2 Kings 1-3, ESV (April 21)

1. 2 Kings 2:9-10 ⁹When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be _________." ¹⁰And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so."

A whirlwind to carry me away with you

A double portion of your spirit on me

Peace in Israel for all time to come

In this passage, Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him before he is taken away. Elisha responds by asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. This request is significant because in the Old Testament, the firstborn son would receive a double portion of the father's inheritance. By asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, Elisha is essentially asking to be recognized as Elijah's spiritual successor and to receive a greater portion of the spiritual gifts and authority that Elijah possessed.

Explanation

In this passage, Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him before he is taken away. Elisha responds by asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. This request is significant because in the Old Testament, the firstborn son would receive a double portion of the father's inheritance. By asking for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, Elisha is essentially asking to be recognized as Elijah's spiritual successor and to receive a greater portion of the spiritual gifts and authority that Elijah possessed.

2. 2 Kings 2:19-20 ¹⁹Now the men of the city said to Elisha, "Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful." ²⁰He said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put _____ in it." So they brought it to him.

Oil

Salt

Unleavened bread

In this passage, the men of the city inform Elisha that the water in their city is bad and the land is unfruitful. Elisha then asks for a new bowl and instructs them to put salt in it. The use of salt suggests that Elisha intends to purify the water and make it suitable for consumption and irrigation. Salt has long been used as a natural purifier and can help improve the quality of water. Therefore, the correct answer is salt.

Explanation

In this passage, the men of the city inform Elisha that the water in their city is bad and the land is unfruitful. Elisha then asks for a new bowl and instructs them to put salt in it. The use of salt suggests that Elisha intends to purify the water and make it suitable for consumption and irrigation. Salt has long been used as a natural purifier and can help improve the quality of water. Therefore, the correct answer is salt.

3. 2 Kings 1:2 ²Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, "Go, inquire of _______, whether I shall recover from this sickness."

Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron

The LORD

The prophets of Baal

In 2 Kings 1:2, Ahaziah sends messengers to inquire about his recovery from sickness. He specifically asks them to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron. This indicates that Ahaziah was seeking guidance and answers from a pagan deity, rather than seeking guidance from the LORD or the prophets of Baal.

Explanation

In 2 Kings 1:2, Ahaziah sends messengers to inquire about his recovery from sickness. He specifically asks them to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron. This indicates that Ahaziah was seeking guidance and answers from a pagan deity, rather than seeking guidance from the LORD or the prophets of Baal.

4. 1 Kings 1:15-16 ¹⁵Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not _____ ." So he arose and went down with him to the king ¹⁶and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, 'Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.'"

Be afraid of him

Consume them with fire

Torture them any longer

The correct answer is "be afraid of him". In this passage, the angel of the Lord instructs Elijah to go down with someone without being afraid of him. This suggests that the person Elijah is being told to go down with may have been intimidating or feared by others. The instruction to not be afraid implies that Elijah should approach the person with confidence and without fear.

Explanation

The correct answer is "be afraid of him". In this passage, the angel of the Lord instructs Elijah to go down with someone without being afraid of him. This suggests that the person Elijah is being told to go down with may have been intimidating or feared by others. The instruction to not be afraid implies that Elijah should approach the person with confidence and without fear.

5. 2 Kings 2:23-24 ²³He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" ²⁴And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And ____ came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.

Two angels

Two lions

Two she-bears

In this passage, a prophet named Elisha is being mocked by a group of young boys for his baldness. Elisha curses them in the name of the Lord, and as a consequence, two she-bears come out of the woods and attack forty-two of the boys. This answer is supported by the text itself, which states that "two she-bears" came out and attacked the boys.

Explanation

In this passage, a prophet named Elisha is being mocked by a group of young boys for his baldness. Elisha curses them in the name of the Lord, and as a consequence, two she-bears come out of the woods and attack forty-two of the boys. This answer is supported by the text itself, which states that "two she-bears" came out and attacked the boys.

6. 2 Kings 1:1 After the death of Ahab, _______ rebelled against Israel.

Assyria

Moab

The Philistines

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. This indicates that Moab, a neighboring nation, took advantage of the power vacuum left by Ahab's death and challenged the authority of Israel. The rebellion of Moab against Israel could have been a result of various factors such as political tensions, territorial disputes, or a desire for independence.

