More kings who worship idols

II Kings Chapter 13

Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, reigned in Samaria for seventeen years. But he too, did what was evil in God's sight. He continued the idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit. So the Lord was angry and allowed King Hazael of Aram and his son Ben-hadad to defeat them time after time.

Then Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord's help and the Lord heard his prayer and could see how the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. So the Lord raised up a deliverer to rescue the Israelites and they lived in safety, but continued to sin and worship idols. Finally all that was left of Jehoahaz'a army was fifty thousand mounted men and ten thousand foot soldiers. When Jehoahaz died he was buried in Samaria with his ancestors and his son Jehoash became king.

Jehoash reigned for sixteen years, but he also did what was evil in God's sight and let idolatry flourish. When he died his son Jeroboam II became king.

When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash visited him and wept over him. Elisha told him to get a bow and some arrows. Then Elisha told him to put his hand on the bow and Elisha laid his own hands on the king's hands. Elisha commanded him to open the eastern window and he did. Then he told the king to shoot through the window and he did. Elisha proclaimed that it was the Lord's arrow full of victory over Aram and the king would conquer the Arameans at Aphek. Then he had the king strike the other arrows on the ground. But God was angry and told Elisha the king should have struck the ground five or six times, not just three times. By striking only three times, they would be victorious only three times instead of beating them into utter destruction. Elisha then died.

Groups of Moabite raiders invaded the land each spring. When some Israelites were burying a body, they spied a band of raiders and they threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha. As soon as the bones touched Elisha's, the dead man came back to life.

King Hazael of Aram oppressed Israel during the reign of Jehoahaz but God did not allow them to be completely destroyed because of the convenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When Hazael died his son Ben-hadad became king. Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, recaptured from Ben-hadad the towns that Hazael had taken from Jehoash's father. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad on three occasions.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Although there were periodic breaks in which the Israelites turned to God, it didn't last long and there was rarely evidence of genuine faith.
Jehoash feared Elisha's death because he attributed his nation's well-being to Elisha instead of to God. He only struck the arrows to the ground halfheartedly, so his victory would not be complete.

The miracle of the man who came alive after his bones touched those of Elisha in the tomb, show us that Elisha was a real prophet, capable of miracles. And it attested to the power of God.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Do we today have periodic breaks in our worship of the Lord? I hope not. Because it is not enough to say no to sin. We must also say yes to a life of commitment to God. We must pray each day and ask for his forgiveness and aid and do it in earnest. Johoash did not follow the orders given by God through Elisha. He did not strike the ground in earnest. As a result, his victory was never complete. Today we must follow God's instructions or our own benefits and blessings may not be complete.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Update on Stella: I’m sorry to report that this tiny baby has finally passed and is in heaven with our Lord. She fought a long fight and endured much in her few months. Pray for her family.
Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for Brian and Ashley, as they lost the expected baby boy. It was so sad because she was 4 months and we had seen the sonogram of him moving and sucking his thumb.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.