Jehu made burnt offerings and then killed everyone who worshiped Baal. Then he tore apart the temple and burned it, turning it into a public toilet. Jehu was king over Israel 28 years and he died.
Back in Judah, the mother of Ahaziah was Athaliah, she was so angry that her son had been killed that she went on a killing spree of her own - on her own family! She almost got to everyone except that her son's sister saved his son (her grandson?) from her wrath and hid him in the temple. He spent six years hidden while Athaliah ruled Judah. The priest of the temple, Jehoiada staged a coup and anointed him king of Judah. When the queen heard and saw what was going on she called it treason, but the priest had arranged to have her killed discreetly. The priest committed the people to follow God and they smashed the temple of Baal, the altars and idols, too. Little Joash (7 years old) was placed on the throne and the people rejoiced.
Joash had to get creative to collect enough money to repair the temple. He cut a hole in the top of a chest and whatever was collected was placed in the box. Later it was counted by trustworthy servants. So the temple was restored.
Joash avoided a raid on Jerusalem by Hazael king of Aram because he paid him off with the gold from the treasuries of the temple. He reigned in Jerusalem 40 years and was killed by his officials who conspired against him.
Back in Israel, Jehu's son, Jehoahaz became king. Because they were so wicked, the Lord allowed them to be ruled by the Aram for a time. Then, when they had learned their lesson he sent a deliverer. The bible doesn't say who this was, but for a time the Israelites lived in peace. Eventually, they returned to their evil ways and nothing was left of the army but 50 horsemen, 10 chariots and 10,000 foot soldiers. Jehoahaz died and was buried and his son, Jehoash became king. Jehoash did evil and reigned for 16 years.
Before Elisha died, Jehoash went to see him and cried because he was afraid of what would happen without him. Elisha told him to shoot an arrows out the open window and told him that was a sign that the Lord would help him completely defeat the Syrian army. Then he told him to pick up the bunch of arrows remaining and strike the ground with them. Jehoash did and struck the ground only 3 times which made Elisha angry and told him if he had struck the ground 5 or 6 times the Syrians would be completely wiped out. Now they would only be defeated 3 times. Then Elisha died and was buried. Once, when the Israelites were buring a man's body, they were alerted that the enemy Moabites were tracking them, so they threw the body into the tomb of Elisha and it touched Elisha's bones. The man came back to life and stood up.
Syria ruled over Israel the entire time Jehoahaz was king. But the Lord never forgot his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and never turned his back on them or let them get completely destroyed. Jehoash recaptured the towns from Syria during the 3 attacks and defeats Elisha told him about.
Back in Judah, Amaziah son of Joash became king. He ruled for 29 years. He sort of followed the Lord, but allowed the local shrines to remain. He killed the officials who had killed his father. He defeated the Edomites. Then he challenged Jehoash to battle, who replied that he was too big for his britches and he'd better just stay home.
Tomorrow read 2Kings 14:11-17:18
20100420
April 20, 2010 2Kings 8:16-10:24
Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah during the 5th year of Joram's reign in Israel. (I must admit that I began to get so confused after King Solomon died and the tribes split and the names of the kings for Judah and Israel were similar or identical and I was sure the room was spinning... I started to make a chart for myself, I feel much better.) He reigned for 8 years and died. He was succeeded by his son, Ahaziah (yes, this name was mentioned over in Israel too - different guy) Ahaziah reigned for 1 year. He joined Joram and they went to war against the Arameans. Joram was wounded and went to Jezreel to recover. Ahaziah, the king of Judah went to visit him during his convalscence.
Meanwhile, Elisha had a prophet take oil and run to where a man named Jehu was and anoint him with oil and make him the next king of Israel. He also instructed him to destroy the house of Ahab, who worshiped idols and other gods. So he did. He killed Joram with an arrow through his heart. He killed Ahaziah too. Then he went after Jezebel and avenged all the prophets she had killed. He ordered eunuchs to throw her out the window of a tower and they did. They went in and ate, and Jehu ordered some men to bury her because she was royalty. When they went to get her body there was only her skull, hands and feet. The prophecy that there would't be enough of her left to bury came true.
Next it was time to eliminate the house of Ahab as Jehu had been charged to do. He sent letters to the officials of Jezreel who were afraid of him after what he had done to Joram, Ahaziah and Jezebel. They wrote back to him that they would do what he asked. He wrote back that he wanted them to bring the heads of all 70 of the royal princes to him in Jezreel. So they did. Then he went throughout the countryside killing anyone who did not love God, making Elijah's prophecy regarding the house of Ahab come true.
