Day 182 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 1 July 2023 reflections
Day 182, 1 July 2023
1) 2 Kings 1 - 4
2 Kings 1
God Judges Ahaziah
1 (2Sa 8:2) Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
2 (Mt 10:25; Mk 3:22) Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper
chamber that was in Samaria and became ill. So he sent messengers
and said to them, "Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron
whether I will recover from this illness."
3 (1Ki 17:1) 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 not a God in Israel,
that you go to inquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron?'
4 (2Ki 1:6; 1:16) Therefore thus says the Lord, 'You will not come down from
the bed on which you have gone up but will surely die.'" Then Elijah departed.
5 When the messengers returned to the king, he said to them,
"Why have you returned?"
6 And they said to him, "A man came up to meet us and said to us,
'Go, return to the king that 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 will not come down
from the bed on which you have gone up, but you will surely die.'"
7 He said to them, "What sort of man was he who came up to meet you
and told you these things?"
8 (Zec 13:4; Mt 3:4) They answered him, "He was a hairy man
with a leather belt around his waist."
He said, "It was Elijah the Tishbite."
9 (2Ki 6:13-14) Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty
with his fifty men. He went up to Elijah, and there he was, sitting
on the top of a hill, and he said to him,
"Man of God, the king says, 'Come down.' "
10 (Lk 9:54; 1Ki 18:36-38) But Elijah answered the captain of fifty:
"If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven
and consume you and your fifty men." Then fire came down from heaven
and consumed him and his fifty men.
11 Again the king sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty men.
He said, "Man of God, thus says the king: Come down quickly."
12 Elijah answered them, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down
from heaven and consume you and your fifty men."
Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
13 (Isa 1:5) Then again the king sent a third captain of
fifty with his fifty men.
The third captain of fifty went up, came and fell on his knees before Elijah,
and pleaded with him, "Man of God, may my life and the life of these
fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.
14 See, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two captains
of the former fifties with their fifty men. May my life now be precious
in your sight."
15 (Isa 51:12; Jer 1:17) 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 Then he said to him, "Thus says the Lord: Have you sent messengers
to inquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron, because there is no God in Israel
to inquire of His word? Therefore you will not come down from the bed
on which you have gone up, but you will surely die."
17 (2Ki 3:1) So he died according to the word of the Lord
which Elijah had spoken.
Then Jehoram [About 27 feet, or 8.1 meters. ]reigned in his place
in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah,
because he had no son.
18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written
in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
2 Kings 1
[1] Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
[2] And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in
Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go,
inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this
disease.
[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 unto them, Is it not
because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub
the god of Ekron?
[4] Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that
bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
[5] And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why
are
ye now turned back?
[6] And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto
us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus
saith
the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest
to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come
down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
[7] And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet
you, and told you these words?
[8] And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of
leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
[9] Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he
went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake
unto
him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
[10] And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of
God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty.
And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
[11] Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty.
And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said,
Come down quickly.
[12] And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire
come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God
came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
[13] And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the
third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before
Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let
my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy
sight.
[14] Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two
captains
of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be
precious in thy sight.
[15] And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not
afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
[16] And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent
messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because
there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not
come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
[17] So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken.
And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of
Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
[18] Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written
in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
2 Kings 2
Elijah Ascends to Heaven
1 (Ge 5:24; Heb 11:5; Jos 4:19) Then when the Lord was about to take Elijah
up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2 (1Sa 1:26; 2Ki 2:6) Elijah said to Elisha, "Tarry here, I ask you,
for the Lord has sent me to Bethel."
But Elisha said to him, "As the Lord lives, and as you live,
I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
3 (2Ki 4:1; 4:38) The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came
out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord
is taking away your master from you?"
And he said, "Yes, I know. Keep silent."
4 (2Ki 2:2; Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34) Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here,
for the Lord has sent me to Jericho."
And he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you live, I will not leave you."
So they entered Jericho.
5 (2Ki 2:3) The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha
and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord is taking away your master
from you?" And he said, "Yes, I know. Keep silent."
6 (2Ki 2:2) Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, for the Lord has
sent me to the Jordan."
And he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you live, I will not leave you."
And the two of them went on.
7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance,
and the two of them stood by the Jordan.
8 (1Ki 19:19; Ex 14:21-22) Then Elijah took his robe and rolled it up
and struck the water, and it was divided from one side to the other.
Then the two of them crossed on dry ground.
9 (Nu 11:17; Dt 21:17) And as they were crossing, Elijah said to Elisha,
"Ask for something, and I will do it for you before I am taken away from you."
And Elisha said, "Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
10 He said, "You have asked for a difficult thing, but if you see me
when I am taken from you, it will happen to you. If not, it will not."
11 (2Ki 6:17; Ps 68:17) As they continued walking and talking,
a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them,
and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 (2Ki 13:14) Elisha was watching and crying, "My father, my father,
the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" And he did not see him again.
Then he grabbed his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
13 He picked up the robe of Elijah that fell from him,
and he returned and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14 And he took the robe of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the water,
and said, "Where is the Lord, God of Elijah?" When he had struck the water,
it parted from one side to the other, and Elisha crossed over.
15 When the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him from far off,
they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him
and bowed down to the ground before him.
16 (1Ki 18:12; Ac 8:39) They said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong
men with your servants. Let them go and look for your master.
Perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has lifted him up and thrown him
on some mountain or into some valley." He said, "Do not send them."
17 (2Ki 8:11) When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, "Send them."
So they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him.
18 When they returned to him (for he had stayed at Jericho),
he said to them, "Did I not say to you, do not go?"
2 Kings 2
[1] And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven
by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
[2] And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath
sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy
soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
[3] And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha,
and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master
from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
[4] And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD
hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul
liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
[5] And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and
said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from
thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
[6] And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath
sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth,
I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
[7] And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar
off: and they two stood by Jordan.
