even when it endangers you.  (Obadiah)

b. God's enemies will attack your altar - a little ridicule of their fruitless religion is not out of place.

c.  Invest your most precious commodity into the worship of God.  For Israel it was water in a drought.  For us, it is probably time.

d.  The end of idolatry is death.

The Still, Small Voice - 1 Kings 19

1. Text summary

Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah.  He flees south into the desert, cries out to God.  God gives him food and water, and he goes 40 days to Mt. Horeb (Sinai).  Elijah complains of Israel and his hard state twice.  God comes in the still, small voice, and sends him to anoint new kings in Syria and Israel (replacing Ahab and Jezebel!), and Elisha to replace himself.  He calls Elisha, who becomes his protege.

2. Jesus

a. Jesus is in the desert 40 days, helped by angels, too.  A new Moses.  Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, and glorify Him.

b. Jesus calls disciples, who want to say goodbye to their parents, but he says no.  Not because he doesn't care about family - He is making the point that his call is greater than Elijah's.

3. Application

a. Spiritual successes (like defeating Baal at Carmel) are often followed by more attacks and temptations (Jezebel).

b. When things go badly, watch your posture toward God ("What are you doing here, Elijah?")

c. God often makes Himself known quietly.  It's hard for us to hear Him when He shouts (Israel at Sinai).

d. Sometimes God gives us tough love.  His response to our complaint is "Get to work."  But that work will resolve our problems over time (Jehu and Elisha).

Fighting Wickedness - 1 Kings 20

1. Text summary

God helps Ahab win two battles against Syria, making the point that it isn't because of Ahab each time.  The second time he makes an advantageous treaty with Syria, but a prophet dooms him for not killing the Syrian king.

2. Jesus

a. Jesus is a faithful ruler, so God gives Him the position to win the crucial victory.

b. Jesus will not make peace with the wicked in the end, but destroy them.

3. Application

a. There are times God will spare and prosper us, though we don't deserve it.

b. Too often, we are willing to live with wickedness, when we should expunge it from our lives instead.

The Vineyard of Naboth - 1 Kings 21

1. Text summary

Ahab sulks when Naboth won't sell him his land.  Jezebel gets him killed, and Ahab steals it.  Elijah denounces him, and Ahab actually repents of it.  So God defers punishment to his children instead of coming on Ahab.

2. Jesus

a. Jesus never takes what He wants, violating our rights in the process.

b. Jesus often exposed and condemned the exploitation and injustice of rulers in Israel.

3. Application

a. When you can't have what you want, don't sulk.  Learn from it.

b. Never treat someone wrongly to take something from them.

Ahab's Foolishness and Death - 1 Kings 22

1. Text summary

Ahab wants to fight Syria, and recruits Judah.  False prophets encourage them.  Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, asks for a word from Yahweh.  Ahab doesn't want to listen, knowing it'll be bad.  It is.  They go anyway, and Jehoshaphat complies with Ahab's scheme of dressing up as Ahab, while Ahab enters combat as a normal soldier.  His scheme doesn't work.  God spares Jehoshaphat and Ahab is "randomly" shot.  He dies.

2. Jesus

a. Jesus never fights against people outside of God's will.

b. Jesus speaks God's words to the powerful, even when it gets Him in trouble.

3. Application

a. 1 Kings ends as Genesis and 1 Samuel does, with the death of a bad leader of Israel.  It's the pattern of Christ dying, then rising.  At the point of the death (your suffering or apparent dead end), it looks like the end of the story.  But God will open a new chapter in your life.

b. Don't ally with foolish and wicked people like Jehoshaphat did, ignoring God's clear instruction not to do it.