Through The Bible
11 I Kings
April 11 - I Kings 1 - 2
We are starting a new book, and I am starting a new session of chemotherapy. This will be session 3, with the IV scheduled today and the chemo pills for 2 weeks.
We learned of Samuel, King Saul, and King David in the first and second books of Samuel. We have come to the book of I Kings, which tells of the reign of King Solomon and continues with the division of Israel and Judah. We will meet Elijah the Tishbite and see his great miracles. The book begins, "Now king David was old and stricken in years..." His servants sought a fair damsel to minister unto him, and found Abishag a Shunammite. "Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom." (I Kings 1:5-6) Absalom was the third son of David and Adonijah was the fourth. Joab, David's captain of the hosts, and Abiathar the priest followed Adonijah. "But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah." (1:8) Nathan the prophet spoke with Bathsheba and they told David that he had said that Solomon would reign, but Adonijah reigned. "And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day." (1:29-30) King David told Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah to cause Solomon to ride on his mule to Gihon and anoint him to be king over Israel and let him sit on David's throne.
"38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them." (1:38-40)
When the news came to Adonijah, all of the guests were afraid and they all went on their way. Adonijah was afraid and caught hold on the horns of the altar. "And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die. So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house." (1:52-53)
"1 Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
4 That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel." (2:1-4)
David then reminded Solomon that Joab killed Abner and Amasa in the time of peace. He also told him of the kindness of Barzillai. Then he told Solomon not to hold Shimei guiltless, who cursed David when he fled from Absalom.
"10 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
11 And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
12 Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly." (2:10-12)
Adolijah went to Bathsheba and asked for Abishag to be his wife. Bathsheba went to King Solomon and asked for him. "And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah. Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life." (2:22-23) So Adonijah was killed. "And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted. So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh." (2:26-27) (I Samuel 2:27-36) Then King Solomon sent Benaiah to kill Joab for killing Abner and Amasa. Benaiah was put over the host and Zadok the priest took the place of Abiathar. Then Solomon told Shimei to build a house in Jerusalem and not to leave, or he would die. After three years one of Shimei's servants ran away and Shimei went after him. So he was killed. Chapter 2 ends, "... And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon." (2:46)
April 12 - I Kings 3
Update on my cancer treatment… There was a problem with my port-a-cath yesterday and I was at the cancer hospital from 8:30 until 5:30. At home Michael had to roll me to the house on a computer chair. The temperature was 71 degrees in the house and caused breathing problems as the cold shock had done in the hospital the last time. I sat with 3 small blankets and Michael turned the heat up to 73 before I was able to stop grasping for every breath and talk. I desire your prayers.
Life Lesson... It is good to pray for wisdom, no matter what our age may be. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)
In Chapter 3 we see that King Solomon had a good beginning.
"1 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.
3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing." (I Kings 3:1-10)
Solomon told the Lord that he was "but a little child..." I guess many of us would feel that way if we were chosen to rule a nation. In his charge to Solomon, David said, "I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;" and "...for thou art a wise man..." (2:2&9) David reigned 33 years in Jerusalem, and Solomon was born during that time. His mother was Bathsheba, and that seems to be later during David's reign, so Solomon may have been in his 20's, or maybe even younger. (In I Kings 14:21 we see that Rehoboam, the son of Solomon began to reign when he was 41 years old, and Solomon was king 40 years, so Solomon could have already had a 1 year old child, unless there was some time between Solomon's death and Rehoboam's reign.) Whatever our age, it is always good to ask the Lord for wisdom.
"11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants." (3:11-15)
The remainder of the chapter tells of two women who both had a child. One woman rolled over her child during the night and exchanged her child for the living child. Solomon said that he could cut the living child in half and give a half to each mother. He knew the rightful mother was the one who wanted him not to harm the child. "Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment." (3:27-28)
April 13 - I Kings 4 - 6
Chapter 4 begins with a list of Solomon's princes and his twelve officers. Each of the officers provided the food for Solomon and his household for one month of the year. In verse 20 we are reminded of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Verse 26 speaks of Solomon's horses, which God had warned against. (But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Deuteronomy 17:16)
"20 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom." (I Kings 4:20-34)
In Chapter 5 Hiram, king of Tyre, made an agreement to help Solomon with trees and timber to build the House of the Lord.
"8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
9 My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
13 And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
16 Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house." (5:8-18)
Chapter 6 describes the House of the Lord which King Solomon had built. The building began in the fourth year of Solomon's reign and (converting a cubit to 18 inches) was 90 feet x 30 feet and 45 feet high. The porch was 30 x 15 feet. The house was finished in the eleventh year, taking seven years. The beams were set on rests and not fastened to the walls. The stones were cut and brought to the building and no sound of hammer, or axe or any tool of iron was heard while the house was being built. The cedar was carved with cheribims, and open palm trees. "And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold." (6:22) The cheribims and even the floor were overlaid with gold.
