Elisha- Hazael Carries Out His Evil Deed

By Mary Vee
II Kings 9

From Elisha's Journals

Photo Courtesy

Hazael, the new king of Aram didn't waste any time pulling together his army to attack Israel.

Joram, king of Israel panicked. He called Ahaziah, king of Judah to come help defend their country. As a brother and son of Abraham, Ahaziah quickly agreed to help. The kings prepared their army for battle. 

They met at Ramoth Gilead. During this battle Joram, king of Israel was wounded. The Israelite army continued to fight while king Joram was taken to Jezreel to recover from his wounds.

Ahaziah, king of Judah, stayed at the battle as long as needed then went to Jezreel to see how Joram was feeling.

With Joram away from his post, the Lord gave me a new task. I summoned a man from the group of prophets, took him to a private room, and said, "Tuck your clock in your belt so that you may run. Take this flask of oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat. Get him away from all his friends and companions. Take him into an inner room. There, pour the oil from the flask on his head and say, 'This is what the Lord says: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and run. Don't delay."

The young prophet ran to Ramoth Gilead as I asked. He hurried to where the army officers sat. "I have a message for you, commander," he said.

"For which of us?" Jehu asked.

"For you, commander."

Jehu got up and walked with the prophet messenger into the house. The prophet asked him to kneel. Jehu did as he was asked. The prophet poured the oil on Jehu's head and said, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says, 'I anoint you king over the Lord's people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab, your master, and I will avenger the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord's servants shed by Jezebel. 

'The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off the house of Ahab. As for Jezebel, his wife, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her."  The young prophet immediately ran to the door, opened it, and ran back to me. 

This story will continue next time.

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1. Why was Joram king of Israel afraid?
2. Who did he ask for help?
3. Why did the person agree to help?
4. Where did they go?
5. What happened to Joram?
6. While he was gone, God told Elisha to send a young prophet with a _______ to _______
7. What message was the young prophet to give?