In our last episode, the military commander, Jehu, was anointed as king. He and his men set out immediately to put an end to the house of Ahab, and in the process, he also killed the king of Judah, the evil king Ahaziah. Today, Jehu continues his conquest with a number of cunning strategies, killing Ahab’s wife Jezebel, overthrowing the house of Ahab, destroying the prophets of a Baal, and avenging the blood of Naboth the Gileadite on behalf of the Lord. Remember that the Lord predicted Ahab’s fall through Elijah, who has since been taken up into glory. Finally, we catch up to our last reading from 2 Chronicles by returning to the kings of Judah, where we’ll hear a parallel to that book’s account of Athaliah and Jehoiada.

2 Kings 9:30 - 1:08 . 

2 Kings 10 - 2:49 . 

2 Kings 11 - 11:36 . 

Psalm 119:145-160 - 16:26

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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When we last left our reading covering the kingdom of Israel, the Arameans had laid siege against Samaria, Israel’s capital city. This means that they were blocking people from going in or out so that the people might starve. The king of Israel, most likely Joram, son of Ahab, sends a messenger to Elisha, threatening him with violence. Today, Elisha predicts that they will soon be so flooded with food and grain that it will be hard to sell at even a fraction of its cost. Later, Jehu (a military commander) will be anointed as the next king of Israel by decree of Elisha and by a messenger sent by the prophet to anoint Jehu with oil. The newly anointed king then sets out to put an end to the house of Ahab.

2 Kings 7 - 1:08 . 

2 Kings 8 - 6:32 . 

2 Kings 9 - 13:18 . 

Psalm 119:129 - 20:17 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Today’s episode contains some particularly gruesome imagery for children; parental discretion is advised. The kings and kingdoms of the land are growing increasingly chaotic and tumultuous, but in the midst of the chaos, the Lord continues to work and speak through his prophet, Elisha. An Aramean army commander comes to Elisha to be healed, but when Elisha doesn’t give him the respect he thinks he deserves, he almost rejects the offer out of hand. Later, the Arameans try to capture Elisha but he diffuses them with hospitality. Not long after, the Arameans lay siege to Israel, surrounding Samaria in order to cause a famine, and the people take evil & desperate measures to try and survive.

2 Kings 5 - 1:05 . 

2 Kings 6 - 8:54 . 

Psalm 119:113 - 16:03 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We’ve been going back and forth between the books of 1 & 2 Kings and the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, because each of these books contains a history of kings in Judah and Israel. However, as some of you already know the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles are focused on the kings of Judah, while 1 & 2 Kings cover a broader history including those kings from Judah as well as those from Israel, with large portions devoted to the prophets Elijah and Elisha. We’re still playing a bit of catch-up in 2 Kings, as we’ll read about King Joram of Israel who reigned at the same time as Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. Later, we’ll read about a number of miraculous signs performed through Elisha.

2 Kings 3 - 1:06 . 

2 Kings 4 - 7:13 . 

Psalm 119:97 - 16:17 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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When we read from 2 Chronicles in our last episode, we covered Edom’s rebellion against Judah during Jehoram’s reign, wherein they separated from Judah and established their own king. Obadiah rebukes this nation for their rebellion in our first reading. A return to the book of Kings, now in the second part, means a little backtracking: in short, Jehoshaphat is king and Jehoram has not yet taken the throne. Ahab’s son Ahaziah is now on the throne in Samaria of Israel, but he won’t outlive the Lord’s prophecy against Ahab which says that his family line would come to an end in the next generation. Last but not least, the prophet Elijah passes his mantle to Elisha who receives a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.

Obadiah - 1:03 . 

2 Kings 1 - 6:10 . 

2 Kings 2 - 11:43 . 

Psalm 119:81 - 17:31 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode we covered the life of King Jehoshaphat who was faithful to the Lord, but in today’s episode we witness the beginning of the end for the kings of Judah. Jehoshaphat’s son, King Jehoram is straight-up Je-horrible and when he dies from a horrific intestinal disease, Scripture records that he “died to no one’s regret.” Ouch. His son, Jehoahaz, whom we should note is mainly called Ahaziah, takes the throne after him for only one year before he is killed. After his death, his mother Athaliah goes on a killing spree in order to take the throne, but an heir to the throne in David’s lineage is waiting undercover to take back the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 21 - 1:01 . 

2 Chronicles 22 - 5:32 . 

2 Chronicles 23 - 9:16 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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When we last read from the book of 2 Chronicles we were introduced to Asa’s son, King Jehoshaphat, and as we’ve read from 1 Kings, we’ve heard an account of his partnership with King Ahab of Israel. We’ll hear some parallels from the 1 Kings account today, but we’ll hear more about King Jehoshaphat then Ahab. Remember that Asa, Jehoshaphat’s father, failed to call upon the name of the Lord when there was threat of war, but by contrast, Jehoshaphat regularly calls upon the Lord throughout this narrative. Each time Jehoshaphat humbles himself and prays or calls a prophet to inquire of the Lord, the Lord is gracious and delivers him from trouble, blessing Israel with riches and peace.

1 Chronicles 18 - 1:01 . 

1 Chronicles 19 - 9:20 . 

1 Chronicles 20 - 11:59 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode, Ahab struck a deal with Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram instead of destroying him, but because the Lord had set him apart for destruction, an unnamed prophet pronounced judgment on Ahab. Some time passes, and Ahab sets his sights on a field that belongs to another man. After he refuses to sell it, Ahab pouts in his room until Jezebel hatches a scheme to murder him and take his land. Elijah appears to prophecy his demise, and remarkably, Ahab responds with humility. Later, the prophet Micaiah shares a vision of the Lord’s throne room where God permits a lying spirit to bring about Ahab’s demise.

1 Kings 21 - 1:06 . 

1 Kings 22 - 8:00 . 

Psalm 119:65 - 19:20 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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After experiencing the power and authority of the God of Israel on top of Mount Carmel, where fire fell from heaven to consume Elijah’s sacrifice, the prophet runs to Jezreel ahead of King Ahab. Upon hearing Jezebel’s threats to execute him, Elijah then flees in despair to a distant mountaintop. Later, King Ahab of Israel goes to battle with Ben-Hadad of Aram. The Lord sends an unnamed prophet to alert Ahab that the Lord will win the battle for Israel so that Ahab will know that He alone is God over the whole earth. Then, when Ahab disobeys the Lord’s command and spares Ben-Hadad instead of destroying him, the Lord sends another unnamed prophet to pronounce judgment.

1 Kings 19 - 1:06 . 

1 Kings 20 - 6:29 . 

Psalm 119:49 - 17:45 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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The line of kings in Israel began with Jeroboam who built golden calves for a more convenient worship experience. After him came Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri, all of whom were evil in the Lord’s sight. This brings us to King Ahab, who should be worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who brought Israel out of Egypt, but instead he marries a Baal worshiper, turns to serve Baal himself, then builds a temple to Baal in Samaria. Elijah boldly confronts the king in the name of the Lord of Armies. God works wonders through Elijah, and by God’s strength, Elijah performs miraculous signs.

1 Kings 17 - 1:06 . 

1 Kings 18 - 10:18 . 

Psalm 119:33 - 17:12 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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