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列王纪下 1-9
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
列王纪下 1-9
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
以利亚预言亚哈谢必死
1 亚哈死后，摩押背叛以色列。 2 有一天，亚哈谢在撒玛利亚，从楼上的窗户掉下来，他就病了；于是他差派使者，对他们说：“你们去求问以革伦的神巴力．西卜，我这个病到底能否复原？” 3 但耶和华的使者对提斯比人以利亚说：“你动身上去迎着撒玛利亚王的使者，对他们说：‘你们去求问以革伦的神巴力．西卜，是因为以色列中没有 神吗？ 4 因此，耶和华这样说：你必不能从你躺上去的那张床上下来，因为你必定死。’”于是以利亚去了。
5 众使者回到亚哈谢那里；他对他们说：“你们为甚么回来呢？” 6 他们对王说：“有一个人上来迎着我们，又对我们说：‘去吧，回到那差派你们的王那里，对他说：耶和华这样说：你派人去求问以革伦的神巴力．西卜，是因为以色列中没有 神吗？因此，你必不能从你躺上去的那张床上下来，因为你必定死。’” 7 王对他们说：“那上来迎着你们，又对你们说这番话的是个怎样的人？” 8 他们对王说：“那人穿著毛皮衣，腰间束上皮带。”王说：“这人必是提斯比人以利亚。”
9 于是王差派一个五十夫长和他的五十名手下到以利亚那里；那位五十夫长就上到以利亚那里去。他看见以利亚正坐在山顶上，就对以利亚说：“神人哪！王吩咐你下来。” 10 以利亚回答五十夫长说：“如果我是神人，愿火从天降下，把你和你的五十名手下吞灭。”于是有火从天降下，吞灭了五十夫长和他的五十名手下。 11 王再次派一个五十夫长和他的五十名手下到以利亚那里去。那五十夫长对以利亚说：“神人哪！王这样吩咐：‘你赶快下来。’” 12 以利亚回答他们说：“如果我是神人，愿火从天降下，把你和你的五十名手下吞灭。”于是 神的火从天降下，吞灭了五十夫长和他的五十名手下。 13 王又派出第三名五十夫长和他的五十名手下；那五十夫长来到，就双膝跪在以利亚面前，恳求他，对他说：“神人哪！愿我的性命和这五十个仆人的性命在你眼中看为宝贵。 14 看哪！曾经有火从天降下，吞灭了先前两个五十夫长和他们各五十名手下；现在，愿我的性命在你眼中看为宝贵。” 15 耶和华的使者对以利亚说：“你和他下去吧，不要怕他。”于是以利亚起来，和他下山到王那里去了。 16 以利亚对亚哈谢说：“耶和华这样说：‘你差派使者去求问以革伦的神巴力．西卜，是因为以色列中没有 神可以求问吗？因此，你必不能从你躺上去的那张床上下来，因为你必定死。’”
亚哈谢逝世
17 亚哈谢果然死了，正如耶和华藉以利亚所宣告的话。因为他没有儿子，他的弟弟约兰就接续他作王，那时是犹大王约沙法的儿子约兰第二年。 18 亚哈谢其余所行的事迹，不是都写在以色列诸王的年代志上吗？
以利亚被接升天
2 耶和华将要用旋风接以利亚往天上去的时候，以利亚和以利沙一起离开吉甲。 2 以利亚对以利沙说：“你留在这里吧，因为耶和华差派我到伯特利去。”以利沙说：“我指着永活的耶和华和你的性命起誓：我必不离开你。”于是他们下到伯特利去。 3 在伯特利的先知门徒出来见以利沙，对他说：“你知道今天耶和华要接你的老师离开你吗？”他说：“我已经知道了，你们别再多说。” 4 以利亚对以利沙说：“你留在这里吧，因为耶和华差派我往耶利哥。”他说：“我指着永活的耶和华和你的性命起誓：我必不离开你。”于是他们来到耶利哥。 5 在耶利哥的先知门徒前来见以利沙，对他说：“你知道今天耶和华要接你的老师离开你吗？”他说：“我已经知道了，你们别再多说。” 6 以利亚对他说：“你留在这里吧，因为耶和华差派我往约旦河去。”以利沙说：“我指着永活的耶和华和你的性命起誓：我必不离开你。”于是他们二人继续前行。
7 先知门徒中有五十人跟着他们，远远地站在他们对面；他们二人在约旦河河边站着。 8 以利亚拿着自己的外衣，把它卷起，击打河水，河水就左右分开，他们二人就在干地上走过去了。 9 他们过去之后，以利亚对以利沙说：“在我没有被接离开你以先，我可以为你作些甚么，你尽管求吧！”以利沙说：“求你使你的灵双倍地临到我。” 10 以利亚说：“你所求的是一件难事，不过我被接离开你的时候，如果你看见我，就必得着，否则就得不着了。” 11 他们边走边谈的时候，忽然，有火车火马把他们二人分开，以利亚就在旋风中被接往天上去了。 12 以利沙看见，就喊叫：“我父！我父！以色列的战车马兵啊！”跟着就不再看见他了。以利沙抓住自己的衣服，把它撕成两片。 13 他拾起以利亚身上掉下来的外衣，就回去，站在约旦河河边。 14 他拿着从以利亚身上掉下来的外衣，击打河水，说：“耶和华以利亚的 神在哪里呢？”他一击打河水，河水就左右分开，以利沙就走过去了。
15 那些耶利哥的先知门徒在远处看见，就说：“以利亚的灵在以利沙身上了。”他们就来迎接他，俯伏在地拜他。 16 他们对他说：“请看，你的仆人这里有五十个壮士；请让他们去寻找你的老师，或者耶和华的灵把他提去，丢在某一座山上，或某一处山谷里。”以利沙说：“你们不必派人去了。” 17 他们恳求他，使他不好意思推辞，于是他说：“你们派人去吧。”他们就派出五十个人，寻觅了三天，仍然找不着。 18 于是他们回到以利沙那里；那时，他还停留在耶利哥，他对他们说：“我不是告诉了你们不必去的吗？”
以利沙治好耶利哥恶劣的水
19 那城的人对以利沙说：“请看这城的地势很好，老师你也看见，可惜水恶劣，以致此地没有出产。” 20 以利沙说：“给我拿一个新碗来，里面要盛点盐。”他们就把碗拿给他。 21 他就出去到水源那里，把盐倒在那里，然后说：“耶和华这样说：‘我已经医好了这水，从此不再有人死亡，地也不再没有出产了。’” 22 那水果然治好了，直到今日，正如以利沙所说的话。
23 以利沙从那里上伯特利去，正沿路上去的时候，从城里有一班年轻人走出来，讥笑他，说：“秃头的上去吧！秃头的上去吧！” 24 以利沙回头看着他们，奉耶和华的名咒诅他们。于是有两只母熊从树林里走出来，撕裂了他们中间四十二个年轻人。 25 以利沙从那里上迦密山，又从迦密山回到撒玛利亚。
以色列王约兰
3 犹大王约沙法第十八年，亚哈的儿子约兰在撒玛利亚作王，统治以色列；他作王共有十二年。 2 他行耶和华看为恶的事，只是还不至于像他的父亲和母亲一样，因为他除去了他父亲所做的巴力神柱。 3 只是尼八的儿子耶罗波安使以色列人陷在罪中的那些罪，他却坚持不舍，不肯脱离。
摩押背叛
4 摩押王米沙是个以牧羊为生的人。他每年进贡十万头绵羊羔和十万头公羊羔给以色列王。 5 亚哈死后，摩押王背叛以色列王。 6 那时约兰王从撒玛利亚出来点阅以色列众人。 7 他一面起行，一面派人到犹大王约沙法那里，说：“摩押王背叛了我，你肯不肯和我同去攻打摩押呢？”约沙法说：“我愿意去；我和你不分彼此，我的人民就像是你的人民，我的马就像是你的马。” 8 约沙法问：“我们从哪条路上去呢？”约兰回答：“从以东旷野的路上去。”
三王联军合攻摩押
9 于是以色列王、犹大王和以东王，绕道行了七日的路程。军队和随行的牲畜都没有水喝。 10 以色列王说：“哎哟，耶和华招聚这三位君王，是要把他们交在摩押人的手中。” 11 约沙法说：“这里不是有一位耶和华的先知吗？我们可以托他求问耶和华。”以色列王的一位臣仆说：“这里有沙法的儿子以利沙，他从前是服事以利亚的（“他从前是服事以利亚的”原文作“他从前倒水在以利亚手上”）。” 12 约沙法说：“他必有耶和华的话。”于是以色列王、约沙法和以东王都下到他那里。
以利沙的教训与预言
13 以利沙对以色列王说：“我和你有甚么关系呢？去问你父亲和你母亲的先知吧！”以色列王对他说：“不要这样说，耶和华招聚这三位君王，是要把他们交在摩押人手中。” 14 以利沙说：“我指着我所事奉永活的万军耶和华起誓，若不是看犹大王约沙法的情面，我根本不会理你，看也不看你。 15 现在，给我找一个琴师来。”当琴师弹琴的时候，耶和华的能力就临到他身上。 16 以利沙说：“耶和华这样说：‘要在这山谷到处挖濠沟。’ 17 因为耶和华这样说：‘你们虽然没有看见风，也没有看见雨，但这山谷必充满了水，你们和你们的牲畜都可以有水喝。 18 这事在耶和华眼中算是小事，他还要把摩押交在你们手中。 19 你们要攻破所有坚固的城和一切繁华的都市；砍下各种佳美的树木，堵塞所有水泉，用石头堆满一切肥沃的田地。’” 20 到了早上，约在献祭的时候，忽然有水从以东来，遍地就满了水。
