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III. DIVISION of the kingdom, 1 Kings 12 — 2 Kings 16

1 Kings - Chapter 12

Rehoboam, son of Solomon, succeeds tothe throne. Jeroboam returns from Egypt and leads 10 tribes indemanding a reduction in taxes. Rehoboam, under the influenceof the young men of his kingdom, having rejected thecounsel of the old men who were Solomon’s advisors, turnsdown the request of the 10 northern tribes. Instead of reducingtaxes, he threatens to raise them (vs. 10, 11). Therefore,Jeroboam leads the 10 tribes in revolt. First Kings was writtenduring the time of the division of the kingdom (v. 19).

Jeroboam divides the nation religiously as well as politicallyby setting up a golden calf in Bethel and one in the tribeof Dan. The northern tribes go into idolatry (vs. 28-30).

Chapter 13

God grants Jeroboam another chance bysending a prophet to him with a warning and a sign.Jeroboam seems to repent at the time but finally plunges intototal apostasy.

Chapter 14

Ahijah the prophet pronounces judgmenton Jeroboam and measures him according to David (v. 8).Rehoboam king of Judah led the people into idolatry andsin. There was an abnormal increase of homosexuality (v. 24).Shishak king of Egypt came against Jerusalem and capturedit. He took as booty the gold shields that Solomon hadon display. Rehoboam substitutes shields of brass. There wasdeterioration in the kingdom now as well as division.

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, dies.This chapter, which describes the reigns of Jeroboam andRehoboam, sets the pace for the sordid record of the kings ofthe divided kingdom. There was not one good king in thenorthern kingdom of Israel. There were 19 of them, and allwere bad. In the southern kingdom there were 20 kings — 12of them were bad. Only 8 of them could be labeled good kings.Out of the 8, only 5 were outstanding. (See chronological tableof the kings of the divided kingdom.)

Chapter 15

Abijam, son of Rehoboam, succeeded hisfather on the throne of Judah. He was as wicked as his father(v. 3). David continues as the standard of excellence for thekings of both Israel and Judah (v. 5). (Jeroboam became thestandard of evil for the kings of the northern kingdom.) Theone black mark against David is recorded, not covered.

Abijam did nothing worthy of mention, either good or bad;his death is recorded here.

Asa succeeded Abijam in the southern kingdom of Judah.Asa compares to David (v. 11). He led in the first revival of thenation. First Kings gives only half a chapter to his reign, but 2Chronicles gives three chapters (chapters 14, 15, 16). We willexplore his reign when we come to the Book of Chronicles.Asa did have to bribe Ben-hadad, king of Syria, and hewarred with Israel continually. Jehoshaphat succeeded Asa asking of Judah.

Nadab, son of Jeroboam, succeeded him as king of Israel.He was evil (v. 26).

Baasha led a conspiracy against him, slew him, and reigned inhis stead (vs. 27, 28). Baasha continued war against Asa (v. 32).

Chapter 16

Baasha’s evil reign lasted for 24 years. Elahhis son succeeded him but reigned only 2 years. Zimri, a captain,slew Elah while he was drunk.

Zimri destroyed every male member of the house of Baasha.He reigned only 7 days, for Omri, captain of the host of Israel,besieged Tirzah and captured it. Zimri committed suicide byburning down the house in which he was.

The northern kingdom was divided between Omri and Tibnifor 4 years. Tibni died and Omri reigned alone for 8 years. Omribuilt Samaria and made it the capital of the northern kingdom.He plunged Israel into the depths of evil (v. 25). His pattern wasJeroboam (v. 26).

Ahab, son of Omri, succeeded him (v. 28). He was worsethan his father; he was the worst king of all (v. 30). He compoundedevil by marrying Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal,king of the Zidonians and high priest of Baal. What evildesigns Ahab did not think of, Jezebel did.

Chapter 17

Elijah the prophet is introduced by hiswalking into the court of Ahab and Jezebel and making a verybrave announcement — no rain for 3 years but according to theword of Elijah. Then he departs in just such a dramatic fashion.

He retires to the brook Cherith where he is fed by ravens anddrinks of the brook until it dries up. He learned that his life wasno more than a dried up brook. He could truly sing, “Make mea channel of blessing today.”

He was sent by the Lord to the widow of Zarephath. Formany days Elijah looked down into an empty flour barrel andsang the doxology. He learned that his life was no more than anempty flour barrel.

When the widow’s son died, he learned that this life was nomore than a dead body. He also learned that life comes fromcontact.

Chapter 18

This is one of the most spectacular chaptersof Scripture. The meeting between Elijah and Ahab is againdramatic. Note the 3 times it is announced, “Behold, Elijah ishere” (vs. 8, 11, 14).