Then Jehu played a trick on the ministers of Baal. He told them to gather all the believers, because he was going to be a bigger follower of Baal than Ahab. They all went for it - the ministers, and people alike. They entered the temple of Baal and Jehu asked them if there was anyone who followed the Lord if so, they weren't welcome there. He had also put 80 men outside to guard the entrance and if anyone inside escaped, they would pay with their own lives. So, inside the temple of Baal, they made sacrifices...
Tomorrow read2Kings 10:25-14:10
Meanwhile, Elisha had a prophet take oil and run to where a man named Jehu was and anoint him with oil and make him the next king of Israel. He also instructed him to destroy the house of Ahab, who worshiped idols and other gods. So he did. He killed Joram with an arrow through his heart. He killed Ahaziah too. Then he went after Jezebel and avenged all the prophets she had killed. He ordered eunuchs to throw her out the window of a tower and they did. They went in and ate, and Jehu ordered some men to bury her because she was royalty. When they went to get her body there was only her skull, hands and feet. The prophecy that there would't be enough of her left to bury came true.
Next it was time to eliminate the house of Ahab as Jehu had been charged to do. He sent letters to the officials of Jezreel who were afraid of him after what he had done to Joram, Ahaziah and Jezebel. They wrote back to him that they would do what he asked. He wrote back that he wanted them to bring the heads of all 70 of the royal princes to him in Jezreel. So they did. Then he went throughout the countryside killing anyone who did not love God, making Elijah's prophecy regarding the house of Ahab come true.
Then Jehu played a trick on the ministers of Baal. He told them to gather all the believers, because he was going to be a bigger follower of Baal than Ahab. They all went for it - the ministers, and people alike. They entered the temple of Baal and Jehu asked them if there was anyone who followed the Lord if so, they weren't welcome there. He had also put 80 men outside to guard the entrance and if anyone inside escaped, they would pay with their own lives. So, inside the temple of Baal, they made sacrifices...
Tomorrow read2Kings 10:25-14:10
20100419
April 19, 2010 2Kings 4:29-8:15
Elisha did many things in a way that was similar to Elijah, including bringing the son of people who had helped him, back from the dead. Later, the crops had failed and food was scarce. A group of prophets were meeting with Elisha, who told his servant to make a big pot of stew. Someone found a wild vine with fruit growing on it. They added it to the stew, which made it too sour to eat. Elisha sprinkled some flour into the stew and it tasted fine. Some time after that a man brought Elisha some bread from the firstfruits of the barley harvest. Elisha told his servant to give it to the people. The servant told him that there wasn't enough to feed 100 of them, but Elisha told him to do it anyway, because God promised there would be enough. So the servant served them the food and there were leftovers, just as God had promised.
Naaman a commander of the Syrian army was well respected, brave, and strong, but he had leprosy. An Israelite servant of his wife's told her about Elisha and how he could heal him. He went through proper channels and found Elijah's house. A servant met him at the door and told him to wash in the Jordan 7 times. This made him angry, because he thought it wouldn't work. He was wrong. It worked, then he knew that the God of Israel was God. He had brought clothes and riches which Elijah refused to accept. Gehazi decided to get some for himself and composed a lie which he told to Naaman. Elijah knew everything that had happened and cursed him with leprosy.
The prophets wanted to build a larger meeting place. As they were chopping wood for the new place an ax head of one of the men flew off and sank in the Jordan. The man was upset because he had borrowed the ax. Elisha asked him to show him where it had fallen in, and he threw a stick he had cut into the water and the ax head floated up to the surface and the prophet reached in and grabbed it.
The king of Syria was convinced he had a spy, because the Israelite army always seemed to know what he was going to do. Elisha knew because God told him and he told the Israelite king. The Syrian king heard about Elisha and wanted to caprure him. Elisha's servant was afraid until Elisha asked God to let him see. What he saw was the hillside covered with fiery chariots and horses all around Elisha. As the soldiers drew near Elisha prayed to make the soldiers blind. So they were blinded by the light. Then Elisha led them to his king who thought he should kill them. But Elisha told him not to kill them, but feed them and send them back home.
Later, Israel was attacked by Syria again. It lasted so long that there was nothing to eat. A couple of women even agreed to eat their children, and one welched on the deal and the other complained to the king of Israel. He blamed Elisha and ordered him behedded. The king went to Elisha, who told him that by that time the next day the famine would be over. An officer with the king told him that could never happen, and Elijah told him he would see it but he wouldn't eat it. Then 4 men with leprosy figured they had nothing to lose if they went to the camp of the Arameans. So at sundown they went and found the entire camp with everything left just the way it had been set up with just the people missing. (The Lord had made them hear thundering hooves of horses and chariots of a great army, and they had run for their lives leaving everything behind.) After they enjoyed a meal, they went back to tell the Israelites what they had found. Everyone went to the camp and helped themselves and the famine was over, just like that. The officer who had doubted God's word was trampled to death in the frenzy of the people.
