Azariah (Uzziah), King of Judah (2 Kings 15:1 – 7; 2 Chronicles 26)

Scripture Text:

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2 Kings 15:1 – 7

2 Chronicles 26

1. What was your biggest concern at age 16?

2. What do you feel passionately about: the soil? the water? the stage? the mountains? the local sports team? Other?

3. What strengths and weaknesses do you see in Azariah (Uzziah), the teenage king? Points of weakness? Why does the chronicler rate him so highly (2 Chronicles 26:4), when he spends his later years under divine punishment?

4. Who contributes to Azariah’s (Uzziah’s) success and why?

5. What are this king’s accomplishments (2 Chronicles 6 – 15)? Which one stands out to you as a headliner for this king’s resume?

6. What happens to Azariah (Uzziah) midway through his life? Why do Judean kings seem to falter at the halfway mark?

7. Was Azariah’s (Uzziah’s) action (2 Chronicles 26:16 – 20) an innocent blunder? Why or why not?

8. What is the king’s punishment? Does God allow too little time for repentance? Is it fair?

9. The king not only became leprous but also had to leave the palace and was excluded from the temple. Even in death he was not restored to his former place of honor (2 Chronicles 26:23). What were the people of Judah to learn from this tragedy? Where can you see God’s mercy at work as well?

10. What happened the year Azariah (Uzziah) died (Isaiah 6:1)?

11. Is success oftentimes a danger to our relationship with God? What does Uzziah’s story say to you about this?

12. What consequences have you suffered from a foolish action that you later repented of? Where could you see God’s mercy at work in the situation?

13. Do you know anyone with a disability? Mental illness? Is God to blame?

14. Do you have problems that never go away? How do you cope?

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The Lord’s Judgment on Ahaziah (2 Kings 1)

Scripture Text:

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2 Kings 1

1. If someone questioned whether you were a Christian, how would you react and why?

2. Where is your place to be alone to pray, think and write letters?

3. Using a Bible map, determine how far out of his way did Ahaziah have to go to consult the god of Ekron. Who is Baal-Zebub (see Luke 11:14, 14)? Why does Ahaziah consult this god?

4. Why do the messengers turn back (verses 5 – 8)? Why would a king’s squadron obey the word of a single unknown man over the king’s order?

5. What tone of voice do you expect from Ahaziah on hearing the man’s description?

6. What could Elijah be doing on a hilltop (verses 9 – 12)? Why does he take offense at their question? Why does the third captain succeed (verses 13 – 15)?

7. Does this story strike you as:

• accurate history of God’s methods of persuasion?
• folklore revealing how little the ancients respected life?
• a parable on respecting God’s prophets?
• other?

8. How does Elijah’s message in person vary from the ones delivered by go-betweeners? With what effect?

9. What would you say God is like if this chapter were your starting point?

10. In the midst of all the demands on your time, do you take time out to think, pray or meditate (as Elijah)? Is there enough time for you to meet God?

11. With which character do you identify?

• the bed-ridden Ahaziah, fumbling for answers
• the first two captains, staunch but sorry loyalists
  
• the third captain, a practical man
  
• Elijah, afraid yet aware of God’s true power
  

12. What would you do with several uninterrupted minutes each day alone with God? Would you run out of things to talk about?

13. How has God proven Himself powerful through a recent victory in your life?

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