Unit 2: Kings and Kingdoms 2

• Week 1: Last days of Elijah
• Week 2: Miracles of Elisha
• Week 3: Ministry of Elisha
• Week 4: Fulfillment of Elisha’s Prophecy
• Week 5: The Reign of Joash in Judah
• Week 6: Amaziah - Isreal goes into captivity
• Week 7: Hezekiah and Isaiah
• Week 8: Manasseh - Josiah - Judah going into captivity

Week 1: Last days of Elijah

Last days of Elijah: 2 Kings 1-2

Objective: 

• God judges Ahaziah the son of Ahab

• Elijah Ascends to Heaven

• Beginning of Elisha's ministry

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 1:1-17
  • 2 Kings 2:1-25

Key verse(s):

• "Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” 2 Kings 2:9

Comments:

• Ahaziah is judged like his father Ahab.
• The first two fifty servants did not respect God's man, Elijah, and thus God sent fire.
• Elijah ascends to the heavens through the fire chariot. Only Elijah and Enoch were taken up in the body.
• Elisha prayed for double the portion of Elijah's spirit. He asked for this as he needs support in his ministry.
• The bears came out as a punishment for mocking God's man.
• Elisha's series of miracles starts. He turned the bad water into good water by a bowl of salt

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Why did Elijah spare the life of the 3rd group of fifties and their captain?
2. Compare between Elijah and Moses in parting the water.
3. Did the youth of Bethel deserve the curse? Why?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. From whom did Ahaziah want to know if he will recover from his injury?
   a) Elijah b) Baal-Zebub c) God d) the high priests
2. What did Elijah do to the first fifty men and their captain?
   a) blessed them b) cursed them c) asked for fire to consume them d) prayed for them 
3. What happened to Elijah?
   a) he died of old age b) he was taken into Heaven c) he traveled to another city d) he was killed
4. Elisha turned the bad water into good water by:
   a) throwing salt into the water b) filtering the water c) putting the water in new containers

Week 2: Miracles of Elisha

Last days of Elijah: 2 Kings 3-5

Objective: 

• God judges Ahaziah the son of Ahab

• Elijah Ascends to Heaven

• Beginning of Elisha's ministry

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 3:4-25
  • 2 Kings 4:1-44
  • 2 Kings 5:1-27

Key verse(s):

• “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” 2 Kings 4:30

Comments:

• Jehoshaphat fell into the same mistake again. This time they also almost died from the lack of water.

• Elisha and the Widow’s Oil

• Elisha prophesied the woman will conceive a son

• Elisha Raises the Shunammite’s Son

• Elisha Purifies the Pot of Stew

• Elisha Feeds One Hundred Men

• Naaman’s Leprosy Healed

• Gehazi’s Greed

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. How were the Moabites mislead and lose the war?
2. Did the Shunammite woman have a great faith in Elisha? Prove this.
3. How would some flour remove the poison from the pot?
4. What do you conclude about Naaman’s character?
5. Why did Elisha refuse to take a gift from Naaman?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. The Moabites saw the water and thought:
   a) they will drown b) there is a flood c) it is blood d) the enemies drowned
2. The widow told Elisha she has nothing in her house except:
   a) one loaf of bread b) two coins c) empty jars d) a jar of oil
3. The Shunammite woman asked Elisha to:
   a) give her oil b) heal her son c) to pray for her d) to raise her son from the dead
4. Why was Naaman great in the eyes of his master?
   a) he was a leper b) he was honorable c) he was mighty d) by him the Lord gave victory to Syria
5. How was Gehazi punished?
   a) he became a leper b) he lost his money c) he was killed d) he was thrown in prison

Week 3: Ministry of Elisha

Ministry of Elisha: 2 Kings 6&8

Objective: 

• The Floating Ax Head

• The Blinded Syrians Captured

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Daoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)
  • Chapter 5-6
  • Chapter 6-7
  • Chapter 7-8
  • Chapter 8-9-10

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 6:1-23
  • 2 Kings 8:1-15

Key verse(s):

• “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” 2 Kings 6:16

Comments:

• The Floating Ax Head

• Elisha did not want the Syrians and the Israelites to enter the war. The action that Elisha took shows how to apply the commandment of becoming a peacemaker.

• The King Restores the Shunammite’s Land because of Elisha and what he did with her and her son.

• Ben-Hadad king of Syria was sick and wanted to know from Elisha if he will recover. Hazel knew what will happen as Elisha prophesied.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. When Elisha prayed what did he want the young man to see?
2. How did Elisha deal with the Syrian raiders who came to him?
3. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Who was Elisha referring to in this verse?
4. How did the Shunammite woman lose her land?
5. Why did Elisha weep?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What did the servant of Elisha see when Elisha prayed for him?
   a) a great army b) horses and chariots of fire c) soldiers d) flocks and sheep
2. How did Elisha lead the Syrian army inside Samaria?
   a) blinded them b) sent a leader in front of them c) forced them into the city
3. Whom did Shunammite woman ask for her land?
   a) Gehazi b) the king c) Elisha d) the philistines
4. Who did Ben-Hadad ask if he will recover from his disease?
   a) Gehazi b) Hazael c) Elisha d) the King of Syria

Week 4: Fulfillment of Elisha’s Prophecy

Fulfillment of Elisha’s Prophecy: 2 Kings 9-10

Objective: 

• Jehu Anointed King of Israel

• Ahaziah and Jezebel’s death

• Jehu ending the family of Ahab
• Death of Jehu

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 9:1-37
  • 2 Kings 10:18-31

Key verse(s):

• “And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel” 2 Kings 9:36

Comments:

• Jehu will become the new king. The throne will move away from the family of Ahab as God mentioned before.
  