Elisha had told the Shunammite woman who's son he had brought back to life to leave for 7 years because of the famine. She did as the man of God told her and returned 7 years later. She went to the king to ask for her property back and told him she had been told to leave. Gehazi happened to be there and backed up her story to the king. So the king returned everything she had owned to her.
Later, Elisha went to Damascus to visit king Benhadad who was ill. He asked his servant Hazael to take a gift to Elisha and ask him if he would get well. So he did and Elisha told him that the king would get well. Then he told him that the Lord had told him that Benhadad would die. He stared so long at Hazael that he was embarrassed, then he started crying. When Hazael asked him why, Elisha told him the horrible things he would do to the people and their children, and that he would be the next king. When he returned to the king he told him he would get well, then he smothered him and became king.
Tomorrow read 2Kings 8:16-10:24
Naaman a commander of the Syrian army was well respected, brave, and strong, but he had leprosy. An Israelite servant of his wife's told her about Elisha and how he could heal him. He went through proper channels and found Elijah's house. A servant met him at the door and told him to wash in the Jordan 7 times. This made him angry, because he thought it wouldn't work. He was wrong. It worked, then he knew that the God of Israel was God. He had brought clothes and riches which Elijah refused to accept. Gehazi decided to get some for himself and composed a lie which he told to Naaman. Elijah knew everything that had happened and cursed him with leprosy.
The prophets wanted to build a larger meeting place. As they were chopping wood for the new place an ax head of one of the men flew off and sank in the Jordan. The man was upset because he had borrowed the ax. Elisha asked him to show him where it had fallen in, and he threw a stick he had cut into the water and the ax head floated up to the surface and the prophet reached in and grabbed it.
The king of Syria was convinced he had a spy, because the Israelite army always seemed to know what he was going to do. Elisha knew because God told him and he told the Israelite king. The Syrian king heard about Elisha and wanted to caprure him. Elisha's servant was afraid until Elisha asked God to let him see. What he saw was the hillside covered with fiery chariots and horses all around Elisha. As the soldiers drew near Elisha prayed to make the soldiers blind. So they were blinded by the light. Then Elisha led them to his king who thought he should kill them. But Elisha told him not to kill them, but feed them and send them back home.
Later, Israel was attacked by Syria again. It lasted so long that there was nothing to eat. A couple of women even agreed to eat their children, and one welched on the deal and the other complained to the king of Israel. He blamed Elisha and ordered him behedded. The king went to Elisha, who told him that by that time the next day the famine would be over. An officer with the king told him that could never happen, and Elijah told him he would see it but he wouldn't eat it. Then 4 men with leprosy figured they had nothing to lose if they went to the camp of the Arameans. So at sundown they went and found the entire camp with everything left just the way it had been set up with just the people missing. (The Lord had made them hear thundering hooves of horses and chariots of a great army, and they had run for their lives leaving everything behind.) After they enjoyed a meal, they went back to tell the Israelites what they had found. Everyone went to the camp and helped themselves and the famine was over, just like that. The officer who had doubted God's word was trampled to death in the frenzy of the people.
Elisha had told the Shunammite woman who's son he had brought back to life to leave for 7 years because of the famine. She did as the man of God told her and returned 7 years later. She went to the king to ask for her property back and told him she had been told to leave. Gehazi happened to be there and backed up her story to the king. So the king returned everything she had owned to her.
Later, Elisha went to Damascus to visit king Benhadad who was ill. He asked his servant Hazael to take a gift to Elisha and ask him if he would get well. So he did and Elisha told him that the king would get well. Then he told him that the Lord had told him that Benhadad would die. He stared so long at Hazael that he was embarrassed, then he started crying. When Hazael asked him why, Elisha told him the horrible things he would do to the people and their children, and that he would be the next king. When he returned to the king he told him he would get well, then he smothered him and became king.
Tomorrow read 2Kings 8:16-10:24
20100418
April 18, 2010 1Kings 22-end 2Kings 1-4:28
Ahab's body was taken home and buried. Dogs licked his blood just as God had told him. His son Ahaziah became king. Jehoshaphat, son of Asa was king of Judah and he ruled for 25 years. (Jesus was from the tribe of Judah.) Jehoshaphat obeyed the Lord and was at peace with Israel. When Jehoshaphat had been king for 17 years, Ahaziah became king in Israel. Ahaziah worshiped Baal and made the Lord angry as his father had done.