摩押人战败
21 摩押全国听见这几位君王上来要攻打他们，就召集所有能够穿上武装的，不论老幼，到边界上防守。 22 第二天早上，他们起来的时候，太阳照在水上，摩押人从那边看见水红得像血一样。 23 他们说：“这是血啊！一定是那些王互相攻击，自相残杀；现在，摩押人哪，去抢掠吧！” 24 他们来到以色列营，以色列人起来，击杀摩押人，摩押人就在以色列人面前逃跑；以色列人就攻进摩押，击杀他们。 25 他们毁坏城市，各人向一切肥沃的田地拋掷石头，把田地填满了，又堵塞一切水泉，砍下各种佳美的树木，直到吉珥．哈列设只剩下石头，甩石的兵把它包围，攻击它。 26 摩押王见战事激烈，无法抵抗，于是带领七百持刀的兵，想要突围到以东王那里，可是不成功， 27 于是他把那要接续他作王的长子，在城墙上献为燔祭。以色列人就遭遇极大的忿怒，于是离开他，回到自己的地方去了。
以利沙帮助寡妇还债
4 一位先知门徒的妻子哀求以利沙说：“你仆人我的丈夫死了，你知道你的仆人是敬畏耶和华的。现在债主来要抓我的两个孩子作他的奴仆。” 2 以利沙对他说：“我可以为你作甚么呢？告诉我，你家里有甚么呢？”她说：“婢女家中除了一瓶油以外，甚么也没有。” 3 以利沙说：“你到外面去向你所有的邻居借空器皿，要尽量多借。 4 然后回去，把你和你儿子关在家里，你要把油倒在所有器皿里面，装满了的就放在一边。” 5 于是妇人离开了他，把自己和儿子关在门内；她的儿子不住地把器皿拿到她面前，她就把油倒进去。 6 器皿都倒满了的时候，她对儿子说：“再拿一个器皿给我。”他对她说：“再没有器皿了。”油就止住了。 7 她去告诉神人，神人说：“你去把油卖掉，还清你的债务，你和你的儿子可以靠着剩下的过活。”
书念妇人接待以利沙
8 有一天，以利沙经过书念的时候，那里有一位贵妇坚持留他吃饭；于是以后每逢他从那里经过，他总进去吃饭。 9 那妇人对她的丈夫说：“你看，我知道那常从我们这里经过的，是个圣洁的神人。 10 让我们盖一间有墙的小阁，为他在里面摆设睡床、桌子、椅子和灯盏；他到我们这里来的时候，就可以到那里休息。” 11 有一天，以利沙来到那里，就上小阁休息，在那里躺下。 12 他对他的仆人基哈西说：“你去叫这书念的妇人来。”于是他叫了她来，站在他的面前。 13 他对他的仆人说：“你对她说：‘看哪！你为我们费了这么多心思。我可以为你作些甚么呢？你有事要我替你向王或军长说的吗？’”她说：“我住在自己的人民中间。” 14 于是他说：“我到底可以为她作些甚么呢？”基哈西说：“她没有儿子，而她的丈夫又老了。” 15 于是以利沙对他说：“再叫她来。”他就再去叫了她来，她就站在门口。 16 以利沙说：“明年这个时分，时候到了，你必怀抱一个儿子。”她说：“神人哪！不要欺哄你的婢女。”
蒙恩生子
17 这妇人果然怀了孕，到明年这个时分，时候到了，她就生了一个儿子，正如以利沙对她所说的。
孩子中暑死亡
18 孩子渐渐长大。有一天，他出来到收割的人中找他的父亲。 19 他对他的父亲说：“我的头啊！我的头啊！”他的父亲对仆人说：“把他抱到他母亲那里。” 20 于是仆人把他抱着，送到他母亲那里。孩子坐在他母亲的双膝上，到中午就死了。 21 她把孩子抱上小阁，放在神人的床上；她把他关在里面，就出去了。 22 她呼唤她的丈夫，说：“请你派一个仆人和一头驴子给我。我要赶到神人那里，立刻就回来。” 23 他说：“为甚么你要在今天去见他呢？今天既不是月朔，也不是安息日。”她说：“一切都平安。” 24 于是她把驴套上鞍，对她的仆人说：“你来赶驴子走吧，除非我告诉你，否则不要因为我慢下来。” 25 于是她起程，去到迦密山神人那里。神人从远处看见她的时候，就对他的仆人基哈西说：“看哪！书念的妇人在那边呢！ 26 现在你跑去迎接她，对她说：‘你平安吗？你的丈夫平安吗？你的儿子平安吗？’”她说：“都平安。” 27 她来到山上神人那里，就抱住神人的脚；基哈西上前要推开她，但神人说：“由她吧，因为她的心灵很痛苦。耶和华隐瞒我，没有告诉我。” 28 她说：“我有向我主求过儿子吗？我不是说过：‘不要欺哄我’的吗？”
使死去的孩子复活
29 神人对基哈西说：“你束上腰，手里拿着我的手杖前去；不论遇见的是谁，都不要向他问安；若是有人向你问安，你也不要回答他，只要去把我的手杖放在孩子的脸上。” 30 孩子的母亲说：“我指着永活的耶和华和你的性命起誓，我决不会离开你。”神人只好起身随她而去。 31 基哈西在他们前面去了，把手杖放在孩子的脸上，可是没有声音，也没有反应；于是他回来迎着以利沙，告诉他说：“那孩子还没有醒过来。” 32 以利沙来到书念妇人的家，看见孩子已经死了，躺在他的床上。 33 于是他进去，把自己和孩子二人关在门内，然后向耶和华祷告。 34 他又上床伏在孩子身上，使自己的口对着孩子的口，自己的眼对着孩子的眼，自己的手放在孩子的手上；他伏在孩子身上，孩子的身体就渐渐温暖起来。 35 然后他下来在房内来回走了一趟，再上去，伏在孩子身上；那孩子打了七个喷嚏，跟着就张开了眼睛。 36 神人呼唤基哈西，说：“你去叫那书念的妇人来。”他就去叫她，她来到他那里，他就说：“把你的儿子抱起来。” 37 于是她进去，在他的脚前下拜，俯伏在地上；然后把儿子抱起来，出去了。
以利沙以面解毒
38 以利沙又回到吉甲，那地正发生饥荒。先知的门徒坐在他面前。他对他的仆人说：“把大锅放在火上，给先知的门徒们煮点东西吃。” 39 有一个人到田野那里去采摘野菜。他找到一棵野瓜藤，就摘下藤上的野瓜装满了他的衣服。他回来，把瓜切了放入煮东西的锅中，他们不知道是甚么东西。 40 后来他们倒出来给众人吃，他们在吃锅里的东西的时候，都惨叫起来，说：“神人哪！锅中有致死的毒物！”他们就不能吃了。 41 他说：“拿些面给我。”他把面放在锅中，说：“倒出来给众人吃吧。”锅里就没有毒了。
二十个饼给一百人吃饱
42 有一个人从巴力．沙利沙来，他带给神人二十个用初熟大麦做的饼，还有新穗子，装在他的袋子里；以利沙说：“把这些给众人吃吧！” 43 他的仆人说：“我怎能把这一些食物摆在一百个人面前呢？”神人说：“给众人吃吧，因为耶和华这样说：‘他们要吃，而且还有剩下的。’” 44 于是仆人摆在众人面前，他们都吃，而且还有剩下的，正如耶和华所说的。
乃缦患大痲风
5 亚兰王的军长乃缦在他的主人面前是一个大人物，很得王的赏识，因为耶和华曾藉他把胜利赐给亚兰。这个人是个勇猛的战士，可惜他是个痲风病人。 2 亚兰人曾经出去结队抢掠，从以色列地掳了一个小女孩，她就侍候乃缦的妻子。 3 她对她的女主人说：“如果我的主人去见撒玛利亚的先知就好了，他必定能治好他的痲风。” 4 于是乃缦去告诉他的主人说：“从以色列地掳回来的女孩子这样这样说。” 5 亚兰王说：“你去吧！我会送一封书信给以色列王的。”于是乃缦去了，手里带着三百公斤银子，约七十公斤金子和十套衣裳。 6 他把信带到以色列王那里，信上说：“这信既已达到你那里，你看见我差去见你的臣仆乃缦，你就要医好他的痲风。” 7 以色列王读了这信后，就撕裂自己的衣服，说：“我是 神，能使人死使人活吗？这人竟派人到我这里来，要我治好他的痲风。请你们想想看，他是要找机会攻击我。”
神藉以利沙治好乃缦
8 神人以利沙听见以色列王撕裂自己的衣服，就打发人去见王说：“你为甚么撕裂自己的衣服呢？请你把他送到我这里来吧！他就知道在以色列中有先知了。” 9 于是乃缦带着他的车马来到，停在以利沙的门前。 10 以利沙差派一个使者去见他说：“你去在约旦河中沐浴七次，你的身体就会复原，得着洁净。” 11 乃缦却发怒走了，他说：“我以为他必会出来，站着求告耶和华他的 神的名，向着患处摇手，洁净这痲风病。 12 大马士革的亚罢拿河和法珥法河，不是比以色列一切河流更好吗？我不是可以在那里沐浴，得着洁净吗？”于是他掉过头来，气忿忿地走了。 13 他的仆人上前，对他说：“我父啊，先知如果吩咐你作一件大事，你不是照着行吗？何况他只是说：‘你去沐浴就得洁净’呢？” 14 于是他下去，在约旦河里浸了七趟，正如神人所吩咐的。他的肌肉就复原，好象小孩子的肌肉，他就得了洁净。
以利沙不接受馈赠
15 乃缦和他的随员又回到神人那里，他进去，站在他面前，说：“看哪！现在我知道除了在以色列以外，全地都没有 神。现在，请你收下你仆人一点礼物吧。” 16 以利沙说：“我指着我所事奉永活的耶和华起誓，我决不收取任何礼物。”乃缦再三促请他接受，都被他拒绝。 17 乃缦说：“你若是不肯收取，就请你赐你仆人两头驴子可以驮的泥土，因为你的仆人不再献燔祭或别的祭给别的神，只献给耶和华。 18 但有一件事，求耶和华赦免你的仆人；我的主人到临门庙那里叩拜的时候，他总是靠在我的手臂上，因此，我也曾在临门庙叩拜。我在临门庙叩拜这事，求耶和华赦免你的仆人。” 19 以利沙说：“你平平安安回去吧。”于是乃缦离开他去了，走了一段路程。
