Paul explains that, because he was deeply concerned about the Thessalonians’ faith and endurance under persecution, he sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them. Paul knew that trials would come, and he feared that the tempter (Satan) might have shaken their faith and made his ministry in vain.

When Timothy returned with good news about their steadfast faith and love, Paul was greatly comforted and overjoyed. Their faith gave him renewed strength, even in his own struggles.

Paul expresses his longing to see them again in person so he can help supply what is still lacking in their faith. He then prays that God would direct his way back to them, make their love for one another overflow, and strengthen their hearts to be blameless and holy when Christ returns.

Key Themes:

• Christian leaders’ deep concern for the spiritual health of believers.
• Encouragement through one another’s steadfast faith.
• Prayer for growth in love, holiness, and readiness for Christ’s coming.

Paul explains that, because he was deeply concerned about the Thessalonians’ faith and endurance under persecution, he sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them. Paul knew that trials would come, and he feared that the tempter (Satan) might have shaken their faith and made his ministry in vain.

When Timothy returned with good news about their steadfast faith and love, Paul was greatly comforted and overjoyed. Their faith gave him renewed strength, even in his own struggles.

Paul expresses his longing to see them again in person so he can help supply what is still lacking in their faith. He then prays that God would direct his way back to them, make their love for one another overflow, and strengthen their hearts to be blameless and holy when Christ returns.

Key Themes:

• Christian leaders’ deep concern for the spiritual health of believers.
• Encouragement through one another’s steadfast faith.
• Prayer for growth in love, holiness, and readiness for Christ’s coming.

King Jehoahaz becomes king of Israel (the northern kingdom). He follows the sins of Jeroboam (idol worship), so God allows Israel to be oppressed by Hazael and later Ben-Hadad, kings of Aram (Syria). Jehoahaz humbles himself and prays, and God shows mercy by giving Israel a deliverer, but the nation still continues in sin.

Jehoahaz’s son Jehoash (Joash) succeeds him as king. He also follows Jeroboam’s sins and does evil in God’s sight.

During this time, the prophet Elisha is very old and sick. King Jehoash visits him, weeping, and Elisha gives him prophetic signs:

• Arrows of victory: Elisha tells Jehoash to shoot an arrow, symbolizing God’s victory over Aram. Then he tells him to strike the ground with arrows. Jehoash strikes only three times, and Elisha becomes upset, saying that Israel will defeat Aram only three times instead of completely destroying them.
• After Elisha dies and is buried, a miracle occurs: a dead man’s body touches Elisha’s bones and comes back to life.

In the end, Israel regains some cities that Aram had captured, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy that Jehoash would win three victories.

Key Themes:

• God’s mercy even when His people persist in sin.
• The importance of wholehearted faith and obedience (half-hearted actions limit blessings).
• God’s power displayed even after the death of His prophet.

1. Parting the Jordan River (2 Kings 2:8)
2. Healing the Waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22)
3. Two Bears Devouring Mockers (2 Kings 2:23-24)
4. Water Filling Ditches for the Moabite Army (2 Kings 3:16-20)
5. Increasing the Widow’s Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7)
6. Resurrecting the Shunammite Woman’s Son (2 Kings 4:32-37)
7. Purifying Poisoned Pottage (2 Kings 4:41)
8. Multiplying Food (2 Kings 4:43-44)
9. Healing Naaman the Leper (2 Kings 5:1-14)
10. Contaminating Gehazi with Leprosy (2 Kings 5:27)
11. Making the Axe Head Float (2 Kings 6:1-7)
12. Rendering the Syrian Army Blind (2 Kings 6:18)
13. Restoring Sight to the Syrian Army (2 Kings 6:20)
14. Causing the Blindness of the Enemy to Stop (2 Kings 6:20)
15. Prophesying an End to a Great Famine (2 Kings 7:1-2)
16. Foreknowledge of the King’s Plot (2 Kings 6:12) 
17. Man revived in tomb when tossed on Elisha’s bones (2 Kings 13:20)

King Jehoahaz becomes king of Israel (the northern kingdom). He follows the sins of Jeroboam (idol worship), so God allows Israel to be oppressed by Hazael and later Ben-Hadad, kings of Aram (Syria). Jehoahaz humbles himself and prays, and God shows mercy by giving Israel a deliverer, but the nation still continues in sin.

Jehoahaz’s son Jehoash (Joash) succeeds him as king. He also follows Jeroboam’s sins and does evil in God’s sight.

During this time, the prophet Elisha is very old and sick. King Jehoash visits him, weeping, and Elisha gives him prophetic signs:

• Arrows of victory: Elisha tells Jehoash to shoot an arrow, symbolizing God’s victory over Aram. Then he tells him to strike the ground with arrows. Jehoash strikes only three times, and Elisha becomes upset, saying that Israel will defeat Aram only three times instead of completely destroying them.
• After Elisha dies and is buried, a miracle occurs: a dead man’s body touches Elisha’s bones and comes back to life.