2Kings begins with the Lord's condemnation of Ahaziah. Somehow the king fell through some wooden slats and badly injured himself. He sent messengers to a nearby town to ask the god Baalzebub if he would get well. Meanwhile an angel sent Elijah to tell these messengers that their king was on his deathbed. They went back to the king and told him what happened and the king asked them what he looked like. They told him that he was hairy. Immediately he knew it was Elijah! At once he sent an officer with 50 men to Elijah. The officer told Elijah the king ordered him to talk to him. Elijah told the officer that because he was a man of God, that God would send down fire on him and his 50 soldiers. Immediately they were burned up. So Ahaziah sent another officer and 50 more soldiers to Elijah. The same thing happened again. The third time, the officer knelt down and begged Elijah to not burn them. The angel of the Lord told Elijah to go with this officer. He went to Ahaziah and told him that because he inquired of Baalzebub about his injury, he would die. Then he died. Ahaziah had no sons, so his brother Joram assumed the throne. By now Jehoshephat had died and his son, Jehoram had been king of Judah 2 years.
The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah away. He kept telling Elisha to stay behind, but he insisted on going with him. They came to the Jordan river, Elijah took off his coat, rolled it up and smacked the water with it and the river opened up so they could walk across on dry ground. There was a crowd of 50 prophets watching them. When they reached the other side Elijah told Elisha that it was almost time for him to leave and wanted to know if there was something he could do for him. Elisha asked for twice Elijah's power, so the other prophets would know he had taken Elijah's place. Elijah told him it wouldn't be easy and that it would only happen if he saw Elijah as he was taken away. As they walked along, a flaming chariot and horses appeared and in a whirlwind carried Elijah up to heaven. Elisha picked up Elijah's coat which had fallen to the ground and went back to the Jordan and rolled the coat and tapped the water and it parted just as before. The other prophets, still watching, realized he had Elijah's power and bowed down to Elisha and told him they had some men who could go find Elijah. Elisha told them they wouldn't find him. They kept bugging him, so finally he let them go. They searched 3 days and never found Elijah. Elisha purified the water at Jericho. Some boys started making fun of Elisha because he was bald. Elisha cursed the boys and two bears ran out of the forest and ripped 42 of them to pieces.
Joram became king during Jehoshaphat's 18th year as king of Judah. He reigned for 12 years. He did evil, but not as bad as his father. During the reign of Joram, the people of Moab rebelled against Israel. He asked if Jehoshaphat would help him and he told him he would. They marched and met the king of Edom and his army and they all went out to attack Moab. Seven days later there was no water and they were all panicking. Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet and was told that Elisha was with them, so he had him come to him. Elisha told them to find someone to play the harp, so accompanied by harp music Elisha prophesied that not only would they be given water, but they would defeat Moab's army. In the morning water began to rise up, and the Moabites thought it looked like blood in the sunrise and they thought that the three armies had killed each other. When they investigated they were surprised by the three armies and fled back to Moab with the Israelites in hot pursuit. They overtook towns all day and when they came to the last one, the king sacrificed his son and heir to the throne and put him on the wall of the city. There was such fury against Israel they went home.
Elisha helps a widow pay her debt by blessing her with a bottomless bottle of olive oil. She and her sons filled as many jars as they could find until they had no more jars, then the oil stopped. They sold part of the oil to pay off the debt and lived on the rest. There was a woman and her husband in a town who had no children. They took Elisha into their house whenever he was in their city. They even made him his own room. One time while Elisha was there he promised her she would have a son next year even though her husband was very old. It happened just as he said. Some time later the boy and his father were out in the field and the boy's head hurt really bad. The boy's father took him home to his mother where he lay on her lap all morning and died at noon. She took him up and laid him on Elisha's bed. Then she traveled to Carmel where Elisha was and grabbed him by the feet.
Tomorrow read 2Kings 4:29-8:15
2Kings begins with the Lord's condemnation of Ahaziah. Somehow the king fell through some wooden slats and badly injured himself. He sent messengers to a nearby town to ask the god Baalzebub if he would get well. Meanwhile an angel sent Elijah to tell these messengers that their king was on his deathbed. They went back to the king and told him what happened and the king asked them what he looked like. They told him that he was hairy. Immediately he knew it was Elijah! At once he sent an officer with 50 men to Elijah. The officer told Elijah the king ordered him to talk to him. Elijah told the officer that because he was a man of God, that God would send down fire on him and his 50 soldiers. Immediately they were burned up. So Ahaziah sent another officer and 50 more soldiers to Elijah. The same thing happened again. The third time, the officer knelt down and begged Elijah to not burn them. The angel of the Lord told Elijah to go with this officer. He went to Ahaziah and told him that because he inquired of Baalzebub about his injury, he would die. Then he died. Ahaziah had no sons, so his brother Joram assumed the throne. By now Jehoshephat had died and his son, Jehoram had been king of Judah 2 years.
