1.

Consider what Ben-Hadad did to the people of the city in 2 Kings 6:24-30.  How is he like our arch enemy Satan?  What does the Bible say about the real cause of men’s tragedies? 

** He resembles the devil in: 1) that just as he besieged the city, so also Satan  closes a net on the people by taking tight control over all media, government, school, and all other sectors of modern society; and 2) using its means and resources he aims to turn an otherwise abundant world into a living hell, robbing the young ones of the final refuge, that is, a mother’s tender heart. 

** The real cause is man’s disobedience to God’s word. This has been the case from the outset of human tragedy, that is, Adam’s fall. Read also Deuteronomy 28:47-57. 

2.

Describe how the king of Israel reacted to the tragic condition of his people (26-31). What does the title “king” suggest about his responsibility for the flock under his care? What shows that he proved to be a false shepherd? 

** At least he could have repented and prayed for the Lord to save them. He also could have done a number of other things such as calling Elisha for help. But instead he blamed the situation on Elisha. (Most likely he tried to kill Elisha because Elisha might have asked him to wait for the Lord for help.) But he did not do anything positive to give relief to the suffering people. 

** King is a leader appointed by God. As a leader, he must provide and protect for the people under his care. Remember what Jesus said to his disciples, “You give them something to eat.” Remember also what Jesus said of him as the good shepherd in John 10:1-11. 

** He didn’t know what was going on with his people; plus when they asked for his help, he said in effect, “I cannot do anything for you.” Furthermore, he showed hatred towards Elisha God’s servant, indicating that he himself became an instrument of the devil. 

3.

Put yourself in the shoes of the women and their young ones described in verses 26-29.  What is the significance of a mother and her children (particularly teens) for humanity? What do these tragedies remind us of in modern society? 

** Mother is a symbol of all tenderness and loving care. Mother then represents the final buttress of all lives, especially for young ones. 

Young ones such as the little sons of these women represent the future of a nation. As are the little ones, so will the future course of a nation be. 

** Nowadays a lot of mothers abandon their duties as mothers. They have been upset by male population losing their true masculinity as well as not fulfilling their duties as a man/father/husband. They become feminists. They leave their kids at orphanages. Or they simply refuse to take care of their children. Teenagers also grow rebellious. Having been left to the computers and TV’s, they fall prey to the devil’s temptations coming in all kinds of evil cultures promoting sexual immorality and violence.

4.

Think about the Lord God who provided Israel with the prophet Elisha (see 2 Kings 6:8-23).  Then meditate on the conversation between Elisha and the king in 6:32-7:1. The name Elisha means “The Lord is salvation.”  What does his name indicate about the Lord God who sent Jesus to the dying world?

** It reminds us of John 3:16 which says that God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

5.

Read 2 Kings 7:2.  The king was “leaning on the arm” of the officer.  What does this indicate about the importance of the man as an “officer” serving the king?  What do the words he blurted out show us about him?  What warning is there for us to heed in Elisha’s answer to the officer?

** He is a member of the staff called to provide the king with words of wise counsel. But this man turned out to be an unbeliever, so he became a bad influence to the king. 

** He was an unbeliever. Perhaps he had some Bible knowledge, but he did not really believe in the Living God who works for the well being of his people each and every day.

** God’s word will be fulfilled whether we believe or not. But for those who do not believe, though they may see God fulfilling his word, they will not be allowed to eat the fruit.

6. 

Second Kings 7:3-11 tells us that the Lord God used the four lepers to spread the good news to the city besieged by the enemies. What can we learn from the lepers?  

** They were men of courage. Like many missionaries in the foreign countries, they were in a marginalized situation. Yet they made the best use of their situation. They thought and thought. They then took courage. By faith they took action. Upon learning the good news, they did their best to spread the good news. 

7.

Second Kings 7:12-20 describes how the Lord fulfilled Elisha’s prophecy.  Who benefited from the good news?  Who didn’t?  What can we learn from this episode?

** People in general. The people rushing to the enemy’s camp for food reminds us of what Jesus said, that is, a forceful man lays hold of God’s kingdom.

But the king and the officer who didn’t believe could not participate in the blessings. They died of their unbelief.

** We must firmly believe in the good news of Jesus and live by it. 

The end