The pace quickens as the narrative speeds past king after king. Aside from a repair of the temple, most developments in Israel's and Judah's follow a steady decline toward their eventual captivity.

Jesus' parable presents a strange event --the arrival of a lamp. In this passage we explore the dynamic of Jesus' words being given to mankind as a discoverable gift challenging us to listen in for the eternal words of God (Mark 4:21-25).

Jesus teaches an intentionally cryptic message surrounding the theme of hearing. When His disciples ask Him to explain why He chooses to speak in parables, it becomes clear that the disciples also didn't understand the parable He recently spoke. The Parable of the Sower is a survey of the various hostilities with which the word of God is met (Mark 4:1-20).

This series of chapters follows Jehu's crusade over the Northern kingdom of Israel. Jehu exterminates the remaining members of Ahab's dynasty. Although God's judgment is poured out upon Ahab, we see that Israel's present is an entirely new low and a greater departure from God's character.

When the multitudes seek out Jesus for a free meal, Jesus thins the crowd of followers with outrageous comments about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Outrage aside, it is true that God has welcomed us to His table enter into a household of salvation (John 6:48-58).

These chapters catalogue the many miracles God has done through Elisha. Within this list, we see God's compassion shown in the greatest of tragedies even to the most mundane of inconveniences. These miracles give us a glimpse into the reality of God's work beneath the visible surfaces.

Jesus shocks when He challenges His listeners to not invite their close friends and relatives to their dinners. Instead, He tells them that inviting the destitute and poor is a greater heavenly investment. Like many of the people in His parable, many of us find ourselves making poor excuses to not join Jesus' table. If we can learn to accept Jesus' company, we might be more apt to being accepted by His hospitality too (Luke 14:12-24).

Ahaziah reigns after his father Ahab and proves to be of a similar sort as his father. Elijah's ministry comes to a close and he passes his mantle to his student Elisha. Elisha now continues this ministry prophesying of God's judgment upon His people. But, when Moab revolts, Israel's victory further proves that God's favor still remains with them.

The hospitality Jesus showed extended to associating Himself with sinners. Not only was he found at the tables of flagrant members of society, but also those guilty of the sin of self-rigteousness (Luke 7:36-50).

1 Kings comes to a close with the death of Ahab and Jezebel. Though the faithfulness of Judah's king Jehoshaphat lends mercy to Ahab's line, his continued sinfulness does bring him and his wife to divine judgment.