[8] And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the
waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went
over on dry ground.
[9] And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto
Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And
Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
[10] And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou
see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not,
it shall not be so.
[11] And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold,
there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both
asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
[12] And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of
Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold
of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
[13] He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went
back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
[14] And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the
waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had
smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
[15] And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw
him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to
meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
[16] And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty
strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest
peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon
some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
[17] And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent
therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
[18] And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said
unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
Elisha Performs Miracles
19 Now the men of the city said to Elisha, "The location of this city is good,
as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful."
20 He said, "Bring me a new bowl and put salt in it."
So they brought it to him.
21 (2Ki 4:41; 6:6) He went out to the spring of water and threw the salt into
it and said, "Thus says the Lord: I have healed this water. No more death
or unfruitfulness will come from it."
22 So the waters have been healthy until this day,
according to the word that Elisha spoke.
23 (2Ch 36:16; Job 30:1) He went up from there to Bethel, and going up
on the way, little boys came out of the city and made fun of him
and said to him, "Go up, you bald head! Go up, you bald head!"
24 He turned around, saw them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord.
Then two she-bears came out of the woods and ripped open 42 of the boys.
25 (2Ki 4:25; 1Ki 18:19-20) He went from there to Mount Carmel,
and from there he returned to Samaria.
[19] And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the
situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is
naught, and the ground barren.
[20] And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they
brought it to him.
[21] And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in
there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there
shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
[22] So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of
Elisha which he spake.
[23] And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the
way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and
said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
[24] And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of
the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare
forty and two children of them.
[25] And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he
returned to Samaria.
2 Kings 3
Jehoram Reigns Over Israel
1 (2Ki 1:17) Now Jehoram son of Ahab reigned over Israel in Samaria
in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah and reigned twelve years.
2 (1Ki 21:25; 2Ki 10:18) He did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like
his father and mother, for he removed the pillar of Baal that his father
had made.
3 (1Ki 14:16) Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
who had caused Israel to sin. He did not depart from them.
4 (2Sa 8:2) Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-breeder and gave back
to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of
a hundred thousand rams.
5 (2Ki 1:1) But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled
against the king of Israel.
6 King Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel.
71Ki 22:4He went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying,
"The king of Moab has rebelled against me.
Will you go with me to Moab to battle?"
He said, "I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people,
and my horses as your horses."
8 Then he said, "Which way should we go up?"
And he said, "The way through the Wilderness of Edom."
9 (1Ki 22:47) So the king of Israel, the king of Judah,
and the king of Edom went, and they marched around seven days.
But there was no water for the camp or for the livestock that followed them.
10 The king of Israel said, "Alas! The Lord has called these three kings
to give them into the hand of Moab!"
11 (1Ki 22:7; 19:21) But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there a prophet of the Lord
here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?"
Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered,
"Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here."
12 Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the Lord is with him."
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
13 (1Ki 18:19; 22:6) Elisha said to the king of Israel,
"What have I to do with you?
Go to your father's prophets, or to your mother's prophets."
Then the king of Israel said to him, "No. The Lord has called these three kings
to deliver them into the hand of Moab."
14 (1Ki 17:1; 2Ki 5:16) Elisha said, "As the Lord of Hosts lives, before
whom I stand, surely, were it not for my regard for Jehoshaphat
the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you.
15 (Eze 1:3; 1Sa 16:23) Now bring me a musician."
And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him.
16 He said, "Thus says the Lord, 'Make this valley full of pools.'
17 (Ps 107:35) For thus says the Lord, 'You will not see wind,
nor will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water,
that you may drink, both you and your livestock, and your cattle.'
18 (Jer 32:17; 32:27) This is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord,
and He will give the Moabites into your hand.
19 You will strike every fortified city and every choice city,
and will cut down every good tree, and stop every spring of water,
and you will ruin every good piece of land with stones."
20 (Ex 29:39-40) So in the morning as the offering was offered up,
suddenly water flowed from the way of Edom,
and the land
was filled with water.
21 When all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight
against them, all who were able to bear arms and older were summoned
and stood at the border.
22 They got up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water,
and the Moabites saw the water opposite them was as red as blood.
23 Then they said, "This is blood. The kings have surely fought together;
and they have killed one another. Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!"
24 When they came to the camp of Israel, the children of Israel arose
and struck the Moabites, so that they ran from them.
And they went forward into their land, killing the Moabites.
25 (2Ki 3:19; Isa 16:7) They demolished the cities, and on every good
piece of land every man threw a stone and filled it with stones,
and they stopped every spring of water and cut down every good tree.
Only in Kir Hareseth did the stones in the wall remain,
until the slingers surrounded it and struck it.
26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle was overwhelming him,
he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom,
but they were unable.
27 (Mic 6:7; Dt 12:31) Then he took his firstborn son, who would have reigned
in his place, and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall.
And great wrath came upon Israel, and they departed from him
and returned to their own land.
2 Kings 3
[1] Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the
eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
[2] And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father,
and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had
made.
[3] Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
[4] And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of
Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the
wool.
[5] But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled
against the king of Israel.
[6] And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all
Israel.
[7] And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king
of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to
battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy
people, and my horses as thy horses.
[8] And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through
the wilderness of Edom.
[9] So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of
Edom:
and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water
for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.
[10] And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these
three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!
[11] But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we
may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants
answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on
the hands of Elijah.
[12] And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of
Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
[13] And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee?
get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother.
And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these
three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.
[14] And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand,
surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of
Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
[15] But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel
played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
[16] And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
[17] For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see
rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both
ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
[18] And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver
the Moabites also into your hand.
[19] And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall
fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece
of land with stones.
