Posts that reference the book of 1 Kings

1 Kings

A Study in Contrasts: Namaan

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Kings 5:1

We are continuing our look at contrasts in Scripture marked by the conjunction “but.” Today we have a straightforward one with the Syrian commander Namaan.

When I was a kid, this was a pretty popular story in the Sunday school rotation. Who knows, maybe it was a roundabout way to impress on all of us the importance of taking a bath. (Kind of like how Daniel 1 is used to encourage kids to eat vegetables.) But in the last fifteen or so years that I taught Sunday school, we never covered Namaan. So if you’ve missed out on his story, let me give you some background.

Namaan was the commander of the army of Syria. Syria had just soundly defeated the Israelite armies under King Ahab, who was joined by Judah’s King Jehoshaphat. You can read about the battle of Ramoth-Gilead in 1 Kings 22. The Jewish historian Josephus believes Namaan was the archer who fired the shot that eventually killed King Ahab. (1 Kings 22:34).

A quick check of his resume in 2 Kings 5:1 lists him as a great man, highly favored, victorious in battle (even God-given victories), a mighty man of valor. BUT he was a leper. Leprosy, as described in the Old Testament, could be anything from a regular rash that healed quickly to the incurable disease that often resulted in a loss of digits and eventually death. Leprosy made the sufferer an outcast. Sometimes people were stricken with leprosy as a judgment from God like with Moses’s sister, Miriam, and King Uzziah.

In Scripture, leprosy is a “type” of sin or kind of a symbol. Our sin cuts us off from God’s presence just like leprosy prevents the sufferer from joining with the community. The only cure for leprosy was divine intervention. The only way our sin can be dealt with is by Christ’s death on our behalf.

If you finish reading 2 Kings 5, you find that Namaan receives his cure. His wife’s maid, an Israelite captive, tells them of the mighty prophet Elisha who prescribes a cure for the commander. However, the cure involves humbly submitting to doing things the way the prophet said.

With all that in mind, let’s consider some takeaways from Namaan’s story.

The successful and powerful need Jesus.
A quick glance of any news broadcast– whether politics, sports, or entertainment– will reveal scores of people who have reached the heights of power and influence, but who are cut off from a relationship with the God of heaven. Pray that the “maid” who has access to them can tell the good news that there is a cure. Consider who you might be the “maid” or the “prophet” to.

Humility is hard but life-changing.
Not just for the powerful and influential, either. In 2 Kings 5:11, Namaan became furious because the healing was not going to come the way he envisioned. However, as soon as he gave up his protests and his pride and followed instructions, healing came. Consider the sources of anger or frustration in your life. Would those situations be helped or resolved by the humility?

The glory is God’s alone.
Namaan was overwhelmed by the miracle in his life and, in his enthusiasm, he wanted to give a generous gift to Elisha. The prophet refused. This not only sent a message that messengers of the One True God were different from the pagan priests and prophets in Syria (and Israel too), but that glory for the healing belonged to God. Elisha wouldn’t risk any misunderstanding of that. Consider where God deserves glory in your life and make sure He receives it.

Read more from the Study in Contrasts series

Lessons from the Good Kings: Jehoshaphat

By Paula Wiseman

The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, 2 Chronicles 17:3

We know King David. And Solomon. Maybe even Hezekiah and Josiah. But there were many other kings in Judah, and admittedly, many were terrible. However, there were some good kings, not perfect kings, but good kings. These good kings can serve as examples of things we can do even in our culture, in our lives to honor God. Last week we looked at King Asa, a man who wanted to please God but wavered and failed to follow through. Today we’ll look at the reign and character of his son, Jehoshaphat.

Because of his father’s long reign, Jehoshaphat was thirty-five when he began to reign. 2 Chronicles 17:4 tells us he followed God’s commandments and God established the kingdom in his hand. Furthermore, “he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 17:5-6 The rest of 2 Chronicles 17 details his military success, to the point that neighboring nations were reluctant to challenge him.

But that’s not the whole story. Jehoshaphat was willing, even eager, to align himself with the ungodly. 1 Chronicles 18 details his cooperation with King Ahab in the battle of Ramoth-Gilead against the king of Syria. Ahab was constantly held up as the worst example of ungodliness. When Jehoshaphat returned home from that battle safely (thanks to God’ deliverance) he was met by the prophet Jehu.

“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD. Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” 2 Chronicles 19:2-3

How do we respond to our enemies? Christ instructs us to love our enemies. That’s not negotiable. However, loving them does not mean we should help them advance their anti-God agenda.

This warning seems to have gotten Jehoshaphat back on track. 2 Chronicles 19:4-11 detail his reforms to the judicial system in Judah. He appointed judges and solemnly instructed them to weigh the cases based on merits, with the fear of the Lord as their overarching motivation.

How do we respond to correction? Hebrews 12:5-11 tells us it is part of being a true child of God. We should use it as an opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ and His cause.

