GOD CONTINUES TO WORK EVEN IN DARKEST OF DAYS

2 Kings 1-17

(Reading 2 Kings 1)

1. The LORD is still at work in Israel

2. The LORD continues to speak through his prophets

3. And continues to bring life (in both ‘small’ and ‘big’ ways)

4. We can trust that God continues to work – even in a fallen world

The Shape of 1-2 Kings

  1 Kings 1-11      Solomon

1 Kings 12-16     The Divided Kingdom

  1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 12    Elijah and Elisha

2 Kings 13-25     The Demise of Israel and of Judah

1 and 2 Kings would have been one and they take up the narrative from 1-2 Samuel. Kings gives an account of the decline and fall of Israel – perhaps originally for the benefit of the exiles to explain what went wrong! They were also written for our benefit – as followers of Jesus (consider 1 Peter 1:10-12 & 1 Cor. 10:11-14).

More on Listening to God’s Word!

1 Kings 19-22

(Reading 1 Kings 22:1-28)

 

There’s still more to learn about listening to God’s word in the messy days of Ahab king of Israel

Listening to God’s word may mean hearing nothing new

Listening to God’s word may mean hearing what you don’t want to hear

In Ahab’s day God spoke through his prophets but now God has spoken by his Son

 

 

 

 

 

The Shape of 1-2 Kings

1 Kings 1-11                       Solomon

1 Kings 12-16                     The Divided Kingdom

1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 12      Elijah and Elisha

2 Kings 13-25                     The Demise of Israel and of Judah

1 and 2 Kings would have been one and they take up the narrative from 1-2 Samuel. Kings gives an account of the decline and fall of Israel – perhaps originally for the benefit of the exiles to explain what went wrong! They were also written for our benefit – as followers of Jesus (consider 1 Peter 1:10-12 & 1 Cor. 10:11-14).

Actually, it’s about God and His Word!

1 Kings 17-18

(Reading 1 Kings 17:7-24)

 

Kings come, kings go…

… but actually it’s not all about them

Lessons learned in King Ahab’s day

… the word of the LORD through His prophets – is the truth

… the LORD, He is God!

Some things don’t change!

 

 

  

The Shape of 1-2 Kings

1 Kings 1-11                       Solomon

1 Kings 12-16                     The Divided Kingdom

1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 12      Elijah and Elisha

2 Kings 13-25                     The Demise of Israel and of Judah

1 and 2 Kings would have been one and they take up the narrative from 1-2 Samuel. Kings gives an account of the decline and fall of Israel – perhaps originally for the benefit of the exiles to explain what went wrong! They were also written for our benefit – as followers of Jesus (consider 1 Peter 1:10-12 & 1 Cor. 10:11-14).

FROM BAD TO WORSE: NOW NO-ONE IS LISTENING!

1 Kings 12-16

(Reading 1 Kings 12:1-19)

1. After Solomon things go from bad to worse, the kingdom divides – and now nobody is listening

2. The word of the LORD continues to be spoken, but people listen to lies

3. The strange incident with the two men of God (chapter 13) is like a parable of what will happen

4. Not listening, sometimes listening, selective listening… none are an option when it comes to hearing the word of the LORD

The Shape of 1-2 Kings

1 Kings 1-11 Solomon

1 Kings 12-16 The Divided Kingdom

1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 12 Elijah and Elisha

2 Kings 13-25 The Demise of Israel and of Judah

1 and 2 Kings would have been one and they take up the narrative from 1-2 Samuel. Kings gives an account of the decline and fall of Israel – perhaps originally for the benefit of the exiles to explain what went wrong! They were also written for our benefit – as followers of Jesus (consider 1 Peter 1:10-12 & 1 Cor. 10:11-14).

Understand The Human Heart

1 Kings 9-11

(Reading 1 Kings 11:1-13) 

Wise King Solomon – is a fool!!

So what exactly went wrong?

It was a problem with his heart.

But everything is different for you and I – right?

Yes it certainly is.

and no, it’s not!

How is your heart?

The Most Important Building

1 Kings 5-8

(Reading 1 Kings 8:10-30)

 

Wise King Solomon, builds the most important house in all history

What makes this house important - is what it represents…

Important as it was, it was only ever a temporary display home…

… Jesus is building the real thing!

True Wisdom Comes From God

1 Kings 3-4

(Reading 1 Kings 3:1-15)

Solomon humbly requests wisdom from God

Solomon's "wisdom from God" (3:28) on display

Even the wisest of us still need Jesus

What to expect in God’s Kingdom?

1 Kings 2

(Reading 1 Kings 2:1-12)

David’s charge to Solomon

The kingdom “established in Solomon’s hands”

What to expect in God’s Kingdom?

Required reading:

Deut 17:14ff          Instructions regarding kings

2 Sam 7          God’s promise to David

A king after God's own heart?

1 Kings 1

(Reading 1 Kings 1:1-27)

None of this is clear-cut, it’s messy and ambiguous. We’re told about:

1. The pathetic end of the King after God’s heart

2. The proud heart of a potential successor

3. And the desperate pragmatism that preserved God’s plans

4. It’s a murky mess – but very real and all too familiar!

Required reading:

- Deut 17:14ff Instructions regarding kings

- 2 Sam 7 God’s promise to David

Some other important details

- Gen 12:1ff God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham

- 1 Sam 8 The people ask for a king

- 1 Sam 13:13ff David will be a king after the LORD’s own heart

- 2 Sam 11 David, Bathsheba and Uriah

- 2 Sam 12(v13,25) David’s repentance & God’s love for Solomon

Keep your head up!

Colossians 3:1-17 

 

Knowing who we are…

 

Changes how we behave…

out with the old

in with the new     

(it’s still not about keeping rules)

Keep your head up!