Category: OT Studies

II Kings 8-13 & II Chronicles 22-24: God’s Control & Godly Counsel

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(2K8-13) Summarize each of the following passages without any reference to what God is doing:

2 Kings 8 –

2 Kings 9-10 –

2 Kings 11-12 –

2 Kings 13 –

What descriptive words would you use to describe these stories?  What similarities do you see with our world today?

(2K8-13) Now notice what God is doing in these stories:

2 Kings 8 (v13, 19) –

2 Kings 9-10 (9:6-10, 26, 36; 10:17; 2 Chr 22:7) –

2 Kings 11-12 (11:2-3; 2 Chr 24:24) –

2 Kings 13 (v23) –

What application is there for us as we see what is happening in our world today?

How might 13:23 apply to us today?  Point to Jesus?

(2C22-24) Whose counsel did Ahaziah follow, and what did he do as a result (22:2-4)?

Whose counsel did Joash follow, and what did he do as a result (24:2, see also 2 Kings 12:2)?  Whose counsel did he follow later, and what did he do as a result (24:17-19)?

How do these stories highlight the importance of godly counsel?

Where can you and your family find godly counsel?  Is receiving and following godly counsel a priority in your life?

II Kings 1-7: Elisha

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1) How does Ahaziah dishonor God in this chapter?  What is the result?  How might we dishonor God in the same way?

How do the first two captains dishonor God?  What are the results?

How does the third captain humble himself before the Lord, and what is the result?  What lesson is there for us?

(2) Elijah goes up to heaven, and Elisha becomes his successor.  How do the boys dishonor God, and what are the results (v23-25)?  What application is there for us?

(2-4, 6) Make a list of all the ways God uses Elisha to provide for other people.  Is any of this hard for God to do (see 3:18)?

How might these examples help us trust God today and strengthen our hope for the future?

(5) How does the young girl point Naaman to the Lord?  How might we point others to the Lord?  Do we look for these opportunities?

How does Naaman initially respond to Elisha’s instructions?  When are we tempted to act this way?

What happens when Naaman humbly obeys?  To what conclusion does Naaman come regarding the Lord (v15)?

How does Gehazi dishonor the Lord?  How might we dishonor the Lord in a similar way?

(6) A Syrian army encamps around the city where Elisha is staying. What does Elisha want his servant to know (v16) and see (v17)?

How can this knowing and seeing help us in our trials?

(6-7) Another Syrian army encamps around Samaria.  What word from the Lord does Elisha give (7:1)?  How does the captain dishonor God, and how does Elisha respond (7:2)?

How does God bring about his word?  What happens to the captain?  What do we learn about the importance of faith as it relates to receiving God’s provision?

II Chronicles 17-21: Jehoshaphat

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) How would you describe Jehoshaphat’s spiritual character in v3-6?

Why is courage necessary to follow the ways of the Lord (v6)?

(17, 19-20) What did Jehoshaphat do to encourage his people to follow the Lord (17:7-9, 19:3-4)?

Jehoshaphat also appointed judges throughout the land.  How were they to judge (19:5-11)?  Why (v7)?

What blessing did God grant Judah because of Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness (17:10)?

How does Jehoshaphat and his kingdom point forward to Jesus (Isaiah 9:6-7)?

How might we seek these same things for our own nation?

Despite all that Jehoshaphat did for his people, what sad verdict do we find in 20:33?  What lessons might we draw from this?

(18, 20-21) Despite his heart for God, Jehoshaphat was not perfect.  What serious mistakes did he make?

18:1, 21:1-20 –

18:2-19:2 –

20:35-37 –

What lessons can we learn from his mistakes (II Corinthians 6:14-18)?

(20) A large army comes against Judah.  How does Jehoshaphat respond (v3-12)?  Why is this a good response (v6)?

What word from God is given to Jehoshaphat and the people (v13-17)?  How do they respond (v18-19)?

In what unusual way does Judah’s army go out (v20-21)?  What does God do? (v22-30)?

What lessons can we learn from this incredible chapter?

I Kings 17-22: The Days of Elijah

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) Elijah announces a drought because of Israel’s wickedness.  How does God provide for Elijah in v2-7?  In v8-16?

What are the miraculous results for the widow and her son (v8-23)?

To what conclusion does the widow come in v24?

How might people see and come to know God through us?

(18) What question does Elijah ask the people in v21?