Explanation

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. This indicates that Moab, a neighboring nation, took advantage of the power vacuum left by Ahab's death and challenged the authority of Israel. The rebellion of Moab against Israel could have been a result of various factors such as political tensions, territorial disputes, or a desire for independence.

7. 2 Kings 2:3 ³And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?" And he said, "______."

No, I do not have any knowledge of that

Yes, I am hoping he will take me too

Yes, I know it; keep quiet

Elisha responds to the sons of the prophets by saying, "Yes, I know it; keep quiet." This suggests that Elisha is aware that the Lord will take away his master from over him. He instructs them to keep quiet about it, possibly indicating that he wants to process this news privately or that he wants to maintain a sense of calm and composure among the prophets.

Explanation

Elisha responds to the sons of the prophets by saying, "Yes, I know it; keep quiet." This suggests that Elisha is aware that the Lord will take away his master from over him. He instructs them to keep quiet about it, possibly indicating that he wants to process this news privately or that he wants to maintain a sense of calm and composure among the prophets.

8. 2 kigns 2:8 ⁸Then Elijah took his ______ and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.

Beard, cut it off,

Cloak

Staff

In 2 Kings 2:8, Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up. He then struck the water with it, causing the water to part to one side and the other, allowing both Elijah and the other person to cross over on dry ground.

Explanation

In 2 Kings 2:8, Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up. He then struck the water with it, causing the water to part to one side and the other, allowing both Elijah and the other person to cross over on dry ground.

9. 2 Kings 3:27 ²⁷Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place and ______.

Placed him in the front lines of the army

Sent him home so he would not be killed

Offered him for a burnt offering on the wall

The verse from 2 Kings 3:27 describes a desperate situation where the king of Moab was losing a battle against the Israelites. In an attempt to gain favor with his gods and turn the tide of the battle, the king took his oldest son who was supposed to succeed him and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. This extreme act was believed to appease the gods and bring victory.

Explanation

The verse from 2 Kings 3:27 describes a desperate situation where the king of Moab was losing a battle against the Israelites. In an attempt to gain favor with his gods and turn the tide of the battle, the king took his oldest son who was supposed to succeed him and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall. This extreme act was believed to appease the gods and bring victory.

10. 2 Kings 3:20 ²⁰The next morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, ____ came from the direction of Edom, till the country was filled with ______.

Frogs

Snakes

Water

In 2 Kings 3:20, it states that the next morning, at the time of offering the sacrifice, water came from the direction of Edom until the country was filled with water. This suggests that the correct answer is water.

Explanation

In 2 Kings 3:20, it states that the next morning, at the time of offering the sacrifice, water came from the direction of Edom until the country was filled with water. This suggests that the correct answer is water.

11. 2 Kings 3:9 ⁹So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of _____.

Assyria

Edom

Zidonia

In 2 Kings 3:9, the king of Israel joined forces with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. This verse implies that the three kings formed an alliance or coalition to face a common enemy or address a shared concern.

Explanation

In 2 Kings 3:9, the king of Israel joined forces with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. This verse implies that the three kings formed an alliance or coalition to face a common enemy or address a shared concern.

12. 2 Kings 1:7-8 ⁷He said to them, "What kind of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?" ⁸They answered him, "He wore a garment of ____, with a belt of leather about his waist." And he said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite."

Hair

Cotton

Sack cloth

The correct answer is "hair" because the passage describes the man's garment as being made of hair and having a leather belt. This suggests that the man was wearing a garment made of animal hair, which was a characteristic of the prophet Elijah.

Explanation

The correct answer is "hair" because the passage describes the man's garment as being made of hair and having a leather belt. This suggests that the man was wearing a garment made of animal hair, which was a characteristic of the prophet Elijah.

13. 2 kings 1:17 ¹⁷So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken. _______ became king in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, because Ahaziah had no son.

Elijah

Jehoram

Jehu

After the death of Ahaziah, Jehoram became king. This happened in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. The reason Jehoram became king was because Ahaziah had no son.