The time had come for the Lord to take Elijah away. He kept telling Elisha to stay behind, but he insisted on going with him. They came to the Jordan river, Elijah took off his coat, rolled it up and smacked the water with it and the river opened up so they could walk across on dry ground. There was a crowd of 50 prophets watching them. When they reached the other side Elijah told Elisha that it was almost time for him to leave and wanted to know if there was something he could do for him. Elisha asked for twice Elijah's power, so the other prophets would know he had taken Elijah's place. Elijah told him it wouldn't be easy and that it would only happen if he saw Elijah as he was taken away. As they walked along, a flaming chariot and horses appeared and in a whirlwind carried Elijah up to heaven. Elisha picked up Elijah's coat which had fallen to the ground and went back to the Jordan and rolled the coat and tapped the water and it parted just as before. The other prophets, still watching, realized he had Elijah's power and bowed down to Elisha and told him they had some men who could go find Elijah. Elisha told them they wouldn't find him. They kept bugging him, so finally he let them go. They searched 3 days and never found Elijah. Elisha purified the water at Jericho. Some boys started making fun of Elisha because he was bald. Elisha cursed the boys and two bears ran out of the forest and ripped 42 of them to pieces.
Joram became king during Jehoshaphat's 18th year as king of Judah. He reigned for 12 years. He did evil, but not as bad as his father. During the reign of Joram, the people of Moab rebelled against Israel. He asked if Jehoshaphat would help him and he told him he would. They marched and met the king of Edom and his army and they all went out to attack Moab. Seven days later there was no water and they were all panicking. Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet and was told that Elisha was with them, so he had him come to him. Elisha told them to find someone to play the harp, so accompanied by harp music Elisha prophesied that not only would they be given water, but they would defeat Moab's army. In the morning water began to rise up, and the Moabites thought it looked like blood in the sunrise and they thought that the three armies had killed each other. When they investigated they were surprised by the three armies and fled back to Moab with the Israelites in hot pursuit. They overtook towns all day and when they came to the last one, the king sacrificed his son and heir to the throne and put him on the wall of the city. There was such fury against Israel they went home.
Elisha helps a widow pay her debt by blessing her with a bottomless bottle of olive oil. She and her sons filled as many jars as they could find until they had no more jars, then the oil stopped. They sold part of the oil to pay off the debt and lived on the rest. There was a woman and her husband in a town who had no children. They took Elisha into their house whenever he was in their city. They even made him his own room. One time while Elisha was there he promised her she would have a son next year even though her husband was very old. It happened just as he said. Some time later the boy and his father were out in the field and the boy's head hurt really bad. The boy's father took him home to his mother where he lay on her lap all morning and died at noon. She took him up and laid him on Elisha's bed. Then she traveled to Carmel where Elisha was and grabbed him by the feet.
Tomorrow read 2Kings 4:29-8:15
20100417
April 17, 2010 1Kings 20:26-22:36
In the spring, the Syrian king, Benhadad and his army marched to attack Israel. The Israelites also prepared to fight and marched out to meet the Syrians. The 2 armies camped across from each other and the Syrians filled the countryside, while the Israelites looked like two little flocks of goats. A prophet went to king Ahab and told him that the Lord would help them so he would know the Lord was in control. The 2 armies stayed in their places for 6 days and on the 7th fighting broke out. The Syrians were defeated and the king, Benhadad, ran and hid in the town nearby, while his officials went to king Ahab to ask him to spare his life. Ahab told them that Benhadad was like a brother to him and asked where he was. They brought him out, the two had a nice reunion, and Benhadad went back home.
The Lord commanded another prophet to have his friend hit him. When the friend refused, the prophet told him that a lion would kill him as soon as he walked away. When the friend left, a lion suddenly appeared and killed him. The prophet found someone else who would pummel him so he could pass for a soldier who had been fighting. He went to Ahab and told him a story that he had been in battle and had been given a prisoner to guard, with instructions that if he lost him he would be killed or forced to pay 75 pounds of silver. He told Ahab he lost track of him. Ahab said he would be punished as he had been told. The prophet tore the bandage off his face and told Ahab that because he didn't follow the commandment of the Lord and kill Benhadad, he would die in his place. Ahab went home angry and sad.
A man named Naboth owned a vineyard which was next to Ahab's palace and he wanted the land. When he asked Naboth for it Naboth refused him and he went home, lay down on his bed, stared at the wall and refused to eat. Jezebel his wife found him and asked him what was wrong, so he told her. She said not to worry, that she'd take care of it. She set up Naboth to be killed by having two liars swear they had heard him curse the Lord and the king. When the people heard it they dragged Naboth outside the town and stoned him to death. They sent word to Jezebel that Naboth was dead and she told Ahab he could have his vineyard. While Naboth was in his new vineyard, Elijah went to him and told him he would die and dogs would lick his blood from the same spot where he'd had Naboth murdered. Elijah added that all the men and boys in his family would be wiped out as well, and Jezebel too. Ahab was sad at hearing this and he tore his clothes and refused to eat. Then the Lord told Elijah how he had seen the way Ahab suffered, so He wouldn't punish his family while he was alive. Ahab and Jezebel did evil just as the Amorites did before Israel came.
