Category: 2 Kings

May 29, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 22:39-65. After Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples they went to the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. While they were there Jesus was betrayed, arrested and taken to the house of the high priest. Waiting outside, Peter disowned Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Jesus was interrogated during the night and before daybreak the Sanhedrin had heard enough and were ready to sentence him to death, but only the Romans had the right to execute a death sentence, so they could only express their frustration.

2 Kings 8. The King restored the Shunammite’s Land, and then Hazael murdered Ben-Hadad. The chapter lists two more kings of Judah, Jehoram and Ahaziah.

2 Kings 9. Jehu, a man of action was anointed king of Israel, Joram of Israel was killed, Ahaziah of Judah likewise, and finally Jezebel suffered the most humiliating and violent death possible, thrown out from a window, trampled to death by horses and was then eaten by dogs.

May 28, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 22:1-38. Judas agreed to betray Jesus, it was Passover so Jesus commemorated the Last Supper with his disciples, after which they went to the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. Jesus also predicted Peter’s denial.

2 Kings 6. Elisha made an ax head float, “The Floating Ax Head”, the Syrians tried to capture Elisha from which we get the quote”Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” But later Syria besieged Samaria, and the famine was great.

2 Kings 7. When the siege was about to succeed Elisha prophesied “Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” During the night the Syrians fled and four lepers discovered it. After feasting they went and told the good news to the no longer besieged.

May 27, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 21:25-38. Jesus told about the signs of the times, the end of the age, the destruction of Jerusalem, the coming of the Son of Man and finally the parable of the fig tree.

2 Kings 3. There was trouble all around: Moab Rebelled against Israel. Israel called for Judah and Edom to help. They gathered their armies and horses, but after seven days without water they called for Elisha. He told them to dig ditches in the desert. They obeyed, and without rain the ditches were filled, they all got water and quenched the rebellion. Then they punished Moab, but the King offered his firstborn son as a burnt offering. This was too drastic even for Israel, so they drew back.

2 Kings 4. Like Elijah, Elisha multiplied a widow’s oil, like Elijah, Elisha raised a person from death, this time the Shunammite’s son. Elisha purified a pot of stew, and at another time he fed one hundred men with twenty small loaves of bread, and there were leftovers, much like Jesus did, but on a much smaller scale.

2 Kings 5. Naaman’s Leprosy was healed. This was so important that Jesus mentioned it to the self- righteous Jews, proving they were not that special. Elisha refused payment for healing Naaman, but his servant Gehazi accepted payment instead, so he became leprous instead of Naaman.

May 26, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 21:1-24. There is giving and then there is giving. Jesus watched the people give their offerings in the Temple with his disciples, and from that he taught us a lesson about the widow’s two mites. After that he told about the signs of the times, the end of the age and the destruction of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 1. God Judged Ahaziah. Elijah the prophet delivered the messages from God, and so Ahaziah died, left no heir, so Joram, son of Ahab became king.

2 Kings 2. Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and received it because he witnessed Elijah’s ascension.

May 17, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

In Luke 14, again on the Sabbath, at a Pharisee’s house no less, Jesus healed a man with an edema. Noticing how the people competed for the best places Jesus spoke of the lowly place to be sought rather than the place of honor, and as an object lesson he gave us the parable of the Great Supper and the cost of following Christ. Finally Jesus mentioned the value of good salt and the worthlessness of salt that lost its savor.

1 Kings 8. It was celebration time when the Ark was brought into the Temple, Solomon gave a great speech and a prayer of dedication. Then he blessed the Assembly and dedicated the Temple with lots of sacrifices and it finished with a fourteen day feast.

1 Kings 9 tells of God’s second appearance to Solomon, this time with a promise and a warning. Solomon and Hiram exchanged gifts and the chapter lists more of Solomon’s achievements.

May 16, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 13. Jesus kept telling the religious Jews “Unless you repent you all perish.” The fig tree is a symbol of Israel, and until then God had been patient with the barren Fig Tree. Moving on, like Jesus so often did, a woman was healed on a Sabbath, which made the ruler of the Synagogue furious. Jesus took issue with that, asking why you can save animals on Sabbath but not people? He then told the parable of faith like the Mustard Seed, the Leaven and the narrow Gate and explained why not all will enter. Finally, Jesus lamented over Jerusalem.

1 Kings 6 retells in great detail how Solomon had the Temple built.

And the retelling continues in 1 Kings 7, how Solomon had his palace and the other buildings built. He hired Hiram the Craftsman, and he completed the bronze pillars for the Temple, the Sea and the Oxen, The Carts and the Lavers, and had all the temple furnishings made.

May 15, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 12:35-59. This passage tells what it means to be the faithful and watchful servant, not the evil and drunken one. Finally,  Christ explains that he will bring division, even among family members, so discern the times and make peace.

1 Kings 4 lists Solomon’s administration, gives an account of Solomon’s prosperity and extols Solomon’s wisdom.

1 Kings 5. The wars had ended and Solomon prepared to build the Temple, as it was promised.

June 7, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Acts 5:1-11. Ananias and Sapphira were lying to the Holy Spirit and fell down dead. This lead to great fear and great power in the Church.

Proverbs 6 warns against cosigning documents with neighbors, condemns sluggards of their sleepy and lazy habits and points to the destruction of wicked men. It tells about seven detestable things to the LORD, and finally it takes a dim view of adultery, a sure way to destroy yourself and others.

Psalm 41, of David. A prayer for help in sickness and protection from traitors and other enemies.

June 6, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Acts 4.The Apostles Peter and John were arrested and hauled before the Sanhedrin, were told not to speak about Jesus anymore. Their response? “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” They were let go and continued telling about Jesus and his resurrection, and a good time was had by all, sharing all things.

2 Kings 24. Things went from bad to worse, Judah was overrun by enemies, Jehoiachin became king of Judah and was taken captive, Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem and made Zedekiah nominal king of Judah.

2 Kings 25. In this final chapter is vividly described the fall and captivity of Judah. Gedaliah was made Governor of Judah and Jehoiakin was released from prison. Thus ends 2 Kings.

June 5, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

In Acts 3 thje Apostle Peter healed a crippled man sitting at the Beautiful Gate with these words:  “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Then Peter preached at Solomon’s Portico. Read it!, It is powerful.

2 Kings 22. Josiah was king of Judah and Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law. The reading of the law pricked their conscience.

2 Kings 23. Having repented, Josiah restored the worship and even tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes and ended idol worship, but alas, too late. There still came impending judgment on Judah, Josiah died in battle at Megiddo. After that came the reign and captivity of Jehoahaz, after which Jehoiakim became king of Judah.