[20] And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered,
that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was
filled with water.
[21] And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight
against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and
upward, and stood in the border.
[22] And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the
water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:
[23] And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have
smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
[24] And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and
smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward
smiting the Moabites, even in their country.
[25] And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast
every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water,
and felled all the good trees: only in Kir-haraseth left they the stones
thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
[26] And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he
took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto
the king of Edom: but they could not.
[27] Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and
offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great
indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to
their own land.
2 Kings 4
The Widow's Olive Oil
1 (2Ki 2:3; Lev 25:39-41) Now one of the wives of the sons of the prophets
cried to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that
your servant feared the Lord, but a creditor has come to take
my two sons as slaves."
2 (1Ki 17:12) Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you?
Tell me, what do you have in the house?"
She said, "Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil."
3 Then he said, "Go, ask for vessels from all your neighbors,
empty vessels and not just a few.
4 Then go in, shut the door behind you and your sons,
and pour the oil into all these vessels. When each is full, set it aside."
5 So she left him and shut the door behind her and her sons,
and they kept bringing vessels to her, and she kept pouring.
6 (Mt 14:20) When the vessels were full, she said to her son,
"Bring me another vessel."
But he said to her, "There is not another vessel." And the oil ceased.
7 Then she went and told the man of God. And he said,
"Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and you and your children can live
on the rest."
Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son
8 (Jos 19:18; 2Sa 19:32) One day Elisha passed through Shunem,
and a noble woman was there who urged him to eat a meal.
So whenever he passed through, he stopped there to eat a meal.
9 And she said to her husband, "I know that he is a holy man of God regularly
passing through near us.
10 (Ro 12:13; Mt 10:41-42) Let us make a little walled upper room
and put for him there a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp,
so when he comes to us he can stay there."
11 One day he came by there, and he turned aside
to the upper room and lay down.
12 (2Ki 8:4-5; 4:29-31) He said to Gehazi his servant,
"Call this Shunammite woman." So he called her and she stood before him.
13 (2Sa 19:13) He said to him, "Say to her, Look, you have gone to all
this trouble for us. What may be done for you? Would you have a word
spoken on your behalf to the king, or to the captain of the army?"
And she answered, "I am living among my people."
14 He said, "What may be done for her?"
And Gehazi said, "Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old."
15 He said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the entrance.
16 (2Ki 4:28; Ge 17:21) He said, "At this season, when it is time,
you will embrace a son."
And she said, "No, my lord, man of God, do not lie to your servant."
17 But the woman conceived and bore a son at that season,
at the time that Elisha had told her.
18 When the child was older, he went out one day
to his father with the reapers.
19 He said to his father, "My head, my head!"
And he said to a servant, "Carry him to his mother."
20 When he had taken him and brought him to his mother,
the boy sat on her knees until noon, and died.
21 (2Ki 4:32) She went up, and laid him down on the bed of the man of God,
shut the door on him, and went out.
22 Then she called to her husband, "Send me one of the servants
and one of the donkeys, so that I may run to the man of God and return."
23 (Nu 10:10; 28:11) He said, "Why are you going to him today?
It is neither New Moon nor Sabbath."
She said, "It will be all right."
24 Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant,
"Lead on, and do not hold back for me unless I tell you."
25 (2Ki 2:25) So she went and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
And when the man of God saw her far off, he said to Gehazi his servant,
"Look, over there is the Shunammite woman.
26 Now run to meet her, and say to her, Are you all right?
Is your husband all right? Is the child all right?"
And she said, "It is all right."
27 When she came to the man of God at the mountain,
she grabbed his feet. Gehazi approached to push her away.
But the man of God said, "Let her alone, for she is in bitter distress,
and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me."
28 Then she said, "Did I ask for a son from my lord?
Did I not say, Do not give me false hope?"
29 (2Ki 2:14; Ex 14:16; 1Ki 18:46) Then he said to Gehazi, "Prepare yourself,
take my staff in your hand, and go. If you find anyone, do not greet him,
and if anyone greets you, do not answer him, and lay my staff
on the face of the boy."
30 (2Ki 2:2; 2:4) Then the boy's mother said, "As the Lord lives,
and as you live, I will not leave without you."
And he got up and followed her.
31 (Jn 11:11) Gehazi passed through ahead of them and laid the staff
on the face of the boy, but there was no sound or response.
So he returned to meet him and told him, "The boy is not awake."
32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw that the boy was dead,
lying on his bed.
33 (Mt 6:6; 2Ki 4:4) So he went in, and shut the door on the two of them,
and prayed to the Lord.
34 (1Ki 17:21; Ac 20:10) He went up and lay on the child, put his face
on his face, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands.
Then he bent over the child, and the child's flesh warmed.
35 (2Ki 8:5) Then he got down, walked once back and forth in the house,
and went up, and bent over him; the boy sneezed seven times,
and the boy opened his eyes.
36 (Heb 11:35) Then Elisha called Gehazi and said,
"Call the Shunammite woman." So he called her, and she came to him.
Then he said, "Pick up your son."
37 Then she came in, fell at his feet, and bowed down to the ground.
Then she picked up her son and went out.
Elisha Purifies the Deadly Stew
38 (2Ki 2:1; 2:3) When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine
in the land. The sons of the prophets were sitting before him,
and he said to his servant, "Put on the big cooking pot,
nd boil some stew for the sons of the prophets."
39 One went out into the field to gather herbs. He found a wild vine
and gathered from it wild gourds, filling his clothes, and came
and split them into the pot of stew, but they did not recognize them.
40 (Ex 10:17) So they poured it out for the men to eat. But as they were
eating the stew, they cried out, "Man of God, there is death in the pot."
They could not eat it.
41 (Ex 15:25; 2Ki 2:21) But he said, "Then bring flour." He threw it
into the pot and said, "Pour it for the people and let them eat."
