Monday 2021.08.09
Today my OT reading begins with the book of Second Kings using the Good News Bible, covering the first four chapters. This portion of scripture contains the account of Elijah being taken up to heaven by a whirlwind accompanied by a chariot of fire at the River Jordan. Before Elijah was taken away, his follower Elisha had asked for a portion of his prophetic power so that Elisha could succeed Elijah.
2 Kings 2:9 - 12 GNB
9 There, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what you want me to do for you before I am taken away.”
“Let me receive the share of your power that will make me your successor,” Elisha answered.
10 “That is a difficult request to grant,” Elijah replied. “But you will receive it if you see me as I am being taken away from you; if you don't see me, you won't receive it.”
11 They kept talking as they walked on; then suddenly a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven by a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw it and cried out to Elijah, “My father, my father! Mighty defender of Israel! You are gone!” And he never saw Elijah again.
This portion of Second Kings also tells us of how King Ahaziah ben Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel died from his injuries a short while after he fell off the balcony from the roof of his palace. Ahaziah ben Ahab had no sons, so he was succeeded by his brother Joram ben Ahab. At that time, it was the second year of the reign of King Jehoram ben Jehoshaphat in the southern kingdom of Judah.
Just like all the the eight kings of the northern kingdom of Israel before him, from King Jeroboam ben Nebat to King Ahaziah ben Ahab, King Joram ben Ahab was an evil king who turned away from the Lord Yehovah.