基哈西贪财受罚
20 神人以利沙的仆人基哈西心里说：“看哪，我主人不肯从这亚兰人乃缦手中收取他带来的礼物；我指着永活的耶和华起誓，我要追上他，向他要些东西。” 21 于是基哈西追赶乃缦。乃缦看见有人追上来，就下车迎着他，说：“平安吗？” 22 他说：“平安。我主人派我来说：‘刚才有两位年轻人，都是先知的门徒，从以法莲山地来到我这里，请你给他们三十公斤银子和两套衣服。’” 23 乃缦说：“请你拿六十公斤吧。”他再三促请基哈西，并把六十公斤银子，装在两个袋子里，还有两套衣服，交给两个仆人。他们就在基哈西前面捧着走。 24 到达山冈后，他就从他们手中接过东西，存放在屋子里，然后打发他们离去，他们就走了。 25 他进去，侍立在他主人面前，以利沙对他说：“基哈西，你从哪里来？”他说：“你的仆人没有到过甚么地方。” 26 以利沙对他说：“那人下车转身迎着你的时候，我的心不是和你同去吗？现在不是收受银子、衣服、橄榄园、葡萄园、羊、牛、仆人和婢女的时候。 27 因此，乃缦的痲风要附在你的身上和你后裔的身上，直到永远。”基哈西从以利沙面前离去时，就长了痲风，好象雪那样白。
以利沙把斧头浮上来
6 众先知门徒对以利沙说：“请看，我们在你面前居住的那一个地方，对我们来说实在是太窄小了。 2 请你让我们到约旦河，每人从那里取一根木头，我们要在那里为自己建造一个地方居住。”以利沙说：“你们去吧！” 3 有一个门徒说：“请你和你的仆人们一起去。”他说：“我会去的。” 4 他就和他们同去。他们到了约旦河，就砍伐树木。 5 有一个门徒砍伐木头的时候，斧头掉到水里去了。他就喊着说：“惨啦！我主啊，这斧头是借回来的。” 6 神人说：“掉在哪里呢？”于是他把那地点指给他看。他砍了一根木头，丢在那里，那斧头就浮上来了。 7 以利沙说：“你自己拿上来吧。”他就伸手把它拿住了。
以利沙泄露亚兰王的计谋
8 亚兰王与以色列人打仗，他和他的臣仆商议，说：“我要在某处某处埋伏。” 9 神人就差派人去见以色列王说：“你要小心，不要经过这个地方，因为亚兰人在那里埋伏。” 10 以色列王派人到那地方，就是神人曾告诉他，警告他的，他就在那里小心防范；这样不止一两次。 11 亚兰王因为这事心中大感困惑，他召了他的臣仆来，对他们说：“在我们中间有谁帮助以色列王，你们不告诉我吗？” 12 他的一位臣仆说：“我主我王啊！不是的；只不过是以色列的以利沙先知，把你在你卧室内所说的话，告知了以色列王。” 13 于是王说：“你们去看看他在哪里，我要派人把他捉住。”有人告诉他说：“看哪！他正在多坍。”
亚兰人围困多坍
14 他就差派车马和一大队军兵往那里去，他们在夜间抵达，围困那城。
15 神人的侍从清早起来，走出屋子，看见军队、车马围住了城。神人的仆人对神人说：“惨啦，我主啊！我们怎样办才好呢？” 16 神人说：“不要惧怕，因为和我们在一起的比和他们在一起的更多。” 17 以利沙祷告，说：“耶和华啊！请你打开他的眼睛，使他能看见。”于是耶和华打开了仆人的眼睛，他就看见；看哪！那山上布满了火马火车，围绕着以利沙。 18 亚兰人下来攻击以利沙，以利沙就祷告耶和华，说：“求你击打这民族，使他们瞎眼。”于是耶和华击打他们，使他们瞎眼，正如以利沙所说的。 19 以利沙对他们说：“这不是那条路，这边不是那座城；你们跟着我来，我要把你们领到你们要寻找的人那里。”于是他把他们领到撒玛利亚。
诱敌入京城并善待他们
20 他们进入撒玛利亚的时候，以利沙就说：“耶和华啊！求你开这些人的眼睛，使他们能看见。”于是耶和华开了他们的眼睛，他们就看见了。看哪！他们竟是在撒玛利亚城中。 21 以色列王看见他们，就对以利沙说：“我父啊，我可以击杀他们吗？” 22 以利沙说：“你不可击杀他们。你可以击杀你自己用刀用弓掳回来的人吗？你要在他们面前摆上食物和水，给他们吃喝，然后回到他们的主人那里去。” 23 于是王为他们预备盛大的宴会；他们吃喝完了，王打发他们离去，他们就回到他们的主人那里去了。从此，亚兰的军队不再侵犯以色列地了。
亚兰王围困撒玛利亚
24 后来，亚兰王便．哈达征召他全部的军队上来围困撒玛利亚。 25 于是撒玛利亚发生了极大的饥荒，敌军继续包围，以致一个驴头要卖九百克银子，两百克的鸽子粪也值六十克银子。 26 以色列王在城墙上经过时，有一个妇人向他呼求说：“我主我王啊，救救我！” 27 他说：“如果耶和华不救你，我又从哪里救你？是从打谷场，或是从榨酒池呢？” 28 王对她说：“到底有甚么事呢？”她说：“这妇人对我说：‘把你的儿子交出来，今日我们好把他吃了；明天我们可以吃我的儿子。’ 29 于是我们把我的儿子煮了，把他吃了。第二日，我对她说：‘把你的儿子交出来，我们好把他吃了。’她却把她的儿子收藏起来。”
王起誓要杀以利沙
30 王听见那妇人的话，就撕裂衣服，他当时正在城墙上，人民都看见他；看哪，他里面贴身穿著的是件麻衣。 31 他说：“如果今日沙法的儿子以利沙的头仍留在他身上，愿 神惩罚我，而且加倍惩罚我。”
32 那时，以利沙正坐在自己的屋子里，众长老也和他坐在一起。王差派一个在他面前侍立的人去，那使者去到以利沙那里以前，以利沙对众长老说：“你们看这凶手之子派人来取我的首级。你们留意那使者来到的时候，你们要把门关上，把他挡在门外。他主人的脚步声不是在他后面吗？” 33 他和众长老还在说话的时候，看哪，王（“王”原文作“使者”）就下到他那里，说：“看哪，这灾祸是从耶和华来的，我为甚么还仰望耶和华呢？”
以利沙预言撒玛利亚获救
7 以利沙说：“你们要听耶和华的话。耶和华这样说：‘明日大约这个时候，在撒玛利亚的城门，三公斤面粉只卖十一克银子，六公斤大麦也只是卖十一克银子。’” 2 但那搀扶王的官长回答神人，说：“即使耶和华在天上开了窗户，也不会有这事发生。”以利沙说：“看哪，你要亲眼看见，却吃不着。”
亚兰军撤退
3 有四个痲风病人在城门口那里，他们彼此说：“我们为甚么坐在这里等死呢？ 4 我们如果说：‘我们进城去吧！’城里正有饥荒，我们就要死在那里。我们如果坐在这里，也是要死。现在，让我们去投降亚兰人的军队吧；如果他们饶我们一命，我们就可以活着；如果他们要杀死我们，我们就死吧。” 5 于是他们在黄昏动身去到亚兰人的军营那里；他们来到亚兰人的军营外边，竟看不见一个人在那里。 6 因为主使亚兰人的军队听见战车、战马和大军的声音；他们就彼此说：“看哪，一定是以色列王雇用了赫人的众王和埃及人的众王来攻击我们。” 7 于是他们在黄昏的时候起来逃跑，他们丢下他们的帐幕，他们的马匹和他们的驴子；军营仍在那里，他们却只顾逃命去了。 8 这些患痲风病的人来到军营的外边，他们进入其中一座帐幕，又吃又喝，并且从那里取去金子、银子和衣服，然后离去，把东西收藏起来。他们再回去，进入另一座帐幕，从那里拿走财物，去收藏起来。
四个痲风病人报信
9 他们彼此说：“我们这样作是不对的。今天是报好消息的日子，我们竟不出声，如果我们等到早上天亮，我们就算为有罪了。现在，来吧，我们要去通知王家。” 10 他们就去呼喊守城门的，告诉他们说：“我们去过亚兰人的军营那里，看见那里一个人也没有，也没有人声。只有马仍拴着，驴仍拴着，帐幕都原封不动。” 11 守城门的就喊叫起来，又往城内给王家报信。 12 王在夜间起来，对他的臣仆说：“我告诉你们亚兰人对我们所作的是怎么一回事。他们知道我们闹饥荒，所以出到军营外在田野埋伏，心里说：‘他们必从城里出来。我们就可以活捉他们，进入城里去了。’” 13 他的一位臣仆回答，说：“请叫人拉五匹剩下的马来；看哪，牠们像所有剩下在这里的以色列人，都要像所有死去的以色列人一样；让我们打发人去看看吧。” 14 于是他们取了两辆战车和马匹，王差人去追踪亚兰军，吩咐他们：“去查看吧。” 15 他们就去追踪亚兰军直到约旦河。看哪，沿途堆满了衣物器具，就是亚兰人在匆忙逃走时丢弃的。于是使者回去向王报告。
预言应验
16 众民就出去，抢掠亚兰人的军营。于是三公斤面粉卖十一克银子，六公斤大麦也卖十一克银子，好象耶和华所说的。 17 王指派那官长，就是那搀扶他的，在城门口镇压。众民在城门那里把他践踏在地，他就死了，好象神人所说的，就是王下来到神人那里时，他所说的。 18 这是因为当神人对王说：“明天大约这个时分，在撒玛利亚城门口，六公斤大麦卖十一克银子，三公斤面粉也卖十一克银子。” 19 那官长回答神人，说：“即使耶和华在天上开了窗户，也不会有这事发生。”神人说：“看哪，你要亲眼看见，却吃不着。” 20 这事果然发生在他身上：众民把他践踏在地，他就死了。
