Creating Mistrust

 II Kings 18:26 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall.” 27 But the Rabshakeh said to them, “Has my master sent me to speak these words to your master and to you, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are doomed with you to eat their own dung and to drink their own urine?” 28 Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! 29 Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. 30 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ 

Israel had fallen, and now the southern kingdom of Judah was going down the same bumpy road. Assyria was now laying siege to Jerusalem and demanding terms of "peace."  The envoys sent from the king of Assyria wanted to instill fear into the hearts of the people and create mistrust of both Hezekiah and God. They promised the people peace and prosperity. But they misunderstood how things worked in Judah. Isaiah spoke for God, giving instructions to not trust the Assyrians and continue to trust in God.  Hezekiah and the people repented, and God protected and provided.  Beware envoys of fear and mistrust. Seek God.

Lions in the Land

II Kings 17:24 And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva,
Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities. 25 And at the beginning of their dwelling there, they did not fear the Lord. Therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. 26 So the king of Assyria was told, “The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they are killing them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land.” 27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, “Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there, and let him go and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land.” 28 So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the Lord. 29 But every nation still made gods of its own and put them in the shrines of the high places that the Samaritans had made, every nation in the cities in which they lived.

We have seen the continual downward spiral of the northern kingdom of Israel away from God. Ultimately, as promised, God took them away into exile. The emperor shuffled people around, and though the sins of Israel were great, their acts were nothing in comparison to the pagan idolatry of other lands. The land was not intended by God to be used that way. Even though they were "taught" the right things, they did not live to worship the Most High God.

Same Old Story

II Kings 15:23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and he reigned two years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25 And Pekah the son of Remaliah, his captain, conspired against him with fifty men of the people of Gilead, and struck him down in Samaria, in the citadel of the king's house with Argob and Arieh; he put him to death and reigned in his place. 26 Now the rest of the deeds of Pekahiah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

As we read through the accounts of the Kings of the northern kingdom of Israel, we begin to expect to read what we do hear.  He didn't reign very long; he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. He never learned his lesson; he never repented of his sin; he kept his people in spiritual darkness; he died some horrible death. That are the highlights (or lower darkness) and if you want to find out more, go look it up for yourself.  May we leave behind better reports in our chronicles.  May our lives have a much better story to tell. 

Helpless

II Kings 14:23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25 He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26 For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27 But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

The reign of Jehu had brought some stability to the northern kingdom of Israel, but it wasn't wrong until things were heading downhill again.  Like his namesake before him, idolatry flourished and apathy ruled during his reign. They were hopeless and helpless. No one really cared about Israel's dire condition - except God. He looked down in mercy and kept them free from oppression. He gave them some wiggle room on their borders.  Thankfully, God is often that way with us, showing mercy and grace, even when we don't deserve it or call out for it.

Bathroom Renovations

 II Kings 10: 24 Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and said, “The man who allows any of those whom I give into your hands to escape shall forfeit his life.” 25 So as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guard and to the officers, “Go in and strike them down; let not a man escape.” So when they put them to the sword, the guard and the officers cast them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal, 26 and they brought out the pillar that was in the house of Baal and burned it. 27 And they demolished the pillar of Baal, and demolished the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day.

God had appointed Jehu to be king over Israel, and to completely cleanse Israel of all the Baal worship and idolatry of the land, as well as the wicked line of King Ahab.  God has a way of making things memorable. Places used for the worst of idolatry became dumps and other locations known for their stench and filth.  God wants us to remember that is what idolatry is: trash, filthy rags, and a place to go potty.  Yet we still fall back into it so easily and quickly.  May we see it for what it is and seek His purity and holiness instead.

Double-Barrell Jehu

 II Kings 9:25 Jehu said to Bidkar his aide, “Take him up and throw him on the plot of ground belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. For remember, when you and I rode side by side behind Ahab his father, how the Lord made this pronouncement against him: 26 ‘As surely as I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares the Lord—I will repay you on this plot of ground.’ Now therefore take him up and throw him on the plot of ground, in accordance with the word of the Lord.” 27 When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled in the direction of Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him and said, “Shoot him also.” And they shot him in the chariot at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo and died there. 28 His servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David.