When are we tempted to limp (falter, waver, hesitate) in this way?

The prophets of Baal literally “limp” around their altar (v26).  Why is trusting in something other than the Lord like limping? How have you seen this in your life or in other people?

Why does Elijah want God to send fire from heaven (v37)?  What happens when the fire falls?

(19) Elijah plunges from the mountain top of success to the valley of depression.  What outward event triggers his depression (v1-2)?

From the text, what do you think is going on inside Elijah that allows this outward event to trigger his despair?

What does God do so that Elijah will know the Lord (v11-12)?

What does God do to shake Elijah out of his depression?

(20) Back in Israel, Syria invades the country twice.  Both times, God defeats the enemy.  Why (v13, 28)?

(20-22) Despite all the evidence and all the opportunities for Ahab to know and follow the Lord, he continues to go his own way.  What are the results for those around him?  For him?

II Chronicles 13-16 & I Kings 15-16: Seek the Lord

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(IK-15, IIC-13) From his words in II Chronicles 13:8-12, how would you describe Abijah’s relationship with God?

How does that compare with his description in I Kings 15:3?

What applications are there for us as we think about the relationship between our hearts, our words, and our actions?

Despite Abijah’s heart and sins, God established him as king for David’s sake (I Kings 15:4-5).  How does this principle point us to Jesus (see Ephesians 1:3-14, etc.)?

(IIC-13-14, 16) What did Abijah and people of Judah do when they were surrounded in battle (13:13-18)?  Who won the victory?

What did Asa and the people of Judah do when they were outnumbered by the enemy (14:9-15)?  Who won the victory?

What should we do when we need help?  To whom should we look for victory?  Why (16:9)?  In what specific situation(s) do you need to apply this truth today?

(IIC-16) From where did Asa seek help when Israel came against him (v1-3)?  When he was sick (v12)?  What was Hanani’s assessment of Asa’s actions (v7-9), and why?

In what situations are we tempted to look elsewhere for help?  Where else are we tempted to look?  Why?

(IIC-15) What did Azariah call Asa to do, and what would be the result (v2)?

Do you believe this principle is still true today?  Why is the answer important?

How did Asa respond (v8)?  How did Judah respond (v10-15)?

Describe the intensity of their response.  What about yours?

(IK-15-16) Israel’s kings provide a stark contrast to seeking the Lord.  How would you describe their reigns?  What warning(s) do you see for us today?

II Chronicle 9-12 & I Kings 11-14: Finish Strong

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(IK-11) Solomon started strong.  How was he led astray (v1-8), and what were the results (v9-43)?

What can we learn from this story about choosing a spouse, and the influence of family?

What could Solomon have done to finish strong (v3-4, see also Proverb 4:23)?

(IK-12, IIC-10) Rehoboam started strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

(IIC-12) Despite his folly, Rehoboam still followed the Lord.  What further led him astray (v1), and what were the results (v2-12)?

What did Rehoboam need to do to finish strong (v14)?

(IK-12, 14) Jeroboam started strong.  How was he led astray (12:25-33), and what were the results (14)?

What did Jeroboam need to do to finish strong (see also Proverb 3:5-6)?

(IK-13) The prophet started out strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

What warning is there for us in this story?

What did the prophet need to do to finish strong (see also Psalm 119:105)?

How might the example of these four men encourage us to finish strong?

What further principles do we learn in Hebrews 10:24-25 and John 15:1-5 that can help us finish strong?

In what ways are you being tempted to go astray?  How do you need to apply the principles of this lesson to your situation?

 

II Chronicles 1-8: The Temple of God

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(3) Where is the temple built (3:1, I Chronicles 21, Genesis 22), and why is this location significant?

How do the events at this spot point to Jesus?

(2-4) What words would you use to describe the temple?

Why did the temple have to be “great” (2:5, Revelation 21:22)?

(2, 6) What was the purpose of the temple (2:6, 6:21)?

How might this point us to Jesus (John 1:14, Hebrews 9:26, John 15:16)?

(1-2, 5-7) The glory of God filled the temple (5:14, 7:1).  What do you learn about this God from the following verses:

1:1 –

1:11-12 –

2:5 –

5:13 –

6:4 –

6:14 –

6:18 –

6:30 –

7:14 –

(1, 6-7) In response to God, what kind of heart should we have (1:11, 6:7-8, 6:14, 6:36-38, 7:10)?