书念妇人复得她的产业
8 以利沙告诉那妇人（她的儿子曾被以利沙救活），说：“你和你全家要动身，离开这里，住在你可以寄居的地方，因为耶和华宣布了将有饥荒，这饥荒要临到这地七年。” 2 那妇人就动身，按照神人所说的去作。她和她的全家离去，住在非利士地七年。 3 七年结束的时候，那妇人从非利士地回来，就去为自己的房屋、田产哀求王。 4 那时王正在和神人的仆人基哈西交谈，说：“请你向我讲述以利沙所作的一切大事。” 5 他正向王讲述以利沙叫死人复活的事的时候；看哪，以利沙曾救活她的儿子的那妇人来为她的房屋、田产哀求王。基哈西说：“我主我王，这就是那妇人了，她的这个儿子就是以利沙救活的了。” 6 王问那妇人，她就告诉他一切事。于是王指派一个太监给他，说：“把所有属于她的，以及从她离开此地直到现在，她田地的一切出产都归还她。”
亚兰王便．哈达患病
7 以利沙来到大马士革。亚兰王便．哈达患了病。有人告诉他说：“神人来到这里了。” 8 王对哈薛说：“你带着礼物，去见神人，托他求问耶和华说：‘我这病能痊愈吗？’” 9 于是哈薛去见以利沙。他带着礼物，就是大马士革各样的美物，由四十匹骆驼驮着，去站在他的面前，说：“你的儿子亚兰王便．哈达派我到你这里来，问你说：‘我这病能痊愈吗？’” 10 以利沙对他说：“你去告诉他说：‘你一定会痊愈的’，但耶和华指示我，他一定要死。” 11 以利沙定睛看着他，直到他感到局促不安；然后，神人哭了起来。 12 哈薛说：“我主为甚么哭起来了？”他回答：“因为我已知道你要对以色列人施行的恶事。他们的城堡，你要放火焚烧；他们的年轻人，你要用刀杀死；他们的婴孩，你要摔死；他们的孕妇，你要剖开。” 13 哈薛说：“你仆人算甚么？不过是一条狗罢了；怎可以作这样的大事呢？”以利沙说：“耶和华已指示我，你要作王统治亚兰。” 14 于是他离开以利沙，回到他主人那里。便．哈达对他说：“以利沙对你说了些甚么呢？”他说：“他对我说：‘你一定痊愈的。’”
便．哈达被杀身亡
15 第二天，哈薛拿被窝浸在水里，然后蒙住便．哈达的面，他就死了；于是哈薛接续他作王。
约兰作犹大王(A)
16 以色列王亚哈的儿子约兰第五年，犹大王约沙法还在的时候，犹大王约沙法的儿子约兰登基作了王。 17 他登基时是三十二岁；在耶路撒冷作王八年。 18 他照着以色列诸王的道路而行，好象亚哈家所行的；因为他娶了亚哈的女儿为妻，并且行耶和华看为恶的事。 19 但耶和华因他仆人大卫的缘故不愿毁灭犹大，却要照他应许大卫的，赐给他和他的后裔永远有灯光延续。
以东人与立拿人背叛犹大(B)
20 约兰王在位的日子，以东人反叛，脱离犹大人的手，自己立王统治本国。 21 于是约兰过到撒益去，并且带着他所有的战车。他夜间起来攻击包围他和他的战车军长的以东人，他的军民却逃回自己的帐棚去了。 22 于是以东人背叛，脱离犹大人的手，直到今日；那时立拿人也同时背叛。 23 约兰其余的事迹和他所行的一切，不是都写在犹大列王的年代志上吗？ 24 约兰和他的祖先同睡；人把他埋葬在大卫城和他的祖先一起；他的儿子亚哈谢接续他作王。
亚哈谢作犹大王(C)
25 以色列王亚哈的儿子约兰在位第十二年，犹大王约兰的儿子亚哈谢作犹大王。 26 他登基时是二十二岁，在耶路撒冷作王一年。他母亲名叫亚他利雅，是以色列王暗利的孙女。 27 他照着亚哈家的道路而行，行耶和华看为恶的事，好象亚哈家一样，因为他是亚哈家的女婿。 28 亚哈谢与亚哈的儿子约兰往基列的拉末，同亚兰王哈薛交战；亚兰人击伤了约兰。 29 约兰于是回去，到耶斯列治伤，就是当他攻打亚兰王哈薛时，亚兰人在拉末击伤他的。犹大王约兰的儿子亚哈谢因为亚哈的儿子约兰病了，所以下到耶斯列去探望他。
以利沙差派门徒膏耶户
9 以利沙先知唤来一位先知门徒，对他说：“你要束上腰，手里拿着这瓶膏油，到基列的拉末去。 2 你到了那里，要在那里寻找宁示的孙子、约沙法的儿子耶户。你要去，请他从他的兄弟中起来，然后把他带进一个密室。 3 你要拿着这瓶膏油，把油倒在他的头上，说：“耶和华这样说：‘我膏立你作王统治以色列。’然后，你要开门逃跑，不可停留。” 4 于是那年轻的先知往基列的拉末去了。
耶户为王
5 他到了那里，看见军队的将领都坐在那里。他就说：“将军，我有话要对你说。”耶户说：“我们这里所有的人，你要对哪一个说话呢？”他说：“将军，我要对你说。” 6 耶户就起来，进了屋子；先知门徒就把油倒在耶户的头上，对他说：“以色列的 神耶和华这样说：‘我膏立你作王，统治耶和华的人民以色列。 7 你要击杀你的主人亚哈的家。我要为我仆人众先知的血和所有耶和华的仆人的血，在耶洗别身上报仇。 8 亚哈的全家都要灭亡；我要剪除在以色列属亚哈的男人，无论是自由的，或是为奴的。 9 我要使亚哈的家好象尼八的儿子耶罗波安的家，又好象亚希雅的儿子巴沙的家。 10 至于耶洗别，她的尸体要在耶斯列的田间被狗吃掉，没有人来埋葬。’”他一说完，就开门逃走了。
11 耶户出来，到他主人的臣仆那里去；他们问他说：“一切都平安吗？那疯子来见你有甚么事呢？”他对他们说：“你们认识这个人，也知道他说些甚么。” 12 他们说：“谎话！请你告诉我们吧。”他说：“他这样对我说：‘耶和华这样说：我已经膏立你作王统治以色列。’” 13 他们就急忙把自己的衣服放在他脚下的上层（“上层”原文意思不详，或译：“没有装饰的”）台阶上，然后吹响号角宣告：“耶户作王了。”
14 这样，宁示的孙子、约沙法的儿子耶户背叛约兰了。约兰和以色列众人曾因亚兰王哈薛的缘故，守卫着基列的拉末。 15 但后来约兰王回到耶斯列去治伤，就是他与亚兰王哈薛作战时，亚兰人击伤他的。耶户说：“你们若是同意，就不要让人逃出这城到耶斯列去报信。” 16 于是耶户登上战车，往耶斯列去了；因约兰正在那里卧病，犹大王亚哈谢下来探望他。
17 站在耶斯列城楼的哨兵看见耶户的队伍来临，就说：“我看见有一队人马。”约兰说：“叫一个骑兵来，派他去见他们，说：‘平安吗？’” 18 于是有一个骑兵去迎见耶户，说：“王这样问：‘平安吗？’”耶户说：“平安不平安和你有甚么关系呢？转到我后面去吧！”那哨兵又报告：“使者到了他们那里，却没有回来。” 19 王又派第二个骑兵去。他来到他们那里，说：“王这样问：‘平安吗？’”耶户说：“平安不平安和你有甚么关系呢？转到我后面去吧！” 20 那哨兵又报告：“他已经去到他那里，却没有回来。那驾车的手法很像宁示的孙子耶户，因为他驾车很凶猛。”
耶户射杀约兰
21 约兰就说：“备车。”他们就为他备了车。以色列王约兰和犹大王亚哈谢出城，他们各自乘坐战车出去见耶户，就在耶斯列人拿伯的田间遇上了他。 22 约兰看见耶户的时候，就说：“耶户，平安吗？”耶户说：“你的母亲耶洗别的淫行和邪术这么多，还有平安吗？” 23 约兰立刻把车调转过来逃跑，对亚哈谢说：“亚哈谢啊，反了！” 24 耶户拉满弓，射中约兰的背；箭从他的心窝穿出，他就倒在自己的车上。 25 耶户对副官毕甲说：“把他抬起来，丢在耶斯列人拿伯的田地里，因为我还记得你我一起驾车跟随他父亲亚哈的时候，耶和华曾宣告了这些有关亚哈的话： 26 ‘昨天我实在看见了拿伯的血和他儿子们的血（这是耶和华的宣告）；我要在这块田地上报应你（这是耶和华的宣告）。’现在你要按着耶和华的话，把他抬起来丢在田里。”
27 犹大王亚哈谢看见这一切，就沿着通往伯哈干的路逃走。耶户紧追着他，说：“还有他！”他们就在靠近以伯莲的姑珥坡把他击伤在战车上。他逃到米吉多，就死在那里。 28 他的臣仆用车把他的尸体送到耶路撒冷，葬在大卫城他自己的坟墓，和他的祖先一同长眠。
29 亚哈的儿子约兰第十一年，亚哈谢登基统治犹大。
耶洗别被掷堕楼惨死
30 耶户到了耶斯列。耶洗别已经听闻，就涂眼梳头，从窗户里往外观望。 31 耶户进入城门的时候，她说：“平安吗，杀主的心利？” 32 耶户抬头对着窗户，说：“有谁拥护我？谁？”立时有两三个太监往外望着他。 33 他说：“把她拋下来！”他们就把她拋下去。她的血溅在墙上和马匹身上，牠们也践踏了她。 34 耶户进入屋内，又吃又喝，然后说：“你们去料理那被咒诅的妇人，把她埋了，因为她是王的女儿。” 35 于是他们去收殓她，却找不到她的尸体，只找到头骨、双脚和双掌。 36 他们就回去，告诉他，他说：“这正是耶和华借着他仆人提斯比人以利亚所说的话：‘野狗必在耶斯列的地方吃耶洗别的肉。’ 37 耶洗别的尸体要像耶斯列田间的粪肥，以致人不能说：‘这是耶洗别。’”
2 Kings 1-9
