From Famine to Fury: Divine Reversals and Jehu’s Reckoning

Welcome to Day 96 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are beginning the book of 2 Kings. In 2 Kings 7-9, we witness a dramatic shift in Israel’s fate—from a desperate famine in Samaria to the downfall of corrupt rulers and the rise of God-ordained judgment. The chapters reveal how God intervenes in impossible situations and uses people, both humble and mighty, to fulfill His purposes. Elisha prophesies a miraculous end to famine, and four lepers unexpectedly become the messengers of good news. The narrative then shifts to Elisha’s continued ministry, including his interaction with the Shunammite woman and prophetic insight into the rise of a violent new king in Syria. The climax occurs when Jehu, anointed by God’s direction, becomes a divine instrument of justice, unleashing fierce judgment against Ahab’s dynasty, including Jezebel. These chapters emphasize God’s sovereignty, justice, and faithfulness to His word.

2 Kings 7: In the midst of a devastating famine in Samaria, Elisha delivers an unbelievable prophecy: within a day, food would be abundant. At the city gates, four lepers stumble upon a deserted Aramean camp, discovering that God had caused the enemy to flee in fear. Their discovery changes everything—they report it to the city, and the people rush out to gather the spoils. Just as Elisha had foretold, food becomes plentiful. Tragically, the king's officer who doubted the prophecy is trampled in the chaos and dies, fulfilling Elisha’s warning. This chapter is a powerful reminder that God can turn hopelessness into abundance in an instant.

2 Kings 8: This chapter weaves together personal restoration and political prophecy. The Shunammite woman, previously blessed by Elisha, returns from exile to find her land restored through Elisha’s influence. Meanwhile, Elisha foretells Hazael’s rise to power and his future cruelty to Israel. In Judah, King Jehoram’s reign is marked by evil, and his actions reflect a decline in moral and spiritual leadership. Despite his wickedness, God spares Judah for David’s sake. The chapter closes with the rise of Ahaziah, who follows the path of evil influenced by his mother Athaliah and his alliance with Ahab’s house. It reveals God’s mercy even amidst generational sin.

2 Kings 9: Jehu is anointed by a young prophet sent by Elisha, and his mission is clear—destroy the house of Ahab. Without hesitation, Jehu rides out and kills King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah. The momentum builds as he enters Jezreel and confronts Jezebel, who tries to charm her way out of death. Jehu commands her execution, and her gruesome end fulfills Elijah’s prophecy. The chapter is filled with divine judgment and rapid fulfillment of God’s words, showing that no corruption goes unchecked by the Lord. Jehu’s rise marks a new era, fueled by God’s justice.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name 2 Kings continues from 1 Kings, as both books were originally one single work in the Hebrew Bible. The title "Kings" comes from the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translation of the Hebrew word Melekhim, meaning “Kings.” It records the reigns of various monarchs in Israel and Judah, detailing their faithfulness or rebellion against God.

Purpose of the Book:

The purpose of 2 Kings is to document the spiritual and political decline of Israel and Judah, ultimately leading to their exiles. It highlights the consequences of disobedience to God’s covenant, contrasting faithful and unfaithful kings. The book serves as a historical and theological lesson that obedience to God brings blessings, while disobedience leads to judgment.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The authorship of 2 Kings is traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, though this is not explicitly stated in the text. Several pieces of evidence support this claim:

1. Internal Biblical Evidence:

   • 2 Kings 24–25 closely parallels Jeremiah 39 and 52, describing the fall of Jerusalem.

   • Jeremiah was a prophet during the final days of Judah and personally witnessed the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 1:1-3).

2. External References & Historical Sources:

   • The Talmud (Baba Bathra 15a) credits Jeremiah as the author of 1 & 2 Kings.

   • 2 Kings frequently refers to historical records such as:

     • The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (2 Kings 8:23, 12:19, etc.)

     • The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (2 Kings 1:18, 10:34, etc.)

While some scholars suggest a later anonymous compiler from the exilic period, the traditional view holds that Jeremiah, or a disciple influenced by him, compiled the book using these historical records under divine inspiration.

Key People:

1. Elijah – A prophet of God who ascends to heaven without dying (2 Kings 2).

2. Elisha – Successor of Elijah, performing many miracles (2 Kings 2-13).

3. Jehu – A king of Israel who eradicates Ahab’s family and Baal worship (2 Kings 9-10).

4. Hezekiah – A righteous king of Judah known for his reforms and miraculous healing (2 Kings 18-20).

5. Manasseh – A wicked king of Judah who later repents (2 Kings 21).

6. Josiah – A godly king who restores worship and finds the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22-23).

7. Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon who conquers Judah and exiles its people (2 Kings 24-25).

