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Elijah’s Journey: 40 Days and 40 Nights?

Sunday’s readings contain an interesting illustration of the way that the Bible can use numbers.

In the Old Testament reading, Elijah is on the run from the evil queen Jezebel and he goes out into the wilderness and asks God to let him die.

Instead, God sends and angel who makes Elijah eat and drink two times in order to strengthen him for a journey.

Then we read:

He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

One of the first things that you learn about the geography of the Holy Land is that it’s  tiny  by American standards. From north to south, the modern state of Israel is only 290 miles long, and its width varies between 9 miles and 85 miles.

With distances like that, a journey of 40 days and 40 nights is remarkable.

Some Basic Math

The fact that the text says Elijah traveled day and night would presumably indicate at least 10-12 hours a day, leaving time for breaks and sleep.

A normal person can walk around 3 miles per hour, so that would be 30-36 miles a day.

After 40 days of that travel, one would have gone 1,200 to 1,440 miles, which would be enough to take one  far  outside the Holy Land.

Since the number 40 is used in the Bible to indicate significant periods of time, this raises the question of whether the number is being used here simply to indicate a long journey rather than being meant literally.

Fortunately, we can shed some light on the question.

Where was Elijah starting from?

Although the verse we need isn’t included in Sunday’s readings, we know where Elijah was starting from. According to 1 Kings 19:3-4:

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life,  going to Beer-sheba of Judah . He left his servant there and  went a day’s journey into the wilderness , until he came to a solitary broom tree and sat beneath it.

So Elijah fled from Jezebel (queen of the northern kingdom of Israel) down to Be’er-sheva, which was on the southern border of Judah.

Indeed, the phrase “from Dan to Be’er-Sheva” was proverbial in biblical times as a way of referring to the entire Holy Land, from north to south.

So Elijah has fled to a city in the far south and then gone a day’s journey farther into the Negev desert. That’s where he had his angelic encounter at the broom tree.

Where was Elijah going?

The text tells us that he went to “the mountain of God, Horeb.”

In the Old Testament,  Horeb  appears to be another name for Mount Sinai, “the mountain of God” where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Unfortunately, the location of Mount Sinai/Horeb isn’t entirely clear.

A prominent tradition identifies it with Jabal Mousa, a tall mountain in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, by St. Catherine’s Monastery.

This is not the only proposed location, however. There are other locations — also in the Sinai Peninsula, as well as outside of it.

The plausible ones are either closer to Be’er-Sheva, though, or not much farther away, so we can use the location of the modern Mount Sinai to get a reasonable approximation of Elijah’s maximum travel distance.

(Note: You could suppose that the author of 1-2 Kings meant a different and otherwise unknown Mount Horeb — one located 1,200-1,440 miles away — but this is not suggested by the text, which appears to refer to the same mount of God on which Moses received the Ten Commandments.)

How far did he go?

According to Google, the distance from Be’er-Sheva to Mount Sinai is 417 km or 260 miles.

Of course, that’s along the modern road system, but we’re dealing with an approximation, so 260 miles will do.

How long did it take him?

Since Elijah had already gone one day into the Negev when he had the angelic encounter at the broom tree, and since he traveled another 40 days and 40 nights, that would be 41 days total.

What was his travel speed?

Using the numbers above, Elijah’s travel speed would have been 6.3 miles per day (260/41=6.3).

If that represents 12 hours of walking a day, that would be half a mile per hour.

That’s painfully  slow.

A normal walking speed is around 3 miles per hour, so Elijah would have needed to walk only around 2 hours a day in order to cover the distance in 40 days.

This would hardly be day and night travel, and that suggests that the description of it as taking “40 days and 40 nights” is a stock description meant to indicate a long journey and not meant to be taken literally.

It’s rather like when we say, “Thanks a million” — using a stock number to indicate great thanks.

(Note: You could suppose that Elijah encountered extraordinarily difficult travel conditions that slowed his progress to a crawl — like slogging through sheeting rain or mud the whole time — but this is not suggested by the text. The author of 1-2 Kings would be expected to indicate such extraordinary conditions, and he doesn’t. He just says Elijah travelled, without indicating that it was an unbelievably difficult trip.)

Confirmation from Deuteronomy?

If Elijah was able to travel at a normal walking speed for 10-12 hours per day then he would make 30-36 miles per day.

He would thus be able to do 260 miles in between 7 and 9 days.

A less determined person only putting in 8 hours of walking a day, rather than travelling day and night, could make 24 miles in a day and cover the 260 miles in around 11 days.

That’s very significant, because in Deuteronomy 1:2 we read:

It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea.

The precise location of Kadesh-barnea is also debated, but it is clear that it was on the southern border of Israel, placing it near Be’er-Sheva.

Deuteronomy thus gives us a remarkable confirmation of the approximate time it would take to travel from Be’er-Sheva to Mount Horeb: It’s something like 11 days under normal travel conditions, not 40 days and 40 nights.

Ancient Expectations

This is also significant because the ancient audience would have known that.

Not only would many in the audience (particularly those from Judea) have known the approximate distances and travel times, many would have known Deuteronomy’s statement!

The same applies to the author of 1-2 Kings (they were originally one book), who was clearly literate and who records the finding of “the book of the Law” in the temple in 2 Kings 22:8-10. The author even refers to the mountain as “Horeb” rather than “Sinai” — which is the way that Deuteronomy  overwhelmingly  refers to it.

Both the author and the audience were thus in a position to recognize the description of Elijah’s journey as taking 40 days and 40 nights as a stock number representing a long journey rather than a literal description.

This illustrates how ancient expectations differ from modern ones regarding the use of number: The ancients were willing to use numbers in a literary or symbolic way in different circumstances than we do.

Modern Expectations

If we fail to recognize this then, compared to the ancients, we can come off as overly pedantic, like Mr. Spock or Data — insisting on numerical precision while utterly missing the point.

The point of the text is: God strengthened Elijah for a long journey, not how long the journey literally took.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that numbers are  always  literary or symbolic in ancient texts — the 11 days mentioned in Deuteronomy  isn’t .

But it does mean that they  can  be, and we need to be sensitive to the context to tell us what the ancient author intended.

This applies, particularly, to skeptics wanting to accuse the Bible of being inaccurate.

Sometimes the Bible just uses numbers differently than we do today, and if we fail to recognize this, the fault is ours, not the Bible’s.

Thanks a million

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Elijah’s Journey: 40 Days and 40 Nights?

Sunday’s readings contain an interesting illustration of the way that the Bible can use numbers.

In the Old Testament reading , Elijah is on the run from the evil queen Jezebel and he goes out into the wilderness and asks God to let him die.

Instead, God sends and angel who makes Elijah eat and drink two times in order to strengthen him for a journey.

Then we read:

He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.

One of the first things that you learn about the geography of the Holy Land is that it’s tiny by American standards. From north to south, the modern state of Israel is only 290 miles long, and its width varies between 9 miles and 85 miles.

With distances like that, a journey of 40 days and 40 nights is remarkable.

Some Basic Math

The fact that the text says Elijah traveled day and night would presumably indicate at least 10-12 hours a day, leaving time for breaks and sleep.

A normal person can walk around 3 miles per hour, so that would be 30-36 miles a day.

After 40 days of that travel, one would have gone 1,200 to 1,440 miles, which would be enough to take one far outside the Holy Land.

Since the number 40 is used in the Bible to indicate significant periods of time, this raises the question of whether the number is being used here simply to indicate a long journey rather than being meant literally.

Fortunately, we can shed some light on the question.

Where was Elijah starting from?

Although the verse we need isn’t included in Sunday’s readings, we know where Elijah was starting from. According to 1 Kings 19:3-4:

Elijah was afraid and fled for his life, going to Beer-sheba of Judah . He left his servant there and went a day’s journey into the wilderness , until he came to a solitary broom tree and sat beneath it.

So Elijah fled from Jezebel (queen of the northern kingdom of Israel) down to Be’er-sheva, which was on the southern border of Judah.

Indeed, the phrase “from Dan to Be’er-Sheva” was proverbial in biblical times as a way of referring to the entire Holy Land, from north to south.

So Elijah has fled to a city in the far south and then gone a day’s journey farther into the Negev desert . That’s where he had his angelic encounter at the broom tree.

Where was Elijah going?

The text tells us that he went to “the mountain of God, Horeb.”

In the Old Testament, Horeb appears to be another name for Mount Sinai, “the mountain of God” where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Unfortunately, the location of Mount Sinai/Horeb isn’t entirely clear.

A prominent tradition identifies it with Jabal Mousa, a tall mountain in the south of the Sinai Peninsula , by St. Catherine’s Monastery .

This is not the only proposed location, however. There are other locations — also in the Sinai Peninsula, as well as outside of it.

The plausible ones are either closer to Be’er-Sheva, though, or not much farther away, so we can use the location of the modern Mount Sinai to get a reasonable approximation of Elijah’s maximum travel distance.

(Note: You could suppose that the author of 1-2 Kings meant a different and otherwise unknown Mount Horeb — one located 1,200-1,440 miles away — but this is not suggested by the text, which appears to refer to the same mount of God on which Moses received the Ten Commandments.)

How far did he go?

According to Google, the distance from Be’er-Sheva to Mount Sinai is 417 km or 260 miles.

Of course, that’s along the modern road system, but we’re dealing with an approximation, so 260 miles will do.

How long did it take him?

Since Elijah had already gone one day into the Negev when he had the angelic encounter at the broom tree, and since he traveled another 40 days and 40 nights, that would be 41 days total.

What was his travel speed?

Using the numbers above, Elijah’s travel speed would have been 6.3 miles per day (260/41=6.3).

If that represents 12 hours of walking a day, that would be half a mile per hour.

That’s painfully slow.

A normal walking speed is around 3 miles per hour, so Elijah would have needed to walk only around 2 hours a day in order to cover the distance in 40 days.

This would hardly be day and night travel, and that suggests that the description of it as taking “40 days and 40 nights” is a stock description meant to indicate a long journey and not meant to be taken literally.

It’s rather like when we say, “Thanks a million” — using a stock number to indicate great thanks.

(Note: You could suppose that Elijah encountered extraordinarily difficult travel conditions that slowed his progress to a crawl — like slogging through sheeting rain or mud the whole time — but this is not suggested by the text. The author of 1-2 Kings would be expected to indicate such extraordinary conditions, and he doesn’t. He just says Elijah travelled, without indicating that it was an unbelievably difficult trip.)

Confirmation from Deuteronomy?

If Elijah was able to travel at a normal walking speed for 10-12 hours per day then he would make 30-36 miles per day.

He would thus be able to do 260 miles in between 7 and 9 days.

A less determined person only putting in 8 hours of walking a day, rather than travelling day and night, could make 24 miles in a day and cover the 260 miles in around 11 days.

That’s very significant, because in Deuteronomy 1:2 we read:

It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea.

The precise location of Kadesh-barnea is also debated, but it is clear that it was on the southern border of Israel, placing it near Be’er-Sheva.

Deuteronomy thus gives us a remarkable confirmation of the approximate time it would take to travel from Be’er-Sheva to Mount Horeb: It’s something like 11 days under normal travel conditions, not 40 days and 40 nights. 

Ancient Expectations

This is also significant because the ancient audience would have known that.

Not only would many in the audience (particularly those from Judea) have known the approximate distances and travel times, many would have known Deuteronomy’s statement!

The same applies to the author of 1-2 Kings (they were originally one book), who was clearly literate and who records the finding of “the book of the Law” in the temple in 2 Kings 22:8-10. The author even refers to the mountain as “Horeb” rather than “Sinai” — which is the way that Deuteronomy overwhelmingly refers to it.

Both the author and the audience were thus in a position to recognize the description of Elijah’s journey as taking 40 days and 40 nights as a stock number representing a long journey rather than a literal description.

This illustrates how ancient expectations differ from modern ones regarding the use of number: The ancients were willing to use numbers in a literary or symbolic way in different circumstances than we do.

Modern Expectations

If we fail to recognize this then, compared to the ancients, we can come off as overly pedantic, like Mr. Spock or Data — insisting on numerical precision while utterly missing the point.

The point of the text is: God strengthened Elijah for a long journey, not how long the journey literally took.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that numbers are always literary or symbolic in ancient texts — the 11 days mentioned in Deuteronomy isn’t .

But it does mean that they can be, and we need to be sensitive to the context to tell us what the ancient author intended.

This applies, particularly, to skeptics wanting to accuse the Bible of being inaccurate.

Sometimes the Bible just uses numbers differently than we do today, and if we fail to recognize this, the fault is ours, not the Bible’s.

Thanks a million.

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Jimmy Akin Jimmy was born in Texas and grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant pastor or seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith. Eventually, he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, “A Triumph and a Tragedy,” is published in Surprised by Truth . Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine , and a weekly guest on “Catholic Answers Live.”

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Life and Times of Elijah

The leading empire at that time was Aram, which is approximately the location of modern-day Syria. There were also two other empires waiting in the wings: Assyria (which is today the western part of Iraq) and Babylon (the eastern part of modern Iraq). The basic sequence of dominance was that Aram would fall to Assyria which would fall to Babylon which would fall to Persia which would fall to the Greeks which would fall to the Romans.

The Jewish State, even when united, was relatively small. It would have been a tall order even when united to retain their independence from Aram. If either Jewish kingdom had any hope to survive they had to forge alliances. Of course, the most natural alliance would have been between them. However, given their history of bitter animosity toward each other it would have been an unnatural alliance.

Instead, they went to war against each other.

Thy Brother’s Blood

Judea, led by Avijam, the son of and successor to Rehoboam (I Kings 14:31), captured the southern part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam’s successor and son Nadab was not able to rally his troops against either and a coup broke out against him and he was assassinated.

His successor Basha not only killed him but all relatives of Jeroboam’s house. This was common practice in the ancient world. In order to make sure there was no heir the new king eliminated the entire family of the previous king. Thus ended the tragic line of Jeroboam, as predicted by the prophet (I Kings 14:10).

In Judea, when Avijam died his son Asa became king. He reigned for 41 years and conquered the entire territory of the tribe of Naftali as well as the western part of the Galilee. The kingdom of Israel shrank into a very narrow enclave.

When Basha died Elah took over. He was king for only a few months before he was assassinated. This rebellion was led by Zimri, who was promptly assassinated by Omri. As we spoke previously, the entire history of the Northern Kingdom was one assassination after another, one dynasty after another.

Together Omri and then his son Ahab not only stabilized the Northern Kingdom and recaptured everything that was lost but transformed the ten northern tribes into the strongest military power in the Middle East.

However, their dynasty too would end like the others of the pagan-riddled north: Ahab’s son, Jehoram, would be assassinated and his entire house wiped out.

Ahab and Jezebel

The Omri-Ahab dynasty represented the epitome of evil in their time. Omri completely drove out all vestiges of Judaism and monotheism in his land. He made the Phoenician and Canaanites deities his state religion, especially worship of the idol Baal. He not only brought in pagan deities but built temples and imported priests of the idol Baal.

To further consolidate his power, Omri arranged a marriage between son, Ahab, and the daughter of the king of Phoenicia, Jezebel. She is the original Lady Macbeth: a controlling, scheming person without scruples who brought with her every vile element of pagan culture, including the practice and ideology of idolatry, along with all of its concomitant cruelty and immorality. Unfortunately, Ahab, who was otherwise a very strong person, was unable to stand up to her, as often happens even in the strongest of men. Her ideas and ideals governed after Ahab became king.

“There was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of God, which his wife Jezebel persuaded him” (I Kings 21:25).

Ahab and Jezebel embarked on a campaign of eradication of all Jewish ideas and implementation of the Phoenician way of life and value system. It reached the stage that the prophet Elijah stated that there were only 7,000 in Israel who did not bow to the idol Baal (I Kings 19:18). Put another way, more than ninety-nine percent of the Jewish people of the Northern Kingdom worshipped the Baal. As part of their campaign, they killed all the prophets and closed all their academies. Elijah was the only prophet in Israel who survived.

However, the world was not enough for Ahab and Jezebel. They became obsessed trying to find and eradicate Elijah. The only thing that mattered to them was getting that old man in the shepherd’s clothes.

Elijah is one of the most fascinating personalities in all human history. He had many facets to his character. Perhaps foremost among them, he was not willing to compromise with evil under any circumstance. He had absolutely no fear of anyone or anything.

At the height of Ahab and Jezebel’s success, Elijah announced that there would be three years of hunger (I Kings 17:1). And it came true. Not a drop of rain fell. Crops withered on the vine. People were starving to death. The entire kingdom was buckling under and its enemies were preparing plans for invasion. Even the king himself was affected by the famine (I Kings 18:5).

Elijah knew it was the time to bring the situation to a head and called for a contest – a final showdown — between him and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He told Ahab to tell the people to come and see for themselves.

In truth, Elijah knew that performing miracles were not the way to settle the matter, because people are momentarily impressed with miracles but quickly return to their ways unless they have a deep, abiding faith. It is similar to the diet syndrome: despite sincere intention at the beginning it wears off. It is very difficult to overcome force of habit, which is life itself.

