KINGS & THEIR ENEMIES: ISRAEL & JUDAH (1)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) The book of 1 Kings begins with a nation united under David, the most devout king in Israel's history. The book ends with a divided kingdom and the death of Ahab, the most wicked king of all. What happened? The people forgot to acknowledge God as their ultimate leader; they appointed human leaders who ignored God; and then they conformed to the life-styles of these evil leaders. Occasional wrongdoing gradually turned into a way of life. Their blatant wickedness could be met only with judgment from God, who allowed enemy nations to arise and defeat Israel and Judah in battle as punishment for their sins. Failing to acknowledge God as our ultimate leader is the first step toward ruin.

1. Israel (930-853 B.C.)

a) King: Jeroboam I (930) 

i) Defeated by Abijam (Judah). 

ii) 1 Kings 11:26-14:20; 2 Chronicles 10:12-13:20

b) King: Nadab (909) 

i) 1 Kings 14:20; 15:25-28.

c) King: Baasha (908)

i) Harassed by Asa (Judah) and Ben-Hadad (Syria). 

ii) 1 Kings 15:27-16:7; 2 Chronicles 16:1-6.

d) King: Elah (886) 

i) Philistines.

ii) 1 Kings 16:6-14.

e) King: Zimri (885) 

i) 1 Kings 16:9-20.

f) King: Tibni (885) 

i) 1 Kings 16:21-22.

g) King: Omri (885)

i) Philistines.

ii) 1 Kings 16:16-28.

h) King: Ahab (874)

i) Twice defeated Ben-Hadad II (Syria) and was killed in battle against Syria.

ii) 1 Kings 16:28-22:40; 2 Chronicles 18:1-34.

2. Judah (930-869 B.C.) 

a) King: Rehoboam (930) 

i) Defeated by Shishak (Egypt). 

ii) 1 Kings 11:43-14:31; 2 Chronicles 9:31-12:16. 

b) King: Abijam (913) 

i) Defeated Jeroboam (Israel). 

ii) 1 Kings 14:31-15:8; 2 Chronicles 13:1-14:1. 

c) King: Asa (910) 

i) Defeated Zerah (the Ethiopian) and harassed Baasha. 

ii) 1 Kings 15:8-24; 2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14.

The End ...