In Second Kings, chapter six, verses sixteen to seventeen, an unseen spiritual realm exists, consisting of a host of ministering angels active in the lives of God’s people, as in Genesis thirty-two, verse two, and Isaiah sixty-three, verse nine. Several principles may derive from this event. Not only is God for His people as in …
In Second Kings, chapter six, verse five, the story of the lost axe head illustrates God’s interest and care in what might appear to be an insignificant matter. An iron axe head at the time was an expensive tool, and this poor man felt keenly responsible for the borrowed equipment. The miracle served to communicate …
In Second Kings, chapter five, verse twenty, Elisha’s servant Gehazi had a desirous heart and sought to corrupt God’s gracious act for material prosperity. His transgression included betraying Elisha, lying to Naaman and Elisha, and dishonoring the name of God. In verses twenty-one through twenty-seven, Elisha’s only servant, Gehazi, is a base liar. The love …
In Second Kings, chapter five, verse sixteen, God does not offer His services for a price only to those who can afford it. Therefore, Elisha felt charging money would be inappropriate to profit from what God has done through him, as in Matthew ten, verse eight, and Second Corinthians two, verse seventeen, respectively. Naaman’s healing …
In Second Kings, chapter five, verse fifteen, it is astonishing that Naaman, a foreigner, was miraculously delivered from leprosy and converted to the true God, while many lepers in Israel remained unclean. Jesus Himself mentioned Naaman in Luke four, verse twenty-seven, to emphasize that when God’s people disobey Him and His Word, He will take …
In Second Kings, chapter five, verse ten, Elisha instructed Naaman to wash himself in the muddy waters of the Jordan River as a simple demonstration of humility and obedience. Furthermore, by doing so, Naaman would find it impossible to ascribe the cure to humans or natural means. The Israelites and the Assyrians knew that the …
In Second Kings, chapter five, verse one, the story of Naaman demonstrates the providence of God in verses one through fourteen, His saving power and grace in verses fifteen to nineteen, and His judgment upon sin in verses twenty through twenty-seven. Prominent in the narrative is that God’s grace and salvation are not limited to …
In Second Kings, chapter four, verse thirty-nine, unlike the affluent lifestyle of the wealthy, the way of life for the “sons of the prophets” was simple, involving faithful service and self-denial. One of the sons of the prophets, probably, went out into the neighboring country and looked about for any wild fruits or vegetables that …
In Second Kings, chapter four, verses thirty-eight to forty-four, these two narratives concerning the needs of the “sons of the prophets” illustrate the truth that “the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy. To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in …
In Second Kings, chapter four, verse twenty-one, Elisha was known by people from all walks of life as “the man of God,” as in verses nine, sixteen, twenty-two, twenty-five, twenty-seven, and forty, respectively. Other examples are chapter five, verse eight: chapter six, verses six, nine to ten, chapter seven, verse eighteen, chapter eight, verses four, …
