Come Follow Me 28: 2 Kings 1-7

Come Follow me Lesson 28: 2 Kings 1-7

Reading: 1 Kings 1 (Chapter 1 is prior to the lesson)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/1?lang=eng

Ahaziah turns to Baalzebub to learn if he will live—Elijah prophesies Ahaziah’s death—Elijah calls down fire from heaven to consume the soldiers sent to apprehend him.

Vs 9-14 Ahaziah was appointed unto death for following other Gods. Elijah called down fire from heaven twice when Ahaziah sent messengers with 50 guards, instead of going with them to Ahaziah. The third messenger asked mercy. Ahaziah went with them and let Ahaziah know he was appointed unto death, and then he died.

Introduction

A prophet’s main mission is to teach and testify of the Savior Jesus Christ. The record of Elisha is more a record of the miracles he performed:

Raising a child from the dead 2 Kings 4:18–37
Feeding a multitude with a small quantity of food 2 Kings 4:42–44
Healing a leper 2 Kings 5:1–14

Elisha’s ministry testifies of the Lord’s life-giving, nourishing, and healing power. Can you recall some of the miracles in your own life?

We should desire to have the Spirit with us to recognize the miracles in our own lives.
“Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17).

Personal Study: 2 Kings 2-6: God can work miracles in my life.

Miracles can provide an opportunity for us to overcome difficulties:

A barren land needed pure water. The waters were healed. 2 Kings 2:19–22
A lost ax needed to be recovered. We can often find lost things when we pray for help to find them. ; 6:4–7

Miracles can also turn our hearts to the Lord and teach us spiritual lessons:

Make a list of the miracles you see and the lessons you learn in chapters 1-6. Can you see the love of the Lord in the miracles performed on your behalf?

The Lord manifests himself to all who believe in Him through the power of the Holy Ghost. 2 Nephi 26:12–13

God is and has always been a God of miracles. He works miracles for those who are faithful. 2 Nephi 27:23

God is a God of miracles. The Plan of Salvation is found in His Son Jesus Christ. If we believe, He will grant whatsoever things we ask for. Mormon 9:7–21

Be faithful. Miracles are wrought by faith. Moroni 7:35–37

Talk to watch: Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?

Family Study: 2 Kings 2:

The people saw Elisha take up Elijah’s mantel. Have you personally witnessed a new prophet receive the mantel of his calling? 1 Kings 19:19

Have you seen the strength and support that the Lord gives His leaders in the mantel of their callings?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/2?lang=eng

Elisha and the prophets know that Elijah is to be translated—Elijah divides the waters of the Jordan and is taken up into heaven in a whirlwind—The mantle of Elijah falls on Elisha, who also divides the waters of the Jordan—Elisha heals the waters of Jericho—Youths are torn by bears for mocking Elisha.

Vs 2, 4, 6 How committed are you to following the Lord’s prophet? Elisha followed the prophet Elijah until the end, until he was taken up to heaven.

Vs 9-15 The mantel of being the Lord's prophet rested on Elisha. He saw Elijah go up into heaven and received a double portion of his spirit.

Vs 20-22 The waters were healed.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/3?lang=eng

Jehoram of Israel and Jehoshaphat of Judah join forces against Moab—Elisha promises them water for their animals and victory in the war—The Moabites are defeated.

Personal Study: 2 Kings: The words of the Lord through His prophets will be fulfilled.

What teachings, prophecies, or promises have you heard from living prophets? Have you seen the fulfillment of prophecy in your life?

There is revelation still in our day. 3 Nephi 29:6

We should receive the words of the Lord’s prophet as if from His own mouth. Doctrine and Covenants 1:37–38

Family Study: 2 Kings 4:

Miracles in 2 Kings 4: 1–7, 14–17, 32–35, 38–41, 42–44

Woman and oil 1–7
Barren woman has son 4–17
Son brought back to life 32-35
Food in pot made okay 38-41
Enough food for all to eat 42-44

We can tell from miracles that our Heavenly Father loves us. What miracles have been important to you?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/4?lang=eng

Elisha multiplies the widow’s oil—He promises a son to a Shunammite woman—The child dies and is raised to life by Elisha—He makes the poisonous food harmless—Bread and grain are multiplied for the people to eat.

Vs 3-4 Because the woman hearkened to the prophet, she was able to sell much oil and keep her sons.

Vs 13-17 Woman who gave a room to the prophet was blessed to have a son.

Vs 29-37 Through the mother's father and the blessing of the prophet Elisha, the son was brought back to life.

Vs 42-44 A miracle like the five loafs and two small fishes. Everyone was fed.

Personal Study: 2 Kings 5: If I am humble and obedient, Jesus Christ can heal me.

How has the Lord asked all of us to wash and be clean?

Do we trust what the Lord asks us to do? verse 13 Small things.

Look at how Naaman was affected by his healing. verse 15

What experiences have you had that have strengthened you faith in God?

What is the greatest cleansing that any of us can receive? Both forgiveness and the ability to forgive.

Luke 4:27 1 Peter 5:5–7 ; Alma 37:3–7; Ether 12:27; Watch talk sometime: “Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It,”

Video: Naaman and Elisha 15 ¶ And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

Family Study: 2 Kings 5:

Why didn’t Naaman want to do what the prophet asked? Has the prophet asked simple things of you that you do not want to do? How can humility bless our lives?

Children’s video: Elisha Heals Naaman

Why is honesty so important? Who do we hurt when we are deceitful? How does being honest bless us?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/5?lang=eng

Naaman, the Syrian, comes to Elisha to be healed of leprosy—He rejects the prophet’s instruction at first but relents and dips himself in the Jordan seven times; he is healed—Elisha refuses to accept a reward—Gehazi accepts a gift from Naaman and is cursed with leprosy.

Vs 13-14 We should be willing to do the small things the prophets asks, because our spiritual wellbeing depends upon it. We will always find blessings in obedience.

Vs 15-16 Naaman returned to Elisha with great thanksgiving, proclaiming Israel's God the one true God. He wanted to give Elisha a payment, which Elisha would not take. Healings belong to the Lord as does Priesthood power.

Vs 27 Gehazi coveted that which wasn't his, and he sought to gain money in ministering, which is priestcraft. As a result, he became leperous. How does greed corrupt?

Personal Study: 2 Kings 6: “They that be with us are more than they that be with them.” 2 Kings 6:8–23

As you ponder, consider President Henry B. Eyring’s words: “Like that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you” (“O Ye That Embark,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 58).

How does it help you to know that there are angels, your ancestors, young descendants, and the Lord’s Spirit all on your side?

It is the Lord’s good pleasure to preserve you from day to day. Psalm 121

The Lord will be with you, preparing the way before you, being at your side, and following after you. He will send His angels. You are not alone. Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

Family Study:

When you are feeling alone or overwhelmed, how can these verses help you? 2 Kings 6:13–17

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/6?lang=eng

Elisha causes an ax to float—He reveals to the king how to conduct a war with Syria—Horses and chariots of fire protect Elisha—The Syrians are smitten with blindness—Benhadad besieges Samaria, and foodstuff sells for a great price.

Vs 14-23 I wish we could all remember that the battle is the Lord's. He will help us according to His will. He has legions that can help us, and sometimes, he just wants us to let others go peacefully away.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/2-kgs/7?lang=eng

Elisha prophesies incredible plenty in Samaria—The Syrian hosts flee at a noise of battle and leave their possessions—Israel takes spoil from the Syrians.