April 14 - I Kings 7 - 9
King Solomon finished the House of the Lord in seven years, and in Chapter 7 we find that he spent thirteen years in building his own house. Using 18 inches for a cubit, it would have been 150 feet x 75 feet and 45 feet high, with three rows of windows, and a porch 75 feet x 45 feet. The foundation was of costly stones, 15 feet and 12 feet big. It is hard to imagine the work that went into cutting the trees in Lebanon and moving them across the land and sea, and cutting the stones with saws, without the tools we have today. The "molten sea" was 15 feet across and 7 1/2 feet high and it sat on twelve oxen, three looking each direction. The pots, shovels, and vessels for the House of the Lord were cast of brass in the clay ground. In Chapter 8 King Solomon had the priests take the ark of the covenant and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, from the city of David, Zion, to the House of the Lord in Jerusalem.
"10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
12 Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.
14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)" (I Kings 8:10-14)
"22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
24 Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
25 Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.
26 And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.
27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
29 That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive." (8:22-30)
"46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
49 Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
50 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:" (I Kings 8:46-50)
Each time I read these verses I remember how Daniel, a captive in a foreign land, kneeled on his knees at his windows and prayed towards Jerusalem. "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." (Daniel 6:10)
After Solomon's blessing and prayer he offered a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord of 22,000 oxen, and 120,000 sheep. All Israel had a feast for 14 days. Chapter 9 tells that God answered Solomon's prayer, but also gave a warning not to serve other false gods.
"3 And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:
5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.
6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:
7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:
8 And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?
9 And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil." (9:3-9)
The end of the chapter tells about Solomon's navy of ships that brought gold to the king.
April 15 - I Kings 10 - 11
Something To Think About... Do people hear of us because of our faith in the Lord? Chapter 10 opens with the visit from the Queen of Sheba. Notice in verse 1 that she "heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD..." How many people today do we hear of because of their faith concerning the Lord? Jesus said, "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here." (Matthew 12:43)
"1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
3 And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
7 Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
8 Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
9 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
10 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon." (I Kings 10:1-10)
King Solomon had a great wealth of gold brought in every year. He made 200 targets of gold and 300 shields of gold. He had a great throne of ivory overlaid with the best gold. "The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom." (10:19-20) The navy brought gold, silver, ivory, and apes and peacocks. "So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart." (10:23-24) He also had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen. The kings were commanded not to multiply gold and silver, horses, and wives, but King Solomon multiplied all of these. (Deuteronomy 17:16-17)
"1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father." (I Kings 11:1-6)
God told Solomon that he would rend the kingdom from him and give him only one tribe for David's sake and one tribe for Jerusalem's sake. God stirred up adversaries against King Solomon, Hadad, Rezon, and Jereboam. The prophet Ahijah took Jeroboam's new garment and tore it into twelve pieces. "And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)" (11:31-32) Ahijah told Jeroboam that if he would follow the Lord, then the Lord would build him a sure house. King Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam so he fled into Egypt until the king died. Solomon reigned over Jerusalem 40 years and his son Rehoboam reigned in his stead.
April 16 - I Kings 12 - 13
In Chapter 12 we see the kingdom divided between two kings. Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon was made king. Jereboam, who fled to Egypt when Solomon lived, returned to Israel. Jereboam and the people went before Rehoboam. "Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed." (I Kings 12:4-5) How had King Solomon made their yoke grievous? In Chapter 4 we saw how the people provided food for the king's household and food for their horses and dromedaries. Each day it took flour, meal, 30 oxen, 100 sheep, and other meats. In Chapter 5 Solomon raised a levy of 30,000 men who worked in Lebanon a month and were two months at home. He also had 70,000 that bare burdens and 80,000 hewers in the mountains plus the 3,300 which ruled over the work. Chapter 9 also tells how the people built his houses and cities and the wall of Jerusalem, and how the people were men of war, and his servants, princes, captains, rulers of his chariots, his horsemen, and navy. And in 10:25 we read, "And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year." It sounds like the people were tired of giving their service, their flocks, their gifts, their money, and their time to the king.
"6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;
14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem." (12:6-18)
Rehoboam gathered an army together to fight against Jeroboam but God told Shemaiah to tell him not to fight against the children of Israel so they all went back to their homes. King Jeroboam was afraid that the people would return to King Rehoboam if they went to sacrifice at Jerusalem so he made two calves of gold, and made priests which were not Levites, and the people worshiped the false gods. Chapter 13 begins with a prophecy that will be fulfilled in II Kings chapters 22 and 23.
