Day 64
2 Kings 5 - 8
Bible Time Period: Divided Kingdom
Israel split into rival kingdoms and fell into idolatry: Help me to choose your kingship over other loves.
Naaman
The commander of the Aramean army of Syria in the ninth century BC. He was a leper until he was cured by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-7). After hearing of Elisha's extraordinary powers, Naaman found the prophet, who told him he should bath himself seven times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:8-12). Naaman was so grateful for the cure, that he offered Elisha a gift. Elisha refused it. In Christian tradition the healing of Naaman prefigures baptism and its ability to wash the soul clean of the sickness of sin. (Catholic Bible Dictionary, General Editor Scott Hahn, page 635).
Elisha
A ninth-century BC prophet of Israel, the designated successor of Elijah, whose ministry extended across the reigns of Ahad, Ahaziah, Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz and Jehoash. He was the son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah. Little else is known with certainty about his background, except that he was young when Elijah called him from behind his plow. From then on, he accompanied Elijah. He received double portion of Elijah's prophetic spirit.
Jehoram
The fifth king of Judah from 848 to 841 BC, the son and successor Jehoshaphat. Jehoram married Athaliah, daughter of King Ahab of Israel and the sister of King Joram of Israel. As Judah was itself a vassal of Israel, he was compelled to take part with Joram of Israel in a campaign against the Moabites. Through the influence of Athaliah, Jehoram was induced to abandon his father's faith in God and follow in the tradition of Ahab and Jezebel in the toleration of idolatry. Jehoram murdered his brothers and his reign was marked by several disasters. (Catholic Bible Dictionary, General Editor, Scott Hahn, page 420).
Naaman
The commander of the Aramean army of Syria in the ninth century BC. He was a leper until he was cured by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-7). After hearing of Elisha's extraordinary powers, Naaman found the prophet, who told him he should bath himself seven times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:8-12). Naaman was so grateful for the cure, that he offered Elisha a gift. Elisha refused it. In Christian tradition the healing of Naaman prefigures baptism and its ability to wash the soul clean of the sickness of sin. (Catholic Bible Dictionary, General Editor Scott Hahn, page 635).
Elisha
A ninth-century BC prophet of Israel, the designated successor of Elijah, whose ministry extended across the reigns of Ahad, Ahaziah, Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz and Jehoash. He was the son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah. Little else is known with certainty about his background, except that he was young when Elijah called him from behind his plow. From then on, he accompanied Elijah. He received double portion of Elijah's prophetic spirit.
Jehoram
The fifth king of Judah from 848 to 841 BC, the son and successor Jehoshaphat. Jehoram married Athaliah, daughter of King Ahab of Israel and the sister of King Joram of Israel. As Judah was itself a vassal of Israel, he was compelled to take part with Joram of Israel in a campaign against the Moabites. Through the influence of Athaliah, Jehoram was induced to abandon his father's faith in God and follow in the tradition of Ahab and Jezebel in the toleration of idolatry. Jehoram murdered his brothers and his reign was marked by several disasters. (Catholic Bible Dictionary, General Editor, Scott Hahn, page 420).
Today's Reading
2 Kings 5 - 8
Commentary
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Art
Elisha Refusing the Gifts of Naaman - Pieter Fransz de Grebber
Elisha Refusing the Gifts of Naaman - Pieter Fransz de Grebber
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