Explanation

After the death of Ahaziah, Jehoram became king. This happened in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. The reason Jehoram became king was because Ahaziah had no son.

14. 2 Kings 2:1 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a ______, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.

Chariot of fire

Horse of fire

Whirlwind

In 2 Kings 2:1, it is mentioned that the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind. This means that Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal when the Lord decided to take Elijah up to heaven using a powerful and strong whirlwind. This explanation is supported by the biblical text and provides a clear understanding of the events described in the passage.

Explanation

In 2 Kings 2:1, it is mentioned that the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind. This means that Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal when the Lord decided to take Elijah up to heaven using a powerful and strong whirlwind. This explanation is supported by the biblical text and provides a clear understanding of the events described in the passage.

15. 2 Kings 2:11 ¹¹And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire ______. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Separated the two of them

Took Elijah into the air

Ran ahead of them

The correct answer is "separated the two of them". In 2 Kings 2:11, it is described that as Elijah and Elisha were walking and talking, chariots of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them. This event marks the moment when Elijah is taken up to heaven by a whirlwind, leaving Elisha behind.

Explanation

The correct answer is "separated the two of them". In 2 Kings 2:11, it is described that as Elijah and Elisha were walking and talking, chariots of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them. This event marks the moment when Elijah is taken up to heaven by a whirlwind, leaving Elisha behind.

16. 2 Kings 2:21-22 ²¹Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, "Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither ______ shall come from it." ²²So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.

Bitterness nor blood

Death nor miscarriage

Frogs nor snakes

In 2 Kings 2:21-22, Elisha goes to a spring of water and throws salt in it, declaring that the water is healed by the word of the Lord. The correct answer, "death nor miscarriage," is supported by the passage as it states that from that point onwards, the water will no longer cause death or miscarriage. This suggests that the water had previously been causing harm or illness, but Elisha's actions and words brought about its healing.

Explanation

In 2 Kings 2:21-22, Elisha goes to a spring of water and throws salt in it, declaring that the water is healed by the word of the Lord. The correct answer, "death nor miscarriage," is supported by the passage as it states that from that point onwards, the water will no longer cause death or miscarriage. This suggests that the water had previously been causing harm or illness, but Elisha's actions and words brought about its healing.

17. 2 Kings 3:5-7 ⁵But when Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. ⁶So King Jehoram marched out of Samaria at that time and mustered all Israel. ⁷And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to battle against Moab?" And he said, "______.

I will inquire of the Lord as to whether I should go with you

I will go

I will not go

In this passage, King Jehoram of Israel is seeking assistance from King Jehoshaphat of Judah to battle against the rebellious king of Moab. When asked if he will go, Jehoshaphat responds with "I will go." This indicates that Jehoshaphat agrees to join Jehoram in the battle against Moab.

Explanation

In this passage, King Jehoram of Israel is seeking assistance from King Jehoshaphat of Judah to battle against the rebellious king of Moab. When asked if he will go, Jehoshaphat responds with "I will go." This indicates that Jehoshaphat agrees to join Jehoram in the battle against Moab.

18. 2 Kings 2:12 ¹²And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My ____, my _____! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more.

God

Lord

Father

In this verse, Elisha is referring to his mentor and predecessor, the prophet Elijah, who had just been taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha cries out "My father, my father!" as a sign of respect and mourning for Elijah's departure. This shows the close relationship and spiritual connection between the two prophets.

Explanation

In this verse, Elisha is referring to his mentor and predecessor, the prophet Elijah, who had just been taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha cries out "My father, my father!" as a sign of respect and mourning for Elijah's departure. This shows the close relationship and spiritual connection between the two prophets.

19. 2 Kings 3:27 And there came great ______ Israel. And they withdrew from him and returned to their own land.

Blessing toward

Victory for

Wrath against

The correct answer is "wrath against". In this verse, it is mentioned that there came great wrath against Israel. This implies that Israel faced a strong and intense anger or punishment from someone or something. As a result, they withdrew and returned to their own land.

Explanation

The correct answer is "wrath against". In this verse, it is mentioned that there came great wrath against Israel. This implies that Israel faced a strong and intense anger or punishment from someone or something. As a result, they withdrew and returned to their own land.