Lesson 29 – God’s Grace and Compassion
Read 2 Kings 13:14-23 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2KI.13.ESV
From 2 Kings 13:23 – But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence ….

Elisha became so ill he was about to die. The king of Israel visited him, and when he saw him so sick he broke down in tears. He knew Elisha was a man of God and the Lord gave Israel victory over their enemies, so he feared the future of his nation without Elisha. Elisha told him to go get some bows and arrows. He told the king to put his hand on the bow, and then Elisha put his hand over the king’s hand. Next, he told the king to open the east window and to shoot an arrow out the window.

Elisha cried, “The arrow of God’s salvation and deliverance! You shall have victory over Israel’s enemies. Now pick up the other arrows and strike the ground with them.”

The king of Israel struck the ground three times with the arrows and then quit.

Elisha said angrily, “Why did you not strike the ground with the arrows five or six times? Then you would have had complete victory over your enemy. Now you will defeat them only three times.”

Elisha died and they buried him. The next spring, as a man was being buried, a band of raiders was spotted. They hurriedly threw the dead man into Elisha’s grave and escaped. When his body touched Elisha’s bones, he came alive, stood up, and walked away!


Israel’s enemies tormented Israel throughout the entire reign of the king. But God was merciful and showed compassion on His nation Israel. He remained with Israel because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He has never given up on His people and never discarded them, even to this day.

In Ephesians 6:10-17 we read about the armor for battle God has given us, armor designed to help us fight against a spiritual enemy we are unable to see. We are reminded that our true enemy is not another person, but the evil forces of wickedness. We must fight with God’s word, the Bible, as our only weapon. We must know it so we can trust it in times of attack.

*When was the last time you experienced God’s grace and loving encouragement in a time of spiritual battle? What happened?