We saw yesterday the infectious effect the house of Ahab had not only on Israel, but Judah as well.  When this happened, God had Elisha anoint Jehu as king over Israel.  He then used Jehu to take out the kings of both nations - Jotham of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah, on the same day. By clinging together in their evil, they made it easy for him to do so. What evil company is bringing you down?

All in the Family...

 

II Kings 8:25 In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign. 26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah; she was a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. 27 He also walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was son-in-law to the house of Ahab.

In the long lists of the kings of Israel we have seen that repeated phrase he "...walked in the way of his (father) and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord...". But here we find it used of a king of Judah. Ahaziah was influenced - rather "infected" by his father-in-law and the rest of the family. He quickly "caught" the culture and arrogance of the clan, turning away from God to seek power and popularity. As we will see, his reign was brief, but the impact of this one year had a lasting effect on the kingdom of Judah.  How quickly, and easily, do we allow others to have such an influence on us?

Blame the Messenger!

II Kings 6:24 Afterward Ben-hadad king of Syria mustered his entire army and went up and besieged Samaria. 25 And there was a great famine in Samaria, as they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five shekels of silver. 26 Now as the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!” 27 And he said, “If the Lord will not help you, how shall I help you? From the threshing floor, or from the winepress?” 28 And the king asked her, “What is your trouble?” She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ 29 So we boiled my son and ate him. And on the next day I said to her, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him.’ But she has hidden her son.” 30 When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body— 31 and he said, “May God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today.”

Like Elijah, Elisha was called upon by God to proclaim judgment on the Northern Kingdom of Israel for her deep disobedience, but rather than bring them to repentance, they chose to blame the messenger for their desperation. Even when the king witnessed the depravity of the situation, he did not set the example and call out to God in confession for forgiveness. He wanted to kill the prophet.  How many of our woes do we blame on others? How deeply does that hurt others?

Did Not My Heart Go?

 

II Kings 5:23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.

The healing of Naaman is a wonderful well-known account of proclaiming God before the nations. God used the loving encouragement of a little girl and His healing power through Elisha to demonstrate His love and power to a needy leader and his people. The account is tainted however by the greed of Gehazi, Elisha's assistant. Why not make a little money on the side you could hide? But God knew, and He let Elisha know. Elisha's response is telling: his heart left him - it took the wind out of his sails. He was very discouraged because God's glory was diminished by this servant. May we do nothing to do so to the Lord.

Admitting We Don't Know It All

II Kings 4:25When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.” 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 

In these early chapters of II Kings, the historian is demonstrating how much Elisha was like Elijah in his ministry, having a similar experience in ministering to a Gentile woman and her family.  The small details help us realize this is much more than some redacted repetitive account. Elisha admits "the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me." Eventually Elisha himself goes and brings the son back to life.  There are many things we all have to learn about God's will and plan for us. We need to be open to His leading daily, allow him to change our plans, and keep an open heart to any He brings our way, like he did.

Unspeakable Horror

 

II Kings 3:24 But when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose and struck the Moabites, till they fled before them. And they went forward, striking the Moabites as they went. 25 And they overthrew the cities, and on every good piece of land every man threw a stone until it was covered. They stopped every spring of water and felled all the good trees, till only its stones were left in Kir-hareseth, and the slingers surrounded and attacked it. 26 When the king of Moab saw that the battle was going against him, he took with him 700 swordsmen to break through, opposite the king of Edom, but they could not. 27 Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there came great wrath against Israel. And they withdrew from him and returned to their own land.

After Ahab died, the surrounding nations tested the waters to see if they could gain back some control. In particular, Moab rebelled against Israel and were intent on invading and plundering the land. Once again, Israel called on Judah for help, and a true prophet of God announced victory for Isreal.  We get a glimpse of how twisted the thinking of the Moabites was, as the king of Moab offered his heir to the throne as a sacrifice, seeking victory from his gods.  When we choose to go against God's will it is horrifying what we will do to resist it. 

Hear All You Peoples!

 

I Kings 22:24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 26 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.”’” 28 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”

God had given Ahab, the king of Israel mentioned above, a stay of sentence. But three years later, he again refused to listen to God's message. Ahab's 400 yes men - false prophets - had said: "go ahead into battle." But Micaiah, the prophet of the Lord, who often disagreed with Ahab, said otherwise.  Ahab's solution was to put Micaiah under house arrest until he returned from battle. As seen above, Micaiah said: "you won't." The passage goes on to tell us that Ahab disguised himself so as to not be obvious during battle, but he was killed anyway.  He did not return. The people had proof Micaiah spoke for the Lord.  Would they now believe him, and even more so, God? 