Three years of peace passed and Jehoshaphat came to visit Ahab. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to get a town back from the Syrians. Jehoshaphat said he would help, but first they needed to ask God. Ahab sent for about 400 prophets and asked them what they should do. All the prophets told them to attack the Syrians. Then they had a prophet named Micaiah come forward and tell them his prophecy, because he always told Ahab something bad. When Micaiah told him the same thing as the other prophets he didn't believe him. Ahab told him to tell him the truth and Micaiah told him that the Israelites should go home and not fight. Then he told him his vision of the Lord seated on his throne surrounded with every creature and asked them who could trick Ahab to go to the town and be killed. They discussed it for a while and a spirit came forward and said that they would make the prophets lie. Then it was done. Another man slapped Micaiah because he was jealous that the Lord spoke to Micaiah and not him. Then Ahab put Micaiah in prison.
So the two leaders took their armies into battle. Ahab disguised himself, so the other army thought Jehosehapt was Ahab and attacked him. When they found out he wasn't, they stopped. A soldier shot an arrow without aiming and it pierced Ahab in a joint of his armor. He was propped up in his chariot so he could see. He bled so much from his wound the bottom of the chariot was covered with blood and by evening he was dead. At sunset an Israelite shouted to retreat and go back home.
Tomorrow finish 1Kings read 2Kings1-4:28
The Lord commanded another prophet to have his friend hit him. When the friend refused, the prophet told him that a lion would kill him as soon as he walked away. When the friend left, a lion suddenly appeared and killed him. The prophet found someone else who would pummel him so he could pass for a soldier who had been fighting. He went to Ahab and told him a story that he had been in battle and had been given a prisoner to guard, with instructions that if he lost him he would be killed or forced to pay 75 pounds of silver. He told Ahab he lost track of him. Ahab said he would be punished as he had been told. The prophet tore the bandage off his face and told Ahab that because he didn't follow the commandment of the Lord and kill Benhadad, he would die in his place. Ahab went home angry and sad.
A man named Naboth owned a vineyard which was next to Ahab's palace and he wanted the land. When he asked Naboth for it Naboth refused him and he went home, lay down on his bed, stared at the wall and refused to eat. Jezebel his wife found him and asked him what was wrong, so he told her. She said not to worry, that she'd take care of it. She set up Naboth to be killed by having two liars swear they had heard him curse the Lord and the king. When the people heard it they dragged Naboth outside the town and stoned him to death. They sent word to Jezebel that Naboth was dead and she told Ahab he could have his vineyard. While Naboth was in his new vineyard, Elijah went to him and told him he would die and dogs would lick his blood from the same spot where he'd had Naboth murdered. Elijah added that all the men and boys in his family would be wiped out as well, and Jezebel too. Ahab was sad at hearing this and he tore his clothes and refused to eat. Then the Lord told Elijah how he had seen the way Ahab suffered, so He wouldn't punish his family while he was alive. Ahab and Jezebel did evil just as the Amorites did before Israel came.
Three years of peace passed and Jehoshaphat came to visit Ahab. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to get a town back from the Syrians. Jehoshaphat said he would help, but first they needed to ask God. Ahab sent for about 400 prophets and asked them what they should do. All the prophets told them to attack the Syrians. Then they had a prophet named Micaiah come forward and tell them his prophecy, because he always told Ahab something bad. When Micaiah told him the same thing as the other prophets he didn't believe him. Ahab told him to tell him the truth and Micaiah told him that the Israelites should go home and not fight. Then he told him his vision of the Lord seated on his throne surrounded with every creature and asked them who could trick Ahab to go to the town and be killed. They discussed it for a while and a spirit came forward and said that they would make the prophets lie. Then it was done. Another man slapped Micaiah because he was jealous that the Lord spoke to Micaiah and not him. Then Ahab put Micaiah in prison.
So the two leaders took their armies into battle. Ahab disguised himself, so the other army thought Jehosehapt was Ahab and attacked him. When they found out he wasn't, they stopped. A soldier shot an arrow without aiming and it pierced Ahab in a joint of his armor. He was propped up in his chariot so he could see. He bled so much from his wound the bottom of the chariot was covered with blood and by evening he was dead. At sunset an Israelite shouted to retreat and go back home.
