"The prophetic books written during that time.
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK-- 
a) The book of 2Kings opens with the record of Elijah's translation, the succession of Elisha, and the wonderful shout, ''The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha'' (2:15).
b) The book closes with the sad plight of King Jehoiachin (25:27-30).
- To Israel: Amos and Hosea.
- To Judah: Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Jeremiah.
- Israel and Judah until the Fall of Samaria (2Kings 1-17)
- The History of Judah to the Destruction of Jerusalem (18-25)
a) The book of 2Kings opens with the record of Elijah's translation, the succession of Elisha, and the wonderful shout, ''The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha'' (2:15).
b) The book closes with the sad plight of King Jehoiachin (25:27-30).
a)The book begins with the blessing from heaven upon God's prophet;
b) it closes with the king of Judah under a regular allowance from a heathen ruler (25:30).
CHRIST AND THE BELIEVER
As you consider the account of the translation of Elijah into heaven and the transfer of his power to Elisha, you almost feel as if you are reading the first chapters of the book of Acts.
Elijah ascended into heaven bodily, personally, and visibly.
Note the progression of Elisha's walk to power.
He refused to remain at Gilgal.
He went with Elijah to Bethel, ''the house of God.'' ...he proceeded with the prophet from Bethel to Jericho, the place of the curse.
He walked on to the Jordan, the place of death, and passed through the river with Elijah and on to the other side. This says to the believer that we reckon ourselves ''to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ, our Lord'' (Rom 6:11).
Then, like Christ's disciples centuries later, Elisha watched his mentor being taken up from him into heaven (2Kin 2:11).
Then, like Christ's disciples centuries later, Elisha watched his mentor being taken up from him into heaven (2Kin 2:11).
By faith, he took the mantle of Elijah and struck the waters, and they parted.
Then he came back across the Jordan the same way he had gone.
The power of Elijah was his.
All of this is a beautiful picture of our identification with the Lord Jesus in His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and His present position at the Father's right hand.
CHRIST AND THE WORD
The land was plagued with a drought. ...famine had spread throughout the nation [1Kin 8:35-39].
This account brings to mind similarities to the present spiritual condition in Christendom [Amos 8:11,12].
The cleansing of Naaman the leper ... This incident depicts beautifully the provision God has made in Christ for one afflicted with the terrible leprosy of sin.
There is only one way. ''The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin'' (1John 1:7).
This thrilling story of a great man's cleansing is highlighted by the faithful witness of a little maid who had been taken captive into Syria. She was a servant in Naaman's household, and she bore fruitful testimony to God's power through His servant Elisha."
PaulR.VanGorder
Not only was there dearth in the land, there was also ''death in the pot.'' The food had been poisoned with wild gourds. Those who were to partake of the food did not know of this deadly ingredient.
Jude says that ''certain men crept in unawares, ...ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ'' (Jude 1:4). God's children are to be alert to any ''death in the pot,'' any infiltration of sin and error.
CHRIST AND THE SINNER
The cleansing of Naaman the leper ... This incident depicts beautifully the provision God has made in Christ for one afflicted with the terrible leprosy of sin.This thrilling story of a great man's cleansing is highlighted by the faithful witness of a little maid who had been taken captive into Syria. She was a servant in Naaman's household, and she bore fruitful testimony to God's power through His servant Elisha."
PaulR.VanGorder
