Category: 1st and 2nd Kings-BibleTrekToday
Trek through 1st and 2nd Kings
Prayer Changes the Battlefield!
Scripture reading for April 15th: 2nd Kings 18-21
In today’s reading, the ten tribes of Israel were taken into captivity by the Assyrian army. Scripture records that this happened because they had not obeyed the Lord and had violated the covenant made by Moses. (2nd Kings 18:10-12) This is a familiar reason for defeat or captivity and God’s people were well-warned in the word of God what would happen if they failed to obey! (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) Knowing and doing what God says is something that has eluded mankind since the Garden of Eden.
After the fall of Samaria, Hezekiah, king of Judah, was attacked. Sennacherib, king of Assyria had captured all the fortified cities of Judah and had surrounded Jerusalem, demanding tribute. Hezekiah gave him the gold and silver from the Lord’s temple, but he wanted a complete surrender. He taunted the leaders and people of Jerusalem telling them not to trust in the Lord or Hezekiah. He promised them life if they surrendered and threatened death if they failed to heed. (2nd Kings 18:26-35) His vast army had easily taken Israel and now most of Judah. Things on the battlefield looked grim for those in Jerusalem! King Hezekiah had told the people to remain silent and no one spoke a word.
In response to this bad situation, Hezekiah’s officials went to the king in mourning with torn clothes and sackcloth. The king also tore his clothes and went to the temple to inquire of the Lord. He sent word to Isaiah the prophet for prayer. They desperately needed a word from the Lord. The Lord spoke through Isaiah that day, “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard–those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Listen! I am going to put such a spirit in him that when he hears a certain report, he will return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.” (2nd Kings 19:6-7)
That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp and the army withdrew from Jerusalem as the Lord had said! Prayer had truly changed the battlefield! The battle wasn’t just with men and chariots but against wicked spiritual forces. When we appeal to the Lord, He alone has resources to bring victory! He alone receives the glory!
Causes of Captivity
Scripture reading for April 14th: 2nd Kings 13-17
God had warned Israel and Judah that certain activities would result in their being taken captive by their enemies and taken out of their wonderful inheritance, the land of Israel. Like children who hear their parent’s instruction but soon forget, the nation of Israel turned a deaf ear to God and His word. They hardened their hearts and reaped the consequences.
What did they do that angered the Lord? God is a jealous God who will not tolerate idolatry. These Israelites made two golden calves and bowed down to them. (2nd Kings 17:7-13) They burned incense to these idols and did wicked things that were immoral. The prophets warned them, but they refused to listen! They rejected God’s laws and did their own thing in following their worthless idols and became worthless to God. God could not use them as a testimony of His goodness when they brought a curse on themselves!
In their idolatry, they sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fires made for these idols. They practiced divination and sorcery. (2nd Kings 17:16-17) They would not consult the Lord but sought demons in direct rebellion to God’s instructions. God had forbidden them to do these things that the other nations were doing.
As we contemplate the causes of Israel’s captivity, it is easy to see how our nation is going down the same path! We are now a nation of idolaters. We worship gods of our own making. Idols are an attempt to make god in a form that we can control and define. The idols of Israel were made of gold because money is often related with idolatry. The love of money and power is a consuming force in our country.
We are also a nation that sacrifices our children in the fires of abortion and abuse. Children are a favorite target of Satan because they represent the heritage of the Lord. Our idols of pleasure and convenience say we should have a right to choose whether or not a baby should live or be sacrificed! Finally, sorcery and divination are also present in our land. False doctrines and seeking man or Satan for insight to the future are growing more and more popular. These are all signs of a nation headed for captivity! Take time to pray for our nation today!