Hope for the Worst of Us

 I Kings 21:25 (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. 26 He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.) 

27 And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. 28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”

This chapter begins with the account of Ahab and Jezebel stealing Naboth's vineyard. It was in a sense the last straw, resulting in God pronouncing judgment on Ahab and all his heirs to the throne. Shockingly, after all the things Ahab had done, he humbled himself in repentant action and God gives a "stay" on his punishment.  Finally, Ahab had responded not to fire on the mountain, but words spoken by the Lord May God's Word penetrate hearts in the same way today.

Learning THE Lesson

 I Kings 20:26 In the spring, Ben-hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. 27 And the people of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went against them. The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country. 28 And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” 

We notice here that Ahab is still around, living selfishly and leading Israel astray, even after rejecting God after Elijah's victory over the false prophets and priests of pagan gods.  One might wonder why God would allow him to be victorious in battle after all of this. The key is found in the last phrase. God was giving the victory not because Ahab was so good, but that he would know that God was Lord over all. That has been the point all along. As the passage goes on, we find Ahab still does not get it even after victory over the Syrians. He fails to obey and trust in God.  Have you learned the lesson? He is LORD. 

Deafening Silence

I Kings 18:25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.

The best-known account of the Elijah-Ahab era is this one of the show-down between the Most High God and the false gods Ahab had brought into Israel.  The prophets of these false religions were endorsed and well-compensated by Ahab and Jezebel, but when it came down to it, no one answered, no one paid attention.  The True and Living God is personal: He hears; He cares; He answers.  On this occasion, He did so in a big way: especially compared to crickets.

A Major Downturn

I Kings 16:25 Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him. 26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. 27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri that he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 28 And Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and Ahab his son reigned in his place.

The downward spiritual spiral was increasing with each king of the Northern Kingdom.  When it seemed like it could get no worse, Omri did even more evil that those before him, increasing the idols in the land. Then came his son Ahab.  Many know that name more than all those before him. Several chapters are given to his reign and rivalry against the prophet Elijah. It is here that we will find how deeply seeded and rooted evil had become. What will it take to turn these people around? What will it take to turn us around?

Short-lived Dynasty

 I Kings 15:25 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 years. 26 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin which he made Israel to sin. 27 Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him. And Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. 28 So Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah and reigned in his place. 29 And as soon as he was king, he killed all the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed, until he had destroyed it, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. 

When we look at the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, two things become clear. This kind of kingdom was not going to work. The religion was fake at best and evil at worse.  The kings were leading the people down the wrong path with all their idols and alliances.  Secondly, most of the kings did not last long and those who did made things worse. As prophesied, Jeroboam's line fizzled out quickly, with nothing positive to leave behind.  Where do we lead others? Will it last? 

Going Downhill Fast

I Kings 14:25 In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. 26 He took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king's house. He took away everything. He also took away all the shields of gold that Solomon had made, 27 and King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze, and committed them to the hands of the officers of the guard, who kept the door of the king's house. 28 And as often as the king went into the house of the Lord, the guard carried them and brought them back to the guardroom.

The loss of the northern 10 tribes of Israel devastated the House of David. Note above that within 5 years the great wealth that Solomon had built up also went away.  Egypt, which Solomon had developed a close relationship with, was just waiting in the wings for their chance to attack. The gold everywhere became bronze hidden from view.  What is worse is what was not said about Rehoboam's reign. There is no long list of accomplishments, buildings, or impactful relationships like David or Solomon. The very next paragraph goes on to tell of his death. The only notable thing that happened in his reign was the ongoing civil war with Jeroboam and the Northern Kingdom of Israel. May we leave behind a much more positive epitaph. 

Moved to Change?

I Kings 13:26 And when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of the Lord; therefore the Lord has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word that the Lord spoke to him.” 27 And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And they saddled it. 28 And he went and found his body thrown in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing beside the body. The lion had not eaten the body or torn the donkey. 29 And the prophet took up the body of the man of God and laid it on the donkey and brought it back to the city to mourn and to bury him. 30 And he laid the body in his own grave.