It never fails. When things are going along pretty well, that is usually the signal for the enemy to try something. In Jehoshaphat’s case, it was the armies of Moab, Ammon and their allies. They came marching toward Jerusalem with overwhelming forces. The king proclaimed a fast.

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12

It wasn’t long before God moved another prophet, Jahaziel, with the response.

Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. … You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

How do we respond when overwhelmed? I’ll be honest. I don’t usually respond like Jehoshaphat. Digging myself into a bigger hole by complaining about the injustice of my situation is more typical. But this advice/reassurance from God is just like what He told His people at the Red Sea back in Exodus 14:13-14. Do not be afraid. Do not be dismayed.

True to His word, God intervened and Judah went home rejoicing after a rout of their enemies.

Unfortunately, Jehoshaphat’s life story doesn’t end with that great victory. God is not afraid to show the shortcomings of his people. Jehoshaphat arranged a marriage between his son and heir, Jehoram, and the daughter of Ahab, and continued to seek alliances with the wicked kings of Israel. Perhaps because of his soft stance on the kings of Israel, his son took a page from their playbook. Once Jehoram was firmly established as king, he had all his brothers executed.

That fomented a period of bloody unrest and uncertainty that lasted until Jehoram’s seven-year-old grandson, Joash, was crowned. Next week, we’ll look at what we can learn from a child king.

Lessons from the Good Kings: Asa

By Paula Wiseman

But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the LORD all his days. 1 Kings 15:14

We know King David. And Solomon. Maybe even Hezekiah and Josiah. But there were many other kings in Judah, and admittedly, many were terrible. However, there were some good kings, not perfect kings, but good kings. These good kings can serve as examples of things we can do even in our culture, in our lives to honor God. Over the next few weeks, we will look at some of them and glean what we can from their testimony.

Asa was Solomon’s great-grandson. His father, Abijah or Abijam, was an idolater, but Asa determined not to follow that path. He was a religious reformer who worked to rid Judah of its foreign altars and gods. One day a prophet named Azariah, the son of Oded, came to see the king. You can read his message in 2 Chronicles 15. But here is one important verse:

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7

Confronting and dealing with sin in our lives is a difficult, messy business, especially when we start uncovering and tearing down the idols we hold on to. Asa’s commitment was so firm that he even removed his mother from her official position because of her idolatry.

Our bold leadership in pursuing holiness can motivate others. In the fifteenth year of his reign, Asa saw the fruit of his commitment as the entire nation reaffirmed their covenant relationship with God alone.

Our dependence on God must not waver. Early in his reign, when Judah was threatened by the mighty Ethiopian army, Asa prayed to God for help with utter confidence in Yahweh. “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.” 2 Chronicles 14:11 However, years later, Asa used some of the Temple treasures to buy Syria’s friendship. Asa result, war, conflict, and turmoil marked the rest of Asa’s reign.

Asa’s spent the last two years of his reign with a severe disease in his feet. The Chronicler records that he tried all that the physicians could do, but he never sought the Lord’s help. Perhaps, God was sending the king a message – if you won’t stand firm in your commitment to Me, you won’t stand at all. Notice though, it is a reflection of God’s grace that Asa was remembered as wholly true to God all his days. Thankfully God deals with us in that same gracious way.

Asa’s son Jehoshaphat was watching all this and taking notes. Next week we’ll see what he learned and how we can apply those lessons.

Hello My Name Is Obadiah

By Paula Wiseman

And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.) 1 Kings 18:3

Obadiah means “servant of Yahweh.” There are eleven different Obadiahs mentioned in the Old Testament, including the author of a short book of prophecy. The one we want to focus on served in the court of King Ahab. In fact, he was in charge of the royal palace, a position of unique access and deep trust.

Obadiah served after the upheaval that split the nation of Israel into two separate countries– Judah in the south, and in the north, Samaria (also called Ephraim and Israel to keep it extra confusing.). Ahab was the king of Israel and ruled with his wife, Jezebel. They promoted idol worship in Israel and Jezebel went so far as to pronounce a death sentence on any prophets of Yahweh, carrying out that sentence with impunity on an untold number.

Obadiah, however, at great personal risk and cost — this was during a prolonged famine — protected and provided for God’s messengers.

For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water. 1 Kings 18:4

He was also the one Elijah approached and requested a meeting with Ahab to end the famine.

So why should we stop and consider this bureaucrat?

He lived up to his name. His actions proved that he served the Living God. We are called Christians, which means Christ-like. Do we exemplify that in our daily routine?

He didn’t let culture influence him. Let’s be honest … It would have been much easier, much less stress and fewer headaches for Obadiah if he had taken his cues from the regime. Go along to get along. But he didn’t. He feared the LORD greatly. He was a devoted follower and a devout worshiper, and he ordered his life around that.

He didn’t get discouraged and give up when culture didn’t change because of his influence. Obadiah didn’t have any more impact on Ahab than the king had on his chief of staff. He may have had moments or even seasons of frustration and discouragement but he wasn’t marked by them. And he didn’t soften his faith to try to make it more palatable.