The Spirit of Jezebel
Scripture reading for April 13th: 2nd Kings 9-12
Jezebel was a woman in Scripture who is not mentioned with love or appreciation. She was the wife of King Ahab of Israel and was known for her idolatry and mistreatment of God’s true servants and prophets. She used the king’s treasury to supply the needs of the false prophets of Baal and Ashteroth. (1st Kings 18:19) There were 850 of these prophets who were confronted by Elijah on Mt. Carmel and then slain by him. Jezebel was furious and threatened to kill Elijah, causing him to run in fear of her. (1st Kings 19:1-3)
Jezebel was adept at manipulation and control of those in authority. She worked behind the scenes to use resources for selfish purposes. She intimidated and bullied elders and officials using her husband’s name to get the vineyard of Naboth. (1st Kings 21:4-16) She urged her husband to do evil and reaped a prophetic denunciation by Elijah the prophet. “Also concerning Jezebel the Lord says; ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'” (1st Kings 21:23)
Years went by and it seemed that Jezebel had escaped judgment. Ahab her husband had died in a battle and dogs had licked up his blood as Elijah had said of him. Joram, Ahab’s son, was ruling Israel after Ahaziah, another son, had died. Wickedness continued in the land and God’s word was not yet fulfilled. God often gives opportunity to people to repent. Even to those who are most wicked, God offers mercy and time to consider their ways. But the time of mercy sometimes runs out.
God had Elisha send a man to anoint Jehu as king to finish the judgement earlier decreed. (2nd Kings 9:1-10) The prophet gave specific instructions to Jehu with the anointing to destroy the house of Ahab completely. Jezebel was specifically mentioned as being devoured by dogs on the plot of ground in Jezreel that they had killed and stolen to get. That is exactly what happened! (2nd Kings 9:32-37)
The spirit of Jezebel is alive in many churches. It was mentioned by John in Revelation 2:20-23. Jezebel in the church at Thyatira used manipulation and sexual immorality as well as idolatry. She claimed to be a prophetess. God gave her time to repent but she wouldn’t. Ask God for discernment today concerning this spirit of Jezebel. Do not tolerate it in your life or your church!
“Wash and be Cleansed”
Scripture reading for April 12th: 2nd Kings 4-8
When it comes to healing and other needed miracles, most people have a tendency to think in more complicated terms. If you traveled a great distance to a specialist and then he didn’t even look at you or talk personally with you, you would probably be upset. If the specialist told you something to do that was common and ordinary, you would also probably be skeptical. This is what happened in the reading for today!
Naaman was a commander in the army of Aram (Syria). He was an important man and a valiant soldier but e had a serious illness called leprosy. People with this disease have their skin turn white and begin to come off. They develop very painful sores and must live separated from others to keep from spreading the disease. Naaman had a servant girl who was an Israelite who knew of Elisha the prophet and told Naaman’s wife about this possible cure. Naaman set out for Israel with a letter from the king of Aram to the king of Israel requesting a cure.
The king of Israel was worried that this was an impossible thing and that Aram was picking a fight. Leprosy was not something that was easily cured. Elisha heard about the king’s dilemma and encouraged him to send Naaman to him. When Naaman arrived at the prophet’s residence, Elisha sent word to Naaman, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” (2nd Kings 5:10)
Naaman was furious because his expectations were not met. He had envisioned the healing taking place a certain way and this was so easy. Pride shows itself as anger often and this great man had some. His servants urged Naaman to listen and obey, however, and Naaman did go and wash as the prophet said and was immediately cleansed! Naaman returned to the prophet and tried to pay him but no pay was accepted! (2nd Kings 5:16) The healing was a gift from the Lord demonstrating that the Lord is God!
God loves to confound the proud and cannot be put in a box. Think about this simple example requiring faith and ask God for that kind of obedience to the instructions you already have. If you have a difficult problem or need healing, be open to the simple solutions God sends your way.
A Time to Dig Ditches
Scripture reading for April 10th: 2nd Kings 1-3
Is there anything too hard for the Lord? We often think that we are in such a hard place that nothing or no one can help us. It is easy at times like this to give in to negative thinking and complaining. Attitudes, however, are so important to faith! We who know the Lord must keep control of our attitudes in the midst of trouble in order to see the salvation of God. That’s what is going on in our reading today!
The Moabites had rebelled against the new King of Israel, Joram. King Joram had asked the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom to help him. They decided to travel through the desert of Edom to attack. After a seven day march without water, their animals and the men were dry. King Joram got negative and started to complain. (2nd Kings 3:8-11) King Jehoshaphat wisely asked for a prophet of the Lord to ask of God directions. Elisha the prophet was with the armies and came forward.