Hundreds of thousands of Jews came to Mount Carmel, including Ahab. The first thing Elijah did was tell the people, “How long will you remain on the fence? If you are for Baal then worship him. If God then worship him” (I Kings 18:21). You cannot have both.

This was a question not just for his generation. Today, too, we like to have a little Baal and a little God. However, Elijah reminds us that we cannot have it both ways.

The priests of Baal danced and shouted all morning. According to an opinion in the Tradition, they had prepared a hidden fire beneath their altar, but God did not let it burn. Into the afternoon nothing happened. Elijah mocked them.

“Maybe your god is sleeping,” he taunted. “Talk louder. Maybe he went for a walk. Maybe he is busy. Don’t give up. Louder. Try it again.”

In their desperation they cut themselves and danced with even greater wild abandon. But still nothing happened.

Finally, it was Elijah’s turn. First, he soaked his sacrifice and altar with water to make the miracle greater. Then he said, “Answer me, God, answer me….” Suddenly, there shot forth a tremendous fire from heaven that consumed his sacrifice and altar despite the water. The people fell to their knees and shouted: “God is God. God is God” (I Kings 18:39).

Everyone repented, even Ahab.

Unfortunately, people had vested interests in keeping alive the social fabric built around the cult of foreign gods. Jezebel chastised Ahab when he returned and immediately declared that she would kill Elijah, who once more had to flee for his life and go into hiding.

In a very short time, the mass repentance fell apart.

Instant anything is difficult to maintain – especially instant repentance. It can only be extended if there is follow up, education and an intensive change of lifestyle. Otherwise, instant revolutions more often than not lead to instability, which can cause the individual or community to regress to a point even worse than before. That is what happened to Ahab and the Jewish people. They were able to hold their physical empire together a little longer, but the inner core was rotting away.

Ahab repented of his ways, but only enough to keep his disintegrating empire on Earth together before his death (I Kings 21:29). His son Jehoram took over, but, as the prophet predicted, he and the entire house of Ahab were killed, including his wife Jezebel.

Among the prophecies pronounced by Elijah, and repeated by his disciple Elisha, [1] was that dogs would tear Jezebel apart limb from limb and lick her blood from the street (I Kings 21:23; II Kings 9:10). That is, indeed, what happened (II Kings 9:33-37). The only parts of her that remained were the palms of her hands and her feet (ibid. 9:35). Tradition teaches that they alone remained because of the one merit she had: she came to the weddings of Jewish brides and danced and applauded. According to God’s justice, even the worst person in the world needs to be rewarded for the few good things they do.

Into the Abyss of History

Thus came about the destruction of the third dynasty of the Northern Kingdom, a destruction the north never recovered from. The Kingdom of Israel became again a small, backwater country.

At the same time, although it was never as bad in idolatry it never turned toward the path of true Judaism again. It remained on the fence, in limbo, as Elijah had described them.

Although at the height of the reign of Ahab the people of the north thought that their kingdom was going to last for a thousand years, within a little more than a century it would slip into oblivion and the abyss of history.

[1] Elijah had four disciples: Micah (teacher of the prophet Isaiah), Jonah, Obadiah and Elisha (his main disciple). As an aside, all the miracles mentioned in the Christian Gospels appear in the Book of Kings as miracles performed by Elisha. A prophet often established his credentials by performing wonders such as the few defeating the many, reviving the dead, curing leprosy, etc.

The Prophets

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Elijah, Prophet

The prophet Elijah lived in Israel and Judah during the 8th century B.C., which is where he appears on the  Bible Timeline . This particular prophet was used by God to teach many about the Lord and to confront the evil rulers in the land of Israel and Judah.

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Elijah’s life was full of many challenges, miracles and adventures that were given to him by God.

The Widow and Elijah

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were Elijah’s greatest Earthly enemies during his life. They were wicked rulers who reigned over the land of Israel . One day God told Elijah to tell King Ahab that a famine would come to the land of Israel, and it did. God then sent Elijah to a widow to Zarephath and the woman had a son. When Elijah discovered who the widow was he wanted to eat a meal with her. She told him that she was going to cook the last of her food before she and her son would die. Elijah told her to make him some bread first and that there would be enough left over for her and her child. Elijah then prophesies to the woman that God will always provide her with enough flour and oil to eat. The Lord said that he would perform this miracle up until he decided to send rain again to the land.

The widow’s son became sick while Elijah stayed with them, and the Prophet brought him back to life by lying on top of him three times and crying out to the Lord. Many people use this particular story from Elijah to explain how God will meet the needs of his people and the great miracles that God can do to help people out in life.

Elijah vs. Baal

During the reign of King Ahab, many followers of God were persecuted for their beliefs. King Ahab allowed Jezebel to kill off God’s prophets, and the situation was so bad that they had to go into hiding just to survive. God eventually had enough of this situation and sent Elijah to stop Jezebel from slaughtering his people.

Obadiah was a follower of God who served King Ahab. There was a famine in the land at the time, and King Ahab told Obadiah to go and find some suitable cattle and horses. While Obadiah was out fulfilling his duty he ran into Elijah. The prophet told Obadiah to tell Ahab that he was going to stop Jezebel and her minions. Obadiah was reluctant and fearful to carry out this command, but he ultimately relented to Elijah because he was a godly prophet. So Obadiah told King Ahab that Elijah had issued a challenge to Baal and his followers. King Ahab and the prophets met Elijah on Mt. Carmel where they performed a contest to see who had the strongest god. Baal’s priests lost the competition, and they were slaughtered by the people. King Ahab was angry, and Jezebel wanted to destroy Elijah for the damage that he had done to her false religious system. God had used Elijah to avenge his followers deaths.

Elijah on the Run

Elijah had to run into the wilderness because Jezebel wanted to spill his blood for discrediting her God. He then encountered God while he was out in the wilderness. Elijah was fed up with fighting against evil, and he wanted to die, but God encouraged him to continue. God then uses a windstorm, an earthquake, and fire to teach people how God speaks.  The verses tell us that God was not in those three, but afterward he spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice. God then sent Elijah to Elisha so that he could make him the next leader.

The Cloak of Elijah

Elijah was nearing the end of his journey on Earth and God told him to make a man named Elisha the next leader. Elijah found Elisha plowing in a field and placed his cloak over his shoulders. Elisha then left his family and friends in order to serve the Lord. Elijah had taught Elisha many things about serving God since their initial encounter and eventually the Lord was ready to take Elijah to heaven. God told Elijah to travel to three places before he took him up to heaven. These places were Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan River. Every time that Elijah traveled to one of these places some prophets of God would run up to Elisha and tell him that the Lord is going to take Elija into heaven and each time he would tell them to be quiet because he already knew.

Once Elijah reached the Jordan River, he used his cloak to divide the water in order to cross to the other side. Elisha asked Elijah if he could be the next leader, and Elijah told him he could be the leader if he could see him when God takes him away to heaven. If he doesn’t see him while he is being drawn up to heaven, then he could not be the next leader. So the two men started to walk again and then a chariot from heaven appeared and carried Elijah away. Elisha then cried out “My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of heaven” before he picked up Elijah cloak to become the next leader of the prophets. Many Jewish and Christians believe that Elijah never experienced death, and he was expected to come back to the world right before it ends .

Bible References:

• 1 Kings 17 Elijah and the widow.
• 1 Kings 18 Elijah challenges the priest who serve Baal.
• 1 Kings 19: 1-13, 1 Kings 19: 19 – 21, 2 Kings 2  Elijah passes on his mantel of leadership.
• Unique circular format - over 1,000 references at your fingertips on this wonderful study companion
• Discover interesting facts - Biblical events with scripture references plotted alongside world history showcase fun chronological relationships
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11 thoughts on “ elijah, prophet ”.

wonderful teaching about Elijah the prophet .I appreciate the great information and the scripture.

I hadn’t know a lot on him so glad I read this love it

Thank you for the word of God,u may be blessed,i appreciate.

I was just reading the Bible , Luke 4:24-26, and a question came to my mind…where Jesus says, “when the sun was shut for three and a half years”…so I looked up on your timeline and saw that it was in 8,000 BC, which would be 10,000 years ago…does that explain the ice age and the extinction of the dinosaurs? Just curious:). Thanks for the hard work:). It’s helping we get an idea of times in the Bible:)

Celeste not sure where you are seeing that date?

I don’t know where you got that translation from but it is erroneous.

The proper translation is heaven and is referencing the rains not the sun. Jesus was speaking specifically of the famine that was in the land of Israel as a result of the prophesy of Elijah the Tishbite.

1Kings 17:1: And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Luke 4:25: But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

The story of the widow that Elijah was sent too begins with 1Kings 17:7.

1Kings 17:7: And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 8: And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9: Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10: So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11: And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12: And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13: And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14: For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.

While a day is with the Lord a 1000 years and a 1000 years as a day, we must take care not to apply that with every day in the bible as some would have us do.

The Genesis account of the 7 days of creation indicate that those days were seven literal, 24 hour days;

“and the evening and the morning was the first day” “and the evening and the morning was the second day” “and the evening and the morning was the third day” “and the evening and the morning was the fourth day” “and the evening and the morning was the fifth day” “and the evening and the morning was the sixth day” “and the evening and the morning was the seventh day”

Am glad to learn alot about elijah,what wonderfull ministry and faith he had in God.

..Seeing as we Are in The Last Days, Before The Rapture, The Mystery Snatching Away, of Christians That Truly have given their Hearts & Lives, to *JESUS*.. Elijah’s Taking Away to Heaven, without Dying..being Raptured, will Happen Too, then all hell’s gonna Break loose (7 Year Tribulation). I’m Beyond Ready, Looking..Listening for Shout & TRUMPet, Soon! Up, UP & Away, Soon! CONVERGENCE Of The Signs Given, by Christ, happening Now. Tge last portion of Matthew 24, is about HIS 2nd Coming, For The 1000 Year Reign. FACE-To-Face with The LORD, Can NOT Wait. I wanna go “HOME”

Elijah – never led any army or group. never fought a war always alone bold, brave man. rebuke the king when he did evil God loved him so much to take him alive to heaven

This was useless no information I needed about is major events

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Solved: Chronology of Elijah and Elisha

Elisha as a Type of Christ

Elijah as a Type of John the Baptist

A list of 40 similarities

Comparison Chart of Elisha/Christ Shadows, Types, Antitypes and similarities

1 Kings 17-2 Ki 10:10; 2 Chron 21:12; Mal 4:5; Mt 11:14; 16:14; Mt 17:3; 27:47-49; Lk 1:17; Jn 1:21-25; Rom 11:2; Jas 5:17

Introduction:

1.          How to teach this chronological outline and special features:           

a.          The detailed chronological table is your sequential guide that integrates bible readings, literary references, archeological finds and types/antitypes associated with each story.

b.         Printing the entire outline on full colour 8.5x11 for each member is recommended.

c.          The master map and Master chronological chart are best printed 11x17 full colour, double sided. One sheet with the map on one side and the chronological chart on the other. It needs to be large and in full colour. It makes a central references for dates and geography.

d.         To prepare to teach this monograph read it thoroughly several times, look up all bible verses chronologically and study it for several weeks.

e.         After teaching introductory material and acquainting the audience with the maps, archeological references etc, you can then move onto the main sequence of teaching the material.

f.           A detailed chronological list of the life of Elijah and Elisha.

g.          Archeological information from the inscriptions and stele of Assyrian Kings like Shalmaneser III give us additional information and confirm the historical accuracy of the Bible.

h.         A list of 40 similarities between Elisha as a type of Christ and Elijah as a type of John the Baptist. These are included in green text in the chronology beginning with TYPE :  

i.            A list of 25 wars.

2.          Elisha’s three prophet’s Schools :

a.          In 1200 BC Deborah was judging Israel at her “tree” between Ramah and Bethel: "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment." (Judges 4:4–5)

b.         In 1025 BC, David fled from Saul and went to Samuel’s prophet’s school called “Raioth” at Ramah: 1 Sam 19:18-20:1.

c.          In 842 BC, the three prophet’s schools of Elijah: Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho. 2 Kings 2:1ff and 2 Kings 4:38

d.         There seemed to be a regular “cycle” that Elijah and Elisha would travel between these cities of Ephraim.

e.         The day Elijah is taken to heaven in a tornado (whirlwind) 50 prophets from these three prophet’s schools accompany Elijah and Elisha but wait on the western shore of the Jordan river.

f.           Elisha replaces Elijah as the “master” of these three prophet schools.

3.          The same crossing point on the Jordan River with parted waters:

a.          See also detailed outline on the Jordan River and this crossing/baptism site of John the Baptist .

b.         Joshua’s crossing point of the Jordan on dry ground in 1406 BC during the conquest where the waters parted

c.          Elijah parted the Jordan and crossed on dry ground at same spot as Joshua: 2 Kings 2:8

d.         Elisha parted the Jordan and crossed on dry ground at same spot as Joshua: 2 Kings 2:14       

e.         John Baptized Jesus in AD 29, at the same spot Joshua crossed in 1406 BC and Elijah and Elisha crossed in 842 BC: John 1:28

f.           Jesus was baptized at the identical crossing point of Joshua, Elijah and Elisha.

4.          The confusion of duplicate and alternate names of kings of Judah and Israel for 50 years between 853-796 BC.

a.          We have meticulously added “king of Judah or King of Israel” after each of these names to solve the confusion.

b.         Not only do most of the kings have alternate names, but kings of Judah and Israel often ruled at the same time with the same names!

c.          Ahaziah, Azariah were names of kings of Judah and Israel but not at the same time.

d.         Jorah, Jehoram were names of kings of Judah and Israel at the same time.

e.         Joash, Jehoahaz, Jehoash were names of kings of Judah and Israel at the same time.

5.          The contrast, shock and awe of the 9 th century BC (900-800 BC)

a.          The 9 th century BC is the golden age of the divided kingdom period of Judah and Israel.

b.         The 9 th century BC illustrates in the clearest terms, God’s blessings for worshipping him and God’s destruction for worshipping idols.

c.          The contrast of living conditions during this most ideal period of the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel are clear and plain for all to see.

d.         While Israel is suffering famine, Judah enjoys prosperity

e.         There were 25 Bible related wars between Judah, Israel, Philistines, Assyria, Aram, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia, Arabs

f.           While Israel is practicing idolatry, Judah is worshipping YHWH.

g.          While Baasha is building pagan altars in Israel, Asa is tearing them down in Judah: 2 Chronicles 14:3

h.         While Baasha is having huge pagan festivals, Asa is exuberantly celebrating Passover and Pentecost to worship YWHW: 2 Chronicles 15:10

i.            While Elijah is killing the 850 false prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and flees Jezebel queen of Israel to Mt. Sinai thinking he is the last righteous man on earth, Jehoshaphat king of Judah sends priests and Levites with the Book of the Law of Moses to be read in all his cities and to teach the people about YHWH.

j.           While Jehorah king of Israel is teaching his subjects to sin in idol worship, Jehoshaphat is personally teaching the law of Moses from city to city in the last 5 years of his life in an effort to bring his subjects closer to the one true God.

k.          While Ahab is building the House of Baal for his pagan wife Jezebel, Elijah restored the altar of YHWH on Mt. Carmel for this great showdown with the prophets of Baal.

l.            While Israel is almost under constant attack from outside nations, Judah enjoys only two wars with the Ethiopians and Aram during a 56-year time of peace (900-844 BC) during the reigns of Righteous Asa and his son Jehoshaphat. In both cases God fought the victory for Judah!

m.       While God is working to defeat the kings of Israel (except when it bugged God that Ben-Hadad II said YHWH was only the “God of the hills or valleys”), he is working to defeat the enemies of Judah.

n.         While Elijah and Elisha, who work exclusively within the then northern tribes of Israel, perform some of the greatest miracles in the Old Testament, the Israel and Aramean kings who were often first-hand witnesses to the miracles, continue to practice Baal worship.

