The Preacher's Commentary Series, Volume 9: 1, 2 Kings

Top Highlights

“Elisha was right. The simple method of this miracle, performed without the prophet there, did give God the credit. It was obvious that the healing came from Yahweh rather than from the sort of magical incantation that Naaman had anticipated. Naaman understood that and professed that Israel’s God was the only God.” (Pages 288–289)

“Dew and rain were the two main sources of moisture in ancient Israel. The rains came regularly from about October to March. The dew condensed on the mountains in the hot season, sometimes as heavily as a drizzle, especially around the higher elevations about Jerusalem, Hebron, and Bethel.¹¹ To cut off both sources of moisture would mean an absolute drought of extreme proportions. Since Baal was supposed to be the god of fertility, the god of the storm, present in the dew and rain, the drought was a direct challenge to this alien deity.” (Pages 187–188)

“The first group includes miracles performed for individuals in need. The second group includes miracles that are more political and national in purpose.” (Page 272)

“Elijah’s name is a combination of two names for God, Elohim and Yahweh (or Jehovah). It means literally ‘Yah is El’ and could be translated ‘Yahweh is God.’ Elijah has been called the most important leader of Yahweh worship since Moses and Samuel.” (Page 187)

“The same God who caused one Syrian army to see things that weren’t there (2 Kin. 6:18) now caused another Syrian army to hear things that weren’t there.” (Page 307)