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(Reading May 30-June 5)
23. The Kingdom Divides
Key Point:
Because of Solomon's unfaithfulness to God, the kingdom divides during the reign of his son, Rehoboam. Years later, we see the contrast between a great prophet of God, Elijah, and two of the most evil people in the Bible, Ahab and Jezebel.
Key Verses:
He (Elijah) replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came... I reserve 7000 in Israel - all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:14-18, DB page 709).
Main People:
Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Elijah, Elisha, Ahab, Jezebel
Outline:
Division between Israel and Judah
Rehoboam places burdens on the people
Kingdom splits into North (Israel) under Jeroboam and South (Judah) under Rehoboam
Jeroboam makes golden calves and altars at Bethel and Dan; Prophecy against Jeroboam
Two Kingdoms in Contrast
Judah blessed by the rule of Asa and Jehoshaphat
Israel continues to decline under seven wicked kings
Elijah the Prophet
Elijah ministers to a widow and raises her son from the dead
Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel
Ahab and Jezebel
God works through Ahab to defeat Syria
Ahab and Jezebel murder Naboth to gain his vineyard
Thought Questions:
1. Why does Rehoboam favor the young men's advice?
2. Why does Judah remain faithful to Rehoboam?
3. What are the most striking lessons from the life of Elijah?
4. Why do you think Elijah taunted the prophets of Baal at Carmel?
5. How do you explain Elijah's deep discouragement in 1 Kings 19:1-5 (DB page 708)
6. What helps you recover from a spiritual letdown?
7. What was God saying through the wind, earthquake, fire, and whisper?
8. What does the story of Naboth say about the character of Ahab and Jezebel?
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