6.          God rebukes Judean kings for their allegiances with Israel and Aram

a.          In 896 BC, Asa throws Hanani the prophet into prison because he condemned him for relying on Ben-Hadad I to defeat Baasha: (2 Chr 16:7-10)

b.         In 853 BC, Jehoshaphat is condemned by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani over his allegiance with Ahab against Ben-Hadad II in the Battle of Ramoth-Gilead I in spite of the fact that Micaiah son of Imlah, predicts the death of Ahab:1 Ki 22: 2 Chr 19:2; Why Jehoshaphat would ask for a true prophet of YHWH, then reject the word of God that it will be defeat and therefore DO NOT GO, is a mystery. With the rebuke of Jehu, Jehosphaphat got the message it was wrong to join the battle after the prophet Micaiah said don’t go, so he begins to personally travel Judea teaching the law to restore his subjects to  true worship of YHWH.

c.          In 852 BC, God destroys the armies of Moab and Ammon in the Battle of Engedi for Jehoshaphat, who then enters into a joint ship building venture at Ezion-Geber with Ahaziah, the wicked king of Judah. Eliezer immediately condemns Jehoshaphat for this ship building allegiance and God destroys the ships either by the Edomites (who were getting increasingly hostile) or a natural storm: 2 Chron 20:36

d.         In 849 BC, in the Battle of Moab I, during the first year of the 7-year drought, Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Jehoram king of Israel and Edom decide to attack Mesha king of Moab. Moab had rebelled after the death of Ahab king of Israel in 853 BC. Jehoshaphat had just defeated Moab in 852 BC in the Battle of Engedi when Moab and Ammon attacked Judah in the Battle of Engedi three years earlier. Jehoshaphat was rebuked twice for his allegiances with two previous kings of Israel (Ahab in the battle of Ramoth-gilead I and Ahaziah in the shipbuilding venture at Ezion-geber). It is a puzzle why Jehoshaphat would AGAIN agree to another military cooperation with a wicked king of Jehoram of Israel who 7 years later issues a death edict against Elisha in 843 BC. Perhaps Jehoshaphat’s victory against Moab in the Battle of Engedi gave him confidence that such an allegiance was approved by God. Elisha is called and he miraculously commands the holes of the land of Edom to be filled with water during drought and they win the battle against Mesha. Later in 841 BC, Mesha will record is successful rebellion against Judah in his famous “Mesha Stone.”

7.          Prayer is as powerful as all the miracles of Elijah: This is a key application point regarding Elijah, John the Baptist and Christians today.

a.             John the Baptist performed no miracles, yet he came in the “spirit and power ” of Elijah:

                                                               i.       How can John come in the “ power of Elijah ” if he never performed any miracles?

                                                             ii.       “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah , to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children , and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”" (Luke 1:17)

                                                           iii.       "Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign , yet everything John said about this man was true.”" (John 10:41)

                                                           iv.       John was a prophet, yet performed no miracles.

b.             Elijah performed some of the greatest miracles in the Bible like raising the dead, yet was a man with a nature exactly like ordinary ungifted Christians, who also can accomplish much through prayer:

                                                               i.       "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours , and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit." (James 5:16-18)

c.              Christians today, who are not empowered with supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit as Elijah was, can like John the Baptist, “come in the spirit and power of Elijah” through prayer.

                                                               i.       Christians today function as prophets like John the Baptist and Elijah.

                                                             ii.       We have the inspired scripture of the Holy Spirit that informs us of the mind of God and future events like the second coming, judgement, heaven and hell.

                                                           iii.       Christians are commanded to preach the gospel of salvation to every creature and pray in the spirit and power of Elijah. (Mt 28:18)

d.             Jesus told his disciples that they would “perform greater WORKS than Christ”

                                                               i.       "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me , the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do ; because I go to the Father." (John 14:11–12)

                                                             ii.       These greater works were not miracles, but like John the Baptist, were proclaiming salvation and repentance to lost souls.

e.             Evangelism by Christians today is truly a greater work than all the miracles of Elijah and Christ combined.

                                                               i.       Miracles do not save souls

                                                             ii.       Telling someone Jesus so they believe does save souls.

                                                           iii.       The gospel is simple: Believe, repent, confess and be immersed in water for the remission of your sins and become born again!

f.               Prayer is more powerful and more important than any miracle.

8.        10 miracles of resurrection from the dead in the Bible: 3 Old Testament, 7 New Testament

a.             Elijah: Widow of Zarephath's Son: 1 King 17:17-24

b.             Elisha: Shunammite Woman's Son: 2 Kings 4:18-37

c.              Elisha: Israelite Man who touched the bones of Elisha: 2 Kings 13:20-21

d.             Widow of Nain's only Son: Luke 7:11-17

e.             Jairus' only Daughter: Mark 5:38-43; Luke 8:40-56

f.               Lazarus: John 11:1-44

g.             Jesus Christ: Matthew 28:1

h.             Jerusalem saints when Christ died: Matthew 27:50-54

i.               Tabitha or Dorcas: Acts 9:36-42

j.               Eutychus: Acts 20:7-12

9.        Elisha’s “double measure” or double portion of Elijah’s ministry is seen in:

a.             Elijah had a 35-year ministry and Elisha 70 year ministry.

b.             Elijah predicted a 3.5-year drought and Elisha predicted a 7-year drought.

c.             Elijah raised one person from the dead and Elisha two: 1 Ki 17:17; 2 Ki 4:32; 13:20. One man was raised by the dead body of Elisha (who had the double portion) but many were raised by the dead body of Jesus who had the messianic double portion: Mt 27:52. Then at the last day every man on earth will be raised from the dead.

d.             The Messiah (like Elisha) was prophesied to get double portion: Isa 61:1-7. In Luke 4:18-28, Jesus quoted Isa 61 in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth and said He had fulfilled it. The Jews would know the text well and recognize that Jesus was claiming the “double portion” of Elisha upon himself in performing miracles. They requested miracles to prove his claim. Jesus’ answer by directly named Elijah and Elisha in Lk 4:25-27. There is a direct tie between the double portion of Elisha and Jesus.

10.        See also: Excavations at Tel Rehov where the Elisha ostraca was found in 2013 AD

I. 40 ways Elisha was a type of Christ: Elijah as a type of John the Baptist:

A. Use of the number 3 ½, 3 and 7 by Elijah and Elisha as source for Daniel and Revelation

1.                It is no coincidence that the church began exactly “7” weeks after Christ was crucified: Passover to Pentecost was 49 days or 7 x 7 weeks.

2.                Messianic connection of Elijah and Elisha:

a.                     Elijah were seen as a central messianic figure and this may be where the first century Jews traced the meaning of the numbers back to.

b.                     Elijah starts his ministry at the beginning of his 3.5-year famine in 870 BC and is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind at the end of Elisha’s 7-year famine in 842 BC.

c.                      See  Messianic expectation in Dead Sea Scrolls and Judean coins .

d.                     We know that in the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Songs of Sabbath Sacrifice and the books of Daniel and Revelation, that the numbers times, time and half a time (3.5 years) 3 and 7 are widely used.

3.                The number 3.5: Elijah, Daniel, Revelation:

a.                     Elijah had a 35 year ministry from 877 – 842 BC. (Elisha had a 70 year ministry because of his double measure)

b.                     The famous drought of Elijah was 3 ½ years: Jas 5:17

c.                      The number 3.5: and Daniel/Nero/Revelation:  Daniel 7 : 3.5 years: The 1260 Days, 42 months: Nero persecution: 64-68 AD

d.                     The number 3.5: and Daniel/Christ’s Resurrection:  Daniel 9 : 70x7: The 70 weeks, 490 years ending at Resurrection of Christ

e.                     The number 3.5: and Daniel/Christ’s Ministry:  Daniel 12 : 3.5 years + 1 month: The 1290 Days, 43 months: Ministry of Christ up to between the Ascension and Pentecost.

4.                The number 3:

a.                     Elijah “stretched himself upon the child three times” when he raised the widow of Sidon’s son from the dead: 1 Kings 17:21

b.                     Elijah poured four buckets of water over the alter, three times, for a total of 12 buckets of water: 1 Kings 18:34

c.                      The three prophet’s schools of Elijah: Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho. Three times Elijah told Elisha to remain in at each prophet’s school: 2 Kings 2:1ff and 2 Kings 4:38

d.                     Men searched in vain for three days for Elijah after he was taken to heaven: 2 Kings 2:17

e.                     Ahaziah sent three sets of 50 solders to arrest Elijah, who killed the first two sets of 50: 2 Ki 1:9-13

5.                The number 7 in the Elijah and Elisha stories:

a.                     Elijah prayed 7 times for it to rain again after the 3.5-year drought: 1 Kings 18:43

b.                     Elisha performed the miracle of water on the 7th day of the Battle of Moab in 849 BC: 2 Kings 3:9-20

c.                      Elijah was told by God that there were 7000 righteous men in addition to himself: 1 Kings 19:18 (Ahab defeated Ben-Hadad II with an army of 7000 men: 1 Kings 20:15)

d.                     Elisha raised the Shunammite’s son from the dead by laying on him 7 times and the boy sneezed 7 times before he woke up. Note. There is a variant between the MT and the LXX. The LXX is probably correct:

LXX: "He turned and went in the house up and down. He ascended and bent down over the boy for seven times, and the boy opened his eyes." (4 Kingdoms 4:35, Greek Septuagint, LXX)

MT: “Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him; and the lad sneezed seven times and the lad opened his eyes." (2 Kings 4:35, Hebrew Masoretic Text, MT)

e.                     Elisha told Naaman to dip in the Jordan 7 times: 2 Kings 5:10

f.                       Elisha caused a 7-year drought (double portion of Elijah’s power: 3.5 year drought of Elijah = 7 year drought of Elisha): 2 Kings 8:1

g.                     Elisha’s ministry lasted exactly 70 years from 865-795 BC

6.                The number 3, 7 and 10 in Daniel used in important historical events:

a.                     10 kings – 3 kings = 7 kings: A core of 7 kings is computed when 3 kings are “subdued/removed” from the 10 kings: "‘As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings." (Daniel 7:24)

b.                     "Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to  heat the furnace seven times  more than it was usually heated." (Daniel 3:19)

c.                      Nebuchadnezzar was stricken in a mental illness for 7 years: "“Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let a beast’s mind be given to him, and let  seven periods of time  pass over him." (Daniel 4:16)

7.                Seven miraculous signs predicted by Jesus fulfilled in AD 65-66 at Jerusalem as recorded by Josephus Wars 6:288-300 and Eusebius Ecclesiastical History 3.8.1–6. It is noteworthy that these miraculous signs began on Passover AD 65 and ended on Passover AD 66, which was 18 days before the First Jewish War was started when the local Greeks in Caesarea defiled the Jewish Synagogue by placing an upside down clay jar of dead birds that had been sacrificed to idols on the entrance to the Synagogue.

a.                     SIGN #1: YEAR LONG COMET: Duration: 1 year. Wed, 3rd April AD 65 (6 days before Passover) to Passover, Mon 28th April AD 66.

b.                     SIGN #2: YEAR LONG SWORD STAR: Duration: 1 year. Wed, 3rd April AD 65 (6 days before Passover) to Passover, Mon 28th April AD 66.

c.                      SIGN #3: TEMPLE/ALTAR SHINE: Duration: Lasted ½ hour at 3 AM on Wednesday, 3rd April AD 65 (6 days before Passover)

d.                     SIGN #4: COW’S VIRGIN BIRTH OF LAMB: Duration: On Passover (Nisan 14) Tuesday, 9th April AD 65

e.                     SIGN #5: EASTERN IRON GATE OPENED ON ITS OWN: Duration: On Passover (Nisan 14) Midnight Tuesday, 9th April AD 65

f.                       SIGN #6: ANGELIC CHARIOT ARMIES: Duration: Before sunset, Thursday, 16th May AD 65

g.                     SIGN #7: EARTHQUAKE & MYRIAD OF ANGEL VOICES IN TEMPLE: Duration: Pentecost: After sunset, Sunday, 2nd June AD 65

8.                The First Jewish War lasted almost exactly 7 years: AD 66-73

a.                     Started at Caesarea synagogue: Sabbath 17 th  May AD 66.

b.                     Ended with mass suicide at Masada: Monday 12 th  April AD 73.

9.                The number 70:

a.                     The Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years from 605-536 BC.

b.                     The 70 weeks of Daniel lasted from 458 BC – AD 33.

10.            The messianic relationship between the numbers 3.5 and 7

a.                     Elisha had a “double portion” of power of Elijah: 2 Kings 2:9

b.                     Isaiah 61:1-7 speaks of a double portion of the Messiah and his followers.

c.                      Elijah predicted a 3.5-year drought

d.                     Elisha predicted a 3.5 x 2 = 7-year drought: 2 Kings 8:1

11.            Elijah and Elisha are the primary source for the numbers 3, 3.5, 7 in ancient Jewish writings:

a.                     The book of Daniel: see  details on Daniel  draws on the numbers from Elijah.

b.                     First century Jewish synagogue songbook: see details:  Songs of Sabbath Sacrifice .  Every synagogue used a songbook called “The Songs of Sabbath Sacrifice” that used the number 7 to the point of obsession. It was a collection of 13 songs, sung acapella, ( because instrumental music was banned in synagogues ), consecutively in a 13-week cycle. The outstanding feature of its use of the number 7 was as familiar to every first century Jew as “Jesus Loves Me” is to Christians today.  There are striking similarities with Revelation including the extensive use of the number 7, seven-word descriptors (Rev 5:12 = DSS 4Q403 Frag. 1 i:4), war in heaven, myriads of angels singing in heaven, a climactic detailed throne scene complete with thunder and lightning, detailed description of a beautiful, multi-coloured heavenly temple, judgement followed by silence in heaven, Rev 8:1 = DSS 4Q400 Frag. 1 ii:1-21.

c.                      As early as 90 BC, Dead Sea Scroll 11QMelchizedek is evidence that the Jews were long using the number 7 as an organizing numeric framework in their literature.

12.            The number 7 in the Amarna Tablets: 1406-1350 BC

a.                     The 382 Amarna tablets are cuneiform clay letters of correspondence between the city-kings being conquered by Joshua and the pharaoh in Egypt. The Amarna letters are one of the greatest archeological proofs that the history of the Bible and the conquest under Joshua of the promised land is true. The story of the conquest of Joshua as told by the Amarna Tablets.

b.                     Many of the Amarna tablets record a ritual of showing submission to pharaoh, king of Egypt. The Canaan city-state kings would stand before pharaoh then fall to the ground on their face, then rolling over on their back, then get up and repeat it a total of 7 times. This shows that the number 7 had special divine meaning among the pagan gentiles at the time of the Exodus.

c.                      Amarna Letter EA215 :  Storyline:  Bayawa begs pharaoh to send Yanhamu, an Egyptian ambassador or provincial overseer, to help within the year or the entire land of Canaan will be lost to the Hebrews.  Full text translation of Tablet : "To the king, my lord, my Sun, my god: Message of Bayawa, your servant. I  fall at the feet of the king, my lord, my Sun, my god, 7 times and 7 times, on the stomach and on the back . 9–17 Should Yanḫamu not be here within this [year, a]ll the lands are [lo]st to the ˓Apiru. So give life to your lands." (The Amarna letters, W. L. Moran, introduction, 1992 AD, EA 215)

d.                     Amarna Letter EA288 :  Full text translation of EA288:  "Say [t]o the king, my lord, [my Su]n: [M]essage of ˓Abdi-Ḫeba, your servant.  I fall at the feet of the king, my lord, 7 times and 7 times .  5–10  Behold, the king, my lord, has placed his name at the rising of the sun and at the setting of the sun. It is, therefore, impious what they have done to me. Behold, I am not a mayor; I am a soldier of the king, my lord.  11–15  Behold, I am a  friend  of the king and a tribute-bearer of the king. It was neither my father nor my mother, but the strong arm of the king that [p]laced me in the house of [my] fath[er]. 3   16–22  [ … c]ame to me. … [ … ]. I gave over [to  his  char]ge 10 slaves. Šuta, the commissioner of the king, ca[me t]o me; I gave over to Šuta˒s charge 21 girls, [8]0 prisoners, as a gift for the king, my lord.  23–28   May the king give thought to his land; the land of the king is lost.  All of it has attacked me . I am at war as far as the land of Šeru and as far as Ginti-kirmil. All the mayors are at peace, but I am at war.  29–33  I am treated like an ˓Apiru, and I do not visit the king, my lord, since I am at war. I am situated like a ship 7  in the midst of the sea.  34–40  The strong hand (arm) of the king took the land of Naḫrima and the land of  Kasi , but  now the ˓Apiru [Hebrews] have taken the very cities of the king. Not a single mayor remains to the king, my lord; all are lost .  41–47  Behold, Turbazu was slain in the  city gate of Silu [Shiloh] . The king did nothing. Behold, servants who were joined to the ˓Api[r]u  smote  Zimredda of Lakisu [Lachish] , and Yaptiḫ-Hadda was  slain in the city gate of Silu [Shiloh] . The king did nothing. [ Wh ] y  has he not called them to account?  48–53  M ay the king [pro]vide for [his land] and may he [se]e to it tha[t] archers [come ou]t to h[is] land . If there are no archers this year, all the lands of the king, my lord, are lost.  54–61  They have not reported to the king that the lands of the king, my lord,  are lost and all the mayors lost .  If there are no archers this year , may the king send a commissioner to fetch me, me along with my brothers, and then  we will die near the king , our lord.  62–66  [To] the scribe of the king, my lord: [Message] of ˓Abdi-Ḫeba, (your) servant. [I fa]ll a[t (your) feet]. Present [the words that I hav]e offered to [the king, my lord]: I am your servant [and] your [s]on." (The Amarna letters, W. L. Moran, introduction, 1992 AD, EA 288)

13.            So, when Revelation was structured around the numbers 3 ½ and 7, Revelation had the “feel” of “Jewish literature” that the Jews in Jerusalem would be familiar with. This enhanced their acceptance of the message in Revelation to “leave it all behind” and flee Jerusalem or die.