And there was nothing bad in the pot.
Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men
42 (1Sa 9:7; 9:4; Jn 6:9) A man came from Baal Shalishah,
and he brought the man of God food from the first fruits
-twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain-in his sack.
And Elisha said, "Give it to the people and let them eat."
43 (Lk 9:13; Mt 14:20) But his servant said, "How can I set this
before a hundred men?"
He said, "Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord,
'They will eat and have some left.;"
44 So he set it before them, they ate, and some was left over,
according to the word of the Lord.
2 Kings 4
[1] Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets
unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that
thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my
two sons to be bondmen.
[2] And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast
thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the
house, save a pot of oil.
[3] Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours,
even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
[4] And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon
thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set
aside that which is full.
[5] So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who
brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
[6] And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her
son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel
more. And the oil stayed.
[7] Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil,
and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
[8] And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great
woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as
he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
[9] And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an
holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
[10] Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set
for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it
shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
[11] And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the
chamber, and lay there.
[12] And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he
had called her, she stood before him.
[13] And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful
for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be
spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I
dwell among mine own people.
[14] And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered,
Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
[15] And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the
door.
[16] And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou
shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not
lie unto thine handmaid.
[17] And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had
said unto her, according to the time of life.
[18] And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to
his father to the reapers.
[19] And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad,
Carry him to his mother.
[20] And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on
her knees till noon, and then died.
[21] And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut
the door upon him, and went out.
[22] And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee,
one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God,
and come again.
[23] And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new
moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
[24] Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go
forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.
[25] So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came
to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his
servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
[26] Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with
thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she
answered, It is well.
[27] And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the
feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let
her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from
me, and hath not told me.
[28] Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not
deceive me?
[29] Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine
hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any
salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the
child.
[30] And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul
liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
[31] And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of
the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went
again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
[32] And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead,
and laid upon his bed.
[33] He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed
unto the LORD.
[34] And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his
mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he
stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
[35] Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and
stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the
child opened his eyes.
[36] And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called
her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
[37] Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the
ground, and took up her son, and went out.
[38] And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land;
and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his
servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the
prophets.
[39] And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild
vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came
and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.
[40] So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they
were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of
God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.
[41] But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said,
Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
[42] And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God
bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in
the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.
[43] And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men?
He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD,
They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.
[44] So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according
to the word of the LORD.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 July 2023 Titled
Connected to the Power Source
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 5:19
4 (2Th 2:13; 2Pe 1:10) For we know, beloved brothers, your election by God.
5 (Col 2:2; 2Th 2:14) For our gospel did not come to you in word only,
but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,
just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
19 (Eph 4:30; 1Co 14:30; 1Ti 4:14) Do not quench the Spirit.
[4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
[5] For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were
among you for your sake.
[19] Quench not the Spirit.
Despite knowing that the electricity wasn't working in our house after a
strong storm (an inconveniently common occurrence in our neighbourhood), I
instinctively flipped on the light switch when I entered the room.
Of course, nothing happened. I was still enveloped in darkness.
That experience-expecting light even when I knew the connection to the power
source was broken-vividly reminded me of a spiritual truth. Too often we
expect power even as we fail to rely on the Spirit.
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul wrote of the way God caused the gospel message to
come "not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and
deep conviction" (1:5). And when we accept God's forgiveness, believers too
have immediate access to the power of His Spirit in our lives. That power
cultivates in us characteristics such as love, joy, peace, and patience
(Galatians 5:22-23) and it empowers us with gifts to serve the church,
including teaching, helping, and guiding (1 Corinthians 12:28).
Paul warned his readers that it's possible to "quench the spirit"
(1 Thessalonians 5:19). We might restrict the power of the Spirit by ignoring
God's presence or rejecting His conviction (John 16:8). But we don't have to live disconnected from Him. God's power is always available to His children.
By: Lisa M. Samra
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt the Spirit's power to be limited?
How have you experienced the power of God's Spirit?
Almighty God, help me experience the power of Your Spirit in my life.
For further study, read A Story of a Life Led by the Spirit.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Malachi 3:10-12
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in
My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not
open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing,
that there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 I will rebuke the devourer
for your sakes, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
and the vines in your field will not fail to bear fruit,
says the Lord of Hosts.
12 Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be
a delightful land, says the Lord of Hosts.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not
open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall
not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy
the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit
before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be
a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Worried Over Money
Matt 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
Lk 12:33-34
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy
and where thieves do not break in nor steal,
21 for where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we prayfor these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapoled for the 2011 National
Household Survay and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
1st Day of the month
1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
(
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon
all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
)
2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,
as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to ask the Lord for a double portion.
Pray to the Lord: "Almighty God, help me experience the power of Your Spirit
in my life."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to break up your fallow ground.
Pray to the Lord and pray to give you first fruits.
Pray to the Lord and pray to lay treasure in Heaven.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
Pray for Christian converts from Islam in Palestinian areas, especially
those who have lost their jobs.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) 2 Kings 1 - 4
2 Kings 1
God Judges Ahaziah
1 (2Sa 8:2) Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
2 (Mt 10:25; Mk 3:22) Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper
chamber that was in Samaria and became ill. So he sent messengers
and said to them, "Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron
whether I will recover from this illness."
3 (1Ki 17:1) 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 not a God in Israel,
that you go to inquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron?'
4 (2Ki 1:6; 1:16) Therefore thus says the Lord, 'You will not come down from
the bed on which you have gone up but will surely die.'" Then Elijah departed.
5 When the messengers returned to the king, he said to them,
"Why have you returned?"
6 And they said to him, "A man came up to meet us and said to us,
'Go, return to the king that 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 will not come down
from the bed on which you have gone up, but you will surely die.'"
