◄ 2 Kings 8:9 ►
So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, "Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, 'Will I recover from this illness?'" Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 8:9? 2. How does 2 Kings 8:9 demonstrate the importance of seeking prophetic guidance today? 3. What can we learn about humility from Hazael's actions in 2 Kings 8:9? 4. How does 2 Kings 8:9 connect to God's sovereignty over nations in Scripture? 5. How can we apply Hazael's approach to seeking wisdom in our daily lives? 6. What does the gift in 2 Kings 8:9 teach about honoring God's messengers? 7. What is the significance of the gifts sent to Elisha in 2 Kings 8:9? 8. How does 2 Kings 8:9 reflect the relationship between Israel and Aram? 9. Why did Hazael bring such a large gift to Elisha according to 2 Kings 8:9? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 8? 11. In 2 Chronicles 8:2, Solomon rebuilds cities given by Hiram, yet 1 Kings 9:11-13 implies those cities were unacceptable to him; how can both accounts be accurate? 12. How long did Jehoiachin reign? (2 Kings 24:8 vs. 2 Chronicles 36:9) 13. In 2 Kings 8:7-15, is there any archaeological or extrabiblical source confirming Hazael's rise to power exactly as described? 14. How long did he rule over Jerusalem? Three months (2 Kings 24:8) Three months and ten days (2 Chronicles 36:9) Discussion Questions 1. What does Hazael's approach to Elisha with gifts reveal about the cultural and spiritual dynamics of the time? 2. How does the account of Hazael and Elisha illustrate the concept of divine sovereignty over human affairs? 3. In what ways can we apply the principle of seeking God's will in our own decision-making processes? 4. How does the account of Hazael's rise to power challenge us to reflect on our own ambitions and motivations? 5. What lessons can we learn from the interaction between Hazael and Elisha about the role of spiritual leaders in guiding nations and individuals? 2 Kings 8 Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's prophecy and the Shunammite woman's faith intertwine in the beginning of this chapter? How can you apply such faith in your own life? 2. In the narrative, what are the implications of Gehazi speaking to the king about Elisha's miracles at the time the Shunammite woman needed help? 3. Hazael lies to Ben-Hadad about his impending death and then murders him. How does this act reflect on his character and his future rule? How does this relate to contemporary political and personal ambition? 4. How does the passage portray Jehoram's rule in Judah? How might his actions have long-term consequences for Judah? What can we learn about leadership from Jehoram? 5. Reflect on the revolt of Edom and the city of Libnah during Jehoram's reign. What does it indicate about his leadership and relationship with God? 6. Explore the familial ties between Ahaziah and Ahab's house. How did these ties influence Ahaziah's rule? 7. How can the rulers' actions in 2 Kings 8 guide contemporary leaders, both religious and secular? 8. How does God's faithfulness manifest in 2 Kings 8, even amidst the sin and treachery of the kings? 9. Discuss the role of prophetic guidance in the chapter and its relevance in today's Christian journey. 10. Reflect on Elisha's emotional response to Hazael's future atrocities. How does this humanize the prophet? 11. How do you understand God's justice and mercy as displayed in 2 Kings 8? 12. How does the restoration of the Shunammite woman's land demonstrate God's care for the righteous? 13. How should Christians today respond to the kind of deception practiced by Hazael? 14. How do you interpret the phrase, "yet the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah" in terms of God's covenant and promises? 15. How can you apply the lessons learned from the actions and consequences faced by Jehoram and Ahaziah in your life? 16. In what ways can Christians today work to avoid the poor decisions made by the rulers in 2 Kings 8? 17. How does this chapter underscore the importance of faithfulness to God's laws? 18. How can understanding the outcomes in 2 Kings 8 help us discern God's active role in world events today? 19. Hazael's rise to power was predicted, yet it was through violent means. How does this prophecy fit into your understanding of God's plan and free will? 20. What personal characteristics should a leader have, based on the examples in 2 Kings 8, and how can you cultivate these characteristics in your own life? Links 2 Kings 8:9 NIV 2 Kings 8:9 NLT 2 Kings 8:9 ESV 2 Kings 8:9 NASB 2 Kings 8:9 KJV 2 Kings 8:9 Commentaries Bible Hub