14.            Elijah and Elisha are the primary source for the numbers 3, 3.5, 7 in

a.          First century Jewish synagogue songbook: see details: Songs of Sabbath Sacrifice

b.         the book of Daniel: see details on Daniel

c.          the Book of Revelation: see details on Revelation

B. 40 Antitypes of Elijah and John the Baptist, Elisha and Jesus:

II. Ten Character Snapshot of Kings of the 9th century BC:

1.        Unrebukable fair-weather Asa : 911-870 BC: Asa was one of the most righteous kings in the Bible in removing idolatry form Judah and promoting true faith in YHWH. When God rebuked him for his allegiance with Ben-Hadad I (king of Aram) in order to stop Baasha from fortifying Ramah, he imprisoned the prophet 894 BC and stopped seeking God’s input. 22 years later, Jehu contracted a severe disease in his feet in 872 BC and still would not seek Gods help and healing. As long as God was praising his good works, Asa was happy but the first time he is criticized he gives up on God and gets angry.

2.        Ahab the Wicked Wuus : 873-853 BC: That Ahab was a wicked wuus is best illustrated in his sulking over Naboth’s vineyard then walking joyfully on its earth without regard that a man was murdered. Ahab sulked when he couldn’t have a forbidden thing: Naboth’s vineyard. He built a house for Baal for his wicked, dominant wife Jezebel while she murdered the righteous prophets of YHWH. Ahab defeated Ben-hadad II in the Battle of Aphek and should have killed him, but instead believed his crocodile tears and let the Aramean king go with a worthless peace treaty, only to have this same king 3 years later kill Ahab in the Battle of Ramoth-gilead I.  In that battle, Ahab the king disguised himself a commoner and that was one of his rare moments of truth.

3.        Jezebel the pagan prostitute priestess : 873-841 BC: Jezebel is considered the most wicked woman in the Bible and is described three ways: “harlotries/prostitute, witchcrafts/sorcerer, prophetess/priestess”. (2 Kin 9:22; Rev 2:20). At her death she sat in her customary window in the tower of the city gate of Jezreel and painted her eyes and fixed her hair. (2 Kings 9:30). This picture of her as representing herself as “the woman in the window” was no mistake. Many archeological examples of the “woman in the window” as the Egyptian goddess Isis and the cult of Astarte, have been found both in Samaria and in Assyria of the same exact period. Ahab built his ivory palace in Samaria and the Phoenician ivory motifs excavated from the palace where Jezebel lived, invoke of the goddess Astarte who also lived in a Phoenician palace as a sacred prostitute. Jezebel’s actions of painting her eyes while she sat in the window was a failed ploy to save her life by reminding everyone of her high spiritual status and the thought of harming her would create fear of drawing the wrath of the pagan gods. That Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians was strictly forbidden by Moses: Deut 7:1-5. As soon at Ahab became king, Jezebel built a “House of Baal” and started killing the true prophets of God. Elijah was alive to witness this and begins his ministry by predicting a 3.5 year famine. At the end Elijah kills Jezebels 850 false prophets on Mt. Carmel. "Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him ." (1 Kings 21:25)

4.        Evangelist Jehoshaphat : 872-848 BC: Jehoshaphat took “great pride” in spiritual matters and sent his royal officials, priests and Levites from city to city with a copy of the Book of the Law of Moses. (2 Chron 17:6-10) This is the same Book of the Law that was lost then found by Josiah in 623 BC. Amazingly, this all was happening in Judah at the same time Elijah claimed to be the “last believer on earth” at Mt. Sinai after he killed the 850 false prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. Jehoshaphat’s major failure was his allegiance with Ahab after Micaiah the prophet said “don’t go” or Ahab will die in the Battle of Ramoth-gilead I in 853 BC. (2 Chronicles 18:1-34; 1 Ki 22:28; Josephus Antiquities 8.414) Josephus said it was Naaman who was previously cured of Leprosy who shot the arrow that killed Ahab. The prophet Jehu son of Hanani condemns Jehoshaphat for his allegiance with Ahab in the Battle of Ramoth-gilead I. Unlike Asa, “Evangelist Jehoshaphat”, takes the rebuke of God to heart and during the last 5 year of his life, Jehoshaphat travels personally throughout Judah personally teaching them the bible. During this time, we know that Jehoram his son was coregent with him for these last 5 years of his life. While Jehoram takes over the official state matters and Jehoshaphat in his old age becomes an itinerate evangelist of the Mosaic Law from city to city. (2 Chron 19:4-11) It is no coincidence that the 7 year drought of Elisha begins the year Jehoshaphat dies in 849 BC. (2 Kings 8:1-2)

5.        The conversion of Pagan Naaman, army general of Ben-Hadad II of Aram : 854 BC: In 854 BC, Naaman comes to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy. Naaman said, “If not, please let your servant at least be given two mules’ load of earth; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering nor will he sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD." (2 Kings 5:17) Perhaps Naaman was familiar with: "‘You shall make an altar of earth for Me , and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you." (Exodus 20:24). Notice the direct parallel with Mt 8:1-13, where Jesus cured the leper, then cured the centurion’s servant at a distance.

6.        Carnally obedient Jehu : 841-814 BC: Jehu was obedient to God in killing Jehoram king of Israel, Ahaziah king of Judah, Jezebel and prophets of Baal in order to selfishly secure his own throne. Although he “eradicated Baal from Israel” it was for carnal selfish reasons rather than faith. We know this because he continued to worship Jeroboam’s two the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. So to Jehu, his pagan god of choice was a golden calf not Baal: 2 Kings 10:29-31

7.        The conversion of Pagan Ben-Hadad II king of Aram (860-841 BC) : 841 BC: In 850 BC, the king of Aram issued a death decree against Elisha in the Battle of Dothan because Elisha miraculously kept telling the top secret battle plans of Ben-Hadad II to Ahab king of Israel. He found Elisha in Dothen but his army was blinded, marched to Samaria, given food, then mercifully released. 8 years later in 842 BC, Ben-hadad II shows no mercy in sieging Samaria in the last year of a 7-year famine but is miraculously defeated by God. We do not know if he was injured in that battle or he just got sick, but within a year Ben-Hadad was on his death bed and who does he ask to see? The same Elisha who he tried to kill 9 years earlier. The same Elisha who miraculously told his secret battle plans to Ahab. For the next 24 hours until Hazael killed him, Ben-Hadad II may have been praising and thanking YHWH for the false hope generated through the lie of Hazael that he would live. At least his last 24 hours were filled with peace, joy and thankfulness. While the kings of Israel were seeking the worthless gods of Aram for advice, Ben-Hadad II realized at the end of his life that YHWH, the God of Elisha, was one true God.

8.        Filicidal Idolatrous Queen Athaliah (aka Jezebel #2): 841-835 BC: Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel of Israel. Athaliah was the wife of Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat. Athaliah was the mother of wicked King Ahaziah who Jehu killed and the granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. (2 Ki 11:1-3; 2 Chro 22:10-12) Like Jezebel her mother, Athaliah built a house of Baal, except this was in Judah. (2 Chro 23:17) She stole the sacred things from Solomon’s temple and used them for Baal worship: 2 Chron 24:7. Like Jezebel, Athaliah was a ruthless murderer of all her own royal children just to secure the throne for herself for six short years. The influence that Athaliah was the granddaughter of pagan king Omri of Israel outweighed her marriage to a king of Judah (Jehoram). She was killed by the righteous high priest Jehoiada who became the spiritual force in young Joash’s life as king of Judah.

9.        Joah: The faithless teenager who was forced to attend church by his parents but was never obedient from the heart: Joash (Jehoash) king of Judah:  835-796 BC : In 835 BC Joash became king at age 7 but it was the high priest, Jehoiada, who ran the kingdom of Judah as a shadow monarch until the king grew up. He immediately got the people of Judah to recommit their lives to YWHW and tore down the House of Baal that Queen Athaliah had built. In 815 BC High Priest Jehoiada persuades Joash king of Judah to repair Solomon’s temple but the priests are simply not interested in repairing the temple and any monies collected are stolen by the priests for themselves: 2 Ki 12:1; 2 Chro 24:1. The following year in 814 BC, Jehoiada collects money in secure chest to pay workers to fix Solomon’s temple: 2 Ki 12:6; 2 Chron 24:6. When the people of Judah learn that their money will actually be spent on repairing the temple, rather than enriching the corrupt temple priests, they give generously. Workers are hired and the temple is restored. But when Jehoiada the high priest dies in 808 BC at age 130 years old (2 Chro 24:15-16) the wicked temple priests convince Joash king of Judah, now 34 years old, to abandon Solomon’s temple and begin worshipping idols. God sends many prophets to warn the king and in 805 BC the prophet Zechariah, (son of Jehoiada the high priest who recently died) condemns king Joash for idolatry. Joash king of Judah murders the prophet rather than listen to him: 2 Chr 24:20 (see also Mt 23:35). In the Battle of Gath (804 BC) Hazael king of Aram attacks and captures Gath then threatens Jerusalem. Joash king of Judah pays Hazael tribute: 2 Ki 12:17;2 Chr 24:23. However, Joash king of Judah is severely injured in the Battle of Gath and is bedridden until death 8 years later: 2 Chro 24:25. In 796 BC the sickly and bedridden Joash is murdered by his Ammonite and Moabite servants in his bed: 2 Chro 24:25; 2 Ki 12:20. Joash therefore, was like a teenager who obediently followed the religion of his parents (Jehoiada, the high priest) until he grew up and was then free to become what he really was: an idol worshipper. Very few kings of Judah were involved in restoring Solomon’s temple. It is shocking that the newly restored temple was abandoned the year Jehoiada died. Many teens attend church with their parents until they become independent and are “out on their own”. Those who were obedience from a true heart of inward faith follow the proverb, “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart” (Proverbs 22:6). Those who are merely “putting on a show” because they “have to go to church” while living at home, are l"A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him." (Proverbs 17:25).

10.    Schizophrenic double-minded Amaziah king of Judah: 796-767 BC : Although Edom had been controlled by Judah as far back as king David, in 847 BC Edom rebelled and appoints a king for themselves: 2 Chro 21:8-10. In 793 BC (54 years after Edom rebelled) Amaziah king of Judah wanted to bring Edom once again into submission. In spite of the many warnings from God to form no allegiances with Israeli kings (10 northern tribes) Amaziah hires 100,000 Israeli warriors and pays them 1 talent of silver each for a total of 100,000 talents of silver. However God sends a prophet who condemns the alliance and assures defeat if he proceeds. Amaziah heeds the warning from God and dismisses the warriors, telling them to keep their pay. God tells Amaziah not to worry about the lost money because, “The LORD has much more to give you than this.” (2 Chro 25:9) Jesus tells us to give up the riches of this world for the greater riches of heaven! The 100,000 Israeli mercenaries are insulted and proceed to loot Judean cities and kill 3000 Judeans on route home to Samaria. In the Battle of Kadesh Barnea (793 BC), Amaziah attacks Edom in the “valley of salt” which is located at the south end of the Salt Sea, then travels south to capture the city of ancient Kadesh Barnea (Petra), which at this time was called “Sela”. Shockingly, Amaziah brings back and worships the gods of Edom: 2 Chro 25:6. God sends a prophet to Amaziah and says, “Why have you sought the gods of the people who have not delivered their own people from your hand?” (2 Chr 25:15). Instead of snapping to his senses, Amaziah threatened to kill the prophet of God. (This is exactly what Asa king of Judah had done in 894 BC when he threw Hanani the prophet into prison for condemning Asa for relying on Ben-Hadad I to defeat Baasha king of Israel. 2 Chr 16:7-10) Three years later in 790 BC, Amaziah king of Judah was still angry that the 100,000 soldiers had looted the cities of Judah and killed 3000 Judeans. In schizophrenic reasoning, he figured if God condemned the alliance with idol worshipping Israel to defeat Edom, he would surely defeat Israel, in spite of the fact that he is now also worshipping the idols of Edom! Amaziah king of Judah is not only defeated in the Battle of Beth Shemesh he is captured by Joash king of Israel who proceeds to tear down 225 meters of the walls of Jerusalem, loot Solomon’s temple and the King’s palaces. Joash releases Amaziah after taking several hostages to assure safe passage home to Samaria. Amaziah appoints his son Uzziah as coregent king of Judah in 790 BC after the devastating loss in the Battle of Beth Shemesh. From that point forward Amaziah was under the condemnation of God and for the next 15 years he was finally forced to flee Jerusalem to Lachish because his own staff conspired against him. He was captured at Lachish and killed and lost his soul to the devil. The life of double-minded Amaziah with his delusional schizophrenic reasoning is truly a puzzle.

III. Notable Quotables from 900-800 BC:

1.                  896 BC: Asa’s great prayer at Meresha when he faced an army of 1 million from Ethiopia: "Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “ Lord , there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord , You are our God; let not man prevail against You.”" (2 Chronicles 14:11)

2.                  896 BC: Just after Asa defeated the 1-million-man army from Ethiopia: "Now the Spirit of God came on Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. “For many days Israel was without the true God and without a teaching priest and without law. “But in their distress they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him. “In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for many disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. “Nation was crushed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every kind of distress. “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the Lord which was in front of the porch of the Lord . He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who resided with them, for many defected to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him." (2 Chronicles 15:1–9)

3.                  872 BC: "It came about, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went to serve Baal and worshiped him." (1 Kings 16:31)

4.                  868 BC: Note: Elijah’s great showdown on Mt. Carmel happened in Israel as this happened in Judah: "Jehoshaphat took great pride in the ways of the LORD and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah. Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the LORD with them ; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people . Now the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat." (2 Chronicles 17:6–10)

5.                  867 BC: "Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word." (1 Kings 18:21)

6.                  867 BC: The God Who answers by fire : “Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people said, “ That is a good idea .”" (1 Kings 18:24)

a.              Moses on Sinai: "And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights." (Exodus 24:17–18)

b.              “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." (Deuteronomy 4:24)

c.               Nadab and Abihu: Lev 10:1-3

d.              Korah’s Rebellion: Numbers 16:35

e.              Complaint about manna: Numbers 11:1-6

f.                "Sinners in Zion are terrified; Trembling has seized the godless. “Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?” He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure." (Isaiah 33:14–16)

g.              Destruction of Solomon’s temple and Jerusalem in 587 BC: "In fierce anger He has cut off All the strength of Israel; He has drawn back His right hand From before the enemy. And He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire Consuming round about." (Lamentations 2:3)

h.              Pentecost: Tongues of Fire: Acts 2:1-4

i.                "for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29)

7.                  867 BC: Miracles confirm who is speaking truth from God : "At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. “Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.”" (1 Kings 18:36-39)

8.                  854 BC: The conversion of Naaman : "When Naaman [healed of Leprosy after dipping 7 times in Jordan] returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel ; so please take a present from your servant now.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. Naaman said, “If not, please let your servant at least be given two mules’ load of earth [sacred ground of YHWH]; for your servant will no longer offer burnt offering nor will he sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD . “In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter. ” He said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him some distance." (2 Kings 5:15–19)

9.                  853 BC: Jehoshaphat personally goes from city to city in Judah teaching the Law of the Lord in order to turn back and restore the people to God. He also appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. He said to the judges, "So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to the Lord , the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you when you render judgment. “Now then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”" (2 Chronicles 19:4–7)

10.              852 BC: Battle of Engedi: "Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court, and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. “Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? “They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, ‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’ “Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. “O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children." (2 Chronicles 20:5–13)

11.              853 BC: A wife has great influence over her husband:

a.              "Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife incited him." (1 Kings 21:25)

b.              "An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life." (Proverbs 31:10–12)

c.               "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones." (Proverbs 12:4)

d.              "House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from [ie. She is obedient to God] the LORD." (Proverbs 19:14)

e.              "The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands ." (Proverbs 14:1)

12.              850 BC: "One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”" (2 Kings 6:12)

13.              859 BC: A single holy man among sinners is a powerful force of God: "Elisha said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you [king Joram of Israel]." (2 Kings 3:14)

14.              793 BC: Battle of Kadesh Barnea: "Moreover, Amaziah assembled Judah and appointed them according to their fathers’ households under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds throughout Judah and Benjamin; and he took a census of those from twenty years old and upward and found them to be 300,000 choice men, able to go to war and handle spear and shield. He hired also 100,000 valiant warriors out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver . But a man of God came to him saying, “ O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel nor with any of the sons of Ephraim . “But if you do go, do it, be strong for the battle; yet God will bring you down before the enemy, for God has power to help and to bring down.” Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God answered, “ The Lord has much more to give you than this .”" (2 Chronicles 25:5-9)

15.              793 BC: After winning Battle of Kadesh Barnea: "Now after Amaziah came from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought the gods of the sons of Seir, set them up as his gods, bowed down before them and burned incense to them. Then the anger of the Lord burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “ Why have you sought the gods of the people who have not delivered their own people from your hand ?” As he was talking with him, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you a royal counselor? Stop! Why should you be struck down ?” Then the prophet stopped and said, “ I know that God has planned to destroy you , because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”" (2 Chronicles 25:14-16)

IV. Solved: Detailed Chronology of Elisha and Elijah: 873 – 795 BC

A. Keys to decoding and solving the elusive chronology of Elijah and Elisha:

1.                  “The chronology of the stories of Elijah is extremely difficult to reconstruct.” (Kingdom of priests, Eugene Merril, p362)

2.                  The “Pre-Bible” beginning of Elijah’s 35 year ministry was in 877 BC when Omri built his palace in Samaria. The Bible recorded ministry begins in 870 BC when the 3.5-year drought coincides with the death of Asa king of Judah. This was also two years after Ahab builds the House of Baal for Jezebel in 872 BC.

a.               Elisha with his 70-year ministry, had a double portion of Elijah who from scripture, had a 28 year ministry, but we would expect it to be 35 years.

b.               Elijah storms onto the pages of the Bible “out of nowhere” in the great 3.4-year drought in 870 BC but it is clear he had been active before this.

c.                It was likely the condemnations of Elijah against the Baal worship of Ahab and Jezebel that triggered Jezebel to kill the prophets of YHWH and cause Elijah to warn of the famine if they did not repent.

d.               Obadiah (master of Ahab’s house) had hit the prophets in caves when Jezebel tried to kill them. When Obadiah sees Elijah after the 3.5-year drought, he says, “Is this you, Elijah my master?” Elijah had been hidden away in Zarephath and Ahab was unable to find him. After not seeing Elijah for the entire duration of the drought, Obadiah’s statement proves Elijah had been recognized as a prophet long before the beginning of the drought.

e.               When Ahab finally sees Elijah he says, “Is this you, you troubler of Israel?” but Elijah counters: “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and you have followed the Baals”. Therefore it is clear that Elijah had been preaching against Ahab and Jezebel long before the 3.5-year drought.

f.                 Therefore the most logical time for the start of the public ministry of Elijah was when Omri built his palace in Samaria in 877 BC.

g.               This means that Elijah was active in ministry a full 7 years (877 BC) before the first record in scripture where he proclaims the famine in 870 BC.  

