2 Kings

2 Kings 1: There is a God in Israel

Begin in prayer

Before we read how the LORD is the true God in Israel, let us come to Him together. Ask Him to settle our hearts, to speak to our family today, and to show us Jesus in His Word.

There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.

Psalm 86:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You alone are God, and that Jesus is Your Son. Help us to turn from every false god and to trust You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Ahaziah, the king in Samaria, falls through a lattice in his upper room and becomes sick. He sends messengers to Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether he will get well. The LORD sends Elijah to meet them and ask whether there is no God in Israel. Elijah tells the messengers that the king will not rise from his bed but will die. When two captains come to take Elijah, fire falls from the sky and consumes them. A third captain begs for his life, and the LORD's angel tells Elijah to go down with him. Elijah tells the king the same word face to face, and the king dies as the LORD had said.

As you read 2 Kings 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD is the true God of Israel, and His word against King Ahaziah came true.

Ahaziah, king of Israel, fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and became sick (verse 2). A lattice is a screen of crossed wood over a window. A king of Israel should have asked the LORD, but Ahaziah sent men to Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron (verse 2). The LORD's angel sent Elijah to ask why they went to a false god, as if Israel had no God (verse 3). Ahaziah sent soldiers to seize the prophet, and fire from the sky consumed two companies of fifty (verses 9 to 12). The third captain begged for his life, and the angel told Elijah to go down with him (verses 13 to 15). Elijah gave the king the same word face to face, and Ahaziah died as the LORD had said (verses 16 and 17). Turning to an idol in need says that the LORD cannot be trusted with it. This chapter shows that the LORD alone is God in Israel, and that no king can change what He has said.

How does 2 Kings 1 show us that the LORD is the true God of Israel, and that His word against King Ahaziah came true?

The LORD is God in Israel, not Baal Zebub.

King Ahaziah asked a false god about his sickness, when he should have asked the LORD (verse 2). The LORD sent Elijah to ask whether there was no God in Israel (verse 3). Idols cannot speak or see, as the psalm says of them (Psalm 115 verses 4 and 5). Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14 verse 6).

A captain begs for mercy, and the angel tells Elijah to go down.

The first two captains ordered Elijah to come down, and fire from the sky consumed them (verses 9 to 12). The third captain fell on his knees and begged for his life (verse 13). He asked that the lives of his fifty men be precious to Elijah (verse 14). The LORD's angel told Elijah not to be afraid, and Elijah went down with him (verse 15).

The LORD's word stands, and the king dies as He said.

Elijah gave the king the same word face to face (verse 16). Ahaziah died as the LORD had spoken through Elijah (verse 17). No king could change what the LORD had said.

Memorise

Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?

2 Kings 1:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I turn when I am in trouble, and will I come to Jesus?

Ahaziah lay sick and sent his men to a false god, as if there were no God in Israel. Jesus is the true God who came into the world, and He is the One every sick and sinful heart should ask.

Our worst sickness is sin, and no idol can heal it. Jesus died on the cross and paid the debt of His people's sin in full. On the third day God raised Him up, and He lives to save.

So turn from every false hope and trust Jesus. He does not turn away anyone who comes, and He forgives every sinner who trusts Him (John 6 verse 37).

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD alone is the true God, and His word against the king came true. Parents, please explain verses 9 to 14 in your own words, without details. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is the true God in Israel, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Salvation belongs to Yahweh. Your blessing be on your people.

Psalm 3:8

Father, thank You that You alone are God, and that Your word always stands. Thank You for Jesus, the Word who came into our world and the way to You. Give each of us grace to turn from every false god and trust Him. Help us to trust You this week, and to speak of You to our family. Amen.