Old Testamemt
Elijah, Elisha, & Athalia
Chapter 18
Themes:
Elijah and Elisha minister to turn Israel back to Yahweh
Attack on God's kingdom from within Baal Worship
fertility for herds
fertility for plants
fertility for humans
I. Last days of Elijah(II Kings 1-2)
A. King Ahaziah and Baal-zebub, "The Fly god" Baal-Zebub
original name of this god - Baal-Zebul
exalted lord
or lord of Heaven
to Hebrew - the god of the dung piles (Lord of the Flies)
to New Testament, Beelzebub is another name for Satan
Elijah stops the messenger and asks "Why are you going to Baal-Zebub?
Is it because there is no God in Israel? For that you shall not leave the bed that you now lie in. Ahaziah dies without ever leaving that bed.
B. Elijah & Elisha
1. Elijah's three commissions
a. anoint a new King of Syria: Hazael
b. anoint a new King of Israel: Jehu
c. anoint Elisha as prophet
2. Elisha's call
walks along the road in his clothes of ensence
represents the early lifestyle of Israel
Elijah wraps his clothe around Elisha
the symbol of the Prophets
If he sees Elijah depart, he will receive a double portion of Elijah spirit
3. Elijah's departure
leaves in a whirlwind up into the sky
Elisha sees it so he receives his double portion
Elijah's mantle falls to the ground and Elisha wears it.
II. Ministry of Elisha - see syllabus (II Kings 2:9)
A. Ministry to Naaman the Syrian(II KIngs 5)
Naaman has leprosy
young girl from Israel asks why doesn't my master know there is a prophet in Israel who can heal him?
Naaman travels to Elisha's house but Elisha doesn't come out.
He sends a servant out who tells him to wash in the Jordan seven times
He does and he is healed.
He returns and asks what he can pay Elisha but Elisha just wants him to worship Yahweh. He agrees and leaves.
Elisha's servant runs after Naaman and begs for silver because he wants the money.
Naaman gives him the money and the servant returns
Elisha knows and says that Naaman's leprosy is now his.
B. Two points
Gentiles recognize there is a God in Israel
Israel continues to worship Baal and forsake Yahweh
III. Judgement on Ahab's house
Jehu(842-815 BC) revolt and purge II Kings 9-14
Themes: Jehu perverts his obedience for his own ends.
Israel shows its apostasy is irrevocable
Jehu anointed by Elisha's messenger
prophet comes into Jehu's camp and says he has a message from his master.
Jehu and the prophet go into Jehu's tent and the prophet brings out some oil.
He pours the oil onto Jehu's head and says that Yahweh anoints you as the new king of Israel.
The prophet flees from the camp before Jehu comes out of the tent.
After much prodding he tells his troops what the prophet said. His troops follow him.
He rides to see Joram, king of Israel.
Joram rides out with Ahaziah, king of Judah to greet Jehu.
Have you come in peace?
How can there be peace with your father's wickedness in the land?
Jehu shoots Joram and kills him Ahaziah turns to flee but he is chased down and killed.
returns to the palace
Jezebel comes out onto the balcony. Jehu orders her to be thrown over the side. She is and he rides his chariot over her body.
Servants return to bury her body but the dogs have devoured everything but her hands, feet and skull. Thus fulfilling Elijah's prophesy. Jehu demands the heads of Ahab's 70 sons be brought into the town. The next day the heads are delivered and Ahab's entire family is eliminated by Jehu.
42 relatives of Ahaziah come up from Judah to see their king. Jehu captures them and kills them.
Ahab and his son's are left in Naboth's vineyard.
He announces to an assembly
Ahab followed Baal a little but Jehu shall serve much
come together so we can worship together.
anybody who doesn't shall die
The Baal worships come together and are massacred by Jehu.
Both praised and Blamed by God's prophets reward: dynasty for four generations promised
condemned for bloodthirsty excess (Hosea 1:4-5)
20 years after the Jehu line ends, Israel is no more.
Golden Calves remain in Dan and Bethel
loses all of transjordan to Syria
Two points
Jehu obeyed God, but only when he wanted to
Even Israel's best kings are still wicked.
IV. Athalia usurps the throne in Judah (II Kings 11)
daughter of Ahab and Jezebel
marries Jehosophant's son, Jehoram
kills all her own grandchildren except one who is hidden, the infant Joash
seven years of Tyranny
Temple based revolt
led by Jehorda, the high priest
Joash crowned king at age 7
Athaliah killed - last of Jezebel's children
covenant renewal ceremony
Two Points:
Warfare between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman (Genesis 3)
The Line of David is almost eliminated yet Christ must come from David's line
Joash's end: II Kings 12
Jehorda dies; Joash forsakes Yahweh
executes Jehorda's son Zechariah
defeated and wounded in battle by Syria
assassinated by his own officials
Joash's character
faithful as long as Jehorda lived