The sin of Jeroboam was far-reaching and infectious.  The prophet above who died has been sent by God to give warning that the worship established by Jeroboam was a false religion. He was supposed to deliver the message and return home immediately. He was intercepted by another prophet who lied to him and convinced him to stay and have fellowship. The first prophet was killed by God for his disobedience. After the funeral, the latter prophet told his sons that the first prophet was correct in announcing judgment on Jeroboam's false worship.  None of this moved Jeroboam to change. What death would to take to make you change?

Said in His Heart

 I Kings 12:25 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.” 28 So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” 

As noted yesterday, when Solomon's heart turned from God, it had devastating effects on both his rule and those to follow. His son Rehoboam foolishly listened to bad counsel and lost the majority of the tribes of Israel to Jeroboam. Then, it says above, that Jeroboam said in his heart - some of the scariest words there could be.  In modern terms we would say "follow your heart" - to talk to yourself and fail to get wise and godly counsel before making life-changing decisions.  The false worship established by Jeroboam had such a long-lasting effect on the Northern Kingdom it has never in history fully returned to the Lord. In what ways have you said in your heart things leading to disaster?

Adversaries We Leave Behind

I Kings 11:23 God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. 24 And he gathered men about him and became leader of a marauding band, after the killing by David. And they went to Damascus and lived there and made him king in Damascus. 25 He was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon, doing harm as Hadad did. And he loathed Israel and reigned over Syria. 26 Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. 

The repeated phrase of this chapter is "God raised up as an adversary" to Solomon.  Why would God do such a thing? We have seen the gradual progressing, which culminates in the beginning of this chapter: 9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded. Solomon had a heart that turned away from God.  Because of that, God allowed these surrounding kings and warriors to oppose him.  The ultimate enemy was the once listed last in the passage above. Jeroboam was no outsider; he became the enemy from within who would bring a revolution after Solomon died. Who have you made an adversary of that those after you will have to deal with?

Super Stockpiles

I Kings 10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 27 And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah. 28 And Solomon's import of horses was from Egypt and Kue, and the king's traders received them from Kue at a price. 29 A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver and a horse for 150, and so through the king's traders they were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

As Solomon continued to develop relationships with the nations of the world, Israel experienced an economic boom, with the finest of products, and materials of war, imported and stockpiled. It became so successful that they did not have room for it all and sold to other nations.  Though currently unstated, he was also building the envy of the surrounding nations and their ability to fight back against them later. What do we do with an abundance of what we have? How does it affect those around us now and in the future?

Subtle Progression...

 I Kings 9:24 But Pharaoh's daughter went up from the city of David to her own house that Solomon had built for her. Then he built the Millo. 25 Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built to the Lord, making offerings with it before the Lord. So he finished the house. 26 King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. 27 And Hiram sent with the fleet his servants, seamen who were familiar with the sea, together with the servants of Solomon. 28 And they went to Ophir and brought from there gold, 420 talents, and they brought it to King Solomon.

Having described Solomon's two greatest building projects: the Temple and his palace, this chapter goes on to describe his other building projects and endeavors: forts, cities, and a navy - something Israel had not needed until this point in history.  In the midst of describing these, the historian also makes two notes which may go unnoticed. First, Solomon was developing close alliances with other kings through arranged marriages. Second, in verse 25, we see that he "used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings," indicating it was something he now did much less frequently. Slowly, but surely, Solomon was becoming less dependent upon and awed by God and more by the things of this world. How does that happen to us?

Not a "god-in-a-box"

 I Kings 8:25 Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ 26 Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father. 27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day,

As Solomon dedicated the Temple for God's service, he made it clear that the LORD is no idol on a hilltop or "god-in-a-box" or building to be contained somewhere and called upon whenever one sees fit.  All of creation cannot contain God or limit Him. The place is for us. It is a reminder that He can and should be called upon - not only for help in time of trouble, but for wisdom on the way. The temple was a reminder that wherever one was, you should turn towards Him, seek from Him, and trust in Him as the One who is everywhere and can do anything. 

Impressive Details, But...

 

I Kings 7:23 Then he made the sea of cast metal. It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference. 24 Under its brim were gourds, for ten cubits, compassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast with it when it was cast. 25 It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The sea was set on them, and all their rear parts were inward. 26 Its thickness was a handbreadth, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.