7 He said to them, "What sort of man was he who came up to meet you
and told you these things?"
8 (Zec 13:4; Mt 3:4) They answered him, "He was a hairy man
with a leather belt around his waist."
He said, "It was Elijah the Tishbite."
9 (2Ki 6:13-14) Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty
with his fifty men. He went up to Elijah, and there he was, sitting
on the top of a hill, and he said to him,
"Man of God, the king says, 'Come down.' "
10 (Lk 9:54; 1Ki 18:36-38) But Elijah answered the captain of fifty:
"If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven
and consume you and your fifty men." Then fire came down from heaven
and consumed him and his fifty men.
11 Again the king sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty men.
He said, "Man of God, thus says the king: Come down quickly."
12 Elijah answered them, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down
from heaven and consume you and your fifty men."
Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
13 (Isa 1:5) Then again the king sent a third captain of
fifty with his fifty men.
The third captain of fifty went up, came and fell on his knees before Elijah,
and pleaded with him, "Man of God, may my life and the life of these
fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.
14 See, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two captains
of the former fifties with their fifty men. May my life now be precious
in your sight."
15 (Isa 51:12; Jer 1:17) 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 Then he said to him, "Thus says the Lord: Have you sent messengers
to inquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron, because there is no God in Israel
to inquire of His word? Therefore you will not come down from the bed
on which you have gone up, but you will surely die."
17 (2Ki 3:1) So he died according to the word of the Lord
which Elijah had spoken.
Then Jehoram [About 27 feet, or 8.1 meters. ]reigned in his place
in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah,
because he had no son.
18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written
in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
2 Kings 1
[1] Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
[2] And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in
Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go,
inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this
disease.
[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 unto them, Is it not
because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub
the god of Ekron?
[4] Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that
bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
[5] And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why
are
ye now turned back?
[6] And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto
us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus
saith
the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest
to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come
down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
[7] And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet
you, and told you these words?
[8] And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of
leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
[9] Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he
went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake
unto
him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
[10] And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of
God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty.
And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
[11] Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty.
And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said,
Come down quickly.
[12] And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire
come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God
came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
[13] And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the
third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before
Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let
my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy
sight.
[14] Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two
captains
of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be
precious in thy sight.
[15] And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not
afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
[16] And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent
messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because
there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not
come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
[17] So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken.
And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of
Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
[18] Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written
in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
2 Kings 2
Elijah Ascends to Heaven
1 (Ge 5:24; Heb 11:5; Jos 4:19) Then when the Lord was about to take Elijah
up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2 (1Sa 1:26; 2Ki 2:6) Elijah said to Elisha, "Tarry here, I ask you,
for the Lord has sent me to Bethel."
But Elisha said to him, "As the Lord lives, and as you live,
I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
3 (2Ki 4:1; 4:38) The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came
out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord
is taking away your master from you?"
And he said, "Yes, I know. Keep silent."
4 (2Ki 2:2; Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34) Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here,
for the Lord has sent me to Jericho."
And he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you live, I will not leave you."
So they entered Jericho.
5 (2Ki 2:3) The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho approached Elisha
and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord is taking away your master
from you?" And he said, "Yes, I know. Keep silent."
6 (2Ki 2:2) Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, for the Lord has
sent me to the Jordan."
And he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you live, I will not leave you."
And the two of them went on.
7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood at a distance,
and the two of them stood by the Jordan.
8 (1Ki 19:19; Ex 14:21-22) Then Elijah took his robe and rolled it up
and struck the water, and it was divided from one side to the other.
Then the two of them crossed on dry ground.
9 (Nu 11:17; Dt 21:17) And as they were crossing, Elijah said to Elisha,
"Ask for something, and I will do it for you before I am taken away from you."
And Elisha said, "Let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
10 He said, "You have asked for a difficult thing, but if you see me
when I am taken from you, it will happen to you. If not, it will not."
11 (2Ki 6:17; Ps 68:17) As they continued walking and talking,
a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them,
and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 (2Ki 13:14) Elisha was watching and crying, "My father, my father,
the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" And he did not see him again.
Then he grabbed his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
13 He picked up the robe of Elijah that fell from him,
and he returned and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14 And he took the robe of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the water,
and said, "Where is the Lord, God of Elijah?" When he had struck the water,
it parted from one side to the other, and Elisha crossed over.
15 When the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him from far off,
they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him
and bowed down to the ground before him.
16 (1Ki 18:12; Ac 8:39) They said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong
men with your servants. Let them go and look for your master.
Perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has lifted him up and thrown him
on some mountain or into some valley." He said, "Do not send them."
17 (2Ki 8:11) When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, "Send them."
So they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him.
18 When they returned to him (for he had stayed at Jericho),
he said to them, "Did I not say to you, do not go?"
2 Kings 2
[1] And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven
by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
[2] And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath
sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy
soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
[3] And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha,
and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master
from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
[4] And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD
hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul
liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
[5] And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and
said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from
thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
[6] And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath
sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth,
I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
[7] And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar
off: and they two stood by Jordan.
[8] And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the
waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went
over on dry ground.
[9] And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto
Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And
Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
[10] And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou
see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not,
it shall not be so.
[11] And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold,
there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both
asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
[12] And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of
Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold
of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
[13] He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went
back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
[14] And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the
waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had
smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
[15] And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw
him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to
meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
[16] And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty
strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest
peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon
some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
[17] And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent
therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.
[18] And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said
unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?
Elisha Performs Miracles
19 Now the men of the city said to Elisha, "The location of this city is good,
as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful."
20 He said, "Bring me a new bowl and put salt in it."
So they brought it to him.
21 (2Ki 4:41; 6:6) He went out to the spring of water and threw the salt into
it and said, "Thus says the Lord: I have healed this water. No more death
or unfruitfulness will come from it."
