Lots of Trust

I Chronicles 27:25 Over the king's treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; 26 and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; 27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28 Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash. 29 Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30 Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. 31 Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were stewards of King David's property.

Military leaders were trusted by David to oversee the safety of the land.  Spiritual leaders were given new, up-to-date roles in temple worship. Now, we find stewards were entrusted with the economic resources of the kingdom. To be a steward is a great responsibility, indicating a lot of trust. The chapter closes by listing his cabinet members, who informed him when big decisions were to be made. We will find later that one of them betrayed him when his son Absalom rebelled.  What has God entrusted to you? Are you a good steward?

Let There Be Music!

I Chronicles 25:5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7 The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288. 8 And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

Besides reorganizing the priests and Levites for service in the Tabernacle (temple that would be built), David organized the musicians.  We know that David himself had deep musical interest, but even more so, he saw music as a big part in worship.  He wrote it, participated himself, and here arranged to it to be an ongoing part of worship in Jerusalem.  But like the other roles above, he saw it as a privilege and calling to serve, not make a name for oneself.  The focus was (and still should be) for all who come to worship God to want to, feel free to, and joyfully worship God together. Do you?

New Methods; Same God

 I Chronicles 23:25 For David said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26 And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.” 27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28 For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God. 

Scripture is real and practical. When David was arranging for the building of the temple, he realized that things had changed. Since the people were finally being permanently established, they no longer would be traveling with the Tabernacle. The jobs of the Levites were changing, but their calling was the same. They would be keeping the temple clean and functioning well. In a sense there were even more jobs to be done. The same is true for us individually and for the church.  Methods change; responsibilities adjust, but the worship of God remains. He is Holy, as always.

Getting off Track...

I Chronicles 21:21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David and went out from the threshing floor and paid homage to David with his face to the ground. 22 And David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of the threshing floor that I may build on it an altar to the Lord—give it to me at its full price—that the plague may be averted from the people.” 23 Then Ornan said to David, “Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for the wood and the wheat for a grain offering; I give it all.” 24 But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 25 So David paid Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the site. 26 And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 27 Then the Lord commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.

Between the passage above and what we looked at yesterday, there are some brief descriptions of the many battles and wars David won.  Of more importance to the historian is what happened in this chapter. David held a census - not because God told him to, but because he was getting too self-confident.  The fall-out was horrible, with thousands dying by "the sword of the Lord." David had less men for his census. This was a lesson for David, his people, and us.  God needed to be put back on the throne. Who is your life all about?

Who Am I?

 I Chronicles 17:23 And now, O Lord, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house be established forever, and do as you have spoken, 24 and your name will be established and magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel's God,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 26 And now, O Lord, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 27 Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”

As David and Israel celebrated the return of the Ark and the renewed consecration of the Tabernacle at Jerusalem, they also commemorated the Covenant God was renewing with His people and their leader. In response to God's Covenant, David responds with a prayer that begins in verse 16: "Who am I, Lord, that you would do this?" Included in that was the sentiment that it was not because of how wonderful David was or his people were that all this was happening. It was because, and only because, of God being so great and merciful.  May we start the day with that same perspective and stay that way. "It's you, Lord." 

Someone to Sing about!

 I Kings 16:23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
    Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.

As we saw yesterday, one of David's first orders of business was to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. When he did so, there was a great celebration. There was a cause to sing! Being the great songwriter he was, David wrote and sang this song. Above is only one of the verses, but it gives a glimpse of the theme: God is worthy to be praised by all men - especially His people. He is the real, true, and living God, who does great things.  We should not be able to keep ourselves from singing.  What holds you back from singing? Nothing should, no matter what kind of singing voice you have. Sing to the Lord!

First Orders of Business.

 I Chronicles 15:25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-edom with rejoicing. 26 And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as also were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the music of the singers. And David wore a linen ephod. 28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres.

Once David was established as king in Jerusalem, his first order of business was to rid Israel of the constant threat by the Philistines (see chapter 14). The first order of domestic business was to return the Ark of the Covenant to Israel, and in particular, to the capital.  All of Israel and her surrounding nations needed to see and know that the only way the kingdom would work was if God was center and foremost in the kingdom.  When this happened there was a wonderful worship celebration. Some were not as excited as David (see the following paragraph in the passage), but David and other true Jews knew that's the way it needed to be. Have we made God front and center in our lives?