3.                  The annals stele of Shalmaneser III give a year by year diary of events and record several of the battles recorded in the Bible.

a.               This provides a synchronism between the Bible chronology and Assyrian kings.

b.               The two chronologies (Bible numbers and Assyrian annals) are in perfect harmony.

4.                  Reversing the order of chapters 20 and 21 in 1 Kings:

a.               Reversing the order of 1 Kings 20 and 21 puts the murder of Naboth before the three Aram wars, which are now a single continuous unit.

b.               “The Septuagint reverses 1 Kings 20 & 21. “The Greek [ie. Septuagint] arrangement is superior , however, because it keeps all the stories about Elijah and Ahab together.” [J. D. Shenkel, Chronology and Recensional Development in the Greek Text of Kings]. Burney concurs, stating that the Septuagint is “no doubt correct in placing this narrative immediately after ch. 19.” [C. F. Burney, Notes on the Hebrew Text of the Book of Kings, p210, 1903 AD] (New American Commentary, p 225, 1995 AD)

c.                The Septuagint (LXX) was translated from the earliest Hebrew manuscripts in 280 BC.

d.               The Masoretic Text (MT) of the Old Testament that underlies most of our Bibles dates to 1008 AD.

5.                  When was Elijah taken to heaven in a whirlwind?

a.               To Letter of Elijah to Jehoram King of Judah dates to 845 BC: 2 Chron 21:12-15

b.               The Holy Spirit is providing direct inspired information that Elijah was alive during the reign of Jehoram.

c.                845 BC is year three of the sole reign of Jehoram, providing enough time for Jehoram to murder the royal family and become settled in his position.

d.               “Beyond his critiques of Ahab and Ahaziah in 1-2 Kings, there is one reference to Elijah by the Chronicler (2 Chron 21:12), which mentions a letter that he wrote to King Jehoram of Judah, indicting him for idolatry and murder; but this brief detail is not attested in the books of Kings, nor does it easily fit with the most widely accepted chronology, according to which Elijah would have died before Jehoram’s reign.” (Dictionary of the Old Testament, p251)

e.               It is to me noted that while there is only one reference to Elijah in the book of Chronicles, there are zero references to Elisha.

f.                 We must take the letter of Elijah to Jehoram king of Judah as genuine and of primary significance in the chronology.

6.                  The Famine of 2 Kings 4:38: 855 BC

a.               We have little information about this famine. It must have been localized to the Ephraim area that included Gilgal. Gilgal was in the Jordan valley near Jericho.

b.               The chronological/geographical reference, “When Elisha returned to Gilgal” likely refers to the regular circuit that Elijah and Elisha would take between the three prophet’s schools of Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho.

c.                Connecting the “return to Gilgal” in 2 Ki 4:38 as a narrative continuance of 2 Kings 2:1 is unlikely because the story of the miraculous conception of the Shunammite’s Son in and his death span 5 years in 2 Kings 4:18.

d.               The letter of Elijah in 845 BC in 2 Chron 21:12 was written during a famine and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind at the end of the 7-year famine when the rains returned and he crossed over at high water as a miracle, like Joshua.

e.               After Elijah was taken to heaven, the narrative in 2 Kings 2:23-25 has Elisha  first going to Bethel, then Mt. Carmel, then he “returned to Samaria” (the city). That Samaria is one of the home bases of Elisha in 842 BC makes perfect sense!

7.                  Jezebel kills the prophets shortly after Ahab became king but before the beginning of Elijah’s 3.5-year drought.

a.               Elijah predicts the 3.5-year drought soon after Jezebel began killing the prophets.

b.               Obadiah was Ahab’s “master of the house” who protected the prophets by hiding them in caves etc. from Jezebel.

c.                Elijah was sent to Obadiah at the end of the 3.5-year drought at which time the great showdown between the 850 prophets of baal vs. Elijah on Mt. Carmel.  

d.               Elijah fled to Mt. Sinai at the end of the 3.5-year drought.

e.               Therefore the 3.5-year drought dates to 870-867 BC

8.                  The miraculous conception of the Shunammite woman provides several critical chronological keys: 2 Kings 4:8

a.               Early in Elisha’s mission, he frequently visits Shunem where a woman and her husband build an upper room for him to sleep in.

b.               Elisha promises the Shunammite will conceive a child

c.                The child grows to about age 5 and dies, then Elisha raises her from the dead.

d.               Gehazi is involved with both the first miracles of Elisha (widow’s oil and Shunammite conception) and the healing of Naaman. Josephus said that it was Naaman who killed Ahab with an arrow in 853 BC. This is a double indication that Gehazi served 7 years after Naboth was executed but before Ahab died.

9.                  Synchronism: Elijah began his ministry with the prediction of a 3.5-year drought and ends his ministry at the end of a 7-year drought predicted by Elisha (double portion 3.7 x 2 =7).

a.               Elisha had a double portion so 3.5 x 2 = 7 years.

b.               Therefore, Elijah began at the start of a 3.5-year drought and ended at the finish of a 7-year drought.

10.             Elijah’s flight from Mt. Carmel to Beersheba dates to 867 BC, and Mt Sinai.

a.               After spending some time (6 months) at Beersheba, Elijah fled to Mt. Sinai in 866 BC and spent time (“abode”) there as well.

b.               We expect Elijah spend an entire year at Mt. Sinai and the great “Elijah what are you doing here” happened in 865 BC.

11.             Elijah anointed Elisha in 865 BC and functioned as the servant of Elijah “poured water on his hands” for 23 years.

12.             The 7-year drought recorded in 2 Ki 8:1-3 was predicted by Elisha: 849-842 BC

a.               This 7-year drought began when Elisha warned the Shunammite woman and her household to flee to Philistia.

b.               Ben-Hadad II sieges the city of Samaria during the 7-year drought.

c.                At the end of the drought Joram king of Israel is a death edict to Elisha, who caused the drought, (2 Ki 6:31) when Joram witnessed cannibalism of two women eating their children. The four lepers leave the city to find the Aram camp is abandoned and the entire city rushes out to get the food left in the camp.

d.               This ends the 7-year famine in 842 BC

13.             Elisha purifies the Jericho spring water and kills the 42 rebel youths immediately after Elijah went to heaven in the tornado in 842 BC

14.             Anointing of Hazael happened in 841 BC, one year after the famine ended.

a.               After the 7-year drought ends the woman returns to Israel and is introduced to Joran king of Israel by the leprous and defrocked Naaman in 841 BC, the same time that Elijah is at Damascus anointing Hazael. Notice Elisha was not present, but Hazael reported the events and miracles of Elisha to the king.

b.               Notice “ Then … Elisha went to Damascus to anoint Hazael”: 2 Kings 8:7

15.             Elisha dies in 795 BC during the reign of Jehoash king of Israel (798-782 BC)  

a.               See outline on Ancient Jewish Tombs

b.               In 795 BC Elisha was buried and placed in a tomb.

c.                In Between 795-4 BC when another burial was taking place, the Aram army attacked so they threw the dead body into Elijah’s tomb to make a quick get-away.

d.               When the dead body contacted the bones of Elisha, the man was resurrected.

h.               See outline on Ancient Jewish Tombs

B. Detailed Chronology and Timeline of Asa, Elijah and Elisha: 911 – 767 BC

V. Master List of 25 Wars During the Time of Asa, Elijah and Elisha: 857-838 BC

VI. Asa king of Judah: 911-870 BC

A. Chronological summary of events during the reign of Asa:

B. Parallels between Asa and Josiah:

VII. The Ahab/Josiah parallels:

In one of the strangest stories in the Bible, wicked idolatrous King Neco II of Egypt warns the "righteous promised child" Josiah to go home and not to fight against him. Josiah did not believe that YHWH had indeed directly communicated with and send Neco II on a special military mission to defeat Nebuchadnezzar in the Battle of Carchemish. Josiah was killed before the battle of Carchemish at Megiddo by an arrow shot by Neco II’s army at Megiddo.

This story is eerily similar  to how wicked Ahab, king of Israel.

1.            Josiah and Ahab Differences:

a.        Ahab was a king of the ten northern tribes of Israel whose capital was Samaria and Josiah was the king of Judah whose capital was Jerusalem.

b.       Ahab was one of the wickedest kings of the Bible while Josiah was one of the most righteous.

2.            Josiah and Ahab Similarities:

a.        Both were kings

b.       Both Ahab and Josiah were warned by God not to go to battle.

c.        Both disobeyed a prophet of God.

d.       Both disguised themselves and went to war.

e.       Both were killed by an arrow.

f.         Both said the identical words: "take me away I am severely wounded."

VIII. Overview of the Kingdom of Aram dynasty:

A. Dynasty of Ben-Badad I and Ben-Hadad II and Ben-Hadad III

1.           The Aram dynasty is as follows:

a.           Ben-Hadad I: 900-860 BC (son of Tab-Rimmon, son of Hezion)

b.          Ben-Hadad II: 860-841 BC (son of Ben-Hadad I)

c.           Hazael: 841-800 BC (usurped the throne, dynasty broken.)

d.          Ben-Hadad III: 800-770 BC (son of Hazael)

2.           Ben-Hadad I (900-860 BC) conquered Dan in 895 BC.

3.           Elijah healed Naaman the leper, who was the army commander for Ben-Hadad II, had accomplished many victories (2 Ki 5:1).

4.           Ahab was victorious in 857 BC by repelling Ben-Hadad II's (860-841 BC) invasion of Samaria.

5.           Ben-Hadad II was again defeated the following year (856 BC, 1 Kings 20:26-30) at Aphek (east coast of sea of Galilee).

6.           Three years later (853 BC) Ben-Hadad II is named "Adad-’idri" in the Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III (Battle of Qarqar) as having 1200 manned chariots and 20,000 soldiers in an alliance with Ahab (who had 2000 chariots and 10,000 soldiers) to defeat Shalmaneser III in 853 BC.

7.           Later in 853 BC, Ahab and Jehoshaphat joined in an alliance against Ben-Hadad II at Ramoth-Gilead (1 Ki 22:1-40) in which Ahab was killed. Ben-Hadad II is named as an adversary in the annals of Shalmaneser III in the western campaigns in the years 849, 848, and 845 BC.

8.           Around 850 BC, Ben-Hadad II attacked Joram, king of Israel in Samaria (2 Kings 6:24) but God struck them with insanity (panic: 2 Kings 7:6) and they fled back to Aram.

9.           In 841 BC Mesha, king of Moab, mentions the "house of David" in the "Mesha stele"

10.      In the year 841 BC 5 different events happen:

a.           In 841 BC Hazael's usurps the throne in 2 Kings 8:7-15 by smothering him with a wet towel.

b.          841 BC is also the 18 th  year of Shalmaneser III who actually records that Hazael was not royal blood but a commoner (son of nobody) who seized the throne in a coup from Ben-Hadad II.

c.           In 841 BC, Jehu king of Israel (841-814 BC) fatally injured Joram king of Israel. A few weeks later Jehu murders both Joram and Ahaziah, king of Judah in 2 Kings 9:24-28.

11.      Ben-hadad III is "Mari" in three stele of Adad-nirari III, king of Assyria: See  Conquest stele of Adad-nirari III , king of Assyria

a.           Saba'a conquest stele

b.          Omri-land conquest stele

c.           Rimah Joash conquest stele

d.           There are several inscriptions that reference Mari that have been discovered in archeology.

e.           The many inscriptions of Mari show it to be a  title   like King, Pharaoh or President or Prime Minister and is not a personal name.

f.             Both Hazael and his son Ben-hadad III were called "mr'(n)": Mari.

g.            "Page identifies  I Ma-ri-’i  māt Imeri-šú  as Ben-hadad [III], the son of Hazael ( Iraq  30 (1968): 149–150).  The inscribed ivory from Arslan Tash states:  הזאל למדאן  showing that Hazael, king of Damascus had the title  mr’(n) . Since Hazael had the title, it is likely that his son Ben-hadad also held it on becoming monarch.  Hazael ruled ‘all the days of Jehoahaz’ (2 Kings 13:22), which implies that he died either in the same year as Jehoahaz or later. Since  Ia’asu  is probably Joash,  Mari’  may be either Hazael, or  more probably his son Ben-hadad  (2 Kings 13:25). Page suggests that since no verse in the Old Testament records either Adad-nirari’s intervention in Damascus or tribute given to the Assyrian monarch by Joash (or Jehoahaz for that matter), the Israelite king (Joash) took his chance by siding with the Assyrians when the Assyrians appeared at the gate of Damascus. Joash’s gift was then recorded by the Assyrian scribes (p. 150). (Ancient Conquest Accounts: A Study in Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical History Writing, K. Lawson Younger Jr., Vol. 98, p 122, footnote 103, 1990 AD)

h.           "Hazael was the scourge of Israel in the reigns of Joram, Jehu and Jehoahaz, fighting against Shalmaneser again in 837; with Joram at Ramoth Gilead in 843/2 (2 Kgs 8:28) and Jehoahaz (13:22). In old age he was a vassal of Adad-nirari III (c. 805/798) who referred to him as  mari’ . This could be a title (‘my Lord’) or a personal name, abbreviation of Mari’-Hadad, for an inscribed ivory from Arslan Tash (Til Barsip) reads ‘lord Hazael’ ( mr’n ḥz’l ). His name is also found on an ivory from Nimrud and written on a bead captured by Shalmaneser. A possible representation of him appears on another ivory ( IBD , p. 612). He was succeeded by his son Bir-Hadad (Ben-Hadad III) who ruled c. 796–770 bc (13:24). The Aramaic Zakir stela inscription reads ‘Bar-Hadad bar (son of) Hazael, king of Aram’." (1 and 2 Kings: an introduction and commentary TOTC, p 227, 1993 AD)

i.              "More difficult is Mari of Damascus. Mari can be simply the Aramaic title, ‘my lord’ rather than a personal name. It has been suggested that the Assyrians referred to the Aramaean leader by this term because they were uncertain as to who he was. The Arslan Tash ivory might suggest that this was Hazael: ‘[]xx ‘m’ to our lord (mr’n) Hazael in the year [of the tak]ing of Ḥ[].’ A similar message is found on the Hazael booty inscriptions which seems to read something along the lines of the following: ‘That which Hadad (?) gave to our lord (mr’n) Hazael from Umeq in the year that our lord crossed over the river’. Others, however, would identify Mari with Bar-Hadad son of Hazael." (Ahab Agonistes: The Rise and Fall of the Omri Dynasty, L. L. Grabbe, p76, 2007 AD)

B. Dynasty of Hazael and his son, Ben-Hadad III: 841-800 BC

1.         841 BC was a busy year for Hazael that included his anointing by Elisha as king of Aram, fatally injuring Joram king of Israel and erecting the his Victory stele at Tel Dan.

a.           In 841 BC Elisha goes to anoint Hazael. Hazael has been sent by Ben-Hadad II to enquire if he will recover from a sickness. Elisha had previously healed Naaman, the army commander of Beh-Hadad II.

b.          In 841 BC Hazael fatally wounds Joram, king of Israel. A short time later Jehu kills both Joram and Hazael.

c.           In 841 BC Hazael puts the "Tel Dan Stele" with the "House of David" inscription outside the city gate of Dan where the pagan temple of Jonathan, grandson of Moses and Jeroboam had pagan altars.