New International Version
2 Kings 1-9
New International Version
The Lord’s Judgment on Ahaziah
1 After Ahab’s death, Moab(A) rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers,(B) saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub,(C) the god of Ekron,(D) to see if I will recover(E) from this injury.”
3 But the angel(F) of the Lord said to Elijah(G) the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel(H) that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave(I) the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went.
5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, “Why have you come back?”
6 “A man came to meet us,” they replied. “And he said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not leave(J) the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!”’”
7 The king asked them, “What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?”
8 They replied, “He had a garment of hair[a](K) and had a leather belt around his waist.”
The king said, “That was Elijah the Tishbite.”
9 Then he sent(L) to Elijah a captain(M) with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’”
10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire(N) fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.
11 At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’”
12 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life(O) and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!”
15 The angel(P) of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid(Q) of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.
16 He told the king, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers(R) to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Because you have done this, you will never leave(S) the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!” 17 So he died,(T) according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.
Because Ahaziah had no son, Joram[b](U) succeeded him as king in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. 18 As for all the other events of Ahaziah’s reign, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?
Elijah Taken Up to Heaven
2 When the Lord was about to take(V) Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,(W) Elijah and Elisha(X) were on their way from Gilgal.(Y) 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here;(Z) the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”
But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”(AA) So they went down to Bethel.
3 The company(AB) of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”
4 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.(AC)”
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
5 The company(AD) of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.”
6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here;(AE) the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”(AF)
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.”(AG) So the two of them walked on.
7 Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak,(AH) rolled it up and struck(AI) the water with it. The water divided(AJ) to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry(AK) ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double(AL) portion of your spirit,”(AM) Elisha replied.
10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire(AN) and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven(AO) in a whirlwind.(AP) 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots(AQ) and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore(AR) it in two.
