2 Kings 4
Elisha instructs a widow woman to pour oil into jars and sell it to pay her debts 1-7. This was a miracle of the Lord for the oil she had was multiplied 2b,5. This indicates that the Lord is able to meet the needs of His people. Note: Elisha is a type of Christ, for the ministry he had among and to the people parallels that of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the Lord Jesus did greater works being God. He was not dependent on another but is the source of all things. Elisha is given a room in the home of a wealthy woman 8-13. She has a son, by God's gift and blessing 14-17. The child falls sick and dies 18-21. The woman goes to Elisha, who returns with her 22-31. Elisha prays and lays on the boy who warms, then sneezes after coming back to life 32-37. Note: I do not know the symbolism of the staff being placed on the boy's face by Gehazi 29-31. I do see, in type, that the Lord raises the dead. Amazing that the Lord showed such mercy to individuals during this rebellious period in Israel. In Gilgal poisonous stew is made eatable 38-41. Note: God can reverse the poison in the natural order. Bread is also multiplied so that all are fed. There are even leftovers ! 42-44. Note: The Lord showing the people His gracious nature and character in these events that would ultimately be fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, His final Word and Prophet to the world (more than a prophet, the Son of God Himself !)

2 Kings 5
Here we read of the account of Naaman, a commander of the army of Aram, whom the Lord had given victory 1. Note: The Lord is not limited to working just among His people. God is at work in and through all the people of the world. Naaman has leprosy and hears of a prophet in Israel that may help him 2-3. The king of Aram sends a letter to the king of Israel (Joram) who upon reading it, is in distress. His words are telling. 'Am I God' ? NO. 'Can I kill and bring back to life' ? NO. But there is the God of Israel who can ! Elisha hears and sends word to Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed 8-10. Naaman is angered by this. (He wanted things his way, with a little more drama or show possibly ? ) 11-12. He is rebuked and ends up doing what he was told by Elisha. The result is that he is healed 13-14 ! He gives the glory to God, who is the source of his healing 15. Naaman offers Elisha a gift, which Elisha refuses. (How unlike the so-called healers of our day, who in the name of the Lord, beg for money). Naaman is a changed man who vows to worship the Lord, yet asks for grace as he enters the pagan temple as part of his duties. Elisha sends him off in peace 17-19. Gehazi, wanting compensation, runs after Naaman and lies to get some money and stuff for himself 19-24. Note: One can not help but feel uncomfortable at the actions of Gehazi who would turn the gracious working of God, in this man's life, into a means of selfish gain. Upon his return to Elisha, he lies about what he had done 25. Elisha knows (for the Lord made it known) what he had done. In Elisha's response he says this is not the time for this 26. Considering the prophet's role and the spiritual condition of the people, this was not the time of material gain and blessing. Note: God will reward His people in the future kingdom of Christ   but now is not that time (see: 2 Timothy 4:6-8) Gehazi is cursed with leprosy along with his descendants 27. Note: Pursuing God and godliness is not meant to make us materially rich. Those who pursue riches (and use God for it) are in danger of ruin (see: 1 Timothy 6:3-10).

2 Kings 6
The company (school) of the prophets build a bigger place to live. A borrowed ax head is lost in the water. Elisha throws a stick in and the iron ax head floats and is retrieved 1-7. Note: God cares about the little things in our lives too and He is willing to help us when we look to Him. Elisha warns the king of Israel of the king of Aram's moves 8-10. The king says who is the traitor 11. The finger is pointed at Elisha who knows what the king plots in his bedroom 12. The king sends troops after Elisha and surrounds him 13-15. His response is prayer and the revelation that there is more with him (unseen) than those troops that are seen 16-17. Elisha prays and the troops are blinded and brought to Samaria 18-19. He prays again and their sight is restored 20-21. He commands that they be treated well with food and water 22-23. This ends the raiding of the Israelites' territory 23b. Note: Here again we see a godly, Christ-like response to one's enemies. Due to the siege of Samaria a sever famine occurs 24-26. A child is even eaten ! The king blames Elisha for this ? What ? 26-31. He wants his head, even though it is the Lord who has sent this disaster 33. He can not do anything to the Lord so the king goes after the Lord's messenger. Note: The same is true today. Christians are blamed for the troubles and injustices we see in our world. Yet the Lord will prevail !

2 Kings 7
Elisha assures the king a that they will have abundant food to eat shortly. An officer responds in disbelief, mocking the ability of the Lord. Elisha assures him it will happen but he will not eat of it 1-7. Four men with leprosy enter the camp of the Arameans and find it abandon because the Lord had caused them to hear chariots and horses 3-7. They run for their lives. Note: God can win a victory without one shot being fired ! Do not doubt the limitless ability and power of the Lord to bring about His will for His people or His world. This is reported to the king of Israel 8-12. Men are sent to investigate and find things just as they were told. The Lord's word is brought to pass and the doubting officer is trampled and does eat of the plunder, just as the Lord had said 13-20. Note: God always fulfills His Word in blessing as well as judging. He never fails to keep His Word. This should cause us to fear Him all the more and believe what His says ! Also, how gracious of the Lord to provide He people with food to eat. Did they bow in gratitude to Him ? Did the Lord's provisions cause the king and people to seek the Lord in repentance, faith, and obedience ? Sadly, they did not.

