Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 8:16-24
9. Our text takes an abrupt right turn, leaving Israel (the northern ten tribes) behind and placing us in Judah (the southern two tribes). And there’s a confusion factor introduced: The king in the north is Jehoram (or Joram, mentioned in verse 16) and the new king in the south is also Jehoram. Note that Jehoram (in the north) is the son of Ahab and then says that Jehoram (in the south) followed the ways of Ahab (verse 18). Why did he follow the evil ways of Ahab?
10. Verse 19 tells us that, though Jehoram followed all the evil ways of Israel, He was not willing to destroy Judah. Why? What does this tell us about God’s character? How does (or should) this encourage you?
11. Edom had been under Judean control for many years. In verse 20, they revolt and set up their own king. Why do you think they revolted at this particular time? Do you see God’s hand at work here?
12. According to II Chronicles 21:19-20, Jehoram died in great pain of an intestinal disease at age 40, and was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal tombs. Why do you think his burial was away from his royal ancestors' tombs?
10. Verse 19 tells us that, though Jehoram followed all the evil ways of Israel, He was not willing to destroy Judah. Why? What does this tell us about God’s character? How does (or should) this encourage you?
11. Edom had been under Judean control for many years. In verse 20, they revolt and set up their own king. Why do you think they revolted at this particular time? Do you see God’s hand at work here?
12. According to II Chronicles 21:19-20, Jehoram died in great pain of an intestinal disease at age 40, and was buried in Jerusalem, but not in the royal tombs. Why do you think his burial was away from his royal ancestors' tombs?
Please read II Kings 8:25-29
13. When Jehoram died, his son, Ahaziah, took over the kingship. Verse 27 tells us that he was also a wicked king, just like his father, and II Chronicles 22:3 assigns the blame to his mother, Athaliah. Why is Athaliah singled out and why do you think he reigned for only one year?
Please read II Kings 9:1-13
1. The “sons of the prophets” is mentioned in verse one. Do you remember what this is?
2. Elisha, the “dean” of the sons of the prophets, selects one of them and gives him the assignment to anoint Jehu as the next king of Israel (the northern ten tribes). Jehu was previously anointed as the future king of Israel by Elijah in I Kings 19:16-18. Why do you think this was done twice?
3. Why was Jehu anointed in secret (verses 2 and 6)?
4. The young prophet in training said much more to Jehu than Elisha told him to. Why do you think Elisha’s ten words were expanded to 120 words?
5. In verse 7, the young prophet says that Jehu would kill the descendants of Ahab. Did God command Jehu to commit murder? If not, how should we understand this verse?
6. The young man was told to flee (verse 3) and he did (verse 10). Why?
7. Jehu seems to be somewhat like King Saul in that he doesn’t immediately act on the prophecy. See verse 11. Jehu’s response to his men could be paraphrased, “Some people don’t know what they’re talking about.” Saul, similarly, hid among the baggage instead of coming out into the spotlight. How did his men react when the real story came out?
2. Elisha, the “dean” of the sons of the prophets, selects one of them and gives him the assignment to anoint Jehu as the next king of Israel (the northern ten tribes). Jehu was previously anointed as the future king of Israel by Elijah in I Kings 19:16-18. Why do you think this was done twice?
3. Why was Jehu anointed in secret (verses 2 and 6)?
4. The young prophet in training said much more to Jehu than Elisha told him to. Why do you think Elisha’s ten words were expanded to 120 words?
5. In verse 7, the young prophet says that Jehu would kill the descendants of Ahab. Did God command Jehu to commit murder? If not, how should we understand this verse?
6. The young man was told to flee (verse 3) and he did (verse 10). Why?
7. Jehu seems to be somewhat like King Saul in that he doesn’t immediately act on the prophecy. See verse 11. Jehu’s response to his men could be paraphrased, “Some people don’t know what they’re talking about.” Saul, similarly, hid among the baggage instead of coming out into the spotlight. How did his men react when the real story came out?
Please read II Kings 9:14-29
8. What is Jehu commanding in verse 15, “If this is your decision, then let no one slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel?”
9. What’s up with Jehu’s question, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.” It happens twice, once in verse 18 and once in verse 19. How did the messengers on horseback understand it?
10. Just a personal note here: I love verse 20, which describes how Jehu drives a chariot. I have often paraphrased it as “driving like a hot rodder.” The NIV says, “He drives like a maniac.” The Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) says, “He drives in madness.” The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) and New Living Translation (NLT) say, “He drives like a madman.” John Wycliffe (1328-1384) understood it as, “Certainly he goeth fast.”
11. In verse 21, King Joram (in the north) and King Ahaziah (in the south) set out to meet Jehu. They meet him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. What do you remember about Naboth? See I Kings 21 for a reminder. Why is it appropriate that Joram dies on this property? See verses 25-26 and I Kings 21:20-23.
12. When Ahaziah (king of Judah in the south) saw the death of Joram, he fled. Why did Jehu pursue him? I thought Jehu was supposed to wipe out the line of Ahab. Check II Kings 8:26 for a clue.
9. What’s up with Jehu’s question, “What do you have to do with peace? Turn around and ride behind me.” It happens twice, once in verse 18 and once in verse 19. How did the messengers on horseback understand it?
10. Just a personal note here: I love verse 20, which describes how Jehu drives a chariot. I have often paraphrased it as “driving like a hot rodder.” The NIV says, “He drives like a maniac.” The Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) says, “He drives in madness.” The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) and New Living Translation (NLT) say, “He drives like a madman.” John Wycliffe (1328-1384) understood it as, “Certainly he goeth fast.”
11. In verse 21, King Joram (in the north) and King Ahaziah (in the south) set out to meet Jehu. They meet him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. What do you remember about Naboth? See I Kings 21 for a reminder. Why is it appropriate that Joram dies on this property? See verses 25-26 and I Kings 21:20-23.
12. When Ahaziah (king of Judah in the south) saw the death of Joram, he fled. Why did Jehu pursue him? I thought Jehu was supposed to wipe out the line of Ahab. Check II Kings 8:26 for a clue.
Please read II Kings 9:30-37
13. Instead of hiding from Jehu, Jezebel “painted her eyes and adorned her head,” apparently to create a queenly appearance in defiance of her impending death. Then, she defies Jehu. How is the last part of verse 31 defiance? For the full impact, you must know your history. See I Kings 16:8-11, 15-16.
14. Jehu asked who was on his side. Why do you think it was eunuchs that threw Jezebel out the window? How is Jezebel a symbol for sin and how are the eunuchs an example of how we are to treat sin?
15. In ancient near eastern cultures, the desecration of a dead body was a fate worse than death. This being the case, why would Jehu be completely untroubled at the way Jezebel died and the trampling of her dead body by the horses?
16. Jehu appeared to zealously fulfill what God had promised would happen. Does this mean he trusted in God? That he had reverence for God and His servants, Elijah and Elisha? We’ll find out for sure when we get to II Kings 10.
14. Jehu asked who was on his side. Why do you think it was eunuchs that threw Jezebel out the window? How is Jezebel a symbol for sin and how are the eunuchs an example of how we are to treat sin?
15. In ancient near eastern cultures, the desecration of a dead body was a fate worse than death. This being the case, why would Jehu be completely untroubled at the way Jezebel died and the trampling of her dead body by the horses?
16. Jehu appeared to zealously fulfill what God had promised would happen. Does this mean he trusted in God? That he had reverence for God and His servants, Elijah and Elisha? We’ll find out for sure when we get to II Kings 10.