King Joram again complained that the Lord was bringing them out there to die and Elisha was disgusted with him. However, because of a godly king, Jehoshaphat, Elisha asked for a harpist and then began to prophesy. “This is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water and you and your cattle and other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; He will also hand Moab over to you…” (2nd Kings 3:16-18)
By faith they began to dig in the desert! By the next morning, water filled the ditches! It was an easy thing for the Lord! Water flowed in the desert and the morning sun made it look like rivers of blood to the Moabites. They attacked and were soundly beaten by the three kings as the prophet had said! (2nd Kings 3:24-27)
Faith comes by hearing the Word of the Lord. Our attitude can stop up the hearing of God’s word if we are not careful. We must not become drunk on the circumstances, but seek God in all circumstances. He can make a way in the desert and bring water from hidden resources. Nothing is too hard for the Lord when we trust Him as our source! We have to do the digging after the seeking!
Divine Retribution
Scripture reading for April 9th: 1st Kings 20-22
Ahab, a weak man, had become king of Israel. He was married to a wicked woman, Jezebel, who was an idolater. After the confrontation with Elijah on Mt. Carmel, one would think that Ahab would have learned the lesson that God is God and He should be honored and obeyed. He allowed Jezebel to pursue Elijah and threaten him for doing what God wanted done to the false prophets! Some people have short memories–or no backbone!
A short time later, Ahab’s faith was tested by an attack from Ben-Hadad, king of Aram who persuaded 32 other kings to join him. He demanded that Ahab give him his silver and gold and the best of his wives and children. Ahab agreed without a fight. He then sent another demand for all the silver and gold from all his officials and and their wives and children but they wouldn’t agree. The elders and people put a stop to giving in.
This situation reminds me of today where many of God’s people give in to the enemy and allow the enemy to take their gold and silver, their wives and children. They use drugs and alcohol and waste their money on gambling. They allow their children unlimited access to cell phones and internet and see them stolen by the enemy! They make idols of sports and neglect the spiritual education of their children, losing them to the enemy! How easily we give in like Ahab of old!
God did give advice to Ahab that helped him have victory over Ben-Hadad the first time. Ben-Hadad, however, escaped to fight again. Ahab was told a second time to fight and God would give victory. The second time, Ben-Hadad was surrounded and losing badly and he decided to surrender to Ahab. Ahab took him into the chariot and let him live! (1st Kings 20:31-34) God’s prophet came and told Ahab that he would forfeit his own life for the life of Ben-Hadad whom he had mercifully let off! (1st Kings 20:34-43)
It is easy to justify our lack of obedience with a desire to be merciful. Ahab should have repented but instead got sullen and angry. Check out your own heart and avoid God’s “divine retribution”. True repentance is the response God wants in every case of disobedience!
One is a Majority With God!
Scripture reading for April 8th: 1st Kings 17-19
After three years of drought and famine at the word of Elijah the prophet, Elijah showed up and confronted Ahab with a showdown. He told Ahab to bring the 45o prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah and come up to Mt. Carmel. (1st Kings 17:18-19) Elijah, along with the people of Israel, was going to meet them there to call them to account for their idolatry. He was all alone, one man against this great company of false prophets.
Elijah proposed a contest. Sacrificial bulls were to be laid upon two altars with wood under them. The false prophets could call on their god to come and consume their sacrifice by fire. Then Elijah would call on the Lord to consume his sacrifice. The God who answered with fire would be the winner! Elijah graciously allowed the false prophets to go first.(1st Kings 17:22-26)
All day the false prophets called out to their gods with no response. Elijah taunted them asking them to shout louder because their god must have been asleep! The priests danced around and made noise, even cutting themselves, but no god answered and no one was there. (1st Kings 17:26-29)
Elijah built an altar of twelves stones, one for each tribe of Israel. He called all the people to his altar and then for extra drama, had the sacrifice and wood soaked with water three times. At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah stepped up and prayed a simple prayer. Fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the water in the trench! (1st Kings 17:30-38) The people fell on their faces and proclaimed that the Lord was God!
