The Tanakh Podcast

King Amatziah is successful by any measure. He follows God. He has defeated Edom. So why does he get embroiled in a costly civil war?

In this chapter we witness Elisha's death. But not before Elisha has announced the demise of Aramean oppression. What do we make of Elisha's role? Why did he resort to miracle making like no other prophet? What is the peculiar relationship between Elisha and the period of Aramean dominace over Israel?

Yoash was crowned at age 7. For his early years, the priests were most certainly in charge of the kingdom. But later in life, Yoash decides to challenge the priests, and to forge his own direction. It doesn't happen without opposition.

Queen Athalia - "the evil" - kills all her progeny because she wants to rule. Luckily one heir to the throne is snatched form the massacre. This chapter will describe the counter-coup by the priests to restore the Davidic line.

Yehu's revolt is possibly the most explicitly violent episode in Tanakh. Why does the text revel in all the gory details? Is this to endear Yehu to us, or to offer a note of caution?

Elisha instigates yet another assassination in our chapter! Elisha sends a disciple to annoint Jehu, a senior army officer. Jehu proceeds to assassinate the King of Israel, the King of Judah, and the evil Jezebel! Who is this man?

Elisha travels to Syria, and instigates the assassination of the King Ben-Hadad. Why is Elisha getting involved in a foreign court?

Samaria is under siege. There is no food. Women are consuming their dead children. The King wishes to blame Elisha. Elisha responds with the news that within 24 hours the siege will end. Meanwhile, outside the city, four lepers approach the enemy camp...

Today, we consider the character of Gehazi - Elisha's estranged assistant.

Aram's army captain has leprosy. His cure will come from an unlikely source :- Elisha! But what in particular makes Na'aman pledge to worship no deity other than the God of Israel?