INTRODUCTION: We enter into a time of confusion in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Because of their sins, God judged them with defeat at the hand of the Syrians and famine. Yet, they did not return to the Lord. This time, Judah does not escape, for the good king Jehoshaphat had become such good friends with the kingly line of Israel that the families intermarried. This chapter stands as a warning against compromise with the world. However, in the restoration of land to the woman whose son was restored to life, we see that God continues to watch over those who are faithful to Him.

1. THE RESTORATION OF THE WOMAN’S LAND (2Kings 8:1-6 [1] Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. [2] And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. [3] And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. [4] And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. [5] And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. [6] And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
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1. Her Preservation in the Time of Famine (2Kings 8:1-2 [1] Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. [2] And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.
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1. Elisha’s advice (2 Kings 8:1Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
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1. The recipient of the advice - To the woman whose son had been restored to life (2 Kings 4:32-35 [32] And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. [33] He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. [34] And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. [35] Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
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2. The content of the advice – The woman and her household should sojourn in another land because of a coming famine.
2. The seven year famine from the Lord (2 Kings 8:1Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
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3. Her obedience (2 Kings 8:2And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years.
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1. She did after the saying of the man of God.
2. She sojourned with the Philistines for seven years.
2. Her Return to the Land of Israel (2 Kings 8:3And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land.
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1. She returned at the end of seven years.
2. She went to the king to plead for her house and land.
3. Her Identification by the Servant Gehazi (2 Kings 8:4-5 [4] And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. [5] And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
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1. The king’s audience with Gehazi (2 Kings 8:4And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.
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2. The king’s request for stories of Elisha (2 Kings 8:4And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.
   See All...; compare Luke 23:8And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
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3. Gehazi’s story of the son brought back to life (2 Kings 8:5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
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4. The woman’s arrival to plead for her land (2 Kings 8:5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
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5. The woman’s identification by Gehazi (2 Kings 8:5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.
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6. Note: This is one of God’s coincidences that is much more than a coincidence (Psalm 31:15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
   See All...; Proverbs 21:1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
   See All...; Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
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4. Her Recovery of All That Was Hers (2 Kings 8:6And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
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1. The appointment of a special officer
2. The restoration of all that was hers
3. The restoration of all that was lost
2. THE RECOVERY AND DEATH OF BENHADAD (2 Kings 8:7-15 [7] And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. [8] And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? [9] So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? [10] And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die. [11] And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. [12] And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. [13] And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. [14] So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. [15] And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
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1. Benhadad Requested Information of Elisha (2 Kings 8:7-10 [7] And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. [8] And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? [9] So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? [10] And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
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1. The setting (2 Kings 8:7-8 [7] And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither. [8] And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
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1. Elisha came to Damascus (2 Kings 8:7And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
   See All...); Note: Benhadad could not force him into Syria with an army (2 Kings 6:13And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
   See All...), but Elisha came freely when it was the will of the Lord.
2. Benhadad was sick (2 Kings 8:7And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.
   See All...); Note: the one who was a menace because he could tell the future became desired for the same reason.
3. Benhadad sent Hazael to Elisha (2 Kings 8:8And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
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2. The obedience of Hazael (2 Kings 8:9So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
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1. He took a present of forty camels’ burden of good things.
2. He asked Elisha concerning the recovery of Benhadad.
3. The answer of Elisha (2 Kings 8:10And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
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1. Benhadad will recover of his disease.
2. Benhadad will surely die.
2. Elisha Prophesied Concerning Hazael (2 Kings 8:11-13 [11] And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. [12] And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. [13] And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
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1. The weeping of the prophet (2 Kings 8:11And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
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1. He settled his countenance stedfastly; that is, he fought back the tears and kept a straight face.
2. Until he was ashamed; Note: he knew it was wrong to hide his sorrow.
3. He wept before Hazael.
2. The revelation of the cause of weeping (2 Kings 8:12And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
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1. At the request of Hazael
2. Concerning the evil actions of Hazael toward Israel
3. The denial of Hazael (2 Kings 8:13And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
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1. How could he do such a thing?
2. He will become king of Syria.
3. Hazael Usurped the Throne of Benhadad (2 Kings 8:14-15 [14] So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. [15] And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
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1. Hazael reported to Benhadad only of his recovery (2 Kings 8:14So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover.
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2. Hazael took a wet cloth and suffocated Benhadad (2 Kings 8:15And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
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3. Hazael reigned in the place of Benhadad (2 Kings 8:15And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
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3. THE REIGN OF JEHORAM OVER JUDAH (2 Kings 8:16-24 [16] And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Je hoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. [17] Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. [18] And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. [19] Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children. [20] In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. [21] So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents. [22] Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time. [23] And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? [24] And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
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1. Jehoram Became King in Judah (2 Kings 8:16-17 [16] And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Je hoshaphat king of Judah began to reign. [17] Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
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1. In the fifth year of Joram king of Israel (2 Kings 8:16And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Je hoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.
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2. He began to reign at the age of 32 (2 Kings 8:17Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
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3. He reigned in Jerusalem for eight years (2 Kings 8:17Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
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2. Jehoram Was Wicked in His Reign (2 Kings 8:18-19 [18] And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. [19] Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.
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1. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel (2 Kings 8:18And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
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1. Though he was of Judah
2. Because he had married the daughter of Ahab
2. He did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 8:18And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
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3. Judah was spared (2 Kings 8:19Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children.
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1. For the sake of David the servant of the Lord
2. Because of God’s promise to give him “always a light”
3. Edom Revolted in the Time of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20-22 [20] In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. [21] So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents. [22] Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.
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1. They made a king over themselves (2 Kings 8:20In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.
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2. Joram defeated them in battle (2 Kings 8:21So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents.
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3. But they revolted anyway (2 Kings 8:22Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.
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4. And Libnah revolted with them (2 Kings 8:22Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.
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4. Jehoram (Joram) Completed His Reign in Judah (2 Kings 8:23-24 [23] And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? [24] And Joram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
   See All...).
4. THE REIGN OF AHAZIAH OVER JUDAH (2 Kings 8:25-29 [25] In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign. [26] Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel. [27] And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab. [28] And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram. [29] And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
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1. Ahaziah Became King in Judah (2 Kings 8:25-26 [25] In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign. [26] Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
   See All...).
1. In the twelfth year of Joram of Israel (2 Kings 8:25In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign.
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2. He began to reign at the age of 22 (2 Kings 8:26Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
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3. He reigned for one year in Jerusalem (2 Kings 8:26Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.
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2. Ahaziah Was Wicked in His Reign (2 Kings 8:27And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab.
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1. He walked in the way of the house of Ahab.
2. He did evil in the sight of the Lord as did Ahab.
3. He was son-in-law to the house of Ahab; this is a powerful connection.
3. Ahaziah Fought with Joram Against Syria (2 Kings 8:28-29 [28] And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram. [29] And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
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1. He fought with the son of Ahab against Hazael of Syria (2 Kings 8:28And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
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2. He went to see Joram of Israel because he was sick (2 Kings 8:29And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: The kingdoms have spiritually departed from the Lord. As a result, confusion and judgment have become a constant companion.