2.         In 814 BC (23 rd  year of Jehoash king of Judah) Hazael conquers Gath and threatens to attack Jerusalem but Jehoash gives Hazael tribute.

a.           According to the  chronology of Kings Chart , it appears that the 23 rd  year of Joash is 812 BC, when in fact it is 814 BC. 814 BC is the 23 rd  year of Joash when you have the correct understanding of inclusive vs non-inclusive counting and the new years in Tishri (t) and Nisan (n). " Joash of Judah began in 836t; his reign was by non-accession reckoning, so his ‘23rd’ year was 836t – 22 (acc) = 814t. Jehoahaz son of Jehu began in that year, 814t, more specifically in 814t/813n. The trouble is when people look at the Bible numbers and think in terms of BC years without making the correct translation between the two calendar systems. Joash began in 835n/835t. This was 836t by Judean official reckoning, but it was, in our reckoning, in the 6-month period on or after Nisan 1 of 935 BC . (Rodger Young, email, 2014 AD)

3.         841-770 BC Aram controlled much of northern Israel's land because of their idolatry. It wasn't until Hazael died that Joash began to recapture some of this lost territory from the Arameans.

4.         800-770 BC: Hazael dies: “When Hazael king of Aram died, Ben-hadad his son became king in his place. Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken in war from the hand of Jehoahaz his father. Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.” (2 Kings 13:24-25)

5.         755 BC: Judgement against Hazael: “Thus says the Lord, “For three transgressions of Damascus and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they threshed Gilead with implements of sharp iron. “ So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael. And it will consume the citadels of Ben-hadad .” (Amos 1:3-4)

6.         See also: Stele of Zakkur, king of Hamath that name Ben-Hadad III: 795 BC:

a.           A war between Hamath and Ben-Hadat III (Mari), son of Hazael, and a coalition of 17 kings.

b.          See: Zakkur monument

7.         See also: A collection of 6 stela, tablets and statues that name Ben-Hadad III: 796 BC

a.           Adad-Nirari III, King of Assyria (810-783) "The  Unknown Deliverer  of Israel of 2 Kings 13:5

b.           "YHWH gave Israel a deliverer, so they escaped from under Aram [Ben-Hadad III]" (2 Kings 13:5)

c.           A stunning collection of six (6) stela, statues and inscriptions fully document how God used Assyrian king Adad-Nirari III, as the one who delivered Josiah, king of Israel, out of the hand of the Ben-Hadad III, king of Aram at Damascus in 2 Kings 13:4-5. 796 BC

d.          Ben-Hadad III named on the Stela of Adad-Nirari III , King of Assyria (810-783 BC)

IX. Archeological excavations and inscriptions: What you read in the book you find in the ground!

A. Tel Dan Archeological Destruction layer: Excavations Tel Dan Excavations

1.        Archeological excavations dating to 895 BC from the Battle of Naphtali have found a massive destruction layer confirming the Bible story as real history.

B. The seal of Jezebel, wife of Ahab, king of Judah

1.            View the Seal of Jezebel

2.            The bible story of Jezebel: 1 Kings 16:31; 21:25; Rev 2:20

a.        As the foreign wife of Ahab, king of Israel, Jezebel was influential from 873-841 BC.

b.       Jehu king of Israel had Jezebel thrown out of a tower to her death in 841 BC

3.            About the seal:

a.        The grey opal seal names Jezebel in Paleo-Hebrew along with Egyptian hieroglyphics .

b.       The rare seal was discovered on the black market in 1962 AD and donated to the Israel Museum shortly thereafter.

C. The Stele of Hazael (more famously known as the “House of David stele/inscription”):

3.        In 841 BC, Ben-Hadad II king of Aram, who tried to kill Elisha 9 years earlier in 850 BC, ironically now asks this same Elisha if he will live or die. Elisha anoints Hazael king of Aram. 841-800 BC. Hazael murders Ben-Hadad II king of Aram and becomes king in his place. (2 Ki 8:7; 1 Ki 19:15) See outline on Hazael

4.        Hazael Stele found at Tel Dan: “I killed Joram son of Ahab and Ahaziah, son of Jehoram of the house of David”. Hazael captures Tel Dan and sets up his victory stele. This is the second time Tel Dan has been destroyed by a king of Aram. Ben-Hadad I also destroyed Tel Dan in 895 BC. See: Tel Dan Excavations from the time of Ben-Hadad I.See also the Victory Stele of Hazael more famously known as the “house of David” stele.

D. Stele of Mesha (Moabite Stone) 841 BC

1.            Mesha was king of Moab in 841 BC

2.            He records several Bible kings, names YHWH and Samaria

3.            He also confirms the devastation suffered by Israel in 841 BC recorded in the Bible when he says, “Israel is ruined” (2 Kings 10:32-33)

4.            King Mesha also retakes the cities of Ataroth, Nebo, Jahaz from Israel

5.            See detailed outline: Mesha Stele

E. Archeological inscriptions of Ben-Hadad II, king of Aram: 858 – 828 BC

5.        Ben-Hadad II is mentioned in the Bible frequently and was a direct force in shaping the kingdoms of Judah and Israel during his lifetime.

6.        In 845 BC (Shalmaneser III, year 14, the Battle of Hamath II  was fought by Ben-Hadad II and 12 kings against Shalmaneser III during the time of Jehoram king of Israel.

7.        The Melqart Stele was erected at Aleppo by Ben-Hadad II as a “lucky charm/rabbits foot” to his God Melqart in order to get the stone pagan god’s help in defeating Shalmaneser III in the Battle of Hamath II (845 BC).

8.        Melqart Stele failed to appease the pagan god Melqart because Ben-Hadad II was soundly defeated by Shalmaneser III.

F. Archeological inscriptions of Shalmaneser III, king of Assyria: 858 – 828 BC

1.        Nine Inscriptions of Shalmaneser III:

a.         Shalmaneser III had direct contact with all the kings of Judah and Israel during his lifetime.

b.        The Akkadian cuneiform inscriptions on his stele, statues and tables name “Ahab the Israelite”, the house of Omri, Jehu, Sidon, Tyre, Ben-Hadad II king of Aram and Hazael who smothered him on his death bed as Elisha predicted.

c.         Many of his important inscriptions were diaries of annual military campaigns which are directly mentioned in the Bible.

d.        Shalmaneser III directly confirms the Bible story by calling Hazael “the son of nobody”. Ancient inscriptions confirm that royal succession from father to son of both kingdoms of Aram and Assyria was very important. Shalmaneser III specifically notes that Hazael was not part of the any royal dynasty and this is why he called him the “son of nobody” on his basalt annals statue.

2.        Full Text of the Battle of Qarqar in 853 BC from inscriptions by Shalmaneser III  (853 = year 6, Eponymy of Daiiān-Aššur)

a.         “On the fourteenth day of the month Iyyar, in the eponymy of Daiiān-Aššur, I moved out from Nineveh, crossed the Tigris, (and) approached the cities of Giammu on the River Balih. They were frightened of my lordly fearfulness (and) the flash of my fierce weapons and with their own weapons they killed Giammu, their master. I entered the cities Sahlala and Tīl-ša-turahi. I took my gods into his palaces and celebrated in his palaces. I opened his storage area (and) saw his treasure. I carried off his possessions (and) property (and) brought (them) to my city, Aššur. (Lines ii 78b-81a) Moving on from the city Sahlala I approached the city Kār-Shalmaneser. I crossed the Euphrates, which was in flood, for a second time in rafts (made of inflated) goatskins. In the city Ana- Aššur-utēr-asbat, which is by the opposite bank of the Euphrates on the River Sagura (and) which the people of the land Hatti call the city Pitru, in (this city) I received tribute from kings on the opposite bank of the Euphrates, from Sangara the Carchemishite, from Kundašpu the Kummuhite, from Aramu, the man of Bīt-Agūsi, from Lalla the Melidite, from Haiiänu the man of Bït-Gabbari, from Qalparuda the Patinean, (and) from Qalparuda the Gurgumite: silver, gold, tin, bronze, (and) bronze casseroles. (Lines ii 81b-86a) Moving on from the Euphrates I approached Aleppo (Halman). They were afraid to do battle with me (and) submitted to me. I received their tribute of silver (and) gold (and) made sacrifices before the god Adad of Aleppo (galman). Moving on from Aleppo (Halman) I approached cities of Irhulënu, the Hamatite. I captured the cities Adennu, Pargâ, (and) Arganâ, his royal cities. I brought forth his captives, property, (and) palace possessions, (and) burned his palaces, (Lines ii 86b-89a) Moving on from the city Arganâ I approached the city Qarqar. I razed, destroyed, (and) burned the city Qarqar, his royal city. An alliance had been formed of (lit. "he/it had taken as his allies") these twelve kings: 1,200 chariots, 1,200 cavalry, (and) 20,000 troops of  Hadad-ezer (Adadidri) [Ben-Hadad II] , the Damascene; 700 chariots, 700 cavalry, (and) 10,000 troops of Irhulënu, the Hamatite; 2,000 chariots (and)  10,000 troops of Ahab (Ahabbu) the Israelite (Sir'alaia) ; 500 troops of Byblos; 1,000 troops of Egypt; 10 chariots (and) 10,000 troops of the land Irqanatu; 200 troops of Matinu-ba’al of the city Arvad; 200 troops of the land Usanätu; 30 chariots (and) [N],000 troops of Adunu-ba'al of the land Sianu; 1,000 camels of Gindibu of the Arabs; [N] hundred troops (Line ii 95) of Ba’asa, the man of Bit-Ruhubi, the Ammonite. They attacked to [wage] war and battle against me. With the supreme forces which Aššur, my lord, had given to me (and) with the mighty weapons which the divine standard, which goes before me, had granted me I fought with them. I defeated them from the city Qarqar as far as the city Gilzau. I felled with the sword 14,000 troops, their fighting men, (and) rained down upon them destruction (lit. "flood") as the god Adad would. I filled the plain with their spread out (lit. "I spread out") corpses (and) <felled> their extensive troops with the sword. I made their blood flow in the wad is. (Line ii 100) The plain was too small to lay the (incredible number of) their bodies (lit. "lives") flat; the extensive area was not sufficient (lit. "vanished") to accommodate burying (all of) them. I dammed up the Orontes River with their bodies like a bridge. In the midst of this battle I took away from them chariots, cavalry, (and) teams of horses.” (Lines ii 89b-102) ( Kurkh Monolith )

b.        “I defeated  Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri), the Damascene, together with twelve princes who were his allies . I laid low like sheep 29,000 of his brave warriors (and) threw the remnant of his troops into the Orontes. They fled to save their lives.” (Statue Front, lines 14-24, Year 6, 853 BC) ( Basalt Statue )

c.         “In the sixth year of my reign, I drew near to the cities on the banks of the Balih. They slew Giammu, governor of their cities. I entered Til-Mâr-ahi. The Euphrates I crossed at its flood.  I received gifts from all the kings of Hatti. At that time Hadad-ezer [Ben-Hadad II] of Aram , Irhuleni the Hamathite, together with the kings of Hatti and the seacoast, relied on each other's strength and came out against me to offer battle (make battle and war). At the command of Assur, the great lor, my lord, I fought with them, I accomplished their defeat. I took from them their chariots, their cavalry, and their weapons of war. I slew 20,500 of their warriors with the sword. (Lines 54-62) ( Black Obelisk ) 

d.        “In my sixth regnal year I moved out from Nineveh and approached the cities on the banks of the River Balih. They became frightened in the face of my mighty weapons and [killed] Giammu, [their city] ruler. I entered the city Til-turahi (and) claimed the city as my own. Moving on from the banks of the River Balih [I crossed the Euphrates in flood]. (line 15') I received [tribute] from the kings of the land Hatti. Moving on from the land Hatti I approached Aleppo (Halman) (and) made sacrifices [before the god Adad] of Aleppo (Halman). Moving on from Aleppo (Halman) I approached the city Qarqar.  Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene , Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea, trusting in their united forces, attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them. I put to the sword 25,000 of their fighting men (and) captured from them their chariotry, cavalry, (and) military equipment. To save their lives they ran away. I boarded boats (and) went out upon the sea.” (Lines 12'b-19') ( Twin Bulls )

e.         “In my sixth regnal year I approached the cities on the banks of the River Balih. They killed Giammu, their city ruler. I entered the city Til-turahi. I crossed the Euphrates in flood (and) received tribute from the kings of the land Hatti.  Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene , Irhulënu, the Hamatite,  together with twelve kings  on the shore of the sea, (Column II, line 20) trusting in their united forces, attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them (and) defeated them. I captured from them their chariotry, cavalry, (and) military equipment (and) put to the sword 25,000 of their fighting men.” (Column II, lines 13-25) ( Marble Tablets )

3.        Full Text of the Battle of Carchemish in 849 BC from inscriptions by Shalmaneser III (849 BC=Year 10)

a.         “In the tenth year of my reign, I crossed the Euphrates for the eighth time. I captured the cities of Sangara of Carchemish. I advanced against the cities of Arame. I captured Arnê, his royal city, together with 100 of his small cities.” (Lines 85-86) ( Black Obelisk ) 

b.        “In my tenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the eighth time. I razed, destroyed, (and) burned the cities of Sangara, the Carchemishite. Moving on from the cities of the Carchemishite I approached the cities of Aramu (and) captured the city Arnê, his royal city. I razed, destroyed, (and) burned (it) together with one hundred cities in its environs. I massacred them (and) plundered them. At that time,  Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri), the Damascene, (and) Irhulenu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea, trusting in their united forces , attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them (and) defeated them. I took from them their chariotry, cavalry, and military equipment. To save their lives they ran away.” (Lines 29'b-34') ( Twin Bulls )

c.         “In my tenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the eighth time. <I captured> the cities of Sangara, the  Carchemishite . Moving on from the cities of the Carchemishite I approached the cities of Aramu (and) captured Arnê, his royal city,  together with one hundred cities in its environs .” (Column II, lines 45-50) ( Marble Tablets )

4.        Full Text of the Battle of Hamath I in 848 BC from inscriptions by Shalmaneser III (848 BC=Year 11) 

a.         “In the eleventh year of my reign, I crossed the euphrates for the ninth time. I captured countless cities. I descended upon cities of the land of Hamath. I captured 89 cities.  Hadad-ezer [Ben-Hadad II] of Aram and twelve kings  of the land of Hatti stood by each other. I was successful in overthrowing them.” (Lines 87-89) ( Black Obelisk )

b.        “In my eleventh regnal year I moved out from Nineveh (and) crossed the Euphrates in flood for the ninth time. I captured ninety-seven cities of Sangara. I captured, razed, destroyed, (and) burned one hundred cities of Aramu. I took to the slopes of the Amanus range, crossed Mount laraqu, (and) descended to the cities of the people of Hamat. I captured the city Aštammaku, together with ninetynine (other) cities. I massacred their (inhabitants) (and) plundered them. At that time  Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri), the Damascene, (and) Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings on the shore of the sea , trusting in their united forces, attacked me to wage war and battle. I fought with them (and) defeated them. I put to the sword 10,000 of their fighting men. I took from them their chariotry, cavalry, and military equipment. On my return I captured Aparāzu, the fortified city of Aramu. At that time I received tribute from Qalparunda the Patinean: silver, gold, tin, horses, oxen, sheep, (and) linen garments. I went (back) up the Amanus range (and) cut beams of cedar.” (Lines 35'-41'a) ( Twin Bulls )

c.         “In my eleventh regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the ninth time. I captured ninety-seven cities of Sangara (and) one hundred cities of Aramu. I took to the slopes of the Amanus range, (Column II, line 55) crossed Mount Iaraqu, (and) descended to the cities of the people of Hamath. I captured the city Abšimaku (Aštammaku?), together with eighty-nine cities. At that time (Column III, line 1)  Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II], the Damascene, (and) Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings  on the shore of the sea, trusting in their united forces, (attacked me) and I fought with them (and) defeated them. I put to the sword [10] ,000 of their fighting men.” (Column II, line 51 – column III, line 5) ( Marble Tablets )

5.        Full Text of the Battle of Hamath II in 845 BC from inscriptions by Shalmaneser III (845 BC=Year 14) 

a.         Note: The  Melqart Stele  was erected by Ben-Hadad II in preparation for this battle.

