365 Reflections

I believe the two kingdoms of Israel in 1 and 2 Kings are a picture of our two worlds today. Those under the authority of the evil one who spurn God’s law and seek their own glory, following Satan’s example in leading rebellion from heaven. And secondly, those under the authority of Christ, covered by His righteousness and drawn by God’s grace back from the edge of self-destruction. The Northern kingdom of Israel, fathered by Jeroboam is a picture of that first kingdom, seeking glory and indulging sin of every sort. It is filled with evil and insurrection. The narrative of 1 Kings swings back and forth from Northern to Southern kings to illustrate the way of both worlds. For a few chapters, we read of the disorder of that northern line of wicked kings to glean a picture of the world under the authority of the great insurrectionist. 1 Kings 15:25–29 (ESV) Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two yea

The Kingdom of Israel is divided in two, with 10 tribes in the north aligned with the sons of Jeroboam and 2 tribes in the south (Judah) aligned with the sons of David. We have in 1 Kings a picture of national deterioration. For just when Israel had achieved rest from their foreign enemies and prosperity within their borders, internal troubled ensued. A divided nation slowly ebbs itself away. 1 Kings 15:16–17 (ESV)  And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. 17 Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.  First there was internal conflict growing between the north and south to such an extent that they sought to thwart one another. Asa in the south is caught in a trap set by Baasha in the north. This is what happens when a nation is at peace with their enemies and accomplished in accumulation. What do we see in America but such similar divisions. Could it be the end of

There are a troubling few verses in 1 Kings 15 that took me a while to truly comprehend. Two successive kings in Judah are mentioned. One is evil (the Father) and one is righteous, seeking the Lord (the Son). And here's the worst part: They both have the same mother. 1 Kings 15:1–3 (ESV) Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah. 2 He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom . 3 And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 15:9–11 (ESV) In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah, 10 and he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. 11 And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as David his father had done. It would seem incest was prevalent in the reign of A

Many people think the Bible's prohibition in the Old Testament of Israel intermarrying with other nations is a proof text prohibiting interracial marriage in our day. Nothing could be further from the truth. The prohibition in the Old Testament against intermarriage with the pagan nations around Israel was a prohibition against inter-FAITH marriage. For when two people from different religions wed, they inevitably sway to one faith or another. And the Lord God knew the pull of seeking to please those surrounding nations who had been long established in the land was very strong for his people. He knew their hearts would be drawn away to serve their gods. Such is the case under the reign of Solomon's son. It doesn't take long for the southern kingdom to quickly degeneration into a people very much like the pagans they were supposed to drive out. Rehoboam leads Israel into blatant rebellion: 1 Kings 14:22–24 (ESV) And Judah did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and t

1 Kings 14:1–3 (ESV) At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. 2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. 3 Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what shall happen to the child.” Jeroboam is not a good king. He has already disobeyed God's voice in erecting idols for Israel to worship, and he has refused to repent after hearing the prophetic warning in 1 Kings 13. But something happens here that shakes him to his core. His child and rightful heir to the throne is sick. So Jeroboam comes up with a plan. He has his wife disguise herself to go to the prophet Ahijah (who anointed Jeroboam king) and plead for help for her son.  Why not go as she was? Because Jeroboam knows he has dismissed obedience to the Lord who gave him the throne.

There’s a strange story in 1 Kings 13 about a prophet who comes to challenge and condemn Jeroboam’s idolatrous rebellion. He is told what to say, what not to do and how to leave. He was to prophecy the destruction of Jeroboam’s altars, not eat any food and not return the way he came. After he prays for Jeroboam’s hand and it’s restored, the king invites him to eat there. The man of God passes this test easily: 1 Kings 13:8-10 (ESV)  And the man of God said to the king, "If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, 'You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.'" 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel. Unfortunately, the man of God is soon duped by the lies and misgivings of a prophet... 1 Kings 13:18-19 (ESV) And he said to him, "I also am a prophet as

In 1 Kings 12, Israel is divided. And its leaders seek to keep it that way. Sound familiar? 1 Kings 12:25–27 (ESV) Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel. 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. 27 If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” Jeroboam was promised 10 tribes from the word of the Lord. Yet he is saturated with insecurity. The passage above shows his lack of trust in God and a need to secure his own fame, glory, and kingdom. He saw the people going to the Temple in the land of Judah and came up with a plan to stop it: 1 Kings 12:28–32 (ESV) So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem lo

If Solomon had a problem with women, his son Rehoboam had a problem with friends. He really needed to know they liked him. The story goes that after Solomon's death, Rehoboam is beseeched by the people who are tired of working so hard for the royal family. They need a reprieve. And they ask for it from the newly anointed king. Very oddly, he doesn't know what to do. He needs time to think. 1 Kings 12:4–5 (ESV) “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now, therefore, lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” 5 He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away. And three days go by and this is how Rehoboam responds: 1 Kings 12:12–15 (ESV) So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king said, “Come to me again the third day.” 13 And the king answered the people harshly, and forsaking the counsel that the old men had given him, 14 he spoke to them according to the couns