Institute
Lesson 34: 2 Kings 3–13

“Lesson 34: 2 Kings 3–13,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 67–68

“2 Kings 3–13,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 67–68

34

2 Kings 3–13

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

  1. 2 Kings 3:1–6:23. Elisha Blessed Others through the Priesthood Power

    1. Elisha’s prophecy that Israel and Judah would be victorious over the Moabites was fulfilled (see 2 Kings 3).

    2. Elisha multiplied a widow’s oil, promised a son to a Shunamite woman, and raised the son from the dead (see 2 Kings 4:1–37).

    3. Elisha rendered poisonous food harmless and multiplied food for the hungry in a time of famine (2 Kings 4:38–44).

    4. Elisha healed Naaman, a Syrian captain, of leprosy; Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, was cursed with the leprosy because of his dishonesty (see 2 Kings 5).

    5. Elisha caused an iron ax head to float on water; he turned aside a Syrian invasion by blinding the enemy (see 2 Kings 6:1–23).

Religion 302 student manual, 6-1 through 6-23.

Matthew 10:8. Jesus taught his Apostles that the priesthood should be used in what way?

D&C 93:46. What relationship do the Lord’s priesthood leaders have to the rest of the world?

Joseph Fielding Smith, in CR, Apr. 1966, pp. 101–2. “When we receive the priesthood, we do so with the understanding that it will be used for the benefit of others.”

JC, pp. 147–49. What are miracles?

Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, May 1982, pp. 9–11. How serious is lying?

Mark E. Petersen, Ensign, May 1982, pp. 14–16. Dishonesty is completely foreign to the teachings of Jesus.

  1. 2 Kings 6:24–10:17. God Vindicated the Words of Elijah and Elisha

    1. Siege by the Syrians caused famine in Samaria; Elisha prophesied of plenty (see 2 Kings 6:24–7:2).

    2. Elisha’s prophecy was fulfilled when the Lord intervened and gave Israel the spoils of the Syrian army (see 2 Kings 7:3–20).

    3. Elisha prophesied a seven-year famine during which a certain Shunamite woman was preserved by following the prophet’s counsel (see 2 Kings 8:1–6).

    4. The kingdoms of Syria, Israel, and Judah experienced war and unrest because of wickedness (see 2 Kings 8:7–29; 2 Chronicles 22:1–4).

    5. In obedience to Elijah’s instructions, a young prophet anointed Jehu king of Israel and prophesied the end of the house of Ahab (see 2 Kings 9:1–10).

    6. Jehu slew Jezebel and the remaining sons of Ahab, thus fulfilling the prophecies of Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 9:1–10:17; 2 Chronicles 22:7–9).

Religion 302 student manual, 6-24 through 6-34.

Deuteronomy 32:35. Vengeance for men’s evil deeds belongs to whom?

D&C 29:17. Why does the Lord take vengeance upon the wicked?

D&C 87:6. How does the Lord sometimes chasten the wicked? (see also Helaman 11:4).

1 Kings 21:17–24, 29. What did Elijah prophesy about Ahab and Jezebel?

D&C 1:38. The Lord’s words are always verified (see also D&C 5:20).

DS, 3:42–43. Why does the Lord permit his children to engage in war?

  1. 2 Kings 10:18–13:25. Few of the Kings of Israel Served the Lord

    1. Jehu proclaimed a solemn feast to Baal and then destroyed all the worshipers and images that were there (see 2 Kings 10:18–28).

    2. Jehu did not serve the Lord with all his heart (see 2 Kings 10:29–36).

    3. Joash was preserved from death during the reign of Athaliah and reigned as Judah’s king for forty years (see 2 Kings 11:1–12:3).

    4. Joash repaired the temple built by Solomon and then used the treasures of the Lord’s house to purchase safety from Hazael, king of Syria (see 2 Kings 12:4–21; 2 Chronicles 24:4, 7, 13–27).

    5. Jehoahaz and Joash, his son, continued the wickedness of Israel’s kings (see 2 Kings 13:1–13).

    6. Elisha died, having prophesied that Israel would defeat the Syrians (see 2 Kings 13:13–25).

Religion 302 student manual, 6-35 through 6-42.

Deuteronomy 6:5. What commandment did Jehu fail to observe?

GD, p. 470. For what special reasons should the temples be kept in good repair?

DBY, p. 229. To what extent should Latter-day Saints observe their religion?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

Priesthood Is for Service (Section A)

Discuss what a priesthood holder can do for himself with the powers of the priesthood. President David 0. McKay taught that men are given the priesthood to bless the lives of others: “Priesthood means service; it is not given just as an honor. I congratulate you and commend you that you are worthy to receive it, but it is given to you for service, and you act as an authorized representative of our Lord Jesus Christ in whatever position you may be assigned.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1957, p. 94.)

Use Elisha as an example of this principle by pointing out how those in need were helped by the many miracles the Lord performed through him.

The Importance of Obedience in Simple Things (Section A)

The healing of Naaman illustrates the truth that the Lord gives his children opportunities to show their willingness to obey before he gives them the blessings they desire. Review 2 Kings 5 and discuss both the requirement Elisha gave Naaman in order for the Syrian to be healed and Naaman’s response to that requirement (see vv. 10–12). Ask students how Naaman’s servant convinced Naaman to follow Elisha’s counsel (see v. 13). What was the consequence? Compare this sequence of events to others in the scriptures that seemed simple but had significant consequences (see Numbers 21:4–9; 1 Nephi 16:29; 17:41; Alma 33:19–20; 37:38–46). Quote the following statement Elder Boyd K. Packer made about Naaman:

“The Lord no doubt was more interested in obedience than he was with bathing.

“We who travel about the Church know that our members are looking anxiously for guidance in time of great spiritual peril. ’When,’ they wonder, ’will the prophets show us how to escape the spiritual leprosy to which we are very exposed?’

“Recently in California, one of the priesthood leaders asked, ’What are the brethren doing to establish industries and store supplies in the Salt Lake Valley so that we can be secure if we must come there for protection in this time of peril?’

“My answer was, ’Nothing.’

“How much like Naaman we become, waiting to be bidden to do some great thing, when the prophets of the Lord have already spoken—when the instruction has already been given with the assurance that if we will follow them, we, with our families, will be secure from the spiritual diseases which now are among us.” (Regional Representatives’ Seminar, 3 Apr. 1970.)

Discuss the simple things the Lord asks us to do. Teach the principle that position or visibility is not as important as how we fulfill our assignments and how willing we are to do whatever the Lord asks of us.

The Importance of Honesty

Review the story of the healing of Naaman, the Syrian captain. Discuss the dishonesty practiced by Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, and the serious consequences he brought upon himself. Point out that he was not able to hide his dishonesty from the inspired prophet Elisha. Select passages from Proverbs 12:22; 19:5; Acts 4:21–5:11; 2 Nephi 9:34; 28:8; D&C 42:21; 76:103; Articles of Faith 1:13; and excerpts from the April 1983 general conference talks of Elders Mark E. Petersen and Marvin J. Ashton (see Ensign, May 1982, pp. 9–11, 14–16) to teach the great importance of honesty and the serious consequences of being dishonest.