8. Zedekiah – The last king of Judah before the Babylonian captivity (2 Kings 24-25).

Conclusion

The book of 2 Kings concludes with the tragic fall of both Israel and Judah due to their persistent disobedience to God’s covenant, culminating in the Babylonian exile. Despite the judgment, a glimmer of hope remains as King Jehoiachin of Judah is shown mercy in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27-30), hinting at God’s ongoing plan for restoration. This ending reinforces the book’s central theme: faithfulness to God brings blessings, while rebellion leads to downfall, yet His mercy endures beyond judgment.

---

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet. 

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 2 Kings 7, God reveals Himself as merciful, powerful, and faithful to His word. Despite the severe famine and the people’s unbelief, God provides a miraculous deliverance through unexpected means—four lepers discovering the abandoned Aramean camp. God’s mercy overrides judgment, and His faithfulness ensures that the word He speaks through Elisha is fulfilled exactly. Even when His people are faithless or doubting, God shows that He is able and willing to deliver.

The name El Shaddai (God Almighty) is reflected in His ability to turn an impossible famine into abundance overnight. His divine provision also connects with Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), seen as He supplies food when there was none. The lesson God is teaching in this chapter is to trust His promises even when the situation seems impossible. He honors faith and demonstrates that He can use anyone—even the outcast—to bring about His glory.

In 2 Kings 8, God’s character is displayed as just, sovereign, and compassionate. He orchestrates both personal restoration for the Shunammite woman and reveals the larger political changes coming through prophecy. God’s justice is shown in His foretelling of judgment on Syria, and His sovereignty is evident in controlling the rise and fall of kings. His compassion shines through as He protects and provides for the faithful.

We see the name El Roi (The God Who Sees) in His care for the Shunammite woman, ensuring her land is restored after years of exile. He is also El Elyon (God Most High), who rules over nations and kings, demonstrating ultimate authority. The lesson in this chapter is that God sees both the faithful and the corrupt and will act in His timing with justice and restoration. He honors those who trust Him and ensures their needs are met even in seasons of uncertainty.

In 2 Kings 9, God’s character is portrayed as righteous, holy, and unwavering in judgment. His long-awaited judgment on Ahab’s house is executed through Jehu, fulfilling every detail of His word spoken through Elijah and Elisha. God does not forget promises or prophetic warnings, no matter how much time has passed. His holiness demands justice, especially when it comes to systemic corruption and idolatry.

This chapter reflects Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts), the Commander of heavenly armies, as He leads Jehu in a divine mission. It also shows El Emeth (God of Truth), for He fulfills every prophecy with precision. The lesson here is that God will bring justice in His perfect timing, and nothing escapes His eye or escapes accountability. His truth always prevails, and He calls His people to stand boldly for righteousness.

---

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

---

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

1. How does God show mercy even when His people are doubting or disobedient?

2. In what ways is God’s justice displayed in the story of Jehu’s anointing and actions?

3. How do we see God’s sovereignty over kings, kingdoms, and political events?

4. What aspects of God’s character are reflected in the way He cares for the Shunammite woman?

5. How does God use unexpected or humble people to fulfill His purposes in these chapters?

6. What does God’s fulfillment of long-standing prophecy (like Jezebel’s death) teach us about His nature?

Questions About Themes:

1. How does the theme of divine reversal appear in the transition from famine to abundance?

2. What does the rise of Jehu teach us about God’s method of restoring righteousness in a nation?

3. How do these chapters highlight the consequences of rebellion against God?

4. What role does obedience (or disobedience) play in the fulfillment of God’s plans?

5. How is prophetic fulfillment a central theme across all three chapters?

6. What does the story say about leadership and the importance of godly rulers?

7. How do these chapters emphasize God’s timing and justice, even when it seems delayed?

Reflective Application Questions:

1. Have I ever doubted God’s ability to turn around an impossible situation like the officer in 2 Kings 7?

2. In what ways do I need to trust God's provision more fully in my current season?

3. Am I willing to be used by God like the lepers, even if I feel insignificant or unqualified?

4. Where in my life do I see God's justice at work, even if it's not on my timeline?

5. What areas of influence has God given me, and how can I lead like Jehu—with boldness and purpose?

6. How can I better recognize and honor God’s sovereignty, especially in political or social uncertainties?

7. What is one step I can take today to align myself more closely with God's righteousness?

   
   

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans