LESSON 10 • Nation Heading for Judgement
(1st & 2nd Kings)

INTRODUCTION

The Old Testament instructs us through examples and stories that define the relationship of God and man. The New Testament instructs us in Christianity but the immense detail of the Old Testament gives us insights into human nature, judgment, management issues, settlement of conflict, and solutions for political problems. Some of today’s leaders have found inspiration for new approaches and solutions from reading Old Testament history. 

The author of I & II Kings is anonymous. The author apparently feels no need to take personal credit for the book. Many Jewish scholars believe Jeremiah the prophet wrote I & II Kings, and this fits with the eyewitness account of the fall of Jerusalem.

I & II Kings covers Israel as it falls from the greatest power on earth, into a divided kingdom and finally to a scattered, conquered enslaved has-been nation. A patient but jealous God acts.


QUICK FACTS

1 Kings: 

• Records the reign of Solomon.
• Key word is Division. United Kingdom divided into two kingdoms.
• Northern Kingdom: 10 tribes, Samaria is capital.
• Southern Kingdom: 2 tribes, Jerusalem is capital.
• First king of the south was Solomon’s son, Rehoboam.
• First king of the north was Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant.
• Ahab most wicked king of the north.
• Manasseh was the most wicked king of the south.
• Elijah’s ministry begins.
• Solomon noted for: Wisdom, wealth, the temple
• Solomon’s liabilities: Horses, gold & silver, wives
• 20 kings ruled in the south
• 20 kings ruled in the north
• There were no good kings in the north
• There were 7 good kings in the south

2 Kings:

• Key word is Captivity.
• Key principle is that God is faithful in judging His people for disobedience and idolatry.
• Northern Kingdom: 9 dynasties.
• Southern Kingdom: 1 dynasty (David)
• Elisha receives double portion of Elijah’s spirit. (Elijah 8 miracles, Elisha 16)
• Hezekiah was the most righteous king of the south.
• Jehu instructed to destroy house of Ahab.
• Judah’s most wicked king, Manasseh reigned longest of any king, at 55 years.
• Judah (south) sent into captivity for 70 years.

There is so much detail and so many stories included in the 47 chapters of I & II Kings that it is difficult to cover comprehensively. Below is an overview:


BRIEF SUMMARY

1 Kings:

Ch 1. David declines in health. Adonijah, David’s son and Absolom’s brother, declares himself king, but Solomon’s reign is established.

Ch 2. Solomon’s enemies put to death, including Adonijah, Joab, Shimei

Ch 3. Solomon asks for wisdom to lead the people.

Ch 5. Solomon forms a strategic alliance and treaty with Hiram of Tyre (the power to the north) which supplies Israel with lumber it lacks, and he forms an alliance with Pharaoh in the south by marrying his daughter.

Solomon’s wisdom becomes legendary.

Begins a massive 20 year long public works project: The building of the temple and the royal palace. 

Ch 8. Solomon’s prayer of dedication offered up. This is Israel at its height.

Ch 11. Solomon no longer fully committed to God – Sin enters the picture with inappropriate relationships (700 wives + 300 concubines), horses, and wealth. Sentence passed. God raises up adversaries (Hadad and Rezon). Solomon dies.

Ch 12. Rehoboam succeeds Solomon. Makes unwise decision. Reject advice of elders in favor of friends, resulting in a divided kingdom. 10 tribes given by God to Jeroboam, an able administrator. They head north.

Ch 13. Jeroboam’s bad decision. Worship at Dan and Bethel, instead of Jerusalem. Anyone can be appointed priest. Israelites worship false gods/demons.

Jeroboam won’t listen to prophet’s warning, despite shriveled, then restored hand.

Ch 14. God’s judgment of Jeroboam. North kingdom off to a bad start.

Ch 17-22. Various kings reign. Elijah comes on scene. Wicked Ahab & Jezebel reign. Contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.

Ahab and Jezebel steal Naboth’s vineyard. Once again sin doesn’t pay, and the reign ends badly.

2 Kings:

Ch 1-2. Elijah taken up to heaven. Elisha watches from close by, catches staff and robe.

Ch 4. Elisha provides food for 200 men with 20 small loaves, multiplies widow’s oil, gives son to Shunammite woman, and then later raises him from the dead. Heals poison stew.

Ch 5. Naaman healed of leprosy. Leprosy of Naaman put on Ghazi’s family.

Ch 6. Axe head floats as a sign.

Syrians take Samaria (Northern Kingdom)

Ch 9. Jehu destroys house of Ahab, fulfilling God’s judgment of Ahab. Kills Joran and Jezebel. Ahab’s kindred and sons cut off. Kills prophets of Baal.

Ch 11. Joash lives well.

Ch 13. Elisha passes. A dead body raised by touching his bones.

Note: Elijah & Elisha showed by their actions that the true God was everything that Baal wasn't. The false teaching was that Baal controlled the rain, fertility, fire, lightning, life and sickness. Elijah and Elisha showed by examples that God, not Baal, controlled the rain (drought started and stopped by God at Elijah's word), fire (Elijah called down fire on king's troops, and chariot of fire proceeded his departure in a whirlwind), healing, life and death. 


Ch 14–17. Many reign. Israel taken captive by Assyria.

Ch 18–20. Good king Hezekiah. He desires the prayers of Isaiah.

The army of the Assyrians is destroyed.

Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery foretold.

He shows treasures to Babylonians. Captivity foretold.

Ch 21. Manasseh’s wicked reign. Longest and most wicked king.

Judgment against him and Jerusalem rendered

Ch 23. Good king Josiah reigns. The Book of the Law found. 

Destruction of Jerusalem foretold. 

Ch 24. Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem and carries people off captive.

Ch 24-25. Wicked reign of Zedekiah. Zedekiah sentenced. Nebbuzaradan, a commander for Nebuchadnezzar, burns Jerusalem and tears down the walls and carries off people. Leadership put to death. The remnant of Israel is scattered.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What a dramatic change from the dedication of the temple in I Kings which is Israel at its height, to the end of II Kings where the people of God are undergoing severe trials arranged by God for their correction. Solomon in the prayer dedicating the temple (I Kings 8:22-53) shows complete humility despite completing the largest project of his time. His prayer is prophetic in its description of God’s judgment of His people, and his rescue of those with the right heart towards Him. How do we respond to trial and suffering? How do we tell if it is the correction of God or a seemingly random set of events such as befell Job? Is it by coincidence that James speaks of wisdom right after a talk about trials in James 1:2-8? (See also Heb. 12:5-6, Rev. 3: 19, I Peter 1: 6-7, Rom. 5: 3-5)

2. Many would agree that the magnitude of the World Trade Center disaster on September 11, 2001 was more than they ever thought they would see in their lifetime. Most would also agree that there has been significant moral decay in America over the past 25 years. Why do we find it hard to believe that this event (the almost simultaneous complete erasure of two symbols of Americas economic might) could be a sign from God directed toward America? After this study, what do you think God would have to say to America today?

3. Throughout Kings, there is a repeated reference to the reign of various kings as committing the “sin of Jeroboam”. God gave 10 of the 12 tribes to Jeroboam and made him an incredible promise. (Please read I Kings 11:37,38) Just what was the “sin of Jeroboam” and what was Jeroboam’s motive for committing it? (See I Kings 12:26,27) Did Jeroboam really believe God’s promise in I Kings 11? How important is the level of our faith to God? (Romans 12:3), (Eph. 6:16) How large is your shield? 

4. Solomon was given specific instruction on how the temple was to be built and managed from David who received them from the Lord (I Chr 28:19). These instructions were specific right down to the weight of the furnishings and items in the temple, and the division of service of the priests (I Chr 28:9-21). In spite of or maybe because of Solomon’s great wisdom and knowledge, he resisted any temptation to deviate from God’s instructions. Jeroboam, on the other hand, changed God’s specific instructions about worship. Can you think of any examples today where religious leaders have altered what God has instructed?