13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak(AS) that had fallen from Elijah and struck(AT) the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
15 The company(AU) of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit(AV) of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 16 “Look,” they said, “we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit(AW) of the Lord has picked him up(AX) and set him down on some mountain or in some valley.”
“No,” Elisha replied, “do not send them.”
17 But they persisted until he was too embarrassed(AY) to refuse. So he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him. 18 When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?”
Healing of the Water
19 The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.”
20 “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.
21 Then he went out to the spring and threw(AZ) the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’” 22 And the water has remained pure(BA) to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.
Elisha Is Jeered
23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered(BB) at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse(BC) on them in the name(BD) of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. 25 And he went on to Mount Carmel(BE) and from there returned to Samaria.
Moab Revolts
3 Joram[c](BF) son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. 2 He did evil(BG) in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father(BH) and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone(BI) of Baal that his father had made. 3 Nevertheless he clung to the sins(BJ) of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them.
4 Now Mesha king of Moab(BK) raised sheep, and he had to pay the king of Israel a tribute of a hundred thousand lambs(BL) and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. 5 But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled(BM) against the king of Israel. 6 So at that time King Joram set out from Samaria and mobilized all Israel. 7 He also sent this message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight(BN) against Moab?”
“I will go with you,” he replied. “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
8 “By what route shall we attack?” he asked.
“Through the Desert of Edom,” he answered.
9 So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom.(BO) After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them.
10 “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the Lord called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?”
11 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire(BP) of the Lord?”
An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha(BQ) son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.[d](BR)”
12 Jehoshaphat said, “The word(BS) of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
13 Elisha said to the king of Israel, “Why do you want to involve me? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”
“No,” the king of Israel answered, “because it was the Lord who called us three kings together to deliver us into the hands of Moab.”
14 Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. 15 But now bring me a harpist.”(BT)
While the harpist was playing, the hand(BU) of the Lord came on Elisha 16 and he said, “This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. 17 For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water,(BV) and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18 This is an easy(BW) thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. 19 You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones.”