He stayed in a difficult situation because that’s where God was using him. It would be reasonable to argue that a good, godly man like Obadiah should not be part of such an evil, corrupt court as the one run by Ahab and Jezebel. No doubt we face situations where an exit is our best option. But then Jesus prayed, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15). So clearly there are times when we should stay. James tells us “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27). Obadiah was able to keep himself unspotted and in a position where he was available. Difficulties are not always a sign that God wants us to move on.

Are you living up to His name?
Are there situations where you need to stick to your faith in spite of the culture?
Are you in a place– maybe even a difficult one– where God is using you?

Last week: Ebed-Melech, Next week: Abijah

Carmel: Decision

By Paula Wiseman

Mount Carmel in Israel with the title text

So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 1 Kings 18:20

Mount Carmel is part of a coastal range and rises to a height of 1724 feet (525 m) above the plain of Jezreel. Today, Israel third largest city, Haifa, sits on its northern slope. It’s not very tall, as mountains go, but it was the site of one of the most dramatic displays of God’s power in all of Scripture. (And admittedly one of my favorites.)

You remember the story. After a three-year drought, the prophet Elijah called for King Ahab to gather the people and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He intended to settle once and for all who was God in Israel. It was 450 prophets (plus another 400 on the bench) to 1. But GOD answered Elijah’s prayer with fire and proved yet again that He alone is GOD.

So what do we learn on Mount Carmel?

There is no place for waffling. In announcing the contest, Elijah first confronted the nation of Israel. “How long will you falter between two opinions?” (Kings 18:21) How long will you cherry pick the things about Baal worship that you like and fall back on the things about worshiping God that make you feel good? By definition, whoever or whatever is God in your life is the one who receives your supreme allegiance. If that is anyone other than the One True God, there will be problems. That was the case for Israel and its the case for us. (Hint: If you’re treating the worship of God like a salad bar, picking the tomatoes and leaving the cucumbers, picking the love and leaving the obedience … you can probably guess who your god really is.)

The majority was wrong. Not just the overwhelming majority of prophets, but Ahab’s court and the general population held to some degree of Baal worship. It was the state-approved religion, after all. Since Baal was the god of fertility, it seemed like a good idea to court his favor to get the drought to end. Except the majority was completely wrong. Our theology should never be left to the will of the majority but rather the revelation of God. That’s what Elijah was going on.

Rituals don’t replace relationship. The prophets of Baal had a lot of rituals that accompanied their worship, and some of them were quite intense and demanding (including bloodletting). A willingness to go to those extremes had to count for something, right? Except “there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.” (1 Kings 18:29) All that energy and sincerity was wasted on empty air. Elijah knew the One True God. He heard His voice and he obeyed His commands. Because of that relationship, when Elijah prayed, God heard.

When Israel saw the fire fall, they decided pretty quickly who was God. That’s kind of a no-brainer. But consider this- you and I have not just seen, but experienced the fire of God in the person of the Holy Spirit filling us from the day we trusted Christ. And unlike the fire on Carmel, the fire in us continues to burn, to refine, to purify, to energize us. We just have to decide to live like it.

Read the rest of the Mountains series

The Rest of the Story

By Paula Wiseman

So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” 1 Kings 19:10

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah has reached the end of his rope. He was under a death threat from Jezebel. He lived in a culture with total disregard for God and wanton disrespect for His messengers. He felt utterly isolated and exhausted. God tenderly provided for Elijah’s physical needs of food and rest. Then God asked Elijah to stand before him. A great wind, an earthquake, and a fire passed by, but God was not in any of those. Instead, He manifested Himself in a still, small voice. God told Elijah the rest of the story. There were seven thousand in Israel, whose knees have not bowed to Baal. He was not alone. Not only that God was ready to take action.

It is not unusual to turn on the television and come away discouraged. It is easy to read the statistics about Millennials or Generation Y or Z, about trends in morality or thoughts on faith and walk away shaken and dismayed. The kingdom of God seems to be losing ground on every measurable front. Church attendance is down. Religious identification is slipping. Influence is bottoming out. Social scientists regularly discuss the post-Christian West.

Persecution, violence, hatred, conflict, oppression, and despair fill our news feeds to the point where sometimes a “fast” is in order just to prevent a complete overload. And if you don’t happen to be serving in a vibrant, growing community of faith, there is a tendency to weariness and frustration.

But sometimes in the face of all those situations, God shows you the rest of the story.

This past weekend, we took my son on a college visit to a small Bible college. Three hundred other prospective students were there, all of them anxious to embrace the call of God on their lives and eager to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to fulfill that call. They would join a student body of four times that many. And there are colleges like this across the country, full of faithful, energetic young men and women, all dedicated to advancing the kingdom of God. The battle is hardly lost.

When we focus on the wind and the earthquake and the fire … we can miss what God has been quietly doing all along. We can miss the rest of the story.