In 1 Kings 12-22, Israel is split into two at the foolishness of Rehoboam’s decision to not be kind to the people of Israel. After that Israel continues to go through a series of kings that stray farther and farther from God. There are bright spots though, a few kings who chose to follow after God’s heart, but they never destroy the high places. The kings and people who repeatedly obeyed and walked with the Lord were rewarded by God. For example, the woman who fed Elijah gave up part of the last portion of food she had trusting that it was what she needed to do. The widow was rewarded by never running out of flour and oil, and had her dead son raised from the dead. We may not receive the same blessings as those who come before us, but there will always be rewards when we seek to trust in Him. Are there any idols that belong to the world that you are following after?
For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “The jar of flour will not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.”
Passage:
1 Kings 12-22
Discovered:
- Rehoboam went to Shechem to be made King of Israel. Jeroboam returned from Egypt.
- Israel asked for relief from the hard labor from Solomon. Rehoboam sought counsel from Solomon’s men: lighten their load and be kind and his friends: make their load harder for complaining. Rehoboam listed to his peers and all of Israel except Judah rebelled against Rehoboam as King.
- Israel made Jeroboam their King. Rehoboam sought to go to war against Israel but Shemaiah told them not to go against their brothers.
- Jeroboam was afraid they would return to Rehoboam since they would have to sacrifice at the temple in Juah, so Jeroboam made 2 gold calfs and told Israel to worship there.
- A prophet came to Jeroboam predicting a man Josiah from the house of David would come to destroy the high places. Jeroboam’s hand was crippled and ashes poured out from the altar. The prophet restored his hand and left as instructed by the Lord. An old prophet lied to get the prophet to stay. As the young prophet left, he was killed by a lion for disobeying the Lord.
- Jeroboam sent his wife to Ahijah about his sick son. Ahijah said the son would die, his house would be cut off and only Anijah would be buried of her sons. The rest would be eaten by scavengers as a result of Jeroboam’s idol worship. Jeroboam reigned 22 years, Negeb took his place at his death.
- Rehoboam ruled 17 years, was 41 at the beginning of his reign. Judah also did evil against the Lord and built high places. In year 4 of his reign, the King of Egypt stole all of the treasure. His son Abijam reigned after him.
- Abijam reigned for 3 years, did not walk with God. There was war between Jeroboam and Abijam.
- Asa ruled Judah after Abijam for 41 years. He walked with the Lord. There was a war between Asa and Baasha of Israel. Asa sent gifts to Ben-Hadad of Syria, Israel’s ally to get them to break their agreement. Ben-Hadad then attacked Israel.
- Nadah reigned after Jeroboam but was killed by Baasha as predicted. Baasha ruled over Israel.
- Baasha did what was evil so God sent Jehu to tell him that his house would be destroyed.
- Baasha’s son, Eglah ruled 2 years then was killed by Zimri, who ruled for 7 days before Omri was kinged.
- Omri reigned 12 years, bought land and built Samaria. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
- Omri’s son Ahab ruled in Israel, did evil and married Jezebl, who worshipped Baal.
- Elijah told Ahab there would be a drought in Israel and there was.
- God told Elijah to find the widow of Zraphanth and she would feed him. She only had a handful of flour and a little oil, but out of trust fed Elijah. The flour and oil lasted until the drought ended.
- The widow’s son became ill and died. Elijah took the boy to his room and raised him from the dead.
- Elijah went to meet with Ahab and told him to fetch the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Asherah
- A challenge: each gets a bull and wood. They are to call to their god to light their sacrifice on fire.
- The Baal prophets could not get theirs lit. Elijah built an altar with 12 stones, dug a trench around it and poured water over it 3 times (trench was full of water). God provided fire, consumed the offering, the people worshipped the Lord and Elijah killed all the prophets of Baal.
- God ended the drought. Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah and fled to the wilderness.
- God told Elijah to anoint Hazael as King of Aram, Jehu as King of Israel and Elisha as a prophet. (God came in a quiet, still voice)
- Elisha answered Elijah’s call by slaughtering his ox and following.
- Ahab defeated Ben-Hadad’s attack on Israel. Ahab defeated him a second time but allowed him to live.
- Nabath told Ahab no when he wanted his vineyard, Jezebel had Naboth stoned. When Ahab went to claim the land Elijah condemned him. Ahab repented and mourned.
- Jehosaphat made peace with Ahab. Micaiah prophesied Ahab’s death during battle. Ahab dies. Ahaziah, his son took over, ruled 2 years and did evil. Jehoshaphat ruled 25 years, obeyed the Lord.
Help me to remember:
that with disobedience comes judgement from God, but trusting and walking with the Lord comes with blessings, like being provided for like the widow.
Lord, I ask that . . .
my heart is inclined toward you and not towards the idols of the world.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
your heart towards those that choose to follow you and especially those who humble themselves before you and seek forgiveness when confronted with their sin.
