2 Kings 8:16-29 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Kings 8:16-29. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
2 Kings 8:16-18 (NIV)
16 In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah.
17 He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.
18 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD.
On verses 16-18: Jehoram succeeds his father Jehoshaphat as the king of Judah. But instead of being a humble, wise, God-fearing king like his father Jehoshaphat was, Jehoram is said to have “walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done” (v18). In other words, like Ahab, Jehoram worshiped other gods. Why is it that despite being raised by a God-loving father, Jehoram still ended up walking in ways that were not pleasing to God? The only reason the author of 2 Kings gives is that “he married a daughter of Ahab” (v18).
What can we learn from this? If you marry someone who does not follow the Lord, prepare to be affected greatly by them. Christian, don’t settle for partnering with someone who does not follow the Lord. Find someone who sincerely loves Jesus and wants to put God first. For if that person really does love God and puts God first, that person will love you better than any idol worshiper you can find, for truly the best lovers of God are also the best lovers of people too.
2 Kings 8:19-24 (NIV)
19 Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.
20 In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king.
21 So Jehoram went to Zair with all his chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he rose up and broke through by night; his army, however, fled back home.
22 To this day Edom has been in rebellion against Judah. Libnah revolted at the same time.
23 As for the other events of Jehoram’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?
24 Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.
On verses 19-24: Despite Jehoram living life in rebellion against God, God did not allow the nation of Judah (over which Jehoram was king) to be extinguished. Why is that? Verse 19 gives us the reason: “for the sake of his servant David, the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.” Praise God that even in those times when we are at our worst, God remains at His best, faithful to His promises, hanging on to us even when we feel like there’s nothing left to hang on to. So if you’re not at your best today, you can pray: “God, please hang on to me today.” And He will. Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness.
2 Kings 8:25-29 (NIV)
25 In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign.
26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel.
27 He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related by marriage to Ahab’s family.
28 Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram;
29 so King Joram returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramoth in his battle with Hazael king of Aram. Then Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because he had been wounded.
On verses 25-29: Ahaziah replaces his father Jehoram as king of Judah. Like his father, Ahaziah did evil in God’s eyes, walking in the ways of Ahab king of Israel and worshiping idols. Why? Once again, the reason that 2 Kings gives is that “he was related by marriage to Ahab’s family.” (v27) 1 and 2 Kings might sound like a broken record when you hear this lesson repeated so often, but once again the lesson is: it matters whom you marry. I’m not the one making this up. Over and over the Bible warns that it matters whom you marry. Yoke yourself to a non-believer and the chances are good that you’ll become one yourself. Yoke yourself to an idol worshipper and chances are good you’ll become one yourself. Yoke yourself to someone who genuinely and wisely loves God and loves people, and the chances are good that you’ll become like them too.
Father, Your Word gives us so many cautionary tales about relationships that we are really without excuse when we choose partners foolishly. Thank You that nonetheless You remain wise and faithful, even when we are foolish and faithless. Thank You for always being at Your best, even when we’re at our worst. You alone are worthy of worship. Hang onto me today. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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