"1 And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.
4 And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
5 The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.
6 And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before." (I Kings 13:1-6)
I don't understand the rest of the story. King Jeroboam told the man to go home with him and he would give him a reward. The man said that he would not go because the Lord told him not to eat, or drink water, or turn again the same way, so he went another way towards Bethel. There was an old prophet in Bethel and after his sons told him about what happened, he went and found the man sitting under a tree. He told the man to go home with him and eat and the man told him what the Lord had said. "He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him." (13:18) My question is, "Why did the old prophet lie to another man of God?" The man went back with him and ate bread and drank water.
"20 And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:
21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
22 But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers." (13:20-22)
After he left, a lion killed the man but did not hurt his donkey. "And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him." (13:25-26)
The old prophet and his sons went and got the man and buried him. "After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way..." (13:33)
April 17 - I Kings 14 - 15
Abijah, the son of King Jeroboam was sick and the king told his wife to disguise herself and go to Ahijah the prophet and see what would happen to the child. Ahijah was old and couldn't see but the Lord told him that she was coming.
"6 And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings.
7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,
8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;
9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:
10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam,..." (I Kings 14:6-10)
The prophet told her that when her feet entered into the city her son would die. Over and over in the books of I and II Kings we read, "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom." (II Kings 13:2) From I Kings 14:16 all the way through the history of Israel to II Kings 23:15, written more than 20 times, we read of Jeroboam who made Israel to sin. What a terrible way to be remembered! Jeroboam reigned 22 years, and his son Nadab reigned after him for two years. Rehoboam, the king of Judah also sinned before the Lord.
"21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.
23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel." (I Kings 14:21-24)
In the fifth year of the reign of Rehoboam, Shishak the king of Egypt went against Jerusalem and took away all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the kings house and the shields of gold which Solomon had made. In only five years after King Solomon died and his son reigned, the treasures he collected were taken away. There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days. Chapter 15 begins with the reign of Abijam, the son of Rehoboam, in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam's reign. "His mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom." (15:2) He walked in the sins of his father and only reigned three years in Jerusalem. Asa, his son reigned, whose mother was also Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom (15:10) forty one years in Jerusalem. (It seems to have been the custom for the new king to be given the wives of the previous king. "And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom..." II Samuel 12:8) "And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father." (15:11) King Asa removed his mother from being queen and destroyed her idol. "But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days. And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels." (15:14-15) Asa, king of Judah, and Baasha, king of Israel were at war all their days. Asa took the silver and gold that was left and sent it to Benhadad, king of Syria to go to war against Israel. After his death, Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.
"25 And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.
26 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
28 Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead.
29 And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:
30 Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger." (15:25-30)
April 18 - I Kings 16 - 17
Chemo Update… I had pain in my chest all day yesterday and it seemed to be more in the area of my heart when I went to bed, so Michael took me to the emergency room at the hospital. They did several tests and everything looked good. It was a reaction to chemo. They gave me morphine, something for nausea and fluids for dehydration. We were there until 5:30 and I feel better this morning. I am thankful for your prayers.
Life Lesson... Never underestimate the power of prayer! "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." (James 5:16-18) Keep reading to see another great miracle of Elijah.
Did you know that Zimri reigned as king over Israel only seven days? Chapter 16 continues with the kings over Israel and Judah.
"1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;
3 Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
4 Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat." (I Kings 16:1-4)
After the death of Baasha his son Elah reigned over Israel two years. While he was "drinking himself drunk" his servant Zimri , captain of half his chariots, killed him and reigned in his stead. He killed all of his family and his friends. When the people heard that Zimri had killed the king, all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel and they besieged Tirzah. When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the palace and burnt the king's house over him. He only reigned seven days. The people were divided on who was to be king. Half followed Tibni and half followed Omri. Those who followed Omri prevailed so Tibni died and Omri became king. "But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities." (16:25-26) After Omri died, his son Ahab reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty two years.
"30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.
31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
34 In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun." (16:30-34)
"And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it." (Joshua 6:26)
In Chapter 17 we meet Elijah the Tishbite.
"1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land." (I Kings 17:1-7)
The Lord commanded the ravens to feed His prophet! Then the Lord commanded a widow woman to feed Elijah, not a rich man, but a poor widow woman. God had already made arrangements to feed Elijah in both instances, but he had to go "there". Do we miss out on what God has for us because we don't go where He has provided for us to go?
"8 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah." (17:8-16)
When her son died, Elijah carried him up into a loft and laid him on his own bed.
"20 And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth." (17:20-24)
April 19 - I Kings 18
Life Lesson... Have you made the all important decision to follow the Lord?