22 So the waters have been healthy until this day,
according to the word that Elisha spoke.
23 (2Ch 36:16; Job 30:1) He went up from there to Bethel, and going up
on the way, little boys came out of the city and made fun of him
and said to him, "Go up, you bald head! Go up, you bald head!"
24 He turned around, saw them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord.
Then two she-bears came out of the woods and ripped open 42 of the boys.
25 (2Ki 4:25; 1Ki 18:19-20) He went from there to Mount Carmel,
and from there he returned to Samaria.
[19] And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the
situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is
naught, and the ground barren.
[20] And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they
brought it to him.
[21] And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in
there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there
shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
[22] So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of
Elisha which he spake.
[23] And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the
way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and
said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
[24] And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of
the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare
forty and two children of them.
[25] And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he
returned to Samaria.
2 Kings 3
Jehoram Reigns Over Israel
1 (2Ki 1:17) Now Jehoram son of Ahab reigned over Israel in Samaria
in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah and reigned twelve years.
2 (1Ki 21:25; 2Ki 10:18) He did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like
his father and mother, for he removed the pillar of Baal that his father
had made.
3 (1Ki 14:16) Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
who had caused Israel to sin. He did not depart from them.
4 (2Sa 8:2) Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-breeder and gave back
to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of
a hundred thousand rams.
5 (2Ki 1:1) But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled
against the king of Israel.
6 King Jehoram went out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel.
71Ki 22:4He went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying,
"The king of Moab has rebelled against me.
Will you go with me to Moab to battle?"
He said, "I will go up. I am as you are, my people as your people,
and my horses as your horses."
8 Then he said, "Which way should we go up?"
And he said, "The way through the Wilderness of Edom."
9 (1Ki 22:47) So the king of Israel, the king of Judah,
and the king of Edom went, and they marched around seven days.
But there was no water for the camp or for the livestock that followed them.
10 The king of Israel said, "Alas! The Lord has called these three kings
to give them into the hand of Moab!"
11 (1Ki 22:7; 19:21) But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there a prophet of the Lord
here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?"
Then one of the king of Israel's servants answered,
"Elisha the son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah, is here."
12 Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the Lord is with him."
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
13 (1Ki 18:19; 22:6) Elisha said to the king of Israel,
"What have I to do with you?
Go to your father's prophets, or to your mother's prophets."
Then the king of Israel said to him, "No. The Lord has called these three kings
to deliver them into the hand of Moab."
14 (1Ki 17:1; 2Ki 5:16) Elisha said, "As the Lord of Hosts lives, before
whom I stand, surely, were it not for my regard for Jehoshaphat
the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you.
15 (Eze 1:3; 1Sa 16:23) Now bring me a musician."
And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him.
16 He said, "Thus says the Lord, 'Make this valley full of pools.'
17 (Ps 107:35) For thus says the Lord, 'You will not see wind,
nor will you see rain, yet that valley will be filled with water,
that you may drink, both you and your livestock, and your cattle.'
18 (Jer 32:17; 32:27) This is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord,
and He will give the Moabites into your hand.
19 You will strike every fortified city and every choice city,
and will cut down every good tree, and stop every spring of water,
and you will ruin every good piece of land with stones."
20 (Ex 29:39-40) So in the morning as the offering was offered up,
suddenly water flowed from the way of Edom,
and the land
was filled with water.
21 When all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight
against them, all who were able to bear arms and older were summoned
and stood at the border.
22 They got up early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water,
and the Moabites saw the water opposite them was as red as blood.
23 Then they said, "This is blood. The kings have surely fought together;
and they have killed one another. Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!"
24 When they came to the camp of Israel, the children of Israel arose
and struck the Moabites, so that they ran from them.
And they went forward into their land, killing the Moabites.
25 (2Ki 3:19; Isa 16:7) They demolished the cities, and on every good
piece of land every man threw a stone and filled it with stones,
and they stopped every spring of water and cut down every good tree.
Only in Kir Hareseth did the stones in the wall remain,
until the slingers surrounded it and struck it.
26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle was overwhelming him,
he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom,
but they were unable.
27 (Mic 6:7; Dt 12:31) Then he took his firstborn son, who would have reigned
in his place, and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall.
And great wrath came upon Israel, and they departed from him
and returned to their own land.
2 Kings 3
[1] Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the
eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
[2] And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father,
and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had
made.
[3] Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
[4] And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of
Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the
wool.
[5] But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled
against the king of Israel.
[6] And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all
Israel.
[7] And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king
of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to
battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy
people, and my horses as thy horses.
[8] And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through
the wilderness of Edom.
[9] So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of
Edom:
and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water
for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.
[10] And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these
three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!
[11] But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we
may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants
answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on
the hands of Elijah.
[12] And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of
Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
[13] And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee?
get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother.
And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these
three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.
[14] And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand,
surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of
Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
[15] But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel
played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
[16] And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
[17] For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see
rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both
ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
[18] And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver
the Moabites also into your hand.
[19] And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall
fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece
of land with stones.
[20] And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered,
that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was
filled with water.
[21] And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight
against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and
upward, and stood in the border.
[22] And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the
water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:
[23] And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have
smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
[24] And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and
smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward
smiting the Moabites, even in their country.
[25] And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast
every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water,
and felled all the good trees: only in Kir-haraseth left they the stones
thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
[26] And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he
took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto
the king of Edom: but they could not.
[27] Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and
offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great
indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to
their own land.
2 Kings 4
The Widow's Olive Oil
1 (2Ki 2:3; Lev 25:39-41) Now one of the wives of the sons of the prophets
cried to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that
your servant feared the Lord, but a creditor has come to take
my two sons as slaves."
