Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
6:1-2 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.”
Even back then there was a need to build bigger premises where God's people could meet. This happened during a time when Baal worship was increasing. Even in hard times God works goes on.
6:1-2 The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.”
Even back then there was a need to build bigger premises where God's people could meet. This happened during a time when Baal worship was increasing. Even in hard times God works goes on.
7:1-2 This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”
God moved in mysterious ways to bring about an amazing reversal in a day. Reversals can happen, through God, that bring abundance and blessings.
7:1-2 This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”
God moved in mysterious ways to bring about an amazing reversal in a day. Reversals can happen, through God, that bring abundance and blessings.
8:27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
We have many, many verses on all the effort that went into building the temple. Yet in the end, Solomon acknowledges that God does not really dwell in a humanly built temple.
(From Constable's Commentary)Solomon "did not confuse the symbols of God's Presence with God Himself."
8:27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
We have many, many verses on all the effort that went into building the temple. Yet in the end, Solomon acknowledges that God does not really dwell in a humanly built temple.
(From Constable's Commentary)Solomon "did not confuse the symbols of God's Presence with God Himself."
9:25-26 Remember how you and I were riding together in chariots behind Ahab his father when the Lord spoke this prophecy against him: ‘Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the Lord, and I will surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the Lord.’ Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”
God had not forgotten Naboth and avenged his death by Ahab's son being killed and thrown on the plot of ground that Naboth had owned but Ahab and Jezebel had stolen.
We can trust God to be our Vindicator who does not forget.
9:25-26 Remember how you and I were riding together in chariots behind Ahab his father when the Lord spoke this prophecy against him: ‘Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the Lord, and I will surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the Lord.’ Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”
God had not forgotten Naboth and avenged his death by Ahab's son being killed and thrown on the plot of ground that Naboth had owned but Ahab and Jezebel had stolen.
We can trust God to be our Vindicator who does not forget.
10:28-29 So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel. However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
Jehu thought he had done enough in removing Ahab's son. But he went too far in also killing the nobles yet not far enough when he didn't remove the golden calves.
Possibly he was worried if he removed the golden calves, the people would return to worshipping in Jerusalem and thus weaken his hold on Israel.
Jehu was more interested in protecting his own interests than in protecting God's.
10:28-29 So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel. However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
Jehu thought he had done enough in removing Ahab's son. But he went too far in also killing the nobles yet not far enough when he didn't remove the golden calves.
Possibly he was worried if he removed the golden calves, the people would return to worshipping in Jerusalem and thus weaken his hold on Israel.
Jehu was more interested in protecting his own interests than in protecting God's.