In Chapter 18 we have the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel. In the third year the Lord told Elijah to go show himself to King Ahab and He would send rain upon the earth. Ahab told Obadiah to go search the land to try to find grass for the horses and mules. Obadiah met Elijah and Elijah told him to go tell Ahab that he was there. But, Obadiah was afraid to tell the king. "And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth. Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD'S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?" (I Kings 18:12-13)
"17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table." (18:17-19)
So the false prophets gathered on Mount Carmel. "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men." (18:21-22) Elijah told them that they would each offer a sacrifice. "And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken." (18:24) The false prophets offered their bullock on the altar and called on their false gods, "but there was no voice, nor any that answered."
"27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded." (18-27-29)
Then Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down with twelve stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. He made a trench around the altar and told the people to fill four barrels with water and pour it on the sacrifice and wood. Then he told them to do it two more times and the water ran round about the altar and filled the trench.
"36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.
40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,
43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.
44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.
45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." (18:36-46)
April 20 - I Kings 19
Life Lesson... Sometimes after our greatest mountain top victories, we find ourselves in the valley of discouragement. It is good to remember that we are not alone.
"1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." (I Kings 19:1-4)
Let's look at some of the reasons that may have caused Elijah to be discouraged. After his victory on Mount Carmel he must have been emotionally and physically exhausted. He even outran a chariot to the city. (18:36-46) He was running for his life and left his servant behind, and went on alone. He said, "I, even I only, am left..." (19:3 and 10) If you are going through trials, don't close out your friends that are trying to help you. He was ready to give up and requested of the Lord that he might die and he compared himself to others. (19:4)
"6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God." (19:6-8)
Now, let's look at some remedies that helped him through this. He rested and slept. And the angel gave him food and water. We are still in our earthly bodies and we need rest and nourishment. He also heard from the Lord. Sometimes when we are discouraged it helps us to think about what we are doing here. It helps us to look at our path and our purpose and get our eyes off our problems. "And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." (19:9-10) We have a cause. Elijah was pleading his cause before the Lord. Next, we see that God doesn't always answer with earth-moving situations. Many times we need to turn off the noise, and hustle and bustle, of the world and be still and listen for God's still small voice.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." (19:11-14)
God doesn't argue with Elijah or fuss at him, but God lets the prophet know that He still has a purpose and a plan for his life. He gives Elijah a few more tasks to accomplish. Then, God lets him know that he is not alone. Troubles in our lives can make us feel alone. We may feel like we are the only person going through trials. Keep the faith! You are not alone. In the closing verses Elisha went after Elijah "and ministered unto him."
"15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." (19:15-18)
April 21 - I Kings 20 - 22
In Chapter 20 Benhadad, the king of Syria, gathered all his host together and 32 kings with him, with chariots and horses. A prophet told Ahab, the king of Israel, "Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD." (I Kings 20:13) Ahab had 232 princes and 7,000 people. Israel won that battle and the prophet told the king that they would come back in a year.
"26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel.
27 And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country.
28 And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
29 And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.
30 But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber." (20:26-30)
Benhadad went to Ahab and promised to restore the cities his father had taken away. And Ahab sent him away with that promise. A prophet went to King Ahab. "And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people. And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria." (20:42-43) Chapter 21 tells of Naboth, who had a vineyard beside King Ahab's palace.
"2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread." (21:2-4)
Ahab's wife, Jezebel, wrote letters to the elders and nobles and told them to have two witnesses to lie about Naboth and say that he blasphemed God and the king, and stone him. When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead he took possession of his vineyard. God sent Elijah with a message to the king.
"19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
23 And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
24 Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.
25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up." (21:19, 23-25)
In the last chapter of I Kings Jehoshaphat the king of Judah and Ahab the king of Israel joined forces to fight against the king of Syria to take back Ramoth in Gilead. Ahab asked the prophets if they should go up to the battle and they said that the Lord would deliver them into the hand of the king. And Jehoshaphat asked if there was another prophet to ask. Ahab said there was Micaiah, but he always prophesied evil against him. The prophet told him to go, and then Ahab told him to tell him the truth. "And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?" (22:17-18) Ahab told them to put the prophet in prison until he returned in peace. "And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you." (22:28) They went to battle and King Ahab disguised himself.
"34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
36 And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.
37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.
38 And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake." (22:34-38)
So Ahab died and his son Ahaziah reigned in his stead. Jehoshaphat the son of Asa reigned 25 years in Jerusalem and he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. After Jehoshaphat died Johoram his son reigned in his stead. The book of I Kings ends...
"51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.
52 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:
53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done." (22:51-53)