2 (1Ki 17:12) Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you?
Tell me, what do you have in the house?"
She said, "Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil."
3 Then he said, "Go, ask for vessels from all your neighbors,
empty vessels and not just a few.
4 Then go in, shut the door behind you and your sons,
and pour the oil into all these vessels. When each is full, set it aside."
5 So she left him and shut the door behind her and her sons,
and they kept bringing vessels to her, and she kept pouring.
6 (Mt 14:20) When the vessels were full, she said to her son,
"Bring me another vessel."
But he said to her, "There is not another vessel." And the oil ceased.
7 Then she went and told the man of God. And he said,
"Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and you and your children can live
on the rest."
Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son
8 (Jos 19:18; 2Sa 19:32) One day Elisha passed through Shunem,
and a noble woman was there who urged him to eat a meal.
So whenever he passed through, he stopped there to eat a meal.
9 And she said to her husband, "I know that he is a holy man of God regularly
passing through near us.
10 (Ro 12:13; Mt 10:41-42) Let us make a little walled upper room
and put for him there a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp,
so when he comes to us he can stay there."
11 One day he came by there, and he turned aside
to the upper room and lay down.
12 (2Ki 8:4-5; 4:29-31) He said to Gehazi his servant,
"Call this Shunammite woman." So he called her and she stood before him.
13 (2Sa 19:13) He said to him, "Say to her, Look, you have gone to all
this trouble for us. What may be done for you? Would you have a word
spoken on your behalf to the king, or to the captain of the army?"
And she answered, "I am living among my people."
14 He said, "What may be done for her?"
And Gehazi said, "Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old."
15 He said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the entrance.
16 (2Ki 4:28; Ge 17:21) He said, "At this season, when it is time,
you will embrace a son."
And she said, "No, my lord, man of God, do not lie to your servant."
17 But the woman conceived and bore a son at that season,
at the time that Elisha had told her.
18 When the child was older, he went out one day
to his father with the reapers.
19 He said to his father, "My head, my head!"
And he said to a servant, "Carry him to his mother."
20 When he had taken him and brought him to his mother,
the boy sat on her knees until noon, and died.
21 (2Ki 4:32) She went up, and laid him down on the bed of the man of God,
shut the door on him, and went out.
22 Then she called to her husband, "Send me one of the servants
and one of the donkeys, so that I may run to the man of God and return."
23 (Nu 10:10; 28:11) He said, "Why are you going to him today?
It is neither New Moon nor Sabbath."
She said, "It will be all right."
24 Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant,
"Lead on, and do not hold back for me unless I tell you."
25 (2Ki 2:25) So she went and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
And when the man of God saw her far off, he said to Gehazi his servant,
"Look, over there is the Shunammite woman.
26 Now run to meet her, and say to her, Are you all right?
Is your husband all right? Is the child all right?"
And she said, "It is all right."
27 When she came to the man of God at the mountain,
she grabbed his feet. Gehazi approached to push her away.
But the man of God said, "Let her alone, for she is in bitter distress,
and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me."
28 Then she said, "Did I ask for a son from my lord?
Did I not say, Do not give me false hope?"
29 (2Ki 2:14; Ex 14:16; 1Ki 18:46) Then he said to Gehazi, "Prepare yourself,
take my staff in your hand, and go. If you find anyone, do not greet him,
and if anyone greets you, do not answer him, and lay my staff
on the face of the boy."
30 (2Ki 2:2; 2:4) Then the boy's mother said, "As the Lord lives,
and as you live, I will not leave without you."
And he got up and followed her.
31 (Jn 11:11) Gehazi passed through ahead of them and laid the staff
on the face of the boy, but there was no sound or response.
So he returned to meet him and told him, "The boy is not awake."
32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw that the boy was dead,
lying on his bed.
33 (Mt 6:6; 2Ki 4:4) So he went in, and shut the door on the two of them,
and prayed to the Lord.
34 (1Ki 17:21; Ac 20:10) He went up and lay on the child, put his face
on his face, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands.
Then he bent over the child, and the child's flesh warmed.
35 (2Ki 8:5) Then he got down, walked once back and forth in the house,
and went up, and bent over him; the boy sneezed seven times,
and the boy opened his eyes.
36 (Heb 11:35) Then Elisha called Gehazi and said,
"Call the Shunammite woman." So he called her, and she came to him.
Then he said, "Pick up your son."
37 Then she came in, fell at his feet, and bowed down to the ground.
Then she picked up her son and went out.
Elisha Purifies the Deadly Stew
38 (2Ki 2:1; 2:3) When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine
in the land. The sons of the prophets were sitting before him,
and he said to his servant, "Put on the big cooking pot,
nd boil some stew for the sons of the prophets."
39 One went out into the field to gather herbs. He found a wild vine
and gathered from it wild gourds, filling his clothes, and came
and split them into the pot of stew, but they did not recognize them.
40 (Ex 10:17) So they poured it out for the men to eat. But as they were
eating the stew, they cried out, "Man of God, there is death in the pot."
They could not eat it.
41 (Ex 15:25; 2Ki 2:21) But he said, "Then bring flour." He threw it
into the pot and said, "Pour it for the people and let them eat."
And there was nothing bad in the pot.
Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men
42 (1Sa 9:7; 9:4; Jn 6:9) A man came from Baal Shalishah,
and he brought the man of God food from the first fruits
-twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain-in his sack.
And Elisha said, "Give it to the people and let them eat."
43 (Lk 9:13; Mt 14:20) But his servant said, "How can I set this
before a hundred men?"
He said, "Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord,
'They will eat and have some left.;"
44 So he set it before them, they ate, and some was left over,
according to the word of the Lord.
2 Kings 4
[1] Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets
unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that
thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my
two sons to be bondmen.
[2] And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast
thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the
house, save a pot of oil.
