Kings

What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

      The original readers was the exiled kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah was a prophet to Judah and II Kings 25:27-30 says how the kingdom of Judah is exiled by Babylon. They were treated well by the Babylonians. Much better than the exiled kingdom of Israel who were treated harshly. The original readers were probably confused because they were promised a king forever (II Sam 7:27). Perhaps because of this promise they were doubting God's promise to them.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

      I think the author may be Jeremiah. This is possible because the author tends to stick to the spiritual side of things. He doesn't only talk about the accomplishments of the Solomon or the other kings, but whether they were good or bad. When talking about the kings he almost always says whether they did what was right or evil in the sight of the Lord (I Kings 15:5,11,16:25). This is a clue that he was a spiritual man who knew the importance of following God. Jeremiah was a prophet from the reign of Josiah into the exile. Meaning who would have authored this book in the time of the exile. There are much more details at the end of the book suggesting he was there at that time.

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

      There is a huge contrast between the wisdom of Solomon (I Kings 4:29) and his son Rehoboam (I Kings 12:12-13). We see the blessings Solomon received because of his wisdom and the curses Rehoboam had because of his foolishness. Israel continuously worshiped idols (II Kings 17:41). We see that the kings did what was “evil in the Lord's sight” a number of times (I Kings 14:22, 15:26,34, 16:19,25,30). As they did what was evil or good in the Lord's sight there is always blessings or curses for them. The righteous are blessed and the evil are cursed. I Kings 15:5, II Kings 14:5-6, 15:4, 35 all give examples of the kings failing to fully obey what the Lord had commanded. Half obedience is a big theme throughout Kings. Two prophets that are spoken of more than any others are Elijah and Elisha. They are highlighted in both first and second Kings. A huge focus is on the prophets as well. Not only Elijah and Elisha, but Isaiah (II Kings 19:2), and Obadiah (I Kings 18:3). A lot of the stories in this book are about the prophets or what the prophets are saying to the kings.

Summary: A book of remembrance at what unfaithfulness leads to and how God never stops bringing us back to Him

What is the primary reason this book is written?

      The primary reason this book is written was probably to give a historical account of the time of the kings. This would include the division of the kingdom in 930 BC, the exile of Israel in 722 BC, the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, and the many events in between. The author also put a lot of emphasis on the faithfulness of the kings and the people. A big reason this book was written was to show the consequences of a faithful nation to God opposed to an unfaithful nation to God.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

      In 3:11-14 we see a God that gives us what we ask for according to His will and much much more. I Kings 8:23-24,27,39, and 56 tell us a lot about God's character and nature. God is a God that has unfailing love, there is no one like Him, He keeps promises, He is uncontainable, He knows the human heart, and He keeps all of His promises. He is merciful and just in I Kings 21:29. The word of God never fails. What He says is always true and we can trust what He says (II Kings 10:10). All throughout the book God gives warnings through the prophets. He is a God of second chances and third chances and forth chances. He spared His people for hundreds of years trying to bring them back to Himself. They refused and so He brought them into exile. This was not His heart at all. God wanted to see them love, adore, and worship Him alone. He is the only real God that is not made of stone or wood.

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

      The peace that God had promised His people happened in Solomon's time (I Kings 4:25 & 5:4). God's redemptive plan for mankind had taken a step forward and another promise of God had been fulfilled. Not only had they made it to the promised land, but they had peace. It was their sin that led them away from peace. In I Kings 9:5 the promise made to David is said to Solomon. The promise of an eternal dynasty. A promise that is fulfilled through the Messiah. The promise is given again by Ahijah in I Kings 11:35-39. It is verse 39 that gives an explanation for exile and the destruction of Jerusalem. Because of Solomon's sin the descendants of David are punished, but, verse 39 says, “though no forever.” There is hope given even in the midst of punishment. There is a promise that one day a descendant of David will reign again.

Another way we see God's redemptive plan worked out is through the prophets. God speaks through them and continually tries to draw His people back to Him. God punishes out of love and sends prophets to remind the people of the God that had done so much for them. They are warned and rebuked, but they refuse to follow God for very long and bring destruction upon themselves. The prophets were a band-aid for a wound that needed much more attention.

Personal Application

      There is always hope, in the darkest moments, in the hardest days, weeks and months God is there. God was there for Elijah when he had no more desire to be alive. Elijah said he would be better off dead as Jezebel sought to kill him. Elijah had just done an amazing feat of killing all the prophets of Baal. Now God was allowing him to be tested. Elijah has nothing as he wandered in the wilderness. He had no where to go, nothing to eat and nothing to drink. God was his only provider, the one who protected him and kept him safe. Through this passage I thought about my own times of distress, when nothing was going right. Though God doesn't come and take all the pain away, He is there. He speaks and comforts and provides everything needed. When I needed money He was there. When I needed a job He was there. He is always there and always looking to care for His children. Elijah is an amazing example of how much God loves us and cares for us when we have given up on ourselves. God doesn't give up, He keeps caring and supplying my every need. It gave me more faith to continue to trust Him when I don't see any hope. It gave me hope that He can do the impossible to sustain me and to bring me along the right path for my life.

Point of Passion

      Kings shows Gods patience with His people. There is always hope for redemption even in the midst of God's punishment. If His people will call upon His name and turn from their sin they will be forgiven. New York City doesn't have prophets, but there are many men leading large churches that have so much truth for their city. They are righteous men calling their city to the worship of the great King. It's not too late to turn. God sent prophet after prophet trying to get people to turn from their sin for hundreds of years. God is wanting the streets of the Bronx to shout out His praise. He desires is for the streets to end with sinning and begin with love for one another. He wants the hate for one another to stop, for gangs to end, for broken families to end, for immorality to end, and for people to see God for who He truly is. As someone who cares and wants to bring restoration for a city that needs it. Don't lose hope in what God can do to your city. Its not over and its not hopeless. The power of the gospel can change the hardest of hearts and can bring cities to their knees in worship to Him.