July 6-12: 2 Kings 2-7

Written By Center for Latter-day Saint Arts

"There Is a Prophet in Israel"

John Henri Moser (American, born Switzerland, 1876-1951)

Portrait of Joseph Smith (1930)

Oil on canvas, 32 x 26 inches

Springville Museum of Art, Gift from Kent R. and Laureen Wallis, Logan, 1991.066

Used with permission

The prophet Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, and his mantle falls to Elisha, confirming him as Elijah’s successor through miraculous signs like parting the Jordan River. Elisha performs several miracles, including purifying poisoned water, multiplying a widow’s oil to pay her debts, and raising a Shunammite woman’s son from the dead. Naaman is healed of leprosy after humbling himself to wash in the Jordan River, while Elisha’s servant Gehazi is struck with leprosy for his greed. Elisha also causes an iron axe head to float and repeatedly warns the king of Israel about enemy movements, demonstrating God’s power over both nature and nations. During a severe famine and siege of Samaria, God miraculously provides deliverance by causing the Aramean army to flee, fulfilling Elisha’s prophetic word and rescuing the city from starvation.

The continuation of God’s power and presence is passed down through faithful leadership, as Elisha carries on Elijah’s prophetic ministry. God’s compassion is also evident through personal miracles regarding debt, sickness, hunger, and grief. Humility and obedience are contrasted with pride and greed, particularly in the stories of Naaman and Gehazi. Trusting in God is also emphasized, and how deliverance often comes in unexpected and miraculous ways.

Modern readers are reminded that God is concerned with their personal struggles as well as his own designs. Consider the early LDS painter John Henri Moser's Portait of Joseph Smith as you read about the passing of the prophetic mantle down from Elijah to Elisha. Think of examples of humility, integrity, and trust displayed in these chapters.

Gospel Questions

1. Elisha’s miracles demonstrate that God cares about everyday needs. What need have you considered too small for God to care about?

2. Why was humility essential to Naaman’s healing, and how has pride hindered your own growth?

3. What does the unseen heavenly army reveal about the spiritual help you have recieved amidst your personal struggles?

For Children and Youth

Hi. God helped Elisha do amazing miracles to show that He is powerful and cares about people’s problems. When people trusted and obeyed God, He helped them in wonderful and surprising ways.

1. What small thing in your life do you think God cares about?

More from the Art Companion

Featured
July 27-August 2: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8
July 27-August 2: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8

The Persian king, Cyrus the Great, issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of God. The returning people rebuild the altar and lay the foundation of the temple. Although the project faces opposition from surrounding groups. Ezra, a teacher of God’s Law, travels to Jerusalem with authority from the Persian king to help restore proper worship and obedience to God’s commands.

July 20-26: 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26- 30
July 20-26: 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26- 30

The chapters in this week's study describe several kings of Judah and their spiritual leadership, highlighting both faithfulness and failure. Asa seeks God and leads Judah in reform, and God gives him victory over a vast Ethiopian army. Later, Jehoshaphat encourages the nation to trust God, and when a large coalition attacks Judah, the people pray and God miraculously defeats the enemy.

July 13-19: 2 Kings 16-25
July 13-19: 2 Kings 16-25

Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah decline and fall. King Ahaz of Judah adopts pagan practices and seeks help from Assyria instead of trusting God. Israel is conquered by the Assyrians and its people are exiled because of persistent idolatry. Later, King Hezekiah brings spiritual reform and trusts God during the Assyrian threat, but his son Manasseh reverses these reforms with wickedness, deepening Judah’s guilt.

July 6-12: 2 Kings 2-7
July 6-12: 2 Kings 2-7

The prophet Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, and his mantle falls to Elisha, confirming him as Elijah’s successor through miraculous signs like parting the Jordan River. Elisha performs several miracles, including purifying poisoned water, multiplying a widow’s oil to pay her debts, and raising a Shunammite woman’s son from the dead. Naaman is healed of leprosy after humbling himself to wash in the Jordan River, while Elisha’s servant Gehazi is struck with leprosy for his greed. Elisha also causes an iron axe head to float and repeatedly warns the king of Israel about enemy movements, demonstrating God’s power over both nature and nations.

June 29-July 5: 1 Kings 12-13; 17-22
June 29-July 5: 1 Kings 12-13; 17-22

The House of Israel is in disarray. The kingdom of Israel divides after Solomon’s death when Rehoboam’s harsh policies cause the northern tribes to follow Jeroboam. Jeroboam establishes alternative worship centers with golden calves to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem, leading Israel into idolatry. The prophet Elijah confronts King Ahab and Queen Jezebel during a time of severe drought, performs miracles for a widow, and challenges the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where God demonstrates His power.

Center for Latter-day Saint Arts
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July 13-19: 2 Kings 16-25
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June 29-July 5: 1 Kings 12-13; 17-22