2 Kings 13-14

The Amazing, Never-ending, Curious, Covenant Faithfulness of God

“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

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 14-17 Decline of Israel in the North
• 2 Kings 18-25 Decline of Judah in the South

“And the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.””
2 Kings 10:30

The Many Kings of 2 Kings 13-14

Kings in Israel:    
Jehoahaz
Joash/Jehoash    
Jeroboam II    

Kings in Judah:      
Joash/Jehoash  
Amaziah
Azariah/Uzziah  

Kings in Syria:
Hazael
Ben-Hadad

1. God remains stubbornly faithful to his covenant and his promises

“But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now.”
2 Kings 13:23

“I will make with you an everlasting covenant.”
Isaiah 55:3

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
1 Corinthians 11:25

“The underlying faithfulness of God is the stitching that holds Israel’s history together during these days.”
Dale Ralph Davis, 2 Kings: The Power and the Fury

2. We should not confuse God’s patience with his endorsement

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 86:15

“Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
Romans 2:4

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9

“The glory of God’s faithfulness is that no sin of ours has ever made Him unfaithful.”
 Charles Spurgeon