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2 Kings 1-2:25

Holy Fire (Again) and Passing the Torch

The beginning of 2 Kings marks the end of the short reign of Ahaziah, who walked in the ways of his father, Ahab, and his mother, Jezebel. It also marks the transition between Elijah, the prophet of God, and his successor, Elisha. Join Pastor Matt as he leads us through these two first eventful chapters of 2 Kings, pointing to the God who remains and who is faithful to his Word.

Holy Fire (Again) & Passing the Torch

Division of kingdoms 931 B.C.
King Ahab-Ruled from 875-853 B.C.
King Ahaziah-Ruled from 853-852 B.C.
Fall of Israel (Northern Kingdom) 722 B.C.
Fall of Judah (Southern Kingdom) 586 B.C.

Outline of 1 & 2 Kings

1 Kings 1-11 The Wisdom and the Folly of King Solomon
1 Kings 12-16 Kingdoms in Chaos
1 Kings 17-2 Kings 13 Elijah and Elisha
2 Kings 14-16 Decline of Israel in the North
2 Kings 18-25 Decline of Judah in the South

“History is not a random series of meaningless events. It is rather a succession of periods and happenings which are under the sovereign rule of God, who is the God of history.”
John Stott

“God’s word, through God’s prophet, brings God’s grace to God’s people”
Dale Ralph Davis

God is not only the God who is there, He is also the God who remains
God is faithful in keeping his promises, both of blessing and judgment.

Discussion Questions

Thinking of Ahaziah in 2 Kings 1, why is idolatry such an affront to God?
How do various details in 2 Kings 2 reinforce the message that the mantle of Elijah’s leadership has been passed to Elisha?
The judgments of fire from heaven in 2 Kings 1 and mauling by bears in 2 Kings 2 might seem harsh to us. Throughout 1 and 2 Kings, how people treat the Lord’s prophets often reflects how they regard the Lord himself. How might this insight help us understand the appropriateness of these events?

“History is not a random series of meaningless events. It is rather a succession of periods and happenings which are under the sovereign rule of God, who is the God of history.”
John Stott