The contest is sensational as Elijah challenges the prophetsof Baal (vs. 21-24). It is Elijah versus 450 prophets of Baal.John Knox was right — “One with God is a majority.” Theprophets of Baal use every kind of incantation to bring firedown upon the offering in the name of Baal. Elijah looks onwith a bored and skeptical eye. He uses the rapier of ironyand sarcasm. They yell louder and become more frantic butto no avail. Elijah, after the prophets of Baal retire in defeat,repairs the altar of 12 stones, showing that the nation Israel isone. He then arranges the wood and the sacrifice. When barrelafter barrel of water is brought up from the blueMediterranean to Mount Carmel and poured on the altar,Elijah utters one of the great prayers of Scripture, brief buteffective (vs. 36, 37).

After slaying the prophets of Baal, he announces theapproach of a rainstorm from out over the Mediterranean Sea.

Chapter 19

Ahab reports to Jezebel that Elijah hadslain all her prophets of Baal. She vows to kill Elijah. “Andwhen he saw that” (v. 3) reveals for the first time that Elijahis a man of like passions as we are. He got his eyes off theLord and ran from the woman. He beat a cowardly retreat toBeersheba, where he left his servant, and continued on intothe wilderness to crawl under a juniper tree where he requestedthat he might die.

Evidently Elijah was suffering from nervous exhaustion.He was physically and mentally depleted. God gave himnourishing food and plenty of sleep. He informed Elijah that“the journey is too great for thee” (v. 7).

Then the Lord rebuked him and treated him to a spectaculardisplay:

(1) strong wind — but God was not in the wind;

(2) earthquake — but God was not in the earthquake;

(3) fire — but God was not in the fire.

Elijah loved all of this. Then came the still small voice. Thisis contrary to Elijah, but God was in the still small voice.

Elijah returns to the scene of action and danger. On theway, he calls Elisha.

Chapter 20

God grants to Ahab another opportunityof turning to Him. A prophet of God promises victory to Ahabover the Syrians. God grants the victory which seemed impossible.Again the prophet warns Ahab that the king of Syria willreturn, but God will give him another victory. God granted thisvictory also, but Ahab failed to obey God by sparing Benhadad.Judgment of God is pronounced upon Ahab (v. 42).

Chapter 21

Ahab attempts to buy the vineyard ofNaboth, but Naboth refuses to sell. Ahab returns to his palacelike a spoiled child. Jezebel promises to get the vineyard. Shehas Naboth slain through a dastardly plot. Ahab is overjoyedand goes to claim the vineyard. God sends Elijah to meetAhab and pronounce judgment upon him (v. 19). Just asNaboth died, Ahab will die, and the dogs will lick his bloodin the same place.

Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever aman soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)This is another instance of the operation of this immutablelaw of God. Also, judgment is pronounced upon the line ofAhab (v. 22) and upon Jezebel (v. 23). Ahab repents in a measure,and God delays judgment but does not revoke the sentenceupon Ahab and Jezebel.

Chapter 22

It is strange that Jehoshaphat wouldbecome an ally of Ahab, but his son married a daughter ofAhab and Jezebel (2 Kings 8:16-18). Before making waragainst Syria, Jehoshaphat, who had real spiritual discernment,asked that a prophet of God be called (vs. 5, 7).

Micaiah, a prophet of God, is called (vs. 8, 9). He is one of theunsung great men of God. The prophets of Baal had alreadytold Ahab what he wanted to hear. Micaiah at first resorted tosarcasm and comedy (v. 15). Note the reaction of Ahab (v. 16).Then Micaiah gave a ridiculous parable. Imagine God askingany creature for advice (vs. 20-23). This was a subtle wayof calling the false prophets of Baal liars. Note the reaction ofAhab to Micaiah’s prophecy (v. 18). Ahab orders him kept inprison until he returns from battle. Micaiah had one partingshot (v. 28). Ahab will not return alive.

Ahab uses a clever and crooked device to escape frombeing killed in battle. He wore the uniform of a common soldier,while Jehoshaphat was the only one dressed as a king.Ahab did not escape. Note the irony of it all:

And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, andsmote the king of Israel between the joints of hisarmor. Wherefore, he said unto the driver of hischariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of thehost; for I am wounded. (v. 34)

Note how literally the prophecy of Elijah was fulfilled (vs. 37,38).

Ahaziah, his son, succeeded him.

Jehoshaphat returned home a sadder but wiser man. Herefused to make a further alliance with Ahaziah (v. 49).First Kings closes with the 2-year reign of Ahaziah whowalked in the steps of his father, Ahab.

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