As we look at all the details of the temple built by Solomon and its furnishings, we are indeed impressed by their detail and glory.  It may go unnoticed that the chapter begins with the building of Solomon's palace, as if it may have been an interruption or distraction in the completing of the temple. He did indeed complete the temple with all its furnishings and do it will.  But what Solomon sitting comfortably in his palace before God's house was complete? Where his priorities already starting to shift? Have we become distracted?

Wall-to-Wall Angels

I Kings 6:23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high. 24 Five cubits was the length of one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the length of the other wing of the cherub; it was ten cubits from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. 25 The other cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same measure and the same form. 26 The height of one cherub was ten cubits, and so was that of the other cherub. 27 He put the cherubim in the innermost part of the house. And the wings of the cherubim were spread out so that a wing of one touched the one wall, and a wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; their other wings touched each other in the middle of the house. 28 And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.

Now that Solomon had his kingdom firmly established, he set out to do the first priority passed down to him by his father David: build the temple. Before he started, God reminded him that the temple was not a magical house, but a reminder of His presence watching over them. It was part of His call to obedience. Though hardly anyone would see it, this picture of the two "wall-to-wall" cherubim was overwhelming. There were also cherubim in the walls outside the inner sanctuary. God is with us everywhere: to protect, to guide, to encourage us.  

Abundance

 

I Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. 26 Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. 27 And those officers supplied provisions for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon's table, each one in his month. They let nothing be lacking. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where it was required, each according to his duty. 29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

Abundance. That is the word to describe the reign of Solomon over Israel. Preceding this passage, the chapter describes the abundance of good leaders, extensive territories, and daily provisions found in his kingdom.  There was a sense of security and stability that filled the air and impressed everyone. But the most impressive possession was the wisdom given by God.  If Solomon would have valued that above all the others, it would have served him and the kingdom well. What do you value?

Wisdom to Do Justice

I Kings 3:23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” 27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

We have already seen that Solomon started off seeking to arrange his leadership with mercy and justice. What he immediately learned was that it would take wisdom beyond his own.  Looking back, it may seem obvious to us to pull a stunt like he did to draw out the true mother of the child, but if we are honest, rare is the person who would think to do so on his own.  The final statement here is telling: Solomon did not want to be wise to show himself off; his motive was to do justice. May we seek wisdom to do the same.

Justice and Mercy

 

I Kings 2:26 And to Abiathar the priest the king said, “Go to Anathoth, to your estate, for you deserve death. But I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord God before David my father, and because you shared in all my father's affliction.” 27 So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the Lord, thus fulfilling the word of the Lord that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.

As much as David set in order and stabilized as many things as possible in passing off the scene and passing on the baton to Solomon, there was a lot that still needed to be made right. Those in office had not been completely faithful to the king and changes needed to be made.  These involved the priest (above), the general (the paragraph following), his advisors, and even family members.  With each one Solomon sought to maintain a balance of justice and mercy, and each change was made accordingly.  What relationships do you need to "set in order", and what principles of justice and mercy apply to each?

Keeping Things Clear

I Kings 1:24 And Nathan said, “My lord the king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’? 25 For he has gone down this day and has sacrificed oxen, fattened cattle, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’ 26 But me, your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he has not invited. 27 Has this thing been brought about by my lord the king and you have not told your servants who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

As the account of II Samuel concluded, David had done much to prepare for his transition out as king: wrapping up his military responsibilities, remembering those who had supported him, and confirming those who surrounded him. What he had not made clear was who was to succeed him.  With several sons to choose from, with different mothers and perspectives, this clouded the issue. As some were vying for power, this needed to be addressed, and those whom David had appointed as his inner circle confronted him about the problem.  David goes on to make it clear that Solomon was to be crowned, but the delay in doing so made the transition less calm than it could have been.  Communication is key. Keep things clear.

Not to Be Forgotten

II Samuel 23:24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 Shammah of Harod, Elika of Harod, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa, 27 Abiezer of Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai of Netophah, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah of Netophah, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah of Pirathon, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Bahurim, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai of Maacah, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezro of Carmel, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

After singing his song of praise to God for blessing his life, David began to remember the people who had so valiantly served with him, beginning with his three mighty men and all their victories.  But he did not leave out one of this thirty-seven faithful men. This is not a list we would ever memorize or even work on spelling and pronouncing them correctly, but they were important to David and to God. Their faithfulness was consistent and overwhelming to David. Of whom can you say the same in your life? Who can say it of you?