In the end, Israel regains some cities that Aram had captured, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy that Jehoash would win three victories.

Key Themes:

• God’s mercy even when His people persist in sin.
• The importance of wholehearted faith and obedience (half-hearted actions limit blessings).
• God’s power displayed even after the death of His prophet.

Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers how he, Silas, and Timothy first came to them. Even though they had faced opposition and suffering in Philippi, they boldly preached the gospel in Thessalonica with sincerity and without selfish motives. They did not seek praise, wealth, or power, but instead cared for the believers gently, like a mother caring for her children and like a father encouraging them to live worthy lives before God.

Paul thanks God that the Thessalonians received the gospel not as human words, but as God’s Word, which was actively working in them. He acknowledges their suffering at the hands of their own people, similar to how Jewish believers suffered from their countrymen.

He also explains that though he longed to visit them again, Satan hindered him. Still, he expresses that the Thessalonians are his joy, glory, and crown in the presence of Christ when He returns.

Key Themes:

• The integrity and sincerity of true gospel ministry.
• The tender, parental care of spiritual leaders.
• The reality of suffering for faith in Christ.
• Believers as a source of joy and reward at Christ’s coming.

Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers how he, Silas, and Timothy first came to them. Even though they had faced opposition and suffering in Philippi, they boldly preached the gospel in Thessalonica with sincerity and without selfish motives. They did not seek praise, wealth, or power, but instead cared for the believers gently, like a mother caring for her children and like a father encouraging them to live worthy lives before God.

Paul thanks God that the Thessalonians received the gospel not as human words, but as God’s Word, which was actively working in them. He acknowledges their suffering at the hands of their own people, similar to how Jewish believers suffered from their countrymen.

He also explains that though he longed to visit them again, Satan hindered him. Still, he expresses that the Thessalonians are his joy, glory, and crown in the presence of Christ when He returns.

Key Themes:

• The integrity and sincerity of true gospel ministry.
• The tender, parental care of spiritual leaders.
• The reality of suffering for faith in Christ.
• Believers as a source of joy and reward at Christ’s coming.

King Joash (also called Jehoash) begins to reign over Judah at age seven and rules for forty years in Jerusalem. Under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest, Joash does what is right in God’s eyes, though the high places (altars for unauthorized worship) are not removed, and people still offer sacrifices there.

Joash orders that money collected at the temple—such as offerings, vows, and freewill gifts—be used to repair the temple. At first, the priests do not make repairs, so Joash and Jehoiada set up a new system: a chest is placed near the altar where money is deposited, and it is used specifically for temple restoration. The money is faithfully handled, given to workers, and used directly for repairs (not for temple utensils).

Later, King Hazael of Aram (Syria) threatens Jerusalem. To avoid attack, Joash takes treasures from the temple and the royal palace and sends them to Hazael as tribute, so Hazael withdraws.

In the end, Joash is betrayed by his own officials, who conspire against him and assassinate him in Beth Millo. His son Amaziah succeeds him as king.

Key Themes:

• The importance of temple worship and proper use of offerings.
• The influence of godly leadership (Joash follows the Lord while Jehoiada is alive).
• Compromise with enemies through tribute instead of trusting God.
• The tragic downfall of a king who began well but ended poorly.

King Joash (also called Jehoash) begins to reign over Judah at age seven and rules for forty years in Jerusalem. Under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest, Joash does what is right in God’s eyes, though the high places (altars for unauthorized worship) are not removed, and people still offer sacrifices there.

Joash orders that money collected at the temple—such as offerings, vows, and freewill gifts—be used to repair the temple. At first, the priests do not make repairs, so Joash and Jehoiada set up a new system: a chest is placed near the altar where money is deposited, and it is used specifically for temple restoration. The money is faithfully handled, given to workers, and used directly for repairs (not for temple utensils).

Later, King Hazael of Aram (Syria) threatens Jerusalem. To avoid attack, Joash takes treasures from the temple and the royal palace and sends them to Hazael as tribute, so Hazael withdraws.

In the end, Joash is betrayed by his own officials, who conspire against him and assassinate him in Beth Millo. His son Amaziah succeeds him as king.

Key Themes:

• The importance of temple worship and proper use of offerings.
• The influence of godly leadership (Joash follows the Lord while Jehoiada is alive).
• Compromise with enemies through tribute instead of trusting God.
• The tragic downfall of a king who began well but ended poorly.

Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy greet the church in Thessalonica, thanking God for them and constantly remembering their faith, love, and hope in Christ. Paul notes that the gospel came to them not only with words but also with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction. Despite persecution, the Thessalonians received the message with joy and became examples to believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia. Their faith in God spread widely, so much so that Paul did not need to say much; others testified about how they turned from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son, Jesus, who rescues them from the coming wrath.