Table of contents:
Chronological List Of Biblical Prophets – Today is our final chapter of 1 Kings!!! Wow!! Another book under our belt. Do you remember how 1 Kings began? David was an old man, but by God’s grace he lived long enough to anoint his (Bathsheba’s) son as king. Israel, all 12 tribes were united. With Solomon as King, we witnessed the “Golden Years” of Israel…great wealth, a strong leader, a respected leader, and peace reigned throughout the land.
The unified state of Israel ended because Solomon adopted the lifestyle of his wives…making and worshiping idols. God was upset with Solomon and said that he would keep the nation united during his lifetime because of his father David’s heart, but when his son became king, the nation was divided between Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) and Jeroboam, Solomon’s high minister. Rehoboam became king of Judah (the southern kingdom) with 2 of the original 12 tribes, and Jeroboam became king of Israel (the northern kingdom) with 10 of the original 12 tribes.
Chronological List Of Biblical Prophets
At this point in our reading, we have seen that Israel had many kings, with Ahab being the most wicked, and Judah had few kings. You may have noticed by reading or reading the two additional entries I made about the kings (and prophets) of both nations that if you see a king in Israel – that king is usually evil. If we see a king of Judah… there is at least a chance that they will be good. Jehoshaphat is a good king, mostly.
Old Testament History …in 50 Minutes.
In our reading today, I was totally shocked that Jehoshaphat (king of Judah) went to make a covenant with Ahab (married to Jezebel, the wicked king of Israel…!!). Can you see my shocked face wherever you are??? I was like….Dude…what are you doing and why are you doing this??? Once again this shows how easy it is to start relying on our thinking rather than God. Before you think I’m being too hard on Jehoshaphat, he did show humanity on that particular day. Jehoshaphat did what we all do or have done….he went to God for big things (finances, job loss, direction for our lives, health, healing, etc.). However, when it comes to everyday things we start to think that we can handle the “little routines”. Thinking like this can cause small things to become big!! God wants to instruct us in everything!! He wants our prayers to be constant, fervent, honest, and open with Him. If we remember to stay in a constant state of prayer, go to work, run errands, go to church, friends and family, praise God for small miracles…you get the point.
But on this particular day, after three years of peace, ….. Jehoshaphat decided to go to King Ahab and ask him if he wanted to make a treaty with him!!! It almost resulted in Jehoshaphat’s death!! When Jehoshaphat knew he was in trouble, he cried out to the Lord and was saved. (It works the same way today….we call on the Lord, believe that He died for us, is God, rose from the dead…and He saves us.)
Ahab, though killed in disguise. The prophecy about him losing his life and dogs licking his blood at the end of this chapter came true!!! Do you remember the prophecy for him and Jezebel….well, we have yet to see this happen with Jezebel!!!
Looking back, we notice how much God is worshipped, acknowledged, or consulted in this book. As we close this chapter, Jehoshaphat was a good king (he lived 25 years) (wicked kings live very short lives) but he failed to conquer the ‘high places’ of worship. A worship that is convenient for His people, not what God wants or requires.
Tanakh: The 24 Books Of The Hebrew Bible [whiteboard Bible Study]
So do you spend time with God every day? Do you thank Him, praise Him, worship Him, sing praises to Him, read His Word, listen to His Word, meditate on His Word, pay tithes to Him, offer Him gifts and offerings?? You don’t have to spend all day with Him doing these things… you can take a minute here… a minute there… mediate on a scripture for a whole week and see what He says to you… see what wonderful things He does. Starting to show you and share with you.
Posted in: 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles | Tagged: Jehoshaphat makes covenant with King Ahab, King Ahab dies, prophecy comes true
Posted in: 1 Kings , 2 Chronicles , 2 Kings , Charts | Tagged: Kings of Israel and Judah Prophets who prophesied to the kings of which kingdom
During the period of kings in the nation of Israel, the 12 tribes had no human king. God was their king!!
Bible Chronology And Timelines
In Deuteronomy 17:14-17 Waaaayyyi reads again: “When you enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you and possess it and settle in it, you say: “Let us have a king like everyone else. nations around us, ”be sure to set over you a king whom the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you who is not an Israelite. Moreover, the king must not buy many horses for himself, nor send the people back to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has said to you, “Do not go back that way.” He must not take too many wives, or his heart will go astray. He should not accumulate large quantities of silver and gold.
As God often commanded His chosen people not to be like the other nations around them…..they had already begun to “stammer” about a human king. Did you notice why??? Sadly, so they can “become like the other countries around!!!” Ummm….not much has changed as of today….how many times we compare ourselves to friends, family, famous people, and “royal baby!!” I remember when Kate and William got married how many young women wanted her wedding dress!! Can you imagine how many babies will be named after this kid because it somehow makes people feel closer to royalty. I think there is nothing wrong with looking at this beautiful couple and sharing their happiness. However, when we take it to another level of wanting to be them, wanting to have everything they have, we take our focus away from what God wants us to be and who He is. Certainly no condemnation here….Thoughts are points to test our own hearts and minds and make sure we focus on the right things.
Well… back to Israel. In Judges 21:25 we read: “Israel had no king, and all did as they pleased.”
He raised Samuel in the wisdom of God (Remember, Hannah could not conceive a child, she prayed to God and promised to give her child to God, God blessed her with Samuel, and she kept her promise when she took Samuel to Eli the high priest. Samuel was weaned.) Before Samuel’s birth, Hannah had a baby for Samuel. The Nazarite vowed and did as she promised. Samuel was also faithful to God. Samuel was to lead the people (1 Sam 3:4). He judged Israel all his life. When he was old he made his sons judges in Israel (1 Samuel 8:1.) But….. Israel rejected his sons, refused to obey Samuel and demanded a human king (1 Samuel 8:19-20.) Samuel left. Before God with the situation God said: “Listen to their words and give them a king.” (1 Samuel 8:22)
Updated: Chart Of Israel’s And Judah’s Kings And Prophets
Saul was the first king of Israel. He was a Benjamin. Saul appeared to be the perfect king…he was handsome and began his reign with a victory over the Amorites. Unfortunately, we saw his success quickly go to his head and humility gave way to pride. Saul sacrificed to God…..ummmm….only the Levites should do this!!! Saul grieved God by his pride, selfishness, disobedience, and rebellion (1 Sam. 5:10.) From 1049 BC to 1009 BC Saul was defeated, and then “he drew his own sword and fell upon it.” (1 Sam 31:4)
David was the second king of Israel. He is from the tribe of Judah. His aim was to unify the nation with great success. David was known as “a man after God’s own heart.” He was an unlikely shepherd for the king. Jesse had to call David from the field, God told Samuel. Yes…. This is my choice for the King of Israel. David was privately anointed king