The Worthy God

 

II Samuel 22:26 “With the merciful you show yourself merciful;

    with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
27 with the purified you deal purely,
    and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
28 You save a humble people,
    but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.
29 For you are my lamp, O Lord,
    and my God lightens my darkness.
30 For by you I can run against a troop,
    and by my God I can leap over a wall.
31 This God—his way is perfect;
    the word of the Lord proves true;
    he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

The above is a stanza in David's Song of Deliverance.  Looking back on his life - especially the times when he was "on the run," David could see God's hand in guiding and protecting him.  He had seen how God dealt with himself, his enemies, and his friends.  It is a song full of powerful imagery and wisdom.  God is a lot of things: powerful, just, light, merciful, holy, dependable - in short, He is perfect in His character and His ways. With such a God, you cannot go wrong.

More than a List of Names...

II Samuel 20:23 Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 and Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25 and Sheva was secretary; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was also David's priest.

This brief paragraph at the conclusion of the chapter is much more than a list of names. It represented the fact that things were now back in order at the palace. The bulk of the chapter deals with one last rebel that tried to organize an uprising against David but was quelched by Joab. The historian wants us to know that things are finally running smoothly again militarily, economically, socially, and spiritually in Israel. Everyone is on the same page, each doing their part to keep things moving forward.  This will set us up for the final few chapters of the book.

A Place of Pardon

II Samuel 19:24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame. 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 28 For all my father's house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?”

After the insurrection by Absalom, David had a lot of relationships to set in order. This chapter deals with some of them, like: Joab, whom David had put in the middle of his problems with Absalom; some from the tribe of Benjamin, who had chosen the other side; Shimei, who had cursed David; and Mephibosheth, who did not go with the rest of David's household when he left Jerusalem. David had a heart to forgive all, regardless of how deep their guilt or lame their excuses. How easy or hard is it for you to forgive?

Waiting for Good News...

 II Samuel 18:24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.”

The strife in David's family had resulted in an all-out war.  As the dust settled, David waited for news on two fronts: how the battle had been decided and how his rebel son Absalom had fared. There was good news and bad news. As the account goes on to share, David was victorious, but his son did not make it. David was stricken with grief. As we have seen, the longer things go on without our attention, the harder resolution will become.  God will give us good news mixed with bad, but also the grace to go on.

Everyone Gets Drug into the Fight

 II Samuel 17:24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead. 27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

"Family Feud" would well describe what was going on in the house of David.  The tribes of Israel were set to follow Absalom, with all sorts of in-laws and out-laws pulled in to fight for each side.  Various clans of surrounding nations were called upon by David to join him to fight to regain the kingdom. People were away from their families and homes trying to get this over with. That's where things lead when we do not work hard to maintain health family communication and forgiveness.  One side might win the "battle", but overall, it will make things weaker and divided. Let's not drag everyone else into the fight.

Seeking God in Sad Days

25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. 26 But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there. 30 But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 

As we have seen the fallout and consequences of David's sin, he has tried to return to life as usual, while at the same time ignoring problems, hoping they will go away. Instead, his popular son Absalom has come back and taken over the kingdom. David is forced to flee, wondering if his rejection by his family and people will be forever. After he sends messengers to bring him a response, David and his followers go to the Mount of Olives to watch and wait.  What a picture pointing us to Christ struggling and praying on the Mount of Olives. Only He knew the future. He would face much sorrow and rejection, but in the end, have His kingdom.  Sad times are times to seek Him. He knows and cares and can bring new hope and a future.

Trying to Ignore the Issue

II Samuel 14:25 Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king's weight. 27 There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
28 So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come. 30 Then he said to his servants, “See, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.”

As we have seen, David's family life was beginning to unravel. After issues of rape, boiling bitterness, and murder, there was a definite lack of communication. This caused was uncertainty and mistrust. Joab had been instrumental in getting Absalom back to Jerusalem, so Absalom hoped he would intercede and help open the way for conversation with David. Not wanting to get caught in the middle, Joab stayed away.  As you can imagine, this fire got Joab's attention and he did make the meeting happen, but like bitterness, mistrust becomes engrained and hard to remove. Trying to ignore the issue does not make it go away. What are you ignoring today?

