| 2 KINGS |
| Explanatory Footnotes - page 2 |
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| 5:10 Harsher Treatment for the Upper Class Elisha's treatment of the general Naaman here, and of the king of Israel elsewhere, contrasts sharply with his mild manner around the poor and oppressed. Elisha's prescribed cure obviously offended Naaman's pride. And Elisha pointedly refused to accept payment from the wealthy general, who was used to paying his way. In this incident, and in another (8:7-15), Elisha was serving the kingdom of Aram, an enemy of Israel. 6:31 The Prophet and Politics Elisha's long career spanned the reigns of six kings and included some dramatic ups and downs with them. On occasion Elisha outright insulted a king (3:14). But, as this chapter shows, he could also be an invaluable military resource, serving as a virtual spy. At Elisha's deathbed, the reigning king of Israel knelt beside him, weeping (13:14). 8:16 Two Kings, One Name It's difficult enough to keep 39 rulers straight. When two of them from neighboring countries have the same name, the plot thickens. Joram, a son of Ahab, ruled Israel at the same time Jehoram (sometimes spelled Joram also) took over Judah's throne. Both were wicked. Jehoram's marriage to Ahab's daughter ushered in a terrible period in Judah's history. (2 Chronicles 21 gives much more detail on this king.) In addition, both Judah and Israel had a king named Ahaziah. 8:27 Political Marriages Ahab shrewdly arranged marriages to cement alliances with Israel's neighbors. His wife Jezebel, for example, hailed from Phoenicia, which thus became an ally of Israel. Ahab also married off his daughter to the king of Judah, bringing peace to the two warring neighbors. Later, when Jehu revolted and slaughtered all of Ahab's family |