Jehoram and Ahaziah - 2 Kings 8:16-29

Topics: Death, Evil, History, Idolatry, Marriage, Mercy, Promises, Rebellion, Relationships, War Open It * 1. In your own life or the life of someone close to you, when have you observed the negative influence of the wrong friends? 2. What notorious villain, famous antihero, or popular figure would you least like to have as an in- law, and why? Explore It 3. Who was king of Israel when Jehoram succeeded his father, Jehoshaphat, in Judah? (8:16) 4. How long did Jehoram’s reign last? (8:17) * 5. Why was Jehoram’s reign similar to that of the kings of Israel? (8:18) * 6. What promise was God honoring when He did not destroy Judah because of the sin of its king? (8:19) 7. Which conquered people rebelled against the rule of the king of Judah? (8:20) 8. What happened when Jehoram sought to subdue the Edomites with military power? (8:21) 9. What two groups rebelled at that time and were not reconquered? (8:22) 10. How old was Jehoram’s son Ahaziah when he began to reign as king? (8:26) 11. How was Ahaziah related to the kings of Israel? (8:27) * 12. Why did Ahaziah become an evil man? (8:27) 13. Against what foreign king did Ahaziah and Joram go to war? (8:28) 14. Which king was wounded in the battle with Hazael? (8:28-29) 15. Why did Ahaziah go to visit Joram? (8:29) Get It * 16. How did the son of one of Judah’s better kings fall into the sins of the kings of Israel? 17. On what did God base His judgment? 18. What are some reasons why the army of Judah was quick to disband and give up the fight? 19. How did Jehoram’s marriage to a daughter of Ahab perpetuate the kingdom’s problems into the next generation? 20. Why did Joram have to withdraw from the battle against Aram? * 21. How much do you think good people influence unsavory characters with whom they associate and vice versa? Why? 22. Why isn’t it possible to marry someone with very different values from your own and not be influenced by him or her? Apply It * 23. What associations or friendships in your life should you examine to make sure they are not subtly drawing you away from God? 24. In what area would you like to ask God to help you overcome the heritage of your own family?