There was always going to come a point when I got fed up with the history genre and seriously craved some nice parables or wisdom literature, and here I am. Anyway, I said I’d read the Bible cover to cover, so we’d best crack on.

2 Kings is another book full of drama, with hero Kings and brave prophets as well as corruption, murder, power-hungry leaders, lions and bears (no tigers, unfortunately)! It’s a right old mix. Here are some things that struck me:

In chapter 4, there is a woman who built a room in her house for Elisha whenever he came to visit. I once heard a sermon on this story, and the preacher (I have no idea who!) asked us whether we have rooms in our lives for God. In your heart, in your mind, in your life, however you want to see it, have you built a room for God to dwell in? If you have, is it dusty and damp? Or is it fresh and clean? Something to consider.

The same woman who built the room for Elisha, she was barren and Elisha said that she would have a son. This reminds me of Elizabeth in the Gospels and Sara back in Genesis. Elisha then raised him from the dead when he was older. A bit like Elijah in 1 Kings and Jesus with Jairus’ daughter.

At the end of chapter 4, there is the multiplication of loaves of barley and ears of grain, just like the multiplication of loaves and fishes but on a smaller scale. There’s even a servant who questions whether it’s possible, just like the disciples did! I enjoyed drawing parallels between the prophets in 1 and 2 Kings and Jesus.

Another thing that struck me was this. When talking about the kings of Judah, the writer mentions who the king’s mother was. I’ve done a bit of research, and there are various suggestions as to why the mothers of 17 of the 19 kings of Judah are mentioned, and I am drawn to one in particular. From all the way back in Genesis, it was promised that a descendent of Eve would ‘strike the snake’ and essentially save all people. God promised this would be from Judah’s line, so the naming of the mother’s of the kings of Judah shows a belief in the promise to Eve, and the understanding that a saviour would come from that particular line. I can’t tell you why two Queen Mothers are missed out of the list, but, as you will know if you’ve been reading this blog series, I like it when women are named and have a voice. In this occasion, many women are named.

Sophia fell asleep listening to me read 2 Kings four times.

My favourite verse is: 2 Kings 10.27: They smashed the sacred pillar and wrecked the temple of Baal, converting it into a public toilet, as it remains to this day.

With thanks to Van3ssa_ on Pixabay for the picture.