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Questions. Many have a love/hate relationship with questions. We need questions to help us gain understanding and motivate us to action. Questions help us gain what we want and need. Yet, questions caution, confront, rebuke, and convict us. Ultimately, life is filled with questions so we can discover and develop into who we are supposed to be.

Today’s text provides a question that each of us will face. Some of us will face this question many times, and others will only face it near the end of their life facing death’s doorway. The primary question for each of us is: Who will you turn to and trust when life gets you down?

Who will you turn to and trust when life gets you down?

EXAMINE 2 Kings 1-2

2 Kings continues the historic narrative of 1 Kings. Admittedly, it can be hard to arrive in the middle. Sometimes students don’t start school with everyone else due to the timing of their family’s relocation… or maybe it’s a certain class that they arrive late – and then the student feels lost, and the teacher feels burdened to help the student catch up. This is the way it is with 2 Kings. It’s the next book after
1 Kings – however, as shared when we started, originally was a single book of Kings; but circa 200AD scribes translated the text into Greek and divided into two, likely due to the book’s length.^[1]

Review: 1-2Kings is the history of Israel’s kings. It actually started in
1-2Samuel with Saul. Then David becomes king, and his life is vividly traced in those books as a key figure in all of Scripture. Since David had a receptive and humble heart, God promised to bless David with someone in his family on a successive (eternal) throne.[2] So, 1Kings details David’s death and transfer of the kingdom to his son Solomon; and sadly unto a divided kingdom with Rehoboam and Jeroboam, and onward with division of each tribe having their own king: 19 kings to North (Israel) and all evil; 20 kings to South (Judah) with only 7 having some godly influence.[3] 

Previous weeks messages were the prophet Elijah confronting evil king Ahab with wife Jezebel. Though Elijah showed God’s power and dismantled false prophets, Elijah still felt threatened by Jezebel. He entered a significant depression with suicidal desperation. And God responded with compassionate care of rest, food, and a renewed purpose, which was to appoint new kings and a replacement prophet to continue God’s work in Israel. Sadly, King Ahab would continue his evil reign with his wicked wife Jezebel. Even though these leaders saw God’s miraculous power and merciful protection, they still worshiped false gods. We often see people and national leaders make short-sighted decisions because they don’t truly know the Lord of eternity.

• Ahab is killed in battle by a stray arrow (1Ki 22:37-37-40).
• Jezebel also dies in dramatic fashion (2 Ki 9).

1Kings closes with Ahaziah, son of Ahab, being king (1 Ki 22:51-53). His name means “Yahweh sustains/holds” yet we will see what that means in this next book.

2 KINGS ¹ After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. ² Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.”

Evil Ahab’s death should have been welcome news for the nation. Instead, enemy nations look to take advantage of Israel’s weakness. External threats and internal pressures rise when a nation’s leaders are morally vacant and systematically incompetent.
*I’m not a prophet, but many predict an unsustainable path for the USA in the next 30-50 years.[4]

Ahaziah becomes king, but he follows his father’s footsteps of evil idolatry.

Our children often follow the pattern that we set with our life, not our lips. So, parents and adults must be careful to practice what they promote. In the case of Israel, God holds the nation’s leaders accountable and sustains them with discipline.

Ahaziah falls. In one sense, this is an ordinary action, but on the macro level, we also see Ahaziah’s fall as the sovereign hand of God. And instead of Ahaziah seeking the prophet Elijah who has evidenced the ability to raise the dead; or instead of praying to Yahweh who has proven to be alive and powerful; he prays to Baal of Ekron – the defeated god of Goliath and city among the Philistines. Sadly, the events of Mt. Carmel changed nothing at all.

And this is the modern indictment. God’s people are aware of God’s holiness; God’s standards; God’s reproving powers, but they still don’t turn from their god-substitutes.

While the king’s messengers are searching for a prophet, the angel of the Lord commands Elijah to question them and offer a prophecy. The questions: ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? In other words, “Why are you not turning to the Lord and trusting the true God?” We live in a world that will turn almost anywhere for relief but doesn’t want to turn to a God that demands our allegiance and obedience.

³ But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? ⁴ Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’”

Since Ahaziah did not pray to Yahweh, Elijah prophecies his pending death; like a doctor giving a bad diagnosis… Let me also say two pastoral advisements:
1) There would be no guarantee had Ahaziah prayed to Yahweh that he would have survived his sickness. Yet, there was at least hope for resurrection – and hope for the believer is not just wishful thinking but confident assurance based upon fulfilled promises of God. Christians grieve but never without hope.

2) Not every deathly diagnosis or negative circumstance can be traced back to a sin of that individual – outside of Adam. Sometimes trials and tribulations occur upon saints. As the song writer says, “Blessed be Your name when I’m found in the desert place; though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your name… on the road marked with suffering; though there’s pain in he offering, blessed be Your name.”[5]    

So Elijah went. ⁵ The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” ⁶ And they said to him, “There came a man to meet us, and said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you, and say to him, Thus says the Lord, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ” ⁷ He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?”

Ahaziah’s wondering who this prophet was who stopped his messengers with this bad news.

⁸ They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.”

Red flags and alarm bells went off in Ahaziah’s mind. His worst fears were realized. Elijah has returned to the scene. – – the text reads literally, “he was lord/owner of hair.”^[6]
Some guys have hair; other guys hair has them!

And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”

⁹ Then the king sent to him a captain with fifty men. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” ¹⁰ But Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

Ahaziah’s army of 50 were not friendly toward Elijah. In my childhood neighborhood they would say, “Be careful of writing checks with your mouth that your muscles can’t cash.” (I may have cleaned up the language for audience and context). They made demands and they received a severe rebuke. But Ahaziah doesn’t learn the lesson because he’s not personally feeling the loss.

