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In his last prophetic act, Elisha puts his hands on the hands of King Joash of Israel as he shoots an arrow east, promising that Joash will defeat the Syrians in battle. Next he tells the king to strike the bundle of arrows on the ground. He strikes only three times, unwittingly limiting the extent of his victory. Long after Elisha is buried, a man is accidentally lowered into his sepulcher and, touching Elisha’s bones, is miraculously brought back to life.

Notes of 2 Kings 13:1-35, 2 Chronicles 25:1-28

Notes on ‘Bones in the Bible’

King Jehoash of Judah becomes ruler as a child, and during the first part of his reign he is godly and begins a project to repair breaches in the Temple. But after the death of the High Priest Jehoiada, he turns to idolatry and dies assassinated by his servants. The murder of a prophet, Zechariah, in the Temple leaves a visible sign of the nation’s sin – a pool of seething blood that can’t be washed away.

Notes on 2 Kings 12:1-21

When the Queen Mother Athaliah of Judah learns that her son Ahaziah has been killed, she in turn murders all the remaining royal line so she can be sole ruler. But one woman saves a one-year-old baby – Joash, the only remaining descendant of David. Six years later, Athaliah is overthrown, Joash is crowned king of Judah and Baal worship is eliminated.

Notes for 2 Kings 11:1-21

Jehu, newly anointed as king of Israel, is God’s instrument in fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy and curse on the descendants of King Ahab. But Jehu is a flawed leader, because although he blots out Baal worship, he doesn’t end the worship of the golden calves.

Notes on 2 Kings 10:1-36

Elisha sends a disciple to anoint Jehu as the next king of Israel. He takes up his role with relish, slaying King Jehoram and Judah’s king Ahaziah, and finally dispatching Queen Jezebel according to the prophecy of Elijah.

Notes on 2 Kings 9:1-37