Want to learn more about Rebellion and Reformation: A History of
the Divided Monarchy? Use these Bible Studies for personal devotion, group Bible studies, or teaching a church class. Below are links to the lessons in this 13-part series.
Have you had enough of studying dragons and beasts? We
now turn to the study of kings! This quarter we are essentially
studying the books of First and Second Kings. Because First and Second
Chronicles gives us a parallel account to Kings, we will compare
Chronicles from time to time. Let’s put on our armor and jump into
the history of the Kings of Israel and Judah!
King David is dying. His son, Solomon, sits on the
throne as King. David gives his final instructions to his boy, the
King. Parents, if you were in David’s position, what would you tell
your child? Let’s dive into our lesson and find out what David tells
his son – the man whom we later learn from our lesson will become the
wisest guy on earth.
Last week we saw King Solomon off to a glorious start
in his Kingdom. He was firmly in charge, he had answered “God’s
quiz” correctly, and God had promised him a great future and a long
life – if he obeyed. This week we take a sample of how it all worked
out. Let’s jump into our story!
God is displeased with King Solomon. Where will the
kingdom go after Solomon dies? What kind of a king will follow
Solomon? What lessons can we learn about the leading of God and the
making of wise choices in our life? Let’s jump into the lesson and
find out!
We are moving right along in the history of the Kings.
Kings David and Solomon are dead. King Jeroboam rules the ten tribes
in the North (Israel). King Rehoboam rules the one tribe in the South
(Judah). Neither of them obey God and they have their problems, not
the least of which is each other. Ultimately, Rehoboam dies. Then
his son dies. Then Rehoboam’s grandson, Asa, takes over as King of
Judah. Let’s find out about this new king!
This week we get back to some people you probably have
heard about before: Ahab, Elijah, and Jezabel. Before we get to them,
let’s run a quick historical line from the end of last week’s lesson.
Baasha was king of Israel (the ten tribes in the north). He died, his
son Elah took over. Elah was killed by Zimri, a palace official who
was in charge of chariots. Zimri was king for a week, and then the
army revolted. The army commander, Omri, became king. Omri’s son was
Ahab. Let’s jump into our study this week!
Remember King Asa? He cleaned out all the false gods
and even deposed his own grandmother because of her improper worship
of false gods! God gave him a glorious victory against an enemy
force because he trusted in God. At the end of his life, however, he
wandered from the faith of his youth. He seemed to be annoyed with
God because God had rebuked him. The Bible suggests that King Asa
died of a foot ailment — an ailment for which he did not seek God’s
help. This week we turn our study to Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa.
How much are you influenced by the attitudes of others? How much do you influence others? What kind of influence do you have? Is it good or bad? This week our study of the Bible turns to a series of kings who seem to be heavily influenced by others. Let’s jump in!
Would you like to feel the excitement and energy of a
spiritual revival? Would you like to rejoice and celebrate what God
has done for you? Are family influences, or fellow church members,
holding you back? This week our study is of a father and son. The
son is a king who led his people into reform, revival and the
celebration of the worship of God in Judah even though his father was
the worst influence possible. Let’s dive into our study!
This week we bring King Ahab back to life! Seriously,
the last we saw of Ahab was when he asked King Jehosophat of Judah to
be his ally in the Ramoth Gilead battle. Ahab alertly suggested that
Jehosophat should wear a bulls-eye while Ahab went disguised as a
regular soldier. (See 2 Chronicles 18:29) Jehosophat, revealing
something unsettling about his intelligence, agreed. Thanks to God’s
grace he survived, but Ahab died in battle. This week turn back the
pages on Ahab’s life to see what we can learn from his earlier days.
Let’s dive in!
Time is coming to an end for the Northern Kingdom
called Israel. Time is also coming to an end for Elisha. This week
we turn our study to these “last events” for Israel and Elisha. Let’s
dive in!
Have you ever read a novel which jumps all over the
place? Each chapter leaps to a different person instead of telling
the story in order? Our lessons have been like that. So, let’s get
our bearings. Israel(the ten tribes in the North)is dead. Judah (the
Southern Kingdom) is staggering towards destruction. Our lessons
this week and next give us the final chapters in the history of
Judah. The last time we studied Judah it was doing well under King
Hezekiah. Remember (2 Kings 19) King Sennacherib of Assyria marched
on Judah with an army of over 185,000 men. Hezekiah turned to God
and God sent an angel that destroyed Sennecherib’s army. Let’s pick
up our study from there!
Last week we ended our story with King Josiah taking
the throne of Judah when he was still a boy. He instituted reforms
with the result that God’s written word to His people(the
Pentateuch)was discovered hidden in the temple. The word of God was
shared with the people, and they “took the pledge” to obey. This week
we continue our study of this story. Let’s dive in!