Elijah ordered the false prophets slain according to the instruction of the Lord! He told Ahab to eat and drink because rain was coming. He went up on Mt. Carmel and began to pray while his servant watched toward the sea for clouds. After seven times, a cloud appeared and they took off. Elijah ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot down to Jezreel!
One is a majority when God is our God! Numbers may be fashionable but God is not impressed with numbers who have no faith in Him. Check your heart today. Are you bold in your prayer life and in confronting false religion?
Be Careful Who You Listen To!
Scripture reading for April 7th: 1st Kings 12-16
After the death of Solomon and his 40 years of peace and prosperity, Rehoboam, a son of Solomon, took over the throne of his father. Rehoboam had the wisest man who ever lived up to that time as a father and example. Even though wise, Solomon was still human and a sinner and his son Rehoboam failed to learn from the wisdom and truths available to him. When we fail to listen and learn and let pride determine our conduct, trouble always results.
Rehoboam brought the wise older advisers of his father before him for advice. The men of Israel had approached him appealing to him to lower their taxes and lighten their load of forced labor for the king. These older advisers told Rehoboam to listen and lighten up the load. Rehoboam then went to his peers for their advice. They told him to make the load heavier and mocked the people. (1st Kings 12:6-15) Rehoboam liked the younger peers advice and answered the people harshly. This turned their hearts against him.
Scripture notes that Rehoboam’s action was from the Lord to fulfill a word of prophesy spoken to Jeroboam by Ahijah the prophet. God knows all things and sees the end from the beginning. This doesn’t mean that God was controlling the situation as much as that He knew the response before it happened and was working everything out for His purposes! We do well when we listen and obey the word of the Lord! Wise counsel is a precious commodity for those in leadership.
Rehoboam’s decision caused Israel and their ten northern tribes to choose Jeroboam as king. Jeroboam, however, also disobeyed the Lord’s word and direction by making two golden calves and setting up an alternative place of worship. He also placed in the priesthood all who desired to be priests. He did this because he feared the Israelites going down to Jerusalem for sacrifices. (1st Kings 12:26-33) Operating in fear instead of faith always leads to trouble! The sin of Jeroboam led to the downfall of his house, and the many kings of Israel who followed him also held to this idolatry and a false priesthood.
Take a moment today and commit your life to obedience to the Lord and ask God for wise counsel in your life. Ask for discernment and walk by faith!
Gold, Girls, gods, Grief!
Scripture reading for April 6th: 1st Kings 9-11
Solomon’s life looked like a modern day success story! He was blessed coming and going. Everything he did seemed to turn to gold! He was well-liked and sought after for his wisdom. Gold flowed into his treasuries like water. (1st Kings 10:10,14) Women were attracted to him and he married three hundred foreign wives and had 700 concubines. (1st Kings 11:1-4) He lived in a wonderful mansion and worshiped God in a gold-lined temple. God Himself had appeared to him twice and spoken a warning to him about staying humble and obedient. If he strayed, disaster would come. (1st Kings 9:3-9)
One would think that Solomon would continue on his path of serving God. But wealth and fame and popularity have ways of testing us even more than poverty and lack. The gold brought Solomon power and luxury and the ability to have whatever he desired. The women fed his ego and his lust. Beautiful women brought idolatry into Solomon’s life and he no longer served God whole-heartedly! (1st Kings 11:4-6) The Lord became angry with Solomon and raised up an adversary against him. (1st Kings 11:14) The wealth and fame and women did not bring the happiness that Solomon had envisioned. Grief came instead because of God’s anger against the sin of idolatry!
This story has been repeated countless times over the years. Men in ministry have fallen because of these same traps. Men who started out right to serve God and do something great for Him ended up shipwrecked because of temptations of money, women, and along with those, idolatry! Grief has come to these men and their families as it did to King David and Solomon after him. We must learn from the word of God what pleases the Lord and what angers Him! Living by humble faith is always the best.
Check out your own heart and life today. Has God prospered you and given you riches? Be careful that you are not led astray! Are you enticed by beautiful women or sexy men when you should be satisfied and in love with your spouse? Is your heart fully sold out to the Lord? Why not avoid the grief by repentance and renewed commitment! Now is the time before the grief comes!