Chapters 6 to 10 of 2 Kings in the King James Bible feature a mix of miraculous events, divine deliverance, judgment against corrupt rulers, and a dramatic shift in Israel’s political and spiritual landscape. These chapters follow the ongoing ministry of the prophet Elisha and introduce the rise of Jehu, a man anointed to purge Israel of its idolatry and wickedness.
2 Kings 6: Elisha’s Miracles and the Siege of Samaria
In 2 Kings 6, we witness two powerful demonstrations of God’s power through Elisha:
- The Floating Axe Head: A group of prophets is building a new dwelling by the Jordan River, but during the work, one of them loses a borrowed axe head in the water. Desperate, the man turns to Elisha, who miraculously makes the iron axe head float, allowing it to be retrieved. This event emphasizes God’s care for even the smallest of needs and His power over nature.
- The Blinding of the Syrian Army: The Syrian king is at war with Israel, and each time he plans an attack, Elisha warns the king of Israel. Frustrated, the Syrian king sends a large army to capture Elisha in the city of Dothan. Elisha’s servant is terrified by the sight of the soldiers, but Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened, revealing a heavenly army of horses and chariots of fire surrounding them. Elisha then prays for the Syrian army to be blinded. He leads the blinded soldiers into Samaria, where their sight is restored. Instead of executing them, Elisha instructs the king of Israel to feed them and send them home, showing mercy in the face of war.
- The Siege and Famine of Samaria: Later, Ben-hadad, king of Syria, besieges Samaria, causing a severe famine in the city. The situation becomes so dire that people resort to cannibalism. The king of Israel, enraged by the suffering, blames Elisha and seeks to kill him. Elisha, however, prophesies that the famine will end and food will be abundant the next day. This sets the stage for the miracle in the following chapter.
2 Kings 7: The Deliverance of Samaria
The famine in Samaria reaches its breaking point in chapter 7, but Elisha prophesies that within 24 hours, the city will have food in abundance. This prophecy seems impossible to the king’s officer, who doubts God’s ability to bring such a change.
That night, four lepers, starving and desperate, decide to surrender to the Syrian army in the hope of mercy. When they arrive at the Syrian camp, they find it deserted. God had caused the Syrians to hear the sound of a great army, and in their panic, they fled, abandoning everything.
The lepers return to Samaria and report the good news. The people rush out to plunder the Syrian camp, and just as Elisha prophesied, food becomes plentiful, and the famine ends. The doubting officer, however, is trampled to death in the rush of the crowd, fulfilling Elisha’s warning that he would see the abundance but not partake in it.
This chapter highlights God’s ability to deliver His people in miraculous ways and the danger of doubting His power.
2 Kings 8: The Shunammite’s Return and the Reign of Jehoram
Chapter 8 introduces a mix of personal restoration and political turmoil:
- The Shunammite Woman’s Land Restored: The woman whose son Elisha had raised from the dead returns after seven years of famine. She appeals to the king for the restoration of her land. At that very moment, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, is telling the king about Elisha’s miracles, including the resurrection of her son. Moved by her story, the king orders the full restoration of her land and all its produce.
- Elisha’s Prophecy to Hazael: Elisha travels to Damascus, where Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, is gravely ill. Ben-hadad sends his servant Hazael to inquire if he will recover. Elisha prophesies that the king will recover from his illness, but then reveals privately to Hazael that Ben-hadad will die soon, and Hazael will become king of Syria. Hazael returns, tells Ben-hadad that he will recover, but then murders him and ascends to the throne, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy.
- The Reign of Jehoram and Ahaziah: The chapter concludes by detailing the wicked reigns of Jehoram and Ahaziah, kings of Judah and Israel respectively. Both kings follow the sinful ways of their predecessors, drawing Israel and Judah further into idolatry and corruption.
2 Kings 9: Jehu’s Anointing and Judgment on Ahab’s House
Chapter 9 is one of the most dramatic and bloody chapters in 2 Kings, marking the rise of Jehu and the fulfillment of God’s judgment on the house of Ahab:
- Jehu’s Anointing: Elisha sends a young prophet to anoint Jehu, a commander in Israel’s army, as king over Israel. The prophet instructs Jehu to destroy the house of Ahab and bring judgment on Jezebel, who had led Israel into idolatry and wickedness.
- Jehu’s Rebellion and the Death of Joram: After being anointed, Jehu rides to Jezreel where Joram, king of Israel (Ahab’s son), and Ahaziah, king of Judah, are present. Jehu kills Joram with an arrow and later pursues and mortally wounds Ahaziah.
- The Death of Jezebel: Jehu enters Jezreel, where Jezebel attempts to face him with defiance, adorning herself in royal attire. Jehu orders her eunuchs to throw her down from her window, and her blood splatters on the walls. Jezebel’s body is left for the dogs, fulfilling the prophecy of her gruesome death.
Jehu’s actions fulfill the judgment that God had pronounced against Ahab’s house in 1 Kings, emphasizing that no one, not even royalty, is above divine justice.
2 Kings 10: Jehu’s Bloody Purge and the End of Baal Worship
Chapter 10 continues with Jehu’s ruthless campaign to eliminate Ahab’s descendants and eradicate Baal worship from Israel:
- The Execution of Ahab’s Family: Jehu sends letters to the leaders of Samaria, where Ahab’s 70 sons are being raised, instructing them to either fight for Ahab’s house or submit. The leaders, fearful of Jehu, submit and kill all 70 of Ahab’s sons. Jehu then executes anyone associated with Ahab’s family or his administration, further consolidating his power.
- The Destruction of Baal Worship: Jehu devises a clever plan to rid Israel of Baal worship. He pretends to host a great sacrifice to Baal, gathering all the Baal worshipers in one place. Once they are assembled, Jehu orders his soldiers to kill every worshiper of Baal, and they destroy the temple of Baal, turning it into a latrine.
- Jehu’s Incomplete Obedience: Despite his zeal in eliminating Baal worship, Jehu does not completely turn Israel back to God. He continues the practice of worshiping the golden calves set up by Jeroboam in Bethel and Dan. As a result, Israel does not fully return to the Lord, and Jehu’s reign, while partially blessed, is marked by continued spiritual compromise.
Conclusion: Divine Judgment and Mercy
In 2 Kings 6–10, we see God’s hand at work through both mercy and judgment. Elisha’s miracles reveal God’s compassionate care for His people, while Jehu’s anointing and bloody purge show the seriousness of divine justice. These chapters underscore the themes of faith, obedience, and the consequences of sin. While God is merciful and delivers those who seek Him, He also brings judgment on those who lead His people astray.
The rise of Jehu marks a turning point in Israel’s history, where God cleanses the nation of much wickedness, but the incomplete return to righteousness serves as a reminder that true faithfulness requires more than outward zeal—it requires a wholehearted return to God’s ways.