[3] Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours,
even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
[4] And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon
thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set
aside that which is full.
[5] So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who
brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
[6] And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her
son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel
more. And the oil stayed.
[7] Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil,
and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
[8] And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great
woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as
he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
[9] And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an
holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
[10] Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set
for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it
shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
[11] And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the
chamber, and lay there.
[12] And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he
had called her, she stood before him.
[13] And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful
for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be
spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I
dwell among mine own people.
[14] And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered,
Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
[15] And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the
door.
[16] And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou
shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not
lie unto thine handmaid.
[17] And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had
said unto her, according to the time of life.
[18] And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to
his father to the reapers.
[19] And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad,
Carry him to his mother.
[20] And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on
her knees till noon, and then died.
[21] And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut
the door upon him, and went out.
[22] And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee,
one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God,
and come again.
[23] And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new
moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
[24] Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go
forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.
[25] So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came
to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his
servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
[26] Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with
thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she
answered, It is well.
[27] And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the
feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let
her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from
me, and hath not told me.
[28] Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not
deceive me?
[29] Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine
hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any
salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the
child.
[30] And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul
liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
[31] And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of
the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went
again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
[32] And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead,
and laid upon his bed.
[33] He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed
unto the LORD.
[34] And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his
mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he
stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
[35] Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and
stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the
child opened his eyes.
[36] And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called
her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
[37] Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the
ground, and took up her son, and went out.
[38] And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land;
and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his
servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the
prophets.
[39] And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild
vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came
and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.
[40] So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they
were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of
God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.
[41] But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said,
Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
[42] And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God
bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in
the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.
[43] And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men?
He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD,
They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.
[44] So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according
to the word of the LORD.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 July 2023 Titled
Connected to the Power Source
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 5:19
4 (2Th 2:13; 2Pe 1:10) For we know, beloved brothers, your election by God.
5 (Col 2:2; 2Th 2:14) For our gospel did not come to you in word only,
but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,
just as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
19 (Eph 4:30; 1Co 14:30; 1Ti 4:14) Do not quench the Spirit.
[4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
[5] For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were
among you for your sake.
[19] Quench not the Spirit.
Despite knowing that the electricity wasn't working in our house after a
strong storm (an inconveniently common occurrence in our neighbourhood), I
instinctively flipped on the light switch when I entered the room.
Of course, nothing happened. I was still enveloped in darkness.
That experience-expecting light even when I knew the connection to the power
source was broken-vividly reminded me of a spiritual truth. Too often we
expect power even as we fail to rely on the Spirit.
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul wrote of the way God caused the gospel message to
come "not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and
deep conviction" (1:5). And when we accept God's forgiveness, believers too
have immediate access to the power of His Spirit in our lives. That power
cultivates in us characteristics such as love, joy, peace, and patience
(Galatians 5:22-23) and it empowers us with gifts to serve the church,
including teaching, helping, and guiding (1 Corinthians 12:28).
Paul warned his readers that it's possible to "quench the spirit"
(1 Thessalonians 5:19). We might restrict the power of the Spirit by ignoring
God's presence or rejecting His conviction (John 16:8). But we don't have to live disconnected from Him. God's power is always available to His children.
By: Lisa M. Samra
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt the Spirit's power to be limited?
How have you experienced the power of God's Spirit?
Almighty God, help me experience the power of Your Spirit in my life.
For further study, read A Story of a Life Led by the Spirit.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 7 Break up Your Fallow Ground
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves righteousness, reap mercy,
break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord,
until He comes and rains righteousness upon you.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy;
break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
When a farmer prepares to plant his crop, a great deal of preparation
is necessary before the seen can be sown. He has to plow up the ground,
turning under the stubble from the previous harvest, harrow the field to
break up the clods, and fertilise- readying the soil for optimum growth.
A fallow field, one that was not planted the previous season, must be
broken and worked so that the seed can find root in the ground.
The Bible likens spiritual growth to raising crops. God is the one
who brings rain and gives growth, but the success or failure
of the seed - both in initial salvation and in ongoing maturity -
is often linked to how well the soil has been prepared.
That preparation isn't always a pleasant or rewarding process.
We may resist the plowing or harrowing that comes through
the Holy Spirit's conviction of sin. We may need to dig up boulders
of bitterness and thistles of anger; we may have to plow under the
stubble of the last crop of lessons, working that mulch deep into our lives.
But the final outcome is worth the effort - even the pain - that
preparation brings. Broken up, harrowed, readied for the seed of God's Word,
we are rich and fertile ground, and the seed of righteousness produces
an abundant crop in us.
Application
a) In what ways have I been "broken up" and "harrowed" by the Holy
Spirit to prepare me for God's work in me?
b) How can I apply these verses to myself? How can I
"sow in righteousness," "reap in mercy,"
"break up my fallow ground"?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Malachi 3:10-12
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in
My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not
open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing,
that there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 I will rebuke the devourer
for your sakes, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
and the vines in your field will not fail to bear fruit,
says the Lord of Hosts.
12 Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be
a delightful land, says the Lord of Hosts.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not
open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall
not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy
the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit
before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be
a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Worried Over Money
Matt 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
Lk 12:33-34
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy
and where thieves do not break in nor steal,
21 for where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we prayfor these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapoled for the 2011 National
Household Survay and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
1st Day of the month
1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
(
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon
all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
)
2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,
as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to ask the Lord for a double portion.
Pray to the Lord: "Almighty God, help me experience the power of Your Spirit
in my life."
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him to break up your fallow ground.
Pray to the Lord and pray to give you first fruits.
Pray to the Lord and pray to lay treasure in Heaven.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
Pray for Christian converts from Islam in Palestinian areas, especially
those who have lost their jobs.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
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