• Elisha called one of the young prophets to go and anoint Jehu as the new king. This had to be kept as a secret because -politically- there is another king.
• We also see God's work through Elijah being fulfilled after the murder of Naboth.
• Jezebel the evil woman and Ahab's wife, was killed by Jehu. When Jehu asked for her body to be buried, they found that her body was eaten. This fulfills Elijah's prophecy.
• In chapter 10, we see Jehu ending the house of Ahab as God told him.
• Chapter 10 shows many important concepts about God:
  • God's justice will surely come, even if it is late
  • God gives a lot of time for evil people to repent before putting an end
  • God lets evil people end other evil people's lives
  • Ending the family of Ahab is a symbol of cutting the evil from its roots and not leaving anything even if small
  • Ending the family of Ahab is justice for all the people they killed and the evil they spread
• Unfortunately, Jehu himself was not a perfect man. He drifted away from God's commandments and did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam
  • This teaches us that we need to follow God's commandments all the time and not mix between God and evil.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. How does the death of Jezebel confirm Elijah’s prophecy?
2. What was the mission asked of Jehu?
3. The corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field. Explain.
4. Why did Jehu kill so many people?
5. Did Jehu follow all of God’s ways?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Who anointed Jehu?
   a) Elisha b) one of the sons of the prophets c) Jehoshaphat d) Zimri
2. How did Jezebel die?
   a) men threw her out of the window b) by the sword c) she jumped of the window d) she was sick
3. How many sons did Ahab have in Samaria?
   a) forty b) fifty c) sixty d) Seventy
4. Jehu gathered all the worshipers of Baal because:
   a) he wanted to worship with them b) he wanted to kill them all c) he wanted to be their commander d) he wanted to honor them

Week 5: The Reign of Joash in Judah

The Reign of Joash in Judah: 2 Kings 11-13

Objective: 

• Athaliah Reigns in Judah

• The overthrow of Athaliah by Jehoiada

• Jehoash Repairs the Temple

• Jehoahaz Reigns in Israel

• Death of Elisha

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 11:1-20
  • 2 Kings 12:1-16
  • 2 Kings 13:1-9, 14-21

Key verse(s):

• “So Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord, and the Lord listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel” 2 Kings 13:4

Comments:

• Athaliah claimed herself the queen when her son died.
  

• Jehoiada the priest worked on putting everything back in place. He led the army to dethrone her.
• He also led the people to a spiritual reformation. The people made a covenant to be the Lord’s people.
• King Jehoash forces on reforming the Temple. Even when he did not see any progress, he met with the leaders to discuss with them the reasons and the ways of achieving that goal.
• Unfortunately in chapter 13, we see Jehoahaz followed the works of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. God was not happy and sent the king of Syria as a punishment.
• Elisha died. Joash called him my father which is also the word that Elisha said at the moment of Elijah’s ascension to heaven. It was known at that time among the people that this was what Elisha said to Elijah, so the same was said to him as well as a respect to his father. The people knew the spiritual importance of Elisha as he is the "chariot of Israel".
• The bow and arrow is a prophecy that God will help Joash over Syria. It is a symbol of God's hands over his hand (Elisha putting his hand over his). 
• Elisha was angry as he stopped without Elisha telling him to. It was. a prophecy that he will beat Syria only three times.
• It is a symbol that in everything we should throw the first arrow to God AKA get God's help first then the earthly matters.
• Elisha's bones brought the dead man back to life. This shows the importance of the Church honoring the bones of the saints.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Did Athaliah have the right to the throne?
2. Name some of the good things Joash (Jehoash) did during his reign.
3. Where did the money from the Trespass Offering go?
4. Was Jehoahaz evil or good?
5. Why call Elisha “the chariots of Israel and their horsemen”?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Jehoash was _______ years old when he became king.
2. The money brought to the house of the Lord was kept in:
   a) a chest b) a bank c) the palace of the king d) the priest's house
3. Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord and the Lord:
   a) listened to him b) rebuked him c) oppressed Israel
4. The dead man was revived when:
   a) Elisha prayed for him b) the sickness left him c) his body touched the bones of Elisha d) the whole congregation prayed for him

Week 6: Amaziah - Isreal goes into captivity

The Reign of Joash in Judah: 2 Kings 14&17

Objective: 

• Amaziah vs Jehoash
• Isreal going into captivity

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 14:1-20
  • 2 Kings 17:1-41

Key verse(s):

• “They served idols, of which the Lord had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.” 2 Kings 17:12

Comments:

• Unfortunately, the Israelites' spiritual life was so bad to the point that they started to fight each other. 

