Community on Columbia

2 Chronicles 15-16 adds details to the record found in 1 Kings 15 of the two kings who succeeded Rehoboam in Judah – Abijam and Asa. Their reigns display a mix of God-honoring words and deeds along with a failure to persevere in trust in God. Meanwhile, Jeroboam’s heir in the north, Nadab, is overthrown and murdered by Baasha, who usurps the throne, killing all Jeroboam’s male lineage, as previously prophesied.

Notes on 1 Kings 15

While Jeroboam had set up the two golden calf idols in his kingdom, King Rehoboam in Judah carried on with loyal worship of Yahweh for a few years, aided by Levites and other believers who fled from the Northern Kingdom. But soon idolatry spread there, too. God then sent chastisement on Rehoboam in the form of an invasion by the Egyptian pharaoh Shishak, who plundered the Temple treasuries.

Notes on 1 Kings 14:21-31

King Jeroboam’s son falls ill, and he sends his wife to inquire of the prophet Ahijah. The prophet predicts Jeroboam’s downfall and the extermination of his entire line because he had encouraged Israel to raise up groves or asherah to worship, and had forsaken Yahweh.

Notes on 1 Kings 14:1-20

This strange story illustrates the saying of Samuel to King Saul, that “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22-31). It can serve as a warning to us all.  1 Corinthians 10:12 – “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Notes on 1 Kings 13:1-34

Solomon’s son Rehoboam listens to bad counsel from his young advisors. Jeroboam returns and persuades the 10 northern tribes to rebel against Rehoboam, as God had told him through the prophet Ahijah.  Jeroboam sets up two golden calf idols at Bethel and Dan. The fruit of Solomon’s slide away from wisdom to idolatry results in a long-lasting national disaster for the nation of Israel.

Notes on 1 Kings 12:1-33