b.        “In the fourteenth year of my reign, I mustered my land. I crossed the Euphrates.  Twelve kings  advanced to meet me. I battled with them and successfully overthrew them.” (Lines 92-93) ( Black Obelisk )

c.         “In my fourteenth regnal year I mustered (the troops of my) extensive land in countless numbers (and) crossed the Euphrates in flood with 120,000 troops. At that time  Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri), the Damascene, (and) Irhulënu, the Hamatite, together with twelve kings  on the shore of the sea, above and below, mustered their troops which were too numerous to be counted. They attacked me, I fought with them, (and) defeated them. I destroyed their chariotry (and) cavalry — (and) took away their military equipment. To save their lives they ran away.” (Lines 44b-47a) ( Twin Bulls )

d.        “In my fourteenth regnal year I mustered (the troops of my) extensive land in countless numbers (and) crossed the Euphrates in flood with 120,000 of my troops. At that time  Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II] , the Damascene, (and) Irhulënu, the Hamatite,  together with twelve kings  on the shore of the sea, (Column III, line 20) above and below, mustered their troops, which were too numerous to be counted. They attacked me, I fought with them, (and) defeated them. I took away their chariotry, cavalry, (and) military equipment. To save their lives they ran away.” (Column III, lines 14-25) ( Marble Tablets )

6.        Full Text of the Siege of Damascus in 841 BC from inscriptions by Shalmaneser III (841 BC=Year 18)

a.         “Hadad-ezer (Adad-idri) [Ben-Hadad II] passed away (and) Haza'el, son of a nobody, took the throne.  He mustered his numerous troops (and) moved against me to wage war and battle. I fought with him (and) defeated him. I took away from him his walled camp. He fled to save his life (and) I pursued (him) as far as Damascus, his royal city, (ii 1) [I cut down his] gardens. [...] The gods Anu and  A[dad  ...] peace [...] I received tax [...] (Statue Front, lines 25-35, continued onto left hip, Lines 1-6, Year 18, 841 BC) ( Basalt Statue )

b.        “In my eighteenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the sixteenth time.  Hazael of Damascus attacked to do battle.  I captured from him 1,121 of his chariots (and) 470 of his cavalry, together with his camp. (Lines 97b-99a) ( Black Obelisk )

c.         “In my eighteenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the sixteenth time.  Hazael of Damascus , trusting in the might of his soldiers, (line 5") carried out an extensive muster of his troops. He fortified Mount Saniru, the mountain peak, which is before Mount Lebanon. I fought with him (and) defeated him. (line 10") I put to the sword 16,000 of his fighting men (and) took away from him 1,121 of his chariots (and) 470 of his cavalry with his military camp. To save (line 15") his life he ran away (but) I pursued him.  I imprisoned him in Damascus, his royal city, (and) cut down his gardens . I marched to Mount Haurānu (and) razed, destroyed, (and) (line 20") burned cities without number. I carried off more booty than could be counted. I marched to Mount Ba’lira’asi, which is a cape (jutting out into) the sea, (and) erected my royal statue there.  At that time I received (line 25") tribute from the people of Tyre (and) Sidon (and) from Jehu (Iaua) of the house of Omri (Humrî) . (Lines I"-27") ( Twin Bulls )

d.        “In my eighteenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the sixteenth time.  Hazael of Damascus , trusting in the might of his soldiers, carried out an extensive muster of his troops, (Column III, line 50)  He fortified Mount Saniru , the mountain peak, which is before Mount Lebanon. I put to the sword 16,020 of his fighting men (and) took away from him 1,121 of his chariots (and) 470 of his cavalry with his military camp, (Column IV, line 1) To save his life he ran away (but) I pursued him.  I imprisoned him in Damascus , his royal city, cut down his gardens, (and) burned his shocks, (Column IV, line 5) I marched to Mount Haurānu (and) razed, destroyed, burned, (and) plundered cities without number. I marched to Mount Ba’lira’asi, which is a cape (jutting out into) the sea before the land of Tyre, (and) (Column IV, line 10) erected my royal statue there.  I received tribute from Ba’ali-manzeri of Tyre (and) from Jehu (Iāu) of the house of Omri (Humri).  On my return I ascended Mount Lebanon (and) erected my royal statue with the statue of  Tiglathpileser , a strong king who preceded me.” (Column III, line 45b – Column IV, line 15a) ( Marble Tablets )

e.         “In my eighteenth regnal year I crossed the Euphrates for the sixteenth time.  Hazael of Damascus,  trusting in the might of his soldiers, carried out an extensive muster of his troops. He fortified Mount Saniru, the mountain peak which is before Mount Lebanon.  I fought with him (and) defeated him . I put to the sword 16,000 of his fighting men (and) took away from him 1,121 of his chariots (and) 470 of his cavalry with his military camp. (Lines 25) To save his life he ran away (but) I pursued (him). I imprisoned him in Damascus, his royal city, (and) cut down his gardens. I marched to Mount Haurānu (and) razed, destroyed, burned, (and) plundered cities without number. I marched to Mount Ba’alira’asi, which is a cape (jutting out into) the sea, (and) erected my royal statue there.  At that time I received tribute from the people of Tyre, Sidon, (and) from Jehu (laua) of the house of Omri (Humrî) .” (Lines 21-30a) ( Alabaster Statue )

7.        Full Text of the Battle of Aram 838 BC from inscriptions by Shalmaneser III (838 BC=Year 21)

a.         “In the twenty-first year of my reign, I crossed the Euphrates for the twenty-first time. I advanced against the  cities of Hazael of Aram. I captured four of his cities . I received the gifts of the  Tyrians, Sidonians, and Gebalites [Byblos] .”   (Lines 102-104) ( Black Obelisk )

G. Archeological inscriptions from the Kuntillet Ajrud Fortress in the Negev: 839 BC

1.        See full outline on Kuntillet Ajrud ostraca

2.        Kuntillet Ajrud was one of the border fortresses build by Solomon on the Egyptian-Judean/Simeon border.

a.        There are several levels of occupation.

b.       The ostraca used here date to 839 BC.

3.        All the inscriptions found at Kuntillet Ajrud paint a sad picture of a mixing of paganism with pure monotheistic Judaism .

4.        Kuntillet Ajrud Ostraca on Pithos Jar #1:

a.        Pictured above, it is the earliest known text of Numbers 4:24-26 known on earth.

b.       It predates the Silver Scroll by over 140 years!

5.        Kuntillet Ajrud Ostraca on Pithos Jar #2:

a.        Text: “YHWH of Samaria and his wife”.

b.       This illustrates the idolatry at Samaria that mixed the worship of YHWH and paganism where the God of Abraham is worshipped along side of the wife of the God of Abraham.

c.        This mirrors the pagan view of multiple gods with their goddess wives and god children.

H. Ostraca of Elisha found in the home town of Elisha: 830 BC: Elisha Ostraca

1.        See details: Elisha Ostraca

2.        Ostraca of Elisha: Discovered in 2013 AD in professional 3-dimentional archeological excavations at Tel Rehov, which is the home town of Elisha in the Bible called Abel-Meholah which is located 10 km SE of Beth-Shean near the Jordan river.

3.        The home town of Elisha would be a famous place during and after his lifetime.

a.        "The Lord said to Elijah [at Mt. Sinai], “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place ." (1 Kings 19:15–16)

b.       While the anointing of Elisha took place in 865 BC and the Ostraca is dated to 830 BC (35 years later), this documents the Bible story perfectly.

4.        To find an ostraca with the name of Elisha on it, in the home town of Elisha in the Bible is a stunning proof that “what you read in the book, you find in the ground”.

5.        See also: Excavations at Tel Rehov where the Elisha ostraca was found in 2013 AD

I. Inscriptions of Adad-nirari III: 810-783 BC

1.       See outline on Adad-nirari III

a.        Adad-nirair III sets up four statues of Nebu/Nebo in Calah (Nimrod)

b.       Trust Nebo Alone Statue

c.        The inscription records the equivalent to the “Lord’s prayer” to a pagan god: "To the god Nebo who is heroic, exalted, surpassing in wisdom, mighty prince whose command is supreme, master of the arts, guardian of all heaven and earth, all knowing, whose ear is open [ie. to prayer] who writes the book of man's life and destiny, merciful, approachable, who depopulate and repopulate the land [determines the boundaries of man's habitation.] lord of lords, whose might has no equal, without whom no counsel is given in heaven, merciful, compassionate, kindly forgiving. Trust in the god Nebo! Do not trust in another god. " (Trust Nebo Alone Statue of Adad-nardi III, 804 BC)

a.        See outline Rimah Joash conquest stele

b.       Rimah Joash Conquest stele inscription: “In one year I subdued all the lands of Amurru & Hatti (Syria and Israel). I imposed tribute of Mari [Ben-Hadad III], the Damascene. I received the tribute of Joash [lit. Iu'asu], the Samaritan, and tribute of Tyre & Sidon.” ( Rimah Joash conquest stele of Adad-nirari III)

a.        Saba’a Conquest Stele inscription: “I confined Mari [Ben Hadad III] in Damascus and he gave me 100 talents of gold and 1,000 talents of silver as tribute.” ( Saba'a conquest stele of Adad-nirari III)

b.       See outline: Saba'a conquest stele

J. Inscriptions of Zakkur king of Hamath and the Battle of Hamath III: 795 BC

1.       After his defeat by Adad-Nirari III of Assyria, Ben-Hadad III attacks Hamath but again is defeated by Zakkur king of Hamath.

2.       Notice how king Zakkur trusts in his pagan god.

3.       Inscription of the Stele of Zakkur: “I am Zakkur, king of Hamath and Luʿash. I was a humble but Baʿlshamayn [my other god] [raised] me and stood beside me, and Baʿlshamayn made me king over Hazrach [Hamath]. Then  Ben-Hadad [III], son of Hazael, king of Aram , united against me s[even]teen kings:  Ben-Hadad [III]  and his army, Bar-Gush and his army, the king of Que and his army, the king of ʿAmuq and his army, the king of Gurgum and his army, the king of Samʾal and his army, the king of Meliz and his  army [ ] seven[teen],  they and their armies.  All these kings laid siege to Hazrach . They raised a wall higher than the wall of Hazrach, they dug a ditch deeper than [its] ditch. Now I raised my hands to Baʿlshamayn and Baʿlshamayn answered me. Baʿlshamayn [spoke] to me through seers and diviners. Baʿlshamayn said to me, “ Do not be afraid! Since I have made [you king, I will stand] beside you. I will save you from all [these kings who] have besieged you .” [Baʿlsha-mayn] also said to [me, “] all these kings who have [besieged you ] and this wall [ ].” ( Stele of Zakkur , King of Hamath)

5.       See outline on Stele of Zakkur , King of Hamath

Conclusion:

1.                   The 9 th century BC (899-800 BC) was a very turbulent period for Israel and Judah

a.              There were 25 different wars fought that included Israel or Judah or both.

b.              The Hebrews fought the Assyrians, the Arameans, the Moabites, the Ethiopians and each other!

2.                   Elijah comes on the world stage at when Omri builds his palace in Samaria in 877 BC. Jezebel builds (through Ahab) the house of Baal in 872 BC. The first recorded event of Elijah was in 870 BC when he made the prediction of the 3.5-year drought.

a.              The drought begins the year of the death of Asa and shortly after Jezebel starts murdering the righteous priests of YHWH.

b.              Elisha’s “double measure” of Elijah’s ministry is seen in: Elijah had a 35-year ministry and Elisha 70-year ministry.    Elijah predicted a 3.5-year drought and Elisha predicted a 7-year drought.

3.                   A series of major efforts of restoration back to the Bible and the removing of idolatry occurred

a.              Asa king of Judah took great steps in stamping out idolatry during his long 41-year reign, most of which was free of any kind of war or outside disturbance.

b.              Elijah has the great showdown on Mt. Carmel and kills the 850 false prophets of Baal.

c.               Jehu killed the two idolatrous kings of Israel and Judah and the notorious Jezebel.

d.              Jehu “eradicated Baal out of Israel." (2 Kings 10:28)

e.              Jehoiada the high priest destroys the “House of Baal” in Judea that Athaliah had set up when Joash was king of Israel. (835 BC)

4.                Many oral prophets but none of the written prophets

a.            None of the books of the Bible were written during the period of 900-800 BC

b.            The first written prophet after this period was Amos that dates to 762 BC as the first of a series of written and oral prophets warning the ten northern tribes to repent or go into extinction in Assyria in 723 BC.

c.            Written prophets of the 8 th century after the death of Elisha:

                                                               i.       Amos: 762 BC

                                                             ii.       Jonah 759 BC

                                                           iii.       Hosea: 750 BC

                                                           iv.       Isaiah: 740-700 BC

                                                             v.       Micah: 735 BC

5.              Asa was the first in a series of Judean kings who were condemned by God through oral prophets for their allegiances with Samaria (10 northern tribes, headed in Samaria) and other pagan foreign nations.

a.          Asa was condemned for his allegiances with Ben-Hadad I to defeat Baasha

b.         Jehoshaphat was condemned for his allegiances with Ahab to defeat Ben-Hadad II.

6.              25 Archeological confirmations of the Bible names, places and events from inscriptions, ostraca, seals, statues and annals tables.

a.          Tel Dan Excavations confirm Ben-Hadad I destroyed the city in 895 BC just as the Bible says: 1 Ki 15:18-20

b.         Seal of Jezebel , wife of Ahab, king of Judah

c.          Victory Stele of Hazael king of Aram or “House of David stele/inscription”: 941 BC

d.         Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone) 841 BC

e.         Melqart Stele inscription of Ben-Hadad II, king of Aram: 845 BC

f.           Nine inscriptions of Shalmaneser III , king of Assyria: 858 – 828 BC

                                                               i.       Kurkh Monolith 852 BC

                                                             ii.       Basalt Statue 833 BC

                                                           iii.       Black Obelisk 827 BC

                                                           iv.       Bronze Gates 847 BC

                                                             v.       Basalt Throne 849 BC

                                                           vi.       Clay Brick 858-839 BC

                                                         vii.       Twin Bulls 840 BC

                                                       viii.       Marble Tablets 838 BC

                                                           ix.       Alabaster Statue 838 BC

g.          Kuntillet Ajrud ostraca “Fortress in the Negev”: 839 BC

h.         Silver Scroll from Ketef Hinnom : 725-650 BC

i.            Elisha of Ostraca : 830 BC found in the home town of Elisha

j.           Excavations at Tel Rehov where the Elisha ostraca was found in 2013 AD

k.          Six inscriptions of Adad-nirari III   Adad-nirari III Inscriptions of Adad-nirari III: 810-783 BC

                                                               i.       Dynastic door sill stone : 804 BC

                                                             ii.       Trust Nebo Alone Statue : 804 BC

                                                           iii.       Hindanu Stele : 797 BC

                                                           iv.       Rimah Joash conquest stele : 796 BC

                                                             v.       Omri-land conquest stele : 796 BC

                                                           vi.       Saba'a conquest stele : 796 BC

l.            Stele of Zakkur king of Hamath: 795 BC

What you read in the book you find in the ground!

Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections .

Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA

Elisha's Journey Bible Study - Gilgal Bethel Jericho Jordan

Bible Study on Elisha's Journey - Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho, Jordan...

Elisha's Journey - How far do you want to go? (Part 2)

by I Gordon

What I wanted to do in this study is actually look at the four places mentioned in 2 Kings 2:1-6. It's not a geography lesson and it's not even a history lesson.  [1]  Each of the four places mentioned are highly significant in Israel's history and I believe they are highly symbolic of stages in the Christians life. So this bible study lesson will look at Elisha's walk and the spiritual meaning of the following locations for the believer today:

So let's start with the passage itself:

2 Kings 2:1-6 'When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal . Elijah said to Elisha, ' Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel .' But Elisha said, 'As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So they went down to Bethel... Then Elijah said to him, ' Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho .' And he replied, 'As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So they went to Jericho... Then Elijah said to him, ' Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan .' And he replied, 'As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So the two of them walked on.

Where it all starts: Spiritual meaning of Gilgal (Separation)

So the first stop on the journey was Gilgal. Before we look at the passage, let me ask you a question... 'If you were to go to Gilgal in the days of the Israelites, what would you see?' The answer - stones. Of course, you would see stones in any location, but in this case, there were some pretty specific stones.

Joshua 4:19-24 'On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho.  And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan  . He said to the Israelites, 'In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.  He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God  .'

This is the first real mention of Gilgal and it is very significant. Gilgal was a very important place in Israel's history. It was a base where Joshua and the Israelites used to go out from. And it was also the very first place that they came to when they entered the Promised Land. Now there are two important things in Gilgal. The first are these stones that were set up as a monument and a reminder so that anyone that looked at them would remember that God is alive and well. God wanted it known and remembered that He is a living God and that He acts on behalf of His people. That is why the stones were there. It is, of course, something that we need to be reminded about repeatedly! So often we think and act as if God was not even alive. We act like He doesn't even know about the situation that we are going through. We need to be reminded that God is a living God and that He acts on behalf of His people.

But the second thing in Gilgal, is in Joshua Chapter 5:

Joshua 5: 2, 6-9 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, 'Make  flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again .'... The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.  Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.' So the place has been called Gilgal to this day  .

So this little passage gives us the reason why it is called Gilgal. Gilgal means the 'rolling' or 'roll-away' and so it is called Gilgal because God was saying to them 'I have rolled away the past. I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt, I have separated you from all those taunts that you had that you would never get into the Promised Land'. They were now a separated people, separated from the past, but also separated unto a living God - which is what circumcision speaks of. It was a sign that they had made a covenant with God. And so, if we were going to boil it down to one word, Gilgal symbolically stands for 'separation' - being separated from the past and being separated unto God. 

