In 2 Kings Chapters 1 & 2, Elijah confronts King Ahaziah about looking to false gods for answers rather than God Himself. Elijah passes the mantel to Elisha and is taken to Heaven in a whirlwind and a chariot of fire. Elijah gets a double portion of the Holy Spirit's power and starts doing miracles right away. A bunch of bullies harass him but God's got his back. 

Today's episode is a trail nugget God is working on in me. I was attacked by a feral cat because I cannot say "no" properly. God doesn't want us attacked by feral cats and we need to know when to use our "no's". Pray, seek God's Word and will in all things. It's okay and even vital to say "no" when appropriate; it will lead to other "yes's" that God intends you to have in life. 

In 1 Kings Chapter 22, Jehoshaphat and Ahab enter war together. Jehoshaphat is a good, God-fearing king but Ahab is not. God sends a prophet who honestly tells them what is about to happen in war but they do not heed the warning and instead listen to the other prophets who were filled with a lying spirit. God's truth reigns and exactly what was proclaimed by God happens. 

In 1 Kings Chapters 20 & 21, there's some battling going on. God goes ahead into the battles and brings victory for His chosen people.  Israel's King does not follow God's direction, goes down a path of dishonesty, murder, and burglary and ends up bringing death and destruction into his dynasty. 

In 1 Kings Chapter 19, Elijah listens to the words of the enemy instead of God's Word and finds himself full of fear. He flees to Mount Sinai. God meets him there and calls out to him - "What are you doing here?" - God leads him back to the mission and reminds him that he is not alone, God is with him. 

In 1 Kings Chapter 18, Elijah declares rain is coming. God spoke to him and when he declares what is true and correct from God and His Word, the miracles come forth. Our words matter and it's important to guard our hearts and minds and ensure we are declaring what is right and true from God and His Word. Elijah sent a servant to check for the coming rain SEVEN times before the miracle came forth. Not only do we need to declare the truth found in God in all the words we speak, but we need to obediently keep going and trust God for the miracles He promises. 

In 1 Kings Chapter 17, a drought has entered the lands and God ensures His prophet Elijah is fed through the hard times. He miraculously multiplies a widow's supplies to ensure there is food through the drought and even brings her son back to life! 

In 1 Kings Chapters 15 & 16 we stumble across one good king who actually did what was good and pleasing to God. The rest of the kings during this period seem to be competing as to who could be the worst. There's conflict, war, disruption and a lot of worshiping of false idols which angers God. Prophets weave in and out bringing forth God's words and warnings but no one seems to pay attention or heed their words. 

In 1 Kings Chapters 13 & 14, a prophet warns Jeroboam about worshiping false idols and even paralyzes his hand! The prophet Ahijah warns Jeroboam again and his son ends up dying. Rehoboam is also up to no good. Wars and conflict were abundant during their rulings. All the while, God was right there for them to repent and turn their ways.

In 1 Kings Chapter 12, Solomon's son, Rehoboam, takes charge. We see the divide of Israel happen with 10 tribes to the north under the rule of Jeroboam and 2 tribes of Judah to the south under Rehoboam's ruling. We see some similarities to Exodus as the northern tribes build golden calves and start worshiping idols instead of God.