Sermon Follow-up

The Ministry of Elijah the Prophet: Confrontation with Ahab 1 Kings 18:1–19 Summary God often accomplishes His purposes through servants who appear hopelessly outmatched. Noah, Moses, Joshua, and David all illustrate that the decisive factor is never human strength or favorable circumstances, but the presence and will of God. Elijah now stands in that same tradition. One prophet is sent to confront the powerful and wicked King Ahab after a prolonged drought has brought Samaria to desperation. Ahab himself is ...

Summary First Kings 17 introduces Elijah during one of the darkest periods in Israel's history. Ahab has promoted idolatry, but Elijah appears before the king as the representative of “the LORD, the God of Israel…before whom I stand” (17:1). He announces a devastating drought and then, at God's command, travels to the brook Cherith, where the LORD miraculously preserves him. The opening verses establish a theme that will dominate Elijah's ministry: the LORD is the living and sovereign God, and ...

Summary First Kings 13 records God’s response to Jeroboam’s brazen corruption of worship. Having established a religious system according to his own desires rather than the command of God, Jeroboam was confronted by an unnamed man of God from Judah. The prophet announced judgment against the altar at Bethel and specifically foretold the coming of Josiah, through whom that altar would eventually be destroyed. When Jeroboam attempted to seize the prophet, God withered the king’s hand and splits the altar. ...

Summary The division of Israel became permanent as the ten northern tribes made Jeroboam their king while Rehoboam retained Judah and Benjamin. When Rehoboam assembled an army to recover the northern tribes by force, the LORD intervened through the prophet Shemaiah, declaring, “this thing has come from Me” (1 Kings 12:24). Rehoboam obeyed and abandoned his campaign. Jeroboam then became fearful that continued worship at the temple in Jerusalem would eventually restore the people’s loyalty to the house of David. ...

Summary As Rehoboam prepared to ascend to the throne of his father, the people appeared before him with a request. Along with Jeroboam, who had recently returned from Egypt, they asked Rehoboam to lighten the harsh burdens imposed under Solomon’s rule. Rehoboam sought counsel first from the seasoned elders who advised serving the people with kindness, promising enduring loyalty. Then he consulted his peers, young men who urged a display of severity: increase the yoke, discipline with “scorpions,” and assert ...