2 Kings (Bible in 90 Days)

At this point in reading the bible, I feel like I am back in my U.S. History class in high school and we have to list two to three facts about every president. Second Kings just sort of goes down the list of kings over Israel and Judah and says the main points about each one. Some were faithful to the Lord, but most weren't. However, they all played a part in history.

It is a bit overwhelming, but the point is that there is a dark fate for those who do not look to God as the true leader. The nations are quickly sliding into corruption, but a few choose to rise above it.

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Only two kings were called good--Hezekiah and Josiah. There were also 30 prophets proclaiming God's message. Two of the most known were Elijah and Elisha.

One of the most amazing stories in Second Kings is centered around the second man who did not have to die to walk with God in heaven. Before Elijah leaves he asks Elisha what he can do for him. Elisha's answer--"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit" (2 Kings 2:9). Talk about a righteous answer, I'd say he understand God's love. And his request is granted. Elisha sees signs, proclamations and miracles throughout his life.

As for Elijah, he went to walk with the Lord--it doesn't get any better than that.

"As they [Elijah and Elisha] were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." 2 Kings 2:11

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After living an extraordinary life as a prophet and a man of God, even death couldn't cease Elisha's blessings to the world:

"Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet." 2 Kings 13:20-21

The people of the Lord were few in this dark time of history. The Israelites did evil things in God's eyes so he turned his back on them.

"So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunders, until he thrust them from his presences." 2 Kings 17:18-20

Turns out the Passover had not been observed in some time. It seemed the Book of Laws written by Moses had gotten lost or forgotten over the reign of misguided kings. King Josiah, one of the two good kings, found it and restored the Passover celebration. (2 Kings 23:21-23)

It is also said about Josiah:
"Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses." 2 Kings 23:25