One More Important List

 

I Chronicles 11:26 The mighty men were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 27 Shammoth of Harod, Helez the Pelonite, 28 Ira the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa, Abiezer of Anathoth, 29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, 30 Maharai of Netophah, Heled the son of Baanah of Netophah, 31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin, Benaiah of Pirathon, 32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, 33 Azmaveth of Baharum, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, 34 Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite, 35 Ahiam the son of Sachar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur, 36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, 37 Hezro of Carmel, Naarai the son of Ezbai, 38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a leader of the Reubenites, and thirty with him, 43 Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, 45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite, 46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite, 47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

After all these long lists of genealogies, the historian takes one chapter to describe the death of Saul and his line, then in this chapter moves on to David becoming king and the people who surrounded him: his chief three and then the thirty mighty men who served him.  Before we can understand what David did, we need to know who he was with. The people with whom we surround ourselves will make all the difference in our "history." Choose wisely. Choose faithful, godly friends.

Even the Gatekeepers!

I Chronicles 9:22 All these, who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds, were 212. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer established them in their office of trust. 23 So they and their sons were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent, as guards. 24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north, and south. 25 And their kinsmen who were in their villages were obligated to come in every seven days, in turn, to be with these, 26 for the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted to be over the chambers and the treasures of the house of God. 27 And they lodged around the house of God, for on them lay the duty of watching, and they had charge of opening it every morning.

After several chapters on the genealogies of all the tribes of Israel, we come to those who were the first to return to Jerusalem after the exile.  They had a heritage that went way back.  Even the gatekeepers of the temple.  They could trace their heritage back through the time of David, and of course, to the house of Levi.  Their job of had not seemed hard or important to many, but when the return from exile came, they were especially important, as opposition to their return was great.  Every person, every responsibility was and is important to God and His people.  David the king had understood that. Do we?

Getting Caught up on History

I Chronicles 1:17 The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. And the sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. 18 Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber. 19 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg (for in his days the earth was divided), and his brother's name was Joktan. 20 Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 22 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 23 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan. 24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah; 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu; 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah; 27 Abram, that is, Abraham.

Often when we get to these lists of genealogies, we cringe, wondering what to do with them all, let alone know how to pronounce them. We wonder why they are there. First, the serve to give us historical perspective, knowing how certain situations - in this, the kings of Jerusalem - fit into the overall plan of God for man.  Secondly, we do find some special details pertinent to history which we might miss in the full story, such as the comment about Peleg, Joktan, and Abraham.  With so many names, it is important to keep them straight (sort of like reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy.) Also, here we find names of kings of surrounding nations not elsewhere in scripture, which become important details for the kingdom years. With all this as background we will be able to comprehend what God was doing and through whom. So don't be intimidated by any part of scripture. We need it.

Making a Terrible Thing Worse

II Kings 25:23 Now when all the captains and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite. 24 And Gedaliah swore to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid because of the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.” 25 But in the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the royal family, came with ten men and struck down Gedaliah and put him to death along with the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. 26 Then all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the forces arose and went to Egypt, for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.

This chapter begins with the final fall of Jerusalem to Babylon and the exile that followed. As if things were not bad enough, some of those who were allowed the privilege of remaining in the land rebelled against the Babylonians and the Jewish governor they had appointed and chose to flee back to Egypt, where they came from before the Exodus.  In Jeremiah we find he was against this; his counsel had been to live faithfully for God wherever He placed you.  What are some ways you have resisted God's will, making matters worse?

Too Little, Too Late?

II Kings 23:24 Moreover, Josiah put away the mediums and the necromancers and the household gods and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might establish the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord.25 Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. 26 Still the Lord did not turn from the burning of his great wrath, by which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him. 27 And the Lord said, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.”

Josiah's reign was an exciting time of renewal in Judah, yet it did not right all the wrongs that she had done. The next paragraph tells us that Josiah's rule was cut short when he was killed in battle, and that Judah soon went back to their old ways, with the palace filled with intrigue and rebellion. However, Josiah's reign was not a waste. Even if we cannot undo all that has been done wrong before us, we should seek God with a whole heart and allow Him to do all He will in and through us. 

Holding on for the ride.

II Kings 21:19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. 20 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as Manasseh his father had done. 21 He walked in all the way in which his father walked and served the idols that his father served and worshiped them. 22 He abandoned the Lord, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the Lord. 23 And the servants of Amon conspired against him and put the king to death in his house. 24 But the people of the land struck down all those who had conspired against King Amon, and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place.

After some rays of hope during the reign of Hezekiah, things in Judah again began to spiral downward like a scary roller coaster.  By the time we get to Amon, we find it sounds a lot like the northern kingdom: short reign, pagan mother, "did evil", "walked in all the ways of his father , served and worshipped idols, abandoned the Lord and did not walk in His way, faced a violent death.  His reign also left his people divided.  Was there any hope for Judah? Not because of them, but because of God's faithfulness. 

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.