2 Kings 8
The woman whose son Elisha raised (by power of the Lord) was told to leave during the seven years of famine 1-2. Upon her return she appeals to the king for the restoration of her land. As Gehazi speaks to the king about this, she arrives and gives testimony to the Lord. Her land is restored and the income of the seven years she was away is ordered to be given to her 1-7. Note: This account is a picture of the grace of God in one's life. The Lord not only provides in famine, but restores what is lost and then some ! Do you and I see the hand of God in our lives through His providence ? Also, there is more to the story of each life than the Bible records for us. This woman and her son, were 'believers'. We are given this account to as testimony to the grace and greatness of the Lord, so that we might believe and trust in Him. The king was also told this to be a testimony to him. Do you trust in the Lord and obey Him ? Secondly, is your life a testimony to the grace of God that others might see, hear and believe in the Lord ? Ben-Hadad becomes ill and is told by Elisha that he will recover, not 7-15. Hazael delivers the message and then murders him 15. Note: Some individuals will 'spend' great amounts  to get help when sick, even seeking the Lord, but not with true humility and repentance as the Lord requires 8-9. Some recover, only to die in another manner. Jehoram becomes king in Judah and does evil in the eyes of the Lord. He married Ahab's daughter 16-18. Note: Marriage can prevent some from walking with the Lord because a spouse has a negative influence towards God. Unrest comes from Jehoram's choice to not follow the Lord 20-24. Yet the Lord spares Judah for David's sake 19. Note: How many today are spared the judgment of God falling on them because of the godliness of another ? Ahaziah becomes the next king of Judah and the ungodly examples and influence of the family ties impacts his reign 25-27. Note: The descriptions which are given of these kings as being 'like David' or 'like Ahab' show the true nature and  moral character of individuals from the Lord's evaluation and perspective. This does not mean that those who were ungodly could not do 'good things'. Notice that Ahaziah came to visit is wounded fellow king 28-29. God's evaluation of them (and us) goes to the very core of who they were and does not merely look on what is external and can be seen. For one to be 'right with God' and do what is 'right in the eyes of the Lord' requires a heart that is given to the Lord in faith, that He will cleanse from sin and enable to live a life which pleases Him. At this point in the history of God's people (the Jews), it must be remembered that the Lord had said to them that they were to love and obey Him from the heart and even circumcise their hearts unto Him (see: Deuteronomy 6:1-12, 8:2-3,10:12-21). This they did not heed but went their own ways, suffering the consequences just as the Lord had said (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).

2 Kings 9
A prophet is sent by Elisha to anoint Jehu king of Israel 1-4. Jehu was called by God to destroy those who remained of Ahab house to avenge the blood of the Lord's prophets and servants shed by Jezebel 5-10. Jehu is proclaimed king 11-13. Joram king of Israel is killed by Jehu 14-28. He falls on the very plot of ground that Ahab stole from Naboth 25-26. Note: God's justice will catch up with every person. Jezebel does not escape either, she is thrown to her death and the dogs eat her flesh 30-37. Note: There is much injustice and 'innocent blood' that has been shed in the history of the world. Though it may appear that some 'get away with this', the Lord will have the final say when the books are opened at His great white throne and all of the unrepentant and ungodly of the world are called to account. They will be eternally judged and God's justice will be served. No one gets away with evil and sin ! The Lord will see to that. (see: Revelation 20:11-15).

2 Kings 10
Jehu carries out the command of the Lord and seventy sons of Ahab are executed and beheaded 1-10. Ahab's chief men, friends, and priests are also put to death, leaving no survivors 11. Ahaziah's relatives are also put to death 12-17. Jehu gathers all who served Baal for a celebration at Baal's temple. He gives orders to execute them all 18-26. The temple of Baal becomes a bathroom 27. Note: No respect should be given to a false god or a pagan place of 'worship'. Though Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel, yet he still worshiped the two golden calves made by Jeroboam 29. He would be rewarded by the Lord with four generations of rulers, but his was not given to the Lord 20-31. Note: The Lord can use a person to accomplish His will and that person still be personally 'lost' and declared ungodly by the Lord. Even though they have achievements 34. A person can deceive himself into thinking  he is right with God because he does the will of God in part (v16-17) but is, in fact not right with God at all and subject to His judgment. Everyone is exhorted to examine himself/herself in the light and truth of Jesus Christ to see if one is really in the faith and saved (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)