• Jehoash king of Israel went against Amaziah king of Judah. The two kingdoms, who originally were one nation, are going against each other. Judah was defeated by Israel. Amaziah was defeated by Jehoash.
• In Chapter 17, we see the North Kingdom going into captivity under the Assyrians. The reason is clear. It was a punishment from God because of their actions.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What was the message sent by Amaziah to Jehoash?
2. Who won in the war Amaziah or Jehoash?
3. Who did the Lord send to testify against Israel and Judah?
4. What was the message sent by the Lord through all His prophets?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Jehoash fought with Amaziah. Who won?
2. Who did the Lord send to testify against Israel and Judah? a) the prophets b) the priests c) the Levites d) the kings
3. "Turn from your _____ and keep My ___________ and My _________.

Week 7: Hezekiah and Isaiah

Hezekiah and Isaiah: 2 Kings 18-20

Objective: 

• Hezekiah Reigns in Judah

• Isaiah Assures Hezekiah

• Sennacherib’s Threat and Hezekiah’s Prayer

• Sennacherib’s Defeat and Death

• Death of Hezekiah

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 18:1-25
  • 2 Kings 19:1-20, 35-37
  • 2 Kings 20:1-21

Key verse(s):

• “The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went” 2 Kings 18:7

Comments:

• Hezekiah was one of the best kings in Judah. We see the faith clearly in his life. We see this in 2 Kings 18:4-8.

• Sennacherib Boasts Against the Lord and threatens Hezekiah. Sennacherib is the king of the Assyrians and Rabshakeh is the army leader. At this time, the Assyrians took over Isreal and wanted to take Judah into captivity as well.

• King Hezekiah humbled himself against God and prayed. Isaiah the prophet came to him and told him that God heard his prayer and will be with him. This is the same Isaiah who wrote the prophecy.
• God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saved them from going into captivity under the Assyrians.
• Judah did not go into captivity as an angel came and killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrians.
• God listened to Hezekiah's prayer again and extended his life.
• Hezekiah was not supposed to show them the silver and gold for two reasons:
  • He did this as a way of showing off
  • The Babylonians will take this gold and defile God's house. We see this clearly with Belshazzar the Babylonian king.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What was different about Hezekiah compared to all the kings of Judah that preceded him?
2. What did Sennacherib boast about?
3. Show how Hezekiah had faith in God.
4. Who gave Hezekiah the message from God?
5. How many years did the Lord add to Hezekiah’s life?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord. True or false?
2. The King of Assyria asked Hezekiah to give him:
   a) his kingdom b) Judah c) silver and gold d) a great army
3. LORD our God, I _______, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the _______ may know that You are the ______ God, You ________."
4. Who gave Hezekiah the message from God?
   a) the king of Assyria b) Isaiah c) Sennacherib d) the high priest
5. I have heard your ______ and have seen your ________; surely I will ________ you.
6. How many years were added to Hezekiah’s life?
   a) 5 b) 10 c) 15 d) 20

Week 8: Manasseh - Josiah - Judah going into captivity

Manasseh-Josiah-Judah going into captivity: 2 Kings 21-25

Objective: 

• Manasseh Reigns in Judah after Hezekiah

• Josiah Reigns in Judah

• Josiah Restores True Worship

• Josiah Dies in Battle

• The Reign of the Babylonians

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • 2 Kings 21:1-18
  • 2 Kings 22:1-20
  • 2 Kings 23:1-30
  • 2 Kings 24:10-12
  • 2 Kings 25: Worth mentioning that at this time both north and south kingdoms were taken into the Babylonian captivity.

Key verse(s):

• “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book” 2 Kings 22:13

Comments:

• Josiah was the last Godly king. He restored the worship and lead a spiritual reformation after he heard the words of the Book of the Law.
• He knew that the people drifted away from the words of this book, and that's why God was not happy with them.
  
• He worked a lot in eliminating all that is evil.
• After his death, more evil kings reigned.
• Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came and destroyed Judah and the Temple and took them into captivity.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Was Manasseh as good as his father?
2. Why did Josiah tear his clothes when he heard the words of the book of the Law?
3. How did Huldah give comfort to Josiah?
4. Who did Nebuchadnezzar exile?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Manasseh killed many people. True or false?
2. Huldah was:
   a) a queen b) the wife of Josiah c) the mother of Hilkiah d) a prophetess 
3. Shaphan read to Josiah from:
   a) the Holy Bible b) the book of the Law c) the book of history d) the newspaper
4. Josiah made a covenant before the Lord to follow the Lord with all his _______ and all his ________.
   Which feast was held on the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign?
   a) Christmas b) Easter c) Passover d) Epiphany
5. Name the King of Babylon who came against Judah:
   a) Nebuchadnezzar b) Jehoiakim c) Judah d) Manasseh