1 & 2 Kings – Page 14

1 Kings 15:1-32 – Moving On

lighthouse overlooking a bay, with a sunset in the background

This passage will take us onward from Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Starting with the new king in Judah, the southern kingdom, we have Rehoboam’s son, Abijam. We know Jeroboam’s reign was 22 years from a previous reading, so Abijam steps up when Jeroboam still has four years left in the northern kingdom.

If you’re a visual person like me, you might want to find a chart or something that gives the timelines of these kings and how they overlap. Interesting fact here–Abijam is related to two sons of King David – his mother’s relative was Absalom and his father’s relative was Solomon.

1 Kings 14:21-31 – Not Much of a King

Read 1 Kings 14:21-31

We’ll close out Rehoboam’s reign in this reading. Apparently, we’ve been spared the gory details of the ongoing war between the kingdoms of Rehoboam and Jeroboam. If we were expecting a historical study, we’re finding the First Book of Kings gives us only a glimpse into that moment in history. More emphasis, at least to this point, has been on allegiance to God (or lack thereof).

Who or what is getting the people’s attention? Sadly, it’s not God. Rehoboam leadership was not reliant on God, and the people followed their leader. “During Rehoboam’s reign, the people of Judah did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, provoking his anger with their sin, for it was even worse than that of their ancestors.”

1 Kings 14:1-20 – Hiding from God

Read 1 Kings 14:1-20

person peering out between the crack in some boards as if hiding from sight

Do you think anyone can hide from God’s watchful eye? For some, we are comforted by the thought that God cares for us that much to be mindful of us. Others may be terrified because of the guilt they feel for living a life that is not pleasing to God.

Do you think that’s what was happening to Jeroboam? He was king because God had spoken it so through the prophet. So, now that Jeroboam wants to make contact with God, he sends his wife in disguise. It reminded me of Adam and Eve trying to cover themselves up in the garden after they had sinned against God.

1 Kings 13:11-34 – Where Is the Justice?

Read 1 Kings 13:11-34

What a story! It is so easy to be deceived these days, yet it’s not a new phenomenon. People were getting duped way back during the Bible time as well. I wonder what possessed the old prophet to lie to the man of God about the meal. The old prophet certainly used his position of authority to build blind trust.

Believing the old prophet, the man of God ate the very same food the Lord had commanded he was not to eat! Up to that moment, the man of God had been very intent on following the Lord’s instructions. He had no reason to doubt the prophet, did he? I certainly hope the meal he shared with the prophet was delicious.

1 Kings 13:1-10 – God is the Focus

Read 1 Kings 13:1-10

girl with camera looking up instead of through the lens

What was the “real” purpose the man of God appeared before Jeroboam? Was it to give him this message or was it to get Jeroboam to repent? Perhaps it was both.

Of course, the story also involves Jeroboam’s arm become paralyzed when he threatened the man of God. Can you imagine how Jeroboam was feeling in that moment? He certainly would have been fearful wondering who would follow a crippled king. He had been worried about credibility in the past. I’m sure that hadn’t changed.