Again – this is a symptom of weak leadership. The king sends his citizens into war without a battle plan; without the resources to win; without reasonability for positive outcome; without regard for the blood of sons and daughters of its kingdom and merely viewing them as casualties of selfish impulses and foolish illusions. Prideful leaders, arrogant rulers, and war-hungry oppressors are not new.

¹¹ Again the king sent to him another captain with his fifty men. And he answered and said to him, “O man of God, this is the king’s order, ‘Come down quickly!’” ¹² But Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. ¹³ Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. ¹⁴ Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.”

Notice this third captain has learned the lessons that his fellow soldiers and fanatical king have not. He’s fearful[7]/reverent of God ”fell on knees”; he’s dependent upon the Lord’s merciful compassion “please let our lives be precious in your sight”; he’s discerning & teachable “fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains.” This man’s response is what Israel should imitate, but instead they’re hard-hearted and closed-eyed to their consequences. And like the thief on the cross pleading for mercy, it was dispensed by Jesus.

¹⁵ Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king ¹⁶ and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ”¹⁷ So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.

This chapter sounds ominous, and to some, outside of the character of God that they believe. However, let us realize the God of the Bible is not to be mocked or marginalized. And God is not a Father who makes empty threats – “one more time, I’ll punish you… just one more time… once more…” Our Heavenly Father follows through on His words and promises, and while that may strike fear, it should also inspire confidence that

• People love darkness; but light has come into the world (Jn 3:19)
• There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1)

Our Heavenly Father follows through on His words and promises, and while that may strike fear, it should also inspire confidence.

2KINGS 2 ¹ Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.

Elijah’s prophetic ministry is about to exit, and a new prophet Elisha will begin. Elijah’s going to travel to several cities: Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, and Jordan. These cities appear to be a deliberate echo of the Israelite’s Exodus voyage into the promised land of conquering Canaanite worship.^[8] Yet, ironically, each of these cities were where Israelite kings and wayward citizens had setup golden calves to worship, instituted non-Levitical priests and substitute feasts to facilitate worship, and had become city centers of idol worship themselves (cf Hos 4:15; Am 4:4; 5:5). Yet, through Elijah, God established a school “the sons of the prophets” – where disciples were trained to listen to the Spirit of God, learn the Scriptures, and speak with God’s power. These schools were strategically established in cities deeply entrenched with idolatry to stand as a contrast to darkness and be a beacon of light for God’s truth. How much more today? ^[9]

² And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

Before Elijah leaves, he seems to be testing Elisha’s commitment. Earlier during Elisha’s initial call to follow Elijah, Elisha requested time, and he went back to the oxen plows to remove the yoke and sacrifice the animals to provide food for his parents (1 Ki 19:19-21). In the NT, Jesus said, “Follow me… leave the dead to bury their own dead… No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:58-62). Jesus wasn’t disparaging Elisha, but He was emphasizing a radically new way of discipleship that required urgency and priority.

So they went down to Bethel. ³ And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet [HUSH].” ⁴ Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. ⁵ The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet [HUSH].” ⁶ Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. ⁷ Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. ⁸ Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. ⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”

The double portion refers to an OT law that says a firstborn son would receive a double portion of his father’s estate (Dt 21:17). Elisha believed Elijah had a special sonship with God and was seeking personal blessing and prophetic strength as Elijah’s successor.^[10]

¹⁰ And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” ¹¹ And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. ¹² And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.

These first two chapters of 2Kings are dark and dramatic. Much could be dissected, but allow me to simply observe Elisha’s faithful friendship and resilient relationship with Elijah. Through thick and thin, Elisha stayed and would not leave; even unto Elijah’s death. Their friendship is a picture of God’s design for the church with bands of brothers and soul sisters who silence the outside noise and stand by one another.

When we think of discipleship, let us think less of programs or studies, and more of people and friendships.

• Who are 4 people who God might be calling you to start a network of discipleship? Don’t automatically list your “groupies” or closest friends. I’m talking about mentorship and multiplying disciples. Growing godly generations is planting the gospel across age groups, families, and communities.
  As we set our eyes upon the Fall season, and coming new year, let us prayerfully consider our role, our investment, and our responsibility in growing godly generations.

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

*Salvation: Jesus is the greater prophet – who takes the fire of God’s judgment in our place – who sticks closer than a brother – and who promises to prepare a place in paradise after life’s whirlwind troubles. Turn and trust in the Savior.

*Spiritual Growth / growing godly generations and serving through SPBC.

*Last, I think we would be remiss if we didn’t take some moments to pray for our nation. Pray for presidential candidates to be confronted by bold and biblical prophets, and to have hearts softened by the grace of Jesus and enlarged to the beautiful design of God’s commands. Pray for shalom (peace inside/out), and for the healing of divisions, and the turning away from idols.

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^[1] Dale Ralph Davis, 2 Kings: The Power and the Fury, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 2005), 11.

[2] 2 Samuel 7:8-16.

[3] Graphic of Kings in Israel & Judah.

[4] https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/03/21/america-in-2050/

[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTpTQ4kBLxA

^[6] John L. Mackay, J. Gary Millar, and John W. Olley, 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. III, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019).

[7] John Newton wrote, “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.” Fear = Reverence.

^[8] Paul R. House, 1, 2 Kings, vol. 8, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 257.

^[9] Insight inspired from Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 187–188.

^[10] Paul R. House, 1, 2 Kings, vol. 8, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 258.