The Pot Boils Over

II Samuel 13:24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. 26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.

We saw yesterday that after David's sin against Bathsheba things seemed to get back to "normal," with the couple having another child after losing the baby and David getting back to work as king. But there were long-lasting consequences to David's fall.  His son Amnon had a more deeply rooted lust towards his half-sister Tamar and he shamed her. David was angry and Tamar's full brother Absolom was angry, yet no one did anything, for a while. Finally, things get to a boiling point, Absalom kills Amnon, creating a division in the family, which will further fracture the family in days to come.  What is there in your heart and life that is ready to boil over? How can you turn the heat down before it's too late?

Back on the Job

II Samuel 12: 26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name.” 29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it. 30 And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount.

This chapter begins with the first fall out of David's sin with Bathsheba.  He was rebuked by Nathan the prophet and the child of his adultery died. It had all started when David did not lead his troops in battle and ended up sinning during his time of idleness.  This account shows that David is "back in the saddle," and has returned to his responsibilities as king, leading his troops in battle. Also important here is that David took time to help Bathsheba through the guilt and pain of the lost child. He was no longer all wrapped up in his own pleasure. He is back on the job.  Have you failed or fallen? Do you understand that God does not want you to wallow there? He wants you to confess, care about others, and get back to work.

Displeasing the Lord...

 II Samuel 11:26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. 27 And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.

We talked yesterday about the covenant God had made with David, full of promises and expectations. David was filled with expectation about what would happen in the kingdom and with his family. The next few chapters are full of David's victories on every side and show us his softer side, showing compassion to Saul's son Mephibosheth.  But so as not to give us the picture of perfection, the account shows us how devious our hearts can be. When we pause to view our blessings and get comfortable with our spiritual achievements, we can be blindsided by sin in our own hearts. David's downfall has become the subject of even secular media, and a blight to God's reputation and that of His people.  In the following chapters we see the devastation on his household and the trickle effect that had on the stability of the nation, but what is most disappointing is that the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. God still loved David, and did keep His promises to him, but there were still consequences of his choice. We can expect the same when we follow his example.

God's Name Magnified

 II Samuel 7:25 And now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken. 26 And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 27 For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

After a number of key events and victories, David is established as king, and God makes a covenant with him and His people, promising blessings for David's family and the nation, as well as the privilege of being used for His glory.  David responds to God with a prayer of gratitude and humility. As he wraps up his prayer, he makes the statement above, asking God to do as He promised. He appeals to the very character of God: He is good and true.  David realizes he is really a small part in God's perfect plan, and the ultimate thing is for God to be Magnified. May we have that same response to God's working in our lives.

The Fall-Out from Failing to Forgive

 II Samuel 3:26 When Joab came out from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. 27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the Lord for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!”

We saw yesterday that there was a lot of bitterness that had built up between the followers of Saul and of David.  Many were able to move on and work together. For those who did not, things did not go well.  As the general for Saul, Abner had a long record of faithfulness and victory.  Joab had faithfully served David throughout the years.  But when his brother died in battle, Joab struggled and never forgave.  His revenge did not satisfy his bitterness; it only brought further pain on his family.  David goes on to mourn over Abner, despite his part in Saul's pursuit of David. How deep does bitterness reside in our hearts and minds?

Pursuing Peace

 II Samuel 2:24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. And as the sun was going down they came to the hill of Ammah, which lies before Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon. 25 And the people of Benjamin gathered themselves together behind Abner and became one group and took their stand on the top of a hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?” 27 And Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely the men would not have given up the pursuit of their brothers until the morning.” 28 So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men stopped and pursued Israel no more, nor did they fight anymore.

David had been waiting for years to finally become king.  Even though God had promised it, it did not happen immediately.  Even after the disappointments during Saul's downfall, some did not quickly embrace following David.  Over the years bitterness had set in - not towards David - but between the sides who had been caught up in Saul's bitterness and envy.  How easy it is for us to get caught up the same way.  We can even get to the point where we wondering why we were fighting in the first place.  It leads down a long path where, where someone has to stop and ask: "Why are we doing this? We need to stop." Are you ever the one to do so?