(1, 6-7) Another response to God in our text is prayer.  What might we learn from Solomon’s prayers (1:7-10, 6:13-21)?

What more can we learn about prayer in 7:14?

(5, 7) A third response to God is praise for his goodness and steadfast love (5:13, 7:3).  His goodness and love are a constant refrain in the Psalms as well (100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:1, 136:1).  How have you seen this refrain over your life?

How might your heart change if you regularly pondered and praised God for his goodness and love in your life?

I Chronicles 22-29: Where Is Your Heart?

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(22, 28) What is David doing in these two chapters?

What instructions does David give to his son Solomon (22:6-16, 28:10-21)?

What do David’s actions and instructions tell us about his heart?

(22) What action should flow from our minds and hearts in v19a?  What would that action look like?

What are we to do with our minds and hearts to make this action happen (v19a)?  How might we do this?

(23-28) We are also to serve the Lord with a whole heart and a willing mind (28:9).  What are some ways that you serve the Lord?

Why is the heart so important in serving God?  How do our beliefs, desires, motives, and attitudes affect our service?

When are you tempted to serve grudgingly instead of joyfully?  How might you overcome that temptation?

Chapters 23-27 give us long lists of various people’s roles and responsibilities.  Everyone had a part to play.  How might that encourage you in your service?

(29) How does v9 describe their giving?  Why is the heart again so important?

(29) In v17, David has an upright heart.  What would that look like in your life?

(28-29) In what ways does God interact with our hearts in 28:9, 29:17, and 29:18?  How should we respond to these truths?

(29) David begins his prayer with praise (v10-13).  What do his words tell you about David’s heart?

How might David’s words about God spur us on to seek, serve, give to, and obey God more?

I Chronicles 17-21: Good Covenant, Bad Choice

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(17) Once again we are presented with the Davidic Covenant:

God was with David through all his trials (v8).  When have you especially seen that in your life?  How might his presence encourage you today?

We spend a lot of effort trying to make a name for ourselves, but God will make a name for David (v8).  What does that suggest for us?

God will subdue all of David’s enemies (v8-10).  What battles are you facing today that you need to look to the Lord for help?

(17) David wants to build God a house, but God will build David a house, raising up one of David’s offspring.  List all the things that God promised for this offspring in v11-14.

How are they fulfilled in part by Solomon?  How are they finally fulfilled in Jesus?

(17) How does David respond in v16-27 to God’s promises and blessings?  What applications might we draw for our lives?

(18-20) How do these chapters flesh out God’s promise in 17:8-10?

(21) God wins victory after victory for David, but what does David start to trust in (v1-2)?

When do we tend to look to our own strength instead of God?

How did Joab respond?  When have you been in a similar situation?  What should we do in that situation?

(21) David’s sin affects his people, just like our sin affects the people around us.  What choices of punishment does God give David?  Which does he choose and why?

Why does the plague stop?  What does David offer to do?  What is David told to do instead?

What does David insist upon?  What does his example suggest for us when we have sinned?

(21) Read 22:1.  Why is chapter 21 included in I Chronicles?

I Chronicles 11-16: Life & Worship Before The Lord

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(11-12) Three times we read that Israel made David their king “according to the word of the Lord” (11:3, 11:10, 12:23).  What is the significance of that phrase?

What would it look like for us to live this way?

(14) What did David do each time the Philistines attacked?  Who then received credit for the victory?

For what situations in your life do you need to seek God’s guidance?

What are some ways God guides us today (14:10, Psalm 119:105, Proverb 9:10, 20:18, etc.)?

(13-15) How would you describe their worship in 13:5-8?

What was missing (13:9-12, 15:13)?

What did Israel do differently the second time as they sought to bring the ark to Jerusalem (15:11-15)?

What do both stories teach us about how we should worship today?

(15) Again, describe their worship in v25-28.  What does this suggest about David’s heart?  What does v29 tell us about Michal’s heart?  Why is the heart so important for worship?

(16) What words are used to describe their worship (v8-13, 35-36)?

What reasons are given for worshiping the Lord (v14-34)?

How might you use this psalm in your personal worship?

(16) Verse 11 calls us to a three-fold seeking.  How do we seek the Lord?  Why would we seek the Lord?

In what situations do you need to seek his strength?

God is always with us, so what does it mean to seek his presence?  What would our lives look like if we sought his presence continually?