Now, I would remind you that this is where Elisha started from. And this is where the nation of Israel always started from. As mentioned earlier, Gilgal became a base of operations for the Israelite nation. It is so important to not just talk the talk, but to actually walk the walk in the Christian life. We should, in our lives, be separated from that which would seek to draw us away from God, and be separated, as living sacrifices, unto the living God.

Next stop... Spiritual meaning of Bethel (House of God)

2 Kings 2;2 Elijah said to Elisha, 'Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.' But Elisha said, 'As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.'

The next stop on the journey was Bethel. Alright... here is a difficult question. Can anyone remember who gave Bethel its name? No? Have a look in Genesis chapter 28:

Genesis 28:10-19 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and He said: 'I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.' When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, '  Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it  .' He was afraid and said, '  How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God  ; this is the gate of heaven.' Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel , though the city used to be called Luz.'

So it was Jacob who called the place Bethel. And Bethel means the 'House of God'. And he called it the House of God because he'd had this amazing time with the Lord. He had been in the very presence of the Lord. Later in Israel's history, during the time of Judges, Bethel was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. So people always used to go to Bethel to enquire of the Lord. It was known as the House of God. Now, what does that mean for us? Well, as a type, Bethel speaks to us about the Lord's presence. It is where He is! It is the desire that we should have to be in His presence. So this is the second stage. The first stage is to do with separation. The second stage is to do with a desire for God and a desire for His presence.  [2] 

I was reading through the Psalms the other day and one small verse stood out to me. It was talking about the nation of Israel and it said 'When He (God) afflicted them then they sought Him.' That is summing up Israel's history. When things were hard or went wrong for them, then they sought Him. Otherwise they didn't really seek him a heck of a lot. And the nation of Israel speaks to us of what we are like in our earthly natures. But how different was King David  [3]  . The presence of God was his desire. In good times and in bad.

And then...  Spiritual meaning of Jericho (Walk by Faith)

2 Kings 2:4 Then Elijah said to him, 'Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.' And he replied, 'As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So they went to Jericho.

The next stop in Elisha's journey was Jericho. Now the first real mention of Jericho is back where we were before in Joshua. What do you think of when you hear of Jericho? Walls comin' a tumbling down! Absolutely! It is probably a story that many Sunday school participants hear many times. It's a bit of a classic. So if Gilgal was the first place that Israel came to when they entered the Promised Land, Jericho was the first battle that they had to have in the Promised Land. But it was no ordinary battle obviously.

'Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ' Are you for us or for our enemies? ' 'Neither,' he replied, 'but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, ' What message does my Lord have for his servant? ' ' (Joshua 5:13)

Bit of a strange answer don't you think? Joshua sees this guy, he's got a sword and he looks as if he is going to be a real good fighter and so Joshua obviously wants to know whose side he is on - 'Are you with us, or are you with our enemies?' he asks. To which the guy answers 'No'. I love what Major Ian Thomas says about this. 

'In so many words Joshua was saying to Him 'whose side are you on, are you on our side or on theirs?' But he said 'No, I haven't come to take sides. I have come to take over!' 

And that is what he was meaning. Joshua was in the presence of the Lord! And the Lord doesn't come merely 'to help'. He comes to take over the situation. Obviously, as the first battle, God was going to teach the Israelites something special here. Let's have a look -

Joshua 6:1-5 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, ' See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands , along with its king and its fighting men.  March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days  . Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark.  On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse  and the people will go up, every man straight in.'

If you ask yourself, 'how is Israel going to win this battle?' The answer is - they weren't... the Lord was. So what did they have to do? Well, they had to walk and they had to walk in faith... quite literally. Their job was to walk around the walls.  [4]  God, here in the first battle in the Promised Land, was teaching them a new principle - and that was to walk by faith. 

So Gilgal speaks of being separate... Bethel speaks of the presence of God and Jericho teaches about the walk of faith. It's easy to talk about, but it's more than likely that you've got problems. I know this because things are seldom easy on this crazy planet. When you're in the midst of a problem, it's very hard to simply trust that God is adequate for your situation and to walk by faith, even though it sounds great and is so, so, so biblical! But it means that you are not walking by sight. It means that you are actually going through a situation where you cannot see how things are going to turn out. And that can be dreadful at times. But we need, obviously, to trust. We need to trust our Father.  [5]

The eternal principle and meaning of the Jordan - Death and Resurrection 

2 Kings 2:6 Then Elijah said to him, 'Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.' And he replied, 'As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.' So the two of them walked on.

The final test for Elisha came with the Jordan. The Jordan, as I'm sure you remember, is what the Israelites had to cross to pass into the Promised Land. The Jordan separated the land of Canaan from their wanderings in the wilderness and was a highly significant place in the Israelites history. You will remember that God miraculously separated the waters as the Israelites passed through on dry ground. In fact, God even commanded Joshua to take 12 stones from the midst of the Jordan and to set them as a memorial for the sons of Israel forever so that no one would forget what God had performed there. So would Elisha go as far as the Jordan?

Ok, so you already know that Elisha went as far as the Jordan so no prizes there! But what about you?... What does the Jordan speak of for you and me? 

The Jordan, like the Israelites Red Sea experience, speaks to us of baptism - death and resurrection. The practical outworking of this is a laying down of our lives. That is why I called this section 'the eternal principle'. Jesus' whole life demonstrated this principle, but it was clearest as He contemplated the cross...

John 12:23-26 'Jesus said 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds .  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  [6]  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be  . My Father will honour the one who serves me.'

Notice that Jesus, while thinking of the cross, said that 'where I am, my servant will be also.' This eternal principle of the wheat falling to the ground and dying was not just for Jesus! No, Jesus clearly said that to be His servant would mean that the same principle applied. Elisha knew this, and when the call of God came his way, he readily let go of his own life, his own hopes and dreams, and followed the call of God to wherever that would lead him! What a fantastic attitude and a great picture for our lives.

New Testament Confirmation

So we have looked at the four locations where Elisha was tested at. Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and the Jordan. And these speak of separation, the presence of God, walking by faith, and death and resurrection respectively.

When I was thinking about those four places, in dawned on me that there is a well know New Testament passage that corresponds to each of these locations. It is Phil 3:6-10. To make things easy (hopefully!), I have added the following table.

We are back to where we were at the end of the first study on Elisha. And that is with what was spoken about Elisha and his master Elijha -

2 Kings 2:6 '...So the two of them walked on...'

Or, in the language of the New Testament passage of Philippians 3 -

'I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' 

That was the heart of Paul. Even Paul didn't think that he had arrived, and wasn't content with what he currently knew and had experienced in the Lord. It's important not just to start the Christian life well. It's important to carry on well and to finish well.  [7]  The Lord has taken hold of you Christian for a purpose. Walk on with the Lord. Press on in the Lord to find and go deeper into that purpose my friend and lay hold of that for which God has laid hold of you!

[1] ↩  I heard someone say one time that some theologians can tell you the distance from Jerusalem to Jericho but they can't tell you the distance from the heart of man to the heart of God. So when we look at this I am not talking about what Jericho is like in the spring or how big it is. Get a bible dictionary if you're after that. But I do believe that these places are highly significant and do speak to us. And at the end of this study I will hopefully show how all four places tie in exactly with a well known passage in the New Testament.

[2] ↩  I read a quote from A. W. Tozer recently. Most of A. W. Tozer's quotes are quite convicting! He said 'Contentment with earthly goods is the mark of a saint. Contentment with our spiritual state is a mark of inward blindness. Orthodox Christianity has fallen to its present lower state from lack of spiritual desire. Among the many who profess the Christian faith, scarcely one in a thousand reveal any passionate thirst for God.'

I found that convicting anyway. I don't know about you but it's hard living in this world. Often we get those two things mixed up. We become content with where we are at in our relationship with God and not content with earthly goods and worldly things! It is very easy to get the wrong priority.

[3] ↩  Bethel is summed up by the heart of King David when he wrote;

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.(Psalm 27:4) 

[4] ↩  You can imagine Joshua trying to explain what they were going to do to his generals and the people of Israel. They would be thinking, how are we going to beat Jericho? How are these walls going to come down?. Are we going to go through the gate, are we going to try and go under it, is there anything we can throw over the top? Joshua said "No - we are going to walk around the walls. We are going to walk around it for six days. And then on the seventh day we are going to walk around it seven times.' They would be thinking 'OK right, are we looking for a way in here? 'No, no, no' Joshua says. 'Here is the cool part - On the seventh day after we have walked around it seven times we are going to blow our trumpets and the walls are going to come crashing down! Cool plan huh?' They would be thinking -'RIGHT - who else have we got for a leader! Joshua has obviously had to much desert sun!'. But God's ways are not our ways. His ways bring glory to the one who truly deserves the glory - God!

[5] ↩  A friend of mine has a son who is about 18 months old. Quite often, when he is at church, he will throw his son up in the air and just catch him. The little boy will laugh his head off because he trusts his dad. Probably if he knew my friend's butter fingers as well as I do, he wouldn't be laughing! But that's another matter. The fact is that he knows his dad will catch him. And it's the same with us. When there are any little hiccups, bumps on the road, we need to remember that God is not going to let us fall. He is our Father. And He's more than any earthly father could ever be. We need to learn to relax like this little boy does in the hands of his father.

[6] ↩  Jesus repeatedly said 'He who loses his life for my sake shall find it.' In fact, this saying is repeated in all four gospels (sometimes more than once) and is one of His most frequent sayings! (See Matt 10:39, 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, 17:33, John 12:25). Why? Because we all try so very hard to hang on to all that we think is ours... our possessions, our rights, our independence, our wisdom, our strength... And yet, standing against all this is an eternal principle that does not move. The principle that states that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides ALONE.

[7] ↩  I was watching the Winter Olympics recently. Now I really enjoy the ice hockey and snow boarding. And I was watching the women's border cross (snow board racing down a narrow track with jumps and berms). It got to the final and everyone crashed, apart from one American girl! As she approached the last jump, there was no one else in camera shot and the commentators were saying - Oh, she's doing a lap of honour now! She's got this completely wrapped up.' Now I don't know what she was thinking, but she got casual, possibly showing off a bit, and went for a rail grab on the last jump. As she came down she tumbled over and she quickly tried to get to her feet to glide down to the finish line to get gold. Unfortunately, the girl in second place, who had crashed earlier, had a lot more momentum and went past her just before the finish line. She ended up coming second. Can you imagine how she must have been kicking herself? She could have just slowed down and glided down the hill for first place but just let it slip. I guess to try and fit it into this passage - Paul was saying here 'I am not going to let it slip - I am not going to get complacent. I am going to carry on, press on right to the very goal. It's not good enough that I just started well and I'm okay at the moment. I'm taking this the whole way '. Think also of the second girl who went on to get gold. She had crashed earlier. She could have given up and thought that there was no point in carrying on because the others were too far ahead. But she didn't. She forgot what was behind and pressed on with her goal. And she ended up with gold!

Related Series Posts

• Bible Study Elisha's Journey How far do you want to go?
• Elisha's Journey Bible Study - Gilgal Bethel Jericho Jordan
• The Rapture of Elijah - Swing Low Sweet Chariot!
• Elisha and the salt bowl Bible study - A tale of two vessels
• 2 Kings 4 Elisha and Good Old Fashioned Kindness!
• 2 Kings 4 Elisha's identification and resurrection of a boy!
• Elisha, Naaman and the offense of the cross Bible study
• 2 Kings 6: Elisha, Aram and the invisible chariots of fire study
• 2 Kings 6:24-7:20: Elisha's faith and our breaking point
• 2 Kings 8:7-14: When God Weeps

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WHERE ARE ENOCH AND ELIJAH. A story of "TIME TRAVEL"

• Thread starter iluvgod2083
• Start date Jul 6, 2004

iluvgod2083

• Jul 6, 2004
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I am in the middle of research right now and have found out some interesting things. As we know the only men who have never died in biblical records are Elijah and Enoch. Both were suposedly raptured by God to heaven. I do not actually believe they were raptured to the throne of God after reading an article by John Bray (A well known preacher and biblical scholar). But I don't think his teachings were actually right either. He says that niether of them actually were brought up to heaven that they both died, I do not believe this because I believe that they disapered from their time and traveled into the future. Okay Okay, I know this sounds like science fiction but there has been a theory that has been spreading about some sort of storm that is a rip in the fabric of the matrix of time (Which isn't that hard to believe seeing that a black whole is a rip in space and time) Time Storms are these bright glowing storms that resemble aliens ships or a bright cheriot of fire that make this glowing white light around the area of the storm. There have been many cases reported of these strange time storms and I believe that Elijah is one of them. Now what if they were taken to the future what does this mean, well it means what a lot of theologist believe, that Elijah and Enoch are the Two Prophets that are mentioned in the bible. They could have been taken by this storm and brought into the future to where Jesus was. In Mat 17:2 we hear how Jesus is transformed into a Glowing Light (just as the storms) and there appered before the apostles 2 people, Peter calls them Elijah and Moses, but how does Peter know what Moses and Elijah looked like, Which means that the two men could be Enoch and Elijah recieving orders from Jesus of how to go into the future and proclaim the gospel to the people in rapture times. Again I know this seems way far fetched but it holds up scientific proof that the two prophets could actually be Enoch and Elijah. But I leave that for you to decide.  

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Rjharmony84, sojourner for life.

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𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 | 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞

• INTRODUCTION
• ACT ONE, season two
• i. asgardian vodka hits different
• ii. bucknasty?
• iii. kiss him again?
• iv. rich people problems
• v. sir? or daddy?
• vi. bombs and pop tarts
• vii. general dreykov
• viii. it was real to me
• ix. involuntary hysterectomies and dinner parties
• ACT TWO, black widow
• i. car chases and phone calls
• ii. just human
• iii. worried soulmates and open caskets
• ACT THREE, destroyed in love
• i. secret kisses
• ii. attempted flirting
• iii. dark rooms and locked doors*
• iv. bite me*
• v. salted coffees and sweet kisses*
• vi. meeting room*
• ACT FOUR, infinity war
• i. new suit
• ii. second thoughts
• ACT FIVE, endgame
• i. inevitable

ii. time travel

• iii. hot tub time machine
• iv. avengers! assemble
• v. always and forever
• ACT SIX, at last
• i. lectured by a pervert
• iii. painted lines*
• iv. honeypot mission*
• v. stained red*
• vi. the end

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━━━ 'i can't wait to spend eternity with you' ┏ ┓ 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 a sarcastic black widow assassin meets her soulmates and ...

# avengers # buckybarnes # elijah # elijahmikaelson # fanfiction # happyending # klaus # kolmikaelson # loki # marvel # mikaelson # natasharomanoff # niklaus # niklausmikaelson # peterparker # rebekah # rebekahmikaelson # steverogers # texttospeech # theoriginals # thor # tonystark # wandamaximoff

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Five Years Later

The world was cold and empty. Skies were grey seemingly every day, not once letting the sun shine through its heavy clouds.

It was quiet. Eerie as no one made a sound louder than a sneeze.

Tourist locations were no longer full, instead, they were empty as if they were abandoned. Football fields and large stadiums lay bare with no one to play.

Even the Mets were gone.

Those poor straight white men who no longer had their entertainment for the week.

Tears were shed constantly by every living person. No matter who you were, old, young, vampire, mortal, it didn't matter. You had been affected one way or the other.

Steve had begun running a group therapy session in honour of Sam. He had seen all those years before how the Wilson man talked to veterans, how he gave them hope and Steve was inspired.

Natasha stayed in the compound. Every day she and the Mikaelsons searched for new solutions, each one leading to a dead end.

The Mikaelsons had lost their soulmate. Their other half. No matter how many dead ends they found, they would never give up on finding Mia.

The same for Natasha, she had finally found her family. She was not going to let some purple bastard with a nutsack for a chin get away with taking them from her.

Perhaps she was spending too much time with Kol who constantly belittled the purple giant who ruined their lives.

To be fair, his insults were quite witty and often reminded her of Mia.

She found comfort in his stupid jokes.

The Mikaelsons had become her family. It was like Natasha was a sister they never knew they wanted yet always needed.

San Francisco | U-Store-It Self Storage

A rat squeaked inside the dash of a rundown van as it walked around. His little feet pulled him up onto a small screen with multiple buttons.

He continued to move around on it, pressing random buttons, powering up whatever machine was in the back without a care in the world.

The machine whirred as lights flickered until suddenly, a body was thrown out of the back doors.

The man groaned as he landed harshly on a pile of junk. He pressed against his ear causing his metal mask to disappear.

He stood up, glancing around the storage room in confusion. He hadn't remembered being there. He remembered being on a rooftop.

"What the hell?... Hope?"

— — —

The man carried a wagon full of his belongings as he walked out of the storage building. He kept walking for hours, reading signs that read 'missing person' in bold on every street post, each one for a different person.

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