During the reign of Ahab Israel was threatened by the king of Aram ( Syria).  God gave Ahab victory over the army of Ben-hadad, king of Aram.  However, instead of killing Ben-hadad, Ahab made a covenant with him.  Because of this, God sent a prophet to tell Ahab that his life would be forfeited.   Some time after that the events unfolded where Elijah confronted Ahab and Jezebel, the drought, the demonstration of God's power on Mount Carmel, and then Elijah's flight from Jezebel's wrath. After Elijah meets The Lord on Horeb he is told to go and anoint Hazael over Aram, Jehu over Israel, and Elisha in his own place.  Skip over to 2 Kings 8.  Ben-hadad is sick and sends Hazael to Elisha to see if he will live.  Elisha tells Hazael that Ben-hadad will recover from his sickness, but he will not live. He looks at Hazael, gazing at him and begins weeping.  When Hazael asks why this prophet wept, Elisha tells him , " Because I know the evil you will do to the sons of Israel; their strongholds you will set on fire, and their young men you will kill with the sword, and their little ones you will dash in pieces, and their women with child you will rip up." Hazael goes back, kills Ben-hadad and becomes king of Aram. In Psalm 137:9 the psalmist blesses the one who repays Edom and Babylon for doing this same awful thing to Israel.  Over and over we see these same atrocities committed to women and children by evil men.  Killing babies and cutting up pregnant women.... seem like the most hideous of actions, the most innocent of beings, the most vulnerable... are the ones targeted for destruction.  Why?  Not only do we have this threat from others,  now we have that threat from our own selves.  Like Elisha, we weep.  But like the psalmist we know our God will rule in justice and those who commit this evil will receive recompense.  May the evil and wicked repent, for otherwise the fierce wrath of God will be on their heads.  Merciful God, You are just and you are kind. Thank you for the fact that You are infinitely patient and infinitely wise.  I bless Your Name.  All honor and glory and power to You!  Amen.

I Tim. 5  Paul gives instructions regarding widows and families. ( v1-16)  Timothy is told to treat older men as fathers, younger ones as brothers, older women as mothers and younger ones as sisters.  Especially in areas of disagreements. He spends a long time talking about widows.  A true widow " a widow indeed" appears to be one who has no children, no grandchildren,  no family at all to help her. She is dependent upon God, fixes her hope on God, and lives purely and piously. This is one worthy of  help from the church. Her reputation is based on her good works, hospitality, ministry, generousity, and devotion.  This is contrasted with someone who has family members able to take responsibility for her care,  or for younger women who are either sensual, idle, lazy, etc. These should not be cared for by the church.  They need to either get married or depend on their family.
V. 17-25 talk about church responsibilities.  17-18 talk of providing for the pastors who work hard.  19-22 speak about discipline of those who fail.  Accusations must be viable - "on the basis of 2 or 3 witnesses" .  They must be unbiased, " doing nothing in a spirit of partiality". And they need to be careful, " Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thus share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin."  24-25 talk about the evidence of  sin - either it goes before them or follows after them.  Deeds, whether good or evil, will be evident.