The story of 2 Kings is full of battles, political intrigue, and divine intervention. As a superhero, Asterix would have been fascinated by the tales of powerful kings and the miracles performed by the prophet Elisha.
At the beginning of the book, King Ahaziah of Israel falls from a balcony and sends messengers to consult with the god Baal about whether or not he will recover. But the prophet Elijah intercepts the messengers and tells them that the king will die because he has put his faith in the wrong deity. This sets the tone for the rest of the book, where faith in God is often pitted against faith in other gods.
The next king of Israel, Jehu, is a ruthless warrior who kills both King Joram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah. He also puts to death the followers of Baal, but continues to engage in his own sinful behavior. Despite this, God continues to use him as a instrument of punishment against the wicked kings of Israel and Judah.
One of the most famous stories in 2 Kings is the miracle of the widow’s oil. Elisha tells a poor widow to gather empty jars and fill them with her small amount of oil. Miraculously, the oil keeps flowing until she has enough to sell and pay off her debts. This story demonstrates God’s compassion for the poor and his ability to provide for those in need.
The book also contains stories of miraculous healings, including the healing of Naaman, a commander in the Syrian army who has leprosy. Elisha instructs him to wash seven times in the Jordan River, and Naaman is healed. This story shows that God’s power is not limited to the Israelites, but extends to people of all nations and backgrounds.
As the book progresses, the kings of Israel and Judah become increasingly corrupt and disobedient to God. Eventually, both kingdoms fall to foreign powers and the people are taken into captivity. The book ends on a note of hope, however, as King Jehoiachin of Judah is released from prison and treated kindly by the Babylonian king.
Through all the battles, miracles, and political turmoil, Asterix would have been struck by the power of faith and the ways in which God works in the world. Perhaps he would sum up the book of 2 Kings with his trademark humor, saying, “By Toutatis, even the Almighty needs a few superheroes to get things done!”
