2 Kings 8: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 2 Kings 8 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Elisha warned the Shunammite woman of a coming famine and instructed her to leave with her household for seven years (vv. 1-2). After returning, she sought the king to reclaim her property, and Gehazi confirmed her identity to the king, who ordered her land and its produce to be returned (vv.

Key verse

“Elisha said to him, “Go, tell him, ‘You will surely recover;’ however Yahweh has shown me that he will surely die.”
2 Kings 8:10 (WEB)

Outline

2 Kings 8:1–2 Elisha's Warning to the Shunammite Woman
2 Kings 8:3–6 Restoration of the Shunammite's Property
2 Kings 8:7–10 Elisha's Encounter with Hazael
2 Kings 8:11–15 Elisha Weeps Over Hazael's Future
2 Kings 8:16–19 Jehoram Becomes King of Judah
2 Kings 8:20–22 Edom's Revolt Against Judah
2 Kings 8:23–29 Ahaziah's Brief Reign

Discussion questions

In v6, what does the king instruct to be restored to the woman?
In v10, what does Elisha say will happen to King Benhadad?
Elisha's weeping in v11: what does this indicate about his feelings towards Israel's future?
In v12, what does Elisha foresee concerning Hazael's actions against Israel?
When has a time of 'seven years' away from home impacted your life?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 2 Kings 8: 2 Kings 9, 2 Kings 4, 2 Chronicles 21.

Before next time: read 2 Kings 9.