Illustration of Elisha showing his servant the chariots of fire, © Review & Herald Publishing/licensed from goodsalt.com

July 4–10

2 Kings 2–7

“There Is a Prophet in Israel”

As you read the scriptures, the Holy Ghost may bring to your attention certain phrases or passages. Consider writing down why those passages are meaningful to you.

Record Your Impressions

A prophet’s main mission is to teach and testify of the Savior Jesus Christ. Our record of the prophet Elisha, however, doesn’t include much of his teaching or testifying. What the record does include is the miracles Elisha performed, including raising a child from the dead (see 2 Kings 4:18–37), feeding a multitude with a small quantity of food (see 2 Kings 4:42–44), and healing a leper (see 2 Kings 5:1–14). So while we don’t have Elisha’s words bearing witness of Christ, we do have, throughout Elisha’s ministry, powerful manifestations of the Lord’s life-giving, nourishing, and healing power. Such manifestations are more plentiful in our lives than we sometimes realize. To see them, we need to seek the miracle Elisha sought when he prayed on behalf of his fearful young servant, “Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17).

For more information about 2 Kings, see “Kings, books of” in the Bible Dictionary.

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

2 Kings 2–6

God can work miracles in my life.

Miracles often help us overcome the difficulties of mortality—in Elisha’s time, a barren land needed pure water and a lost ax needed to be recovered (see 2 Kings 2:19–22; 6:4–7). But miracles also turn our hearts to the Lord and teach us spiritual lessons. As you read 2 Kings 2–6, consider making a list of the miracles you find, and ponder the spiritual lessons you learn from each one. What do these miracles teach you about the Lord and what He can do in your life?

See also 2 Nephi 26:12–13; 27:23; Mormon 9:7–21; Moroni 7:35–37; Donald L. Hallstrom, “Has the Day of Miracles Ceased?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 88–90.

2 Kings 4:8–17; 7:1–16

The words of the Lord through His prophets will be fulfilled.

As recorded in 2 Kings 4:8–17; 7:1–16, the Lord inspired Elisha to prophesy of things to come—things that seemed, from the perspective of others, unlikely to occur. As you read these verses, think about how you respond to the word of the Lord through His prophets today. What teachings, prophecies, or promises have you heard from living prophets? What are you doing to act in faith on those promises?

See also 3 Nephi 29:6; Doctrine and Covenants 1:37–38.

2 Kings 5

If I am humble and obedient, Jesus Christ can heal me.

Sometimes it’s easier to find personal meaning in the scriptures when you compare physical things in a story with spiritual things. For example, while reading 2 Kings 5, you might compare Naaman’s leprosy with a spiritual challenge you are facing. Like Naaman, perhaps you have hoped that the Lord would “do some great thing” (verse 13) to help you. What does Naaman’s experience teach you? In your life, what would be the equivalent of following the simple counsel to “wash, and be clean”?

Note how Naaman’s experience affected his faith in the God of Israel (see verse 15). What experiences have strengthened your faith in God?

See also Luke 4:27; 1 Peter 5:5–7; Alma 37:3–7; Ether 12:27; L. Whitney Clayton, “Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 97–99; “Naaman and Elisha” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

2 Kings 6:8–23

“They that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

Have you ever felt outnumbered and fearful, wondering, as Elisha’s young servant did, “How shall we do?” (see 2 Kings 6:8–23). What inspires you about Elisha’s answer? How does this account change the way you think and feel about your trials, your responsibilities, or your efforts to live the gospel?

As you ponder, consider President Henry B. Eyring’s words: “Like that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you” (“O Ye That Embark,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 58).

See also Psalm 121; Doctrine and Covenants 84:88.

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

2 Kings 2:1–14.Think about the people who saw that Elisha “took up” Elijah’s mantle (or cloak—a symbol of his prophetic calling). How might this have affected the way they responded to Elisha’s ministry? (See also 1 Kings 19:19.) Maybe family members could take turns wearing a “mantle” and testifying of ways they have seen the Lord support and strengthen those called to serve in His Church.

2 Kings 4.You could invite family members to read about one of the miracles in 2 Kings 4 (see verses 1–7, 14–17, 32–35, 38–41, 42–44) and write a clue to help other family members guess which miracle he or she is describing. What do we learn about the Lord and His miracles from this chapter? What miracles—big or small—have we seen in our lives?

2 Kings 5:1–15.As you read these verses and ponder the simple thing Naaman was asked to do, consider the simple things our prophet has asked us to do. How can our family better follow his counsel?

Your family could also watch the video “Naaman and Elisha” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or read “Elisha Heals Naaman” (in Old Testament Stories).

2 Kings 5:20–27.How might Gehazi have benefited from reading “Honesty and Integrity” in For the Strength of Youth? (page 19). How does dishonesty harm us? How are we blessed for being honest?

2 Kings 6:13–17.Family members might enjoy drawing a picture of the experience of Elisha and his servant described in these verses. How can these verses help us when we feel alone or overwhelmed?

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “Dearest Children, God Is Near You,” Hymns, no. 96.

Improving Our Teaching

Encourage questions. Questions from children are an indication that they are ready to learn. If you don’t know the answers to their questions, look for answers with them. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 25–26.)

Illustration of Naaman being healed of leprosy, by Paul Mann