Page 51 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook- short

peace, and YHWH has not spoken by me. Ahab randomly struck in battle (4) Ahaziah (son) follows way of
Ahab and Jeroboam. Elijah rebukes for seeking Baal- come now, dies. But Jehoshaphat did right!
Prophets’ Challenge (1 Kings 17-2 Kings 8) Nation’s Collapse and Captivity (10-25) Elisha: YHWH vs. Baal
and His King (Ahab) (2-10) Elisha, seeing Elijah taken to heaven- dedicated, receives a double portion of
his spirit, showing his inheritance of the prophetic mantle- firstborn.

This section is littered with connections showing that Elisha carries on the ministry of Elijah to proclaim
YHWH’s supremacy over king and gods, even exceeding Elijah both in number and nature! With allusions
to Joshua-name, Elisha also parts the Jordan, purifies water at Jericho, pronounces curse on mockers of
God, His prophet- Bethel (2) When Israel and Judah go thru desert to battle Moab w/o adequate
provision (1 Kings. 22), Elisha predicts provision- water, enemy. Judgment! (3) Similar to Elijah and the
widow of Zarephath, Elisha provides oil- prophet’s widow, raises son- woman of Shunem, provides food-
prophet, and heals Gentile Naaman’s faith, showing YHWH’s supremacy (4-5). As Elijah, Elisha is
shielded, shows YHWH’s power over Baal- provision and prediction of famine (6-8). Carrying out God’s
commission to Elijah (1 Kings 19), Elisha foretells Hazael as king of Syria, anoints Jehu as king of Israel (8-
9). With influence of idolatry in Israel and Judah- intermarriage, Elisha charges Jehu to cut off the line of
Ahab- avenge. Jehu kills Jehoram (Israel-son), Ahaziah (Judah grandson, Naboth), Jezebel (wife), 70 sons,
nobles, relatives, friends, priests, prophets of Baal- Elijah! But Jehu followed in the way of Jeroboam (9-
10).

2 Kings 10-17 narrates God’s Judgment over Israel which led to Israel’s exiled by Assyria. Chapter’s 10-17
are bracketed by God’s exile of Israel. This section also details the northern kingdom’s downward spiral.
At the end of Jehu’s reign, judgment begins, as ‘YHWH began to cut off parts of Israel’ (10:32). Despite
Jehu’s obedience- annihilating Ahab’s line, his idol worship- Jeroboam provokes God’s wrath Hazael
defeats all of Israel’s eastern tribes (10). Jehu’s sons continue to walk in ways of Jeroboam, resulting in
Israel’s repeated oppression- Syria, but glimmers of hope are found as YHWH hears their cry, responds
with covenant mercy- Abram, refusing to destroy or scatter them- yet! (13:23) though Elisha’s death
signals the end of an era, the life-giving power of his words offers hope Are covenant and conquest a
th
sign of new life? (13-14). No! After God fulfills His promise to Jehu- 4 generation, a series of short-lived,
evil kings like Jeroboam brings chaos and assassinations- Zechariah, Shallum, Menachem, Pekahiah- 14
years (15). During this time, Israel becomes a vassal of Assyria, with territory captured and people
exiled. When Pekah rebelled by seeking an alliance with Syria, Assyria subdues Israel. Also, Hoshea
rebels, seeking an alliance with Egypt, Assyria lays siege to Samaria, carrying Israel’s captive away to
exile. The exile is seen as God’s judgment for Israel’s persistent idolatry, refusal to repent; even those
resettled in Israel fear YHWH and other gods (16-17).

2 Kings 11-25 narrates Judah’s downward spiral which led to their exile to Babylon Judgment. In
light of Judah’s intermarriage with Ahab, Jehoram and idolatry- Ahaziah and Athaliah, 1 Chr. 22, Jehu
brought God’s judgment on Judah as well. Though Athaliah tried to usurp rule by killing sons, Joash was
saved and schooled by Jehoiada because of the covenant. Although Joash did right- reform and repair
temple, he failed to rely on YHWH because of paying tribute to Syria (11-12). When other Kings were
evaluated they were found to be right. However, struggle with continued obedience. Amaziah, straying
after Edom’s gods (2 Chr. 25), is captured, dies in a coup (14), while Uzziah’s strength and success leads
to his pride and punishment (15) Jotham receives only a favorable evaluation, but the mention of
fortification and YHWH’s instigation of Syria/Judah sounds an ominous tone (15). Ahaz, following the
ways of Israel’s kings- idols, infant sacrifice, relies on Assyria not YHWH- war, re-arranges temple with
foreign influence (16). Despite a favorable evaluation- David, Hezekiah mixes failure and faith. After
initial failure- tribute, Hezekiah is firm in faith, trusting YHWH against Assyria (18-19). After showing
faith- healing, his trust fails- Babylon (20). Manasseh did evil- idols of nations, Israel, sending Judah into

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