20 The next morning, about the time(BX) for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water.(BY)
21 Now all the Moabites had heard that the kings had come to fight against them; so every man, young and old, who could bear arms was called up and stationed on the border. 22 When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water. To the Moabites across the way, the water looked red—like blood. 23 “That’s blood!” they said. “Those kings must have fought and slaughtered each other. Now to the plunder, Moab!”
24 But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and fought them until they fled. And the Israelites invaded the land and slaughtered the Moabites. 25 They destroyed the towns, and each man threw a stone on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up all the springs and cut down every good tree. Only Kir Hareseth(BZ) was left with its stones in place, but men armed with slings surrounded it and attacked it.
26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle had gone against him, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed. 27 Then he took his firstborn(CA) son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. The fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land.
The Widow’s Olive Oil
4 The wife of a man from the company(CB) of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor(CC) is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”(CD)
3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God,(CE) and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life
8 One day Elisha went to Shunem.(CF) And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay(CG) there whenever he comes to us.”
11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.”(CH) So he called her, and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’”
She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”
14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked.
Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”
15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 “About this time(CI) next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”
“No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”
17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers.(CJ) 19 He said to his father, “My head! My head!”
His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed(CK) of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.
22 She called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.”
23 “Why go to him today?” he asked. “It’s not the New Moon(CL) or the Sabbath.”
“That’s all right,” she said.
24 She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.(CM)
When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant Gehazi, “Look! There’s the Shunammite! 26 Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?’”
“Everything is all right,” she said.
27 When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress,(CN) but the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me why.”
28 “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”
29 Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt,(CO) take my staff(CP) in your hand and run. Don’t greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy’s face.”
30 But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her.
31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”
32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch.(CQ) 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed(CR) to the Lord. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched(CS) himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times(CT) and opened his eyes.(CU)
36 Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.”(CV) 37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.
Death in the Pot
38 Elisha returned to Gilgal(CW) and there was a famine(CX) in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.”
39 One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. 40 The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.
41 Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.(CY)
Feeding of a Hundred
42 A man came from Baal Shalishah,(CZ) bringing the man of God twenty loaves(DA) of barley bread(DB) baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said.
43 “How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked.
But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat.(DC) For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.(DD)’” 44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.
Naaman Healed of Leprosy
5 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram.(DE) He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.[e](DF)
2 Now bands of raiders(DG) from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet(DH) who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents[f] of silver, six thousand shekels[g] of gold and ten sets of clothing.(DI) 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”
7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter,(DJ) he tore his robes and said, “Am I God?(DK) Can I kill and bring back to life?(DL) Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel(DM) with me!”
8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet(DN) in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash(DO) yourself seven times(DP) in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand(DQ) over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters(DR) of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.(DS)
13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father,(DT) if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times,(DU) as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored(DV) and became clean like that of a young boy.(DW)
15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God(DX). He stood before him and said, “Now I know(DY) that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift(DZ) from your servant.”
16 The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.(EA)
17 “If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much earth(EB) as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. 18 But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning(EC) on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this.”
19 “Go in peace,”(ED) Elisha said.
After Naaman had traveled some distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord(EE) lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
21 So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. “Is everything all right?” he asked.
22 “Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered. “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent[h] of silver and two sets of clothing.’”(EF)
23 “By all means, take two talents,” said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.
25 When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”
“Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.
26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time(EG) to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?(EH) 27 Naaman’s leprosy(EI) will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi(EJ) went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.(EK)
An Axhead Floats
6 The company(EL) of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.”
And he said, “Go.”
3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?”
“I will,” Elisha replied. 4 And he went with them.
They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”
6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw(EM) it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.
Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans
8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”
9 The man of God sent word to the king(EN) of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned(EO) the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
12 “None of us, my lord the king(EP),” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.”(EQ) 14 Then he sent(ER) horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
16 “Don’t be afraid,”(ES) the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more(ET) than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots(EU) of fire all around Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.”(EV) So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father?(EW) Shall I kill them?”
22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured(EX) with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands(EY) from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
Famine in Besieged Samaria
24 Some time later, Ben-Hadad(EZ) king of Aram mobilized his entire army and marched up and laid siege(FA) to Samaria. 25 There was a great famine(FB) in the city; the siege lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels[i] of silver, and a quarter of a cab[j] of seed pods[k](FC) for five shekels.[l]
26 As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, “Help me, my lord the king!”
27 The king replied, “If the Lord does not help you, where can I get help for you? From the threshing floor? From the winepress?” 28 Then he asked her, “What’s the matter?”
She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him today, and tomorrow we’ll eat my son.’ 29 So we cooked my son and ate(FD) him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him,’ but she had hidden him.”
30 When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore(FE) his robes. As he went along the wall, the people looked, and they saw that, under his robes, he had sackcloth(FF) on his body. 31 He said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today!”
32 Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders(FG) were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Don’t you see how this murderer(FH) is sending someone to cut off my head?(FI) Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold it shut against him. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” 33 While he was still talking to them, the messenger came down to him.
The king said, “This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait(FJ) for the Lord any longer?”
7 Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah[m] of the finest flour will sell for a shekel[n] and two seahs[o] of barley for a shekel(FK) at the gate of Samaria.”
2 The officer on whose arm the king was leaning(FL) said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates(FM) of the heavens, could this happen?”
“You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat(FN) any of it!”
The Siege Lifted
3 Now there were four men with leprosy[p](FO) at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, “Why stay here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’—the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.”
5 At dusk they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, no one was there, 6 for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound(FP) of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired(FQ) the Hittite(FR) and Egyptian kings to attack us!” 7 So they got up and fled(FS) in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.
8 The men who had leprosy(FT) reached the edge of the camp, entered one of the tents and ate and drank. Then they took silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also.
9 Then they said to each other, “What we’re doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace.”
10 So they went and called out to the city gatekeepers and told them, “We went into the Aramean camp and no one was there—not a sound of anyone—only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents left just as they were.” 11 The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported within the palace.
12 The king got up in the night and said to his officers, “I will tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving; so they have left the camp to hide(FU) in the countryside, thinking, ‘They will surely come out, and then we will take them alive and get into the city.’”
13 One of his officers answered, “Have some men take five of the horses that are left in the city. Their plight will be like that of all the Israelites left here—yes, they will only be like all these Israelites who are doomed. So let us send them to find out what happened.”
14 So they selected two chariots with their horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army. He commanded the drivers, “Go and find out what has happened.” 15 They followed them as far as the Jordan, and they found the whole road strewn with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown away in their headlong flight.(FV) So the messengers returned and reported to the king. 16 Then the people went out and plundered(FW) the camp of the Arameans. So a seah of the finest flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel,(FX) as the Lord had said.
17 Now the king had put the officer on whose arm he leaned in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died,(FY) just as the man of God had foretold when the king came down to his house. 18 It happened as the man of God had said to the king: “About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.”
19 The officer had said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates(FZ) of the heavens, could this happen?” The man of God had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!” 20 And that is exactly what happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died.
The Shunammite’s Land Restored
8 Now Elisha had said to the woman(GA) whose son he had restored to life, “Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the Lord has decreed a famine(GB) in the land that will last seven years.”(GC) 2 The woman proceeded to do as the man of God said. She and her family went away and stayed in the land of the Philistines seven years.
3 At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of the Philistines and went to appeal to the king for her house and land. 4 The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.” 5 Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored(GD) the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land.
Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 The king asked the woman about it, and she told him.
Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.”
Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad
7 Elisha went to Damascus,(GE) and Ben-Hadad(GF) king of Aram was ill. When the king was told, “The man of God has come all the way up here,” 8 he said to Hazael,(GG) “Take a gift(GH) with you and go to meet the man of God. Consult(GI) the Lord through him; ask him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
9 Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him as a gift forty camel-loads of all the finest wares of Damascus. 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?’”
10 Elisha answered, “Go and say to him, ‘You will certainly recover.’(GJ) Nevertheless,[q] the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact die.” 11 He stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael was embarrassed.(GK) Then the man of God began to weep.(GL)
12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.
“Because I know the harm(GM) you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash(GN) their little children(GO) to the ground, and rip open(GP) their pregnant women.”
13 Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog,(GQ) accomplish such a feat?”
“The Lord has shown me that you will become king(GR) of Aram,” answered Elisha.
14 Then Hazael left Elisha and returned to his master. When Ben-Hadad asked, “What did Elisha say to you?” Hazael replied, “He told me that you would certainly recover.” 15 But the next day he took a thick cloth, soaked it in water and spread it over the king’s face, so that he died.(GS) Then Hazael succeeded him as king.
Jehoram King of Judah(GT)
16 In the fifth year of Joram(GU) son of Ahab king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram(GV) son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah. 17 He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. 18 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter(GW) of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 19 Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy(GX) Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp(GY) for David and his descendants forever.
20 In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king.(GZ) 21 So Jehoram[r] went to Zair with all his chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he rose up and broke through by night; his army, however, fled back home. 22 To this day Edom has been in rebellion(HA) against Judah. Libnah(HB) revolted at the same time.
23 As for the other events of Jehoram’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 24 Jehoram rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. And Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.
Ahaziah King of Judah(HC)
25 In the twelfth(HD) year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign. 26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah,(HE) a granddaughter of Omri(HF) king of Israel. 27 He followed the ways of the house of Ahab(HG) and did evil(HH) in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related by marriage to Ahab’s family.
28 Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab to war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead.(HI) The Arameans wounded Joram; 29 so King Joram returned to Jezreel(HJ) to recover from the wounds the Arameans had inflicted on him at Ramoth[s] in his battle with Hazael(HK) king of Aram.
Then Ahaziah(HL) son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because he had been wounded.
Jehu Anointed King of Israel
9 The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company(HM) of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt,(HN) take this flask of olive oil(HO) with you and go to Ramoth Gilead.(HP) 2 When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. 3 Then take the flask and pour the oil(HQ) on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”
4 So the young prophet went to Ramoth Gilead. 5 When he arrived, he found the army officers sitting together. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said.
“For which of us?” asked Jehu.
“For you, commander,” he replied.
6 Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil(HR) on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the Lord’s people Israel. 7 You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge(HS) the blood of my servants(HT) the prophets and the blood of all the Lord’s servants shed by Jezebel.(HU) 8 The whole house(HV) of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male(HW) in Israel—slave or free.[t] 9 I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam(HX) son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha(HY) son of Ahijah. 10 As for Jezebel, dogs(HZ) will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.’” Then he opened the door and ran.
11 When Jehu went out to his fellow officers, one of them asked him, “Is everything all right? Why did this maniac(IA) come to you?”
“You know the man and the sort of things he says,” Jehu replied.
12 “That’s not true!” they said. “Tell us.”
Jehu said, “Here is what he told me: ‘This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.’”
13 They quickly took their cloaks and spread(IB) them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet(IC) and shouted, “Jehu is king!”
Jehu Kills Joram and Ahaziah(ID)
14 So Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth Gilead(IE) against Hazael king of Aram, 15 but King Joram[u] had returned to Jezreel to recover(IF) from the wounds the Arameans had inflicted on him in the battle with Hazael king of Aram.) Jehu said, “If you desire to make me king, don’t let anyone slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel.” 16 Then he got into his chariot and rode to Jezreel, because Joram was resting there and Ahaziah(IG) king of Judah had gone down to see him.
17 When the lookout(IH) standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, he called out, “I see some troops coming.”
“Get a horseman,” Joram ordered. “Send him to meet them and ask, ‘Do you come in peace?(II)’”
18 The horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king says: ‘Do you come in peace?’”
“What do you have to do with peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.”
The lookout reported, “The messenger has reached them, but he isn’t coming back.”
19 So the king sent out a second horseman. When he came to them he said, “This is what the king says: ‘Do you come in peace?’”
Jehu replied, “What do you have to do with peace? Fall in behind me.”
20 The lookout reported, “He has reached them, but he isn’t coming back either. The driving is like(IJ) that of Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a maniac.”
21 “Hitch up my chariot,” Joram ordered. And when it was hitched up, Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met him at the plot of ground that had belonged to Naboth(IK) the Jezreelite. 22 When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?”
“How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel(IL) abound?”
23 Joram turned about and fled, calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery,(IM) Ahaziah!”
24 Then Jehu drew his bow(IN) and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart and he slumped down in his chariot. 25 Jehu said to Bidkar, his chariot officer, “Pick him up and throw him on the field that belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite. Remember how you and I were riding together in chariots behind Ahab his father when the Lord spoke this prophecy(IO) against him: 26 ‘Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth(IP) and the blood of his sons, declares the Lord, and I will surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the Lord.’[v] Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the Lord.”(IQ)
27 When Ahaziah king of Judah saw what had happened, he fled up the road to Beth Haggan.[w] Jehu chased him, shouting, “Kill him too!” They wounded him in his chariot on the way up to Gur near Ibleam,(IR) but he escaped to Megiddo(IS) and died there.
Footnotes
- 2 Kings 1:8 Or He was a hairy man
- 2 Kings 1:17 Hebrew Jehoram, a variant of Joram
- 2 Kings 3:1 Hebrew Jehoram, a variant of Joram; also in verse 6
- 2 Kings 3:11 That is, he was Elijah’s personal servant.
- 2 Kings 5:1 The Hebrew for leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin; also in verses 3, 6, 7, 11 and 27.
- 2 Kings 5:5 That is, about 750 pounds or about 340 kilograms
- 2 Kings 5:5 That is, about 150 pounds or about 69 kilograms
- 2 Kings 5:22 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms
- 2 Kings 6:25 That is, about 2 pounds or about 920 grams
- 2 Kings 6:25 That is, probably about 1/4 pound or about 100 grams
- 2 Kings 6:25 Or of doves’ dung
- 2 Kings 6:25 That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams
- 2 Kings 7:1 That is, probably about 12 pounds or about 5.5 kilograms of flour; also in verses 16 and 18
- 2 Kings 7:1 That is, about 2/5 ounce or about 12 grams; also in verses 16 and 18
- 2 Kings 7:1 That is, probably about 20 pounds or about 9 kilograms of barley; also in verses 16 and 18
- 2 Kings 7:3 The Hebrew for leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin; also in verse 8.
- 2 Kings 8:10 The Hebrew may also be read Go and say, ‘You will certainly not recover,’ for.
- 2 Kings 8:21 Hebrew Joram, a variant of Jehoram; also in verses 23 and 24
- 2 Kings 8:29 Hebrew Ramah, a variant of Ramoth
- 2 Kings 9:8 Or Israel—every ruler or leader
- 2 Kings 9:15 Hebrew Jehoram, a variant of Joram; also in verses 17 and 21-24
- 2 Kings 9:26 See 1 Kings 21:19.
- 2 Kings 9:27 Or fled by way of the garden house
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