We're firmly into Prophet Elijah and King Ahab territory. Mostly recently, Israel was attacked by Syria and God took a very personal interest in King Ahab, assisting for His own name's Sake. While Ahab was partially obedient to his nation's benefit, he was also partially wrong.
...continue reading "I Kings 21: God’s Amazing (and Surprising) Grace"Category: Sin
I Kings 16 – 18: Ahab and Elijah
Just as a brief reminder of how we arrived here. Israel split into two after Solomon. In the north, the nation that held onto the name Israel, was the rebellious half. It's first leader, Jeroboam, had a covenant with God; but promptly began to ignore by making idols, adding new worship centers and festivals to keep people from going to Judah. He then went off the deep end and started a full blown false religion.
This was followed by his son, just as wicked, but only ruling for a fraction of the time and replaced by his assassin, Baasha, ending the Jeroboam dynasty with a count of 2. Baasha's dynasty also held a two count, as his drunk son was assassinated, while getting drunk, by one of his military's leaders, Zimri.
Zimri lasts seven days and is replaced by Omri. That brings us up to speed.
...continue reading "I Kings 16 – 18: Ahab and Elijah"I Kings 15-16 and II Chronicles 13-16: Kings on Parade
I admit...I stole this title from Wiersbe's commentary on these chapters> I'll have to see if I change it once I read the content; but I'm guessing it's perfect because I think we're about to hit a string of kings and many of them will fly by as they did not glorify God.
Let's check 'em out.
...continue reading "I Kings 15-16 and II Chronicles 13-16: Kings on Parade"II Chronicles 11-12: Rehoboam Continued
I'm making my way through the first generation of leadership following the division between Israel and Judah. We took a closer look and Israel and Jeroboam in previous posts; and a cursory look at Rehoboam of Judah. But today we'll take a deeper dive into the reign of Rehoboam in II Chronicles 11-12.
...continue reading "II Chronicles 11-12: Rehoboam Continued"I Kings 14: Jeroboam and Rehoboam
I'm reading through the early days of the divided kingdom, currently the events on the 10 northern tribes, lead by Jeroboam. Who was recently visited by a Man of God with a severe prophesy. Needless to say, he ignored it.
...continue reading "I Kings 14: Jeroboam and Rehoboam"I Kings 11
Solomon accomplished what he was assigned to do and then, seemingly, spent the rest of his life attending to himself. I don't get the feeling this is going to end well for him.
...continue reading "I Kings 11"I Kings: 8:12+ and II Chronicles 6 and 7:1-11 Temple Dedication
The Temple has been built and the Lord was faithful to fill it with His presence. Now Solomon dedicates and prays over this House of God. What a seismic moment in their history and ours. To speak into such a profound moment had to come from the Lord. No human, even the wisest one can do that without God's guidance.
Read moreI Kings 7 and II Chronicles 4
The Temple is built and Solomon has been (twice) reminded of the importance of his obedience. Now we learn about his palace and the furnishings in the Temple.
...continue reading "I Kings 7 and II Chronicles 4"I King 6 and II Chronicles 3
Solomon worked with Hiram for the final preparations for building the Temple. He also conscripted workers and levied taxes to pay for all of his building projects, creating the first cracks of resentment that will, ultimately, divide the nation.
...continue reading "I King 6 and II Chronicles 3"I Kings 3:1-15
So, verse 1 doesn't get us off to a good start. Solomon goes and gets a wife in Egypt and forms an alliance with them. Then he brought her back to Jerusalem. Meanwhile he was working on his own house and the Temple.
...continue reading "I Kings 3:1-15"