Tomorrow finish 1Kings read 2Kings1-4:28
20100416
April 16, 2010 1Kings 18-20:25
God told Elijah that it would rain soon and He wanted him to present himself to the king of Israel, Ahab. Meanwhile, Ahab had summoned a man named Obadiah during a severe famine. Obadiah believed in God. Ahab was married to a woman named Jezebel who tried to kill every prophet of God (she missed Elijah and 100 others who Obadiah hid in two caves.) Ahab wanted to find some grass so they wouldn't have to kill the animals, and he had Obadiah go one way and he went another in search of grass. Elijah met Obadiah while he was looking for fresh grass. Obadiah knew Elijah on sight and greeted him. Obadiah wanted to know when he would die, since everyone involved with finding Elijah was put to death by Ahab. Elijah assured Obadiah he would present himself to Ahab that day.
When Ahab and Elijah met, Ahab accused Elijah of causing trouble in Israel. But Elijah countered that Ahab and his father's family had worshiped Baal and other gods, making God angry. Elijah dared Ahab to have all the prophets of his gods meet Elijah by himself and see who's god was God. When the people gathered for the spectacle, Elijah told them to make up their minds, that the god who answered by fire, was God. Everyone thought this was a good idea. The Israelites were first. They prepared the bull as an offering and all day and night they asked Baal to come and consume their offering. They shouted louder in case he was thinking, busy, traveling or napping. They even cut themselves with blades and bled themselves. Nothing happened. Then it was Elijah's turn. He repaired the alter with 12 stones, and he dug a trench around the base large enough to hold 13 quarts of seed. On the altar, he arranged the wood and the bull parts. Then he told the people to fill 4 large jars with water and pour it over the offering. He had them do this 3 times. There was A LOT of water! Then Elijah started to pray. When he was finished the fire of God came down and consumed the offering, the wood, stones and soil and even the water! Then the people believed. Elijah had the prophets of Baal killed. Then Elijah told Ahab to go eat because it was going to rain. Elijah climed a mountain and bowed down and told his servant to look to the sea 7 times and then the servant saw the storm beginning. Ahab rode home, but Elijah tucked his robe into his belt and ran and beat Ahab home.
When Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, she wanted to kill Aham. So Elijah got out of town quick! He took a break and sat down and prayed to the Lord to take his life. He fell asleep and an angel woke him up and told him to eat. There was a cake and a jar of water. He ate, drank and lay down again. The angel repeated his request for Elijah to eat and drink. When he was refreshed, he was able to continue his journey. He traveled 40 days and nights and got to Horeb, the mountain of God. He found a cave and spent the night there.
God spoke to Elijah and asked him what he was doing there. Elijah told God that he was the only prophet left and he had run for his life. God told him to stand on the mountain and that He would pass by. A terrible wind came, then an earthquake, then a fire came, but God was not in them. Then Elijah heard a gentle whisper and he covered his face with his cloak and went out to the mouth of the cave. The voice asked him what he was doing there? He told Him about how God's covenant had been rejected by the people and how they had tried to kill him along with all the others. Then the Lord told him to go back the way he came and anoint Hazael king over Aram, Jehu king over Israel, and Elisha as prophet to succeed him. He told Elijah that all but 7000 who had remained faithful to Him would be put to death.
Elijah called Elisha to follow him. After slaughtering his yoke of oxen (he had been plowing in the field) and breaking up the plow to use as fire to burn them and feeding the people who were with him, he followed Elijah and became his attendant.
The king of Aram decided to attack Israel. A prophet told Ahab that he would be victorious even though there were only 7000 to fight. They won because they attacked during the day when the king of Aram and his soldiers were getting drunk. So the king of Aram devised another plan with his commanders.
Tomorrow read 1Kings 20:26-22:36
When Ahab and Elijah met, Ahab accused Elijah of causing trouble in Israel. But Elijah countered that Ahab and his father's family had worshiped Baal and other gods, making God angry. Elijah dared Ahab to have all the prophets of his gods meet Elijah by himself and see who's god was God. When the people gathered for the spectacle, Elijah told them to make up their minds, that the god who answered by fire, was God. Everyone thought this was a good idea. The Israelites were first. They prepared the bull as an offering and all day and night they asked Baal to come and consume their offering. They shouted louder in case he was thinking, busy, traveling or napping. They even cut themselves with blades and bled themselves. Nothing happened. Then it was Elijah's turn. He repaired the alter with 12 stones, and he dug a trench around the base large enough to hold 13 quarts of seed. On the altar, he arranged the wood and the bull parts. Then he told the people to fill 4 large jars with water and pour it over the offering. He had them do this 3 times. There was A LOT of water! Then Elijah started to pray. When he was finished the fire of God came down and consumed the offering, the wood, stones and soil and even the water! Then the people believed. Elijah had the prophets of Baal killed. Then Elijah told Ahab to go eat because it was going to rain. Elijah climed a mountain and bowed down and told his servant to look to the sea 7 times and then the servant saw the storm beginning. Ahab rode home, but Elijah tucked his robe into his belt and ran and beat Ahab home.
When Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, she wanted to kill Aham. So Elijah got out of town quick! He took a break and sat down and prayed to the Lord to take his life. He fell asleep and an angel woke him up and told him to eat. There was a cake and a jar of water. He ate, drank and lay down again. The angel repeated his request for Elijah to eat and drink. When he was refreshed, he was able to continue his journey. He traveled 40 days and nights and got to Horeb, the mountain of God. He found a cave and spent the night there.
God spoke to Elijah and asked him what he was doing there. Elijah told God that he was the only prophet left and he had run for his life. God told him to stand on the mountain and that He would pass by. A terrible wind came, then an earthquake, then a fire came, but God was not in them. Then Elijah heard a gentle whisper and he covered his face with his cloak and went out to the mouth of the cave. The voice asked him what he was doing there? He told Him about how God's covenant had been rejected by the people and how they had tried to kill him along with all the others. Then the Lord told him to go back the way he came and anoint Hazael king over Aram, Jehu king over Israel, and Elisha as prophet to succeed him. He told Elijah that all but 7000 who had remained faithful to Him would be put to death.
Elijah called Elisha to follow him. After slaughtering his yoke of oxen (he had been plowing in the field) and breaking up the plow to use as fire to burn them and feeding the people who were with him, he followed Elijah and became his attendant.
The king of Aram decided to attack Israel. A prophet told Ahab that he would be victorious even though there were only 7000 to fight. They won because they attacked during the day when the king of Aram and his soldiers were getting drunk. So the king of Aram devised another plan with his commanders.
Tomorrow read 1Kings 20:26-22:36
20100415
April 15, 2010 1Kings 14-17
Jeroboam's son became ill. So he told his wife to disguise herself and go to the prophet with gifts and find out what will happen. The prophet was blind, but God told him who was coming and then he heard her. He told her that the Lord had said He was angry about all the wickedness and evil Jeroboam did. He told her that every male in the family would die. He told her that she was to return home and when she set her foot there, her son would die, and that the Lord would raise up a king, and Jeroboam's family would be wiped out. She went home and the boy died. Jeroboam reigned for 22 years.
Meanwhile in Judah, Rehoboam, son of Solomon was king for 17 years. They too did evil by worshiping other Gods. During the 5th year of his reign, the king of Egypt raided Jerusalem and carried off the treasures of the temple and the palace.
There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
During the 18th year of Jeroboam's reign, Rehoboam died. His son, Abijah inherited the throne of Judah, and he reigned for 3 years. He did evil things too. Jeroboam fought with Abijah the entire time. Then Abijah died.
Asa the son of Abijah became the next king in Judah in the 20th year of Jeroboam's reign. He obeyed God and cleaned up Judah. Asa reigned 41 years. He restored the lost articles to the temple. Asa would watch a parade of kings come and die in Israel during his long reign. The bible jumps ahead a bit to tell about the war between Baasha, king of Israel and Asa. Baasha fortified the town of Ramah to keep anyone from going in or out. Asa paid the leader of the Syrian army to fight against Israel to make them leave, and it worked.
Back to Israel - Jeroboam died and his son Nadab became king in the 2nd year of Asa's reign. He too did evil things. He reigned for 2 years. Then a guy named Baasha plotted against him and killed him and became king. So, in the 3rd year of Asa's reign Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned for 24 years. He killed everyone from Jeroboam's whole family. A prophet foretold doom to the house of Baasha. In the 26th year of Asa's reign in Judah, Baasha died and Elah, his son, became King of Israel. He reigned for 2 years. Zimri, one of his officials, killed Elah and became king in the 27th year of Asa's reign. Zimri killed everyone in Baasha's family. After 7 days with Zimri in charge, the people voted Omri to be their king. Then, some of the people wanted Tibni to be king, but Omri defeated him. This happened in the 31st year of Asa's reign. Omri was king for 12 years. Omri did evil things and provoked God to anger. Omri's son Ahab became the next king in the 38th year of Asa's reign. Omri was king of Israel for 22 years and did evil things too.
Ahab had a prophet named Elijah tell him that a drought was on it's way. God told Elijah to hide in a ravine where he could get water and food from ravens which God had instructed to feed him. So he went. The ravens brought him meat and bread every morning and evening and he drank from the brook. When the brook dried up, God told Elijah to go to a town to the house of a widow who would supply him with food. He went to the town and saw a widow gathering sticks and asked her for a drink. When she was going to get the water Elijah asked her for some bread too. She swore to him that he didn't have any bread, only a handful of flour and a little oil. She was going to prepare her final meal for her and her son and then die. So Elijah told her not to be afraid, and to go home and do what she planned, but first bring him a small cake of bread and then feed her son and herself. Then he promised her that if she were to do this, her flour and oil would not run out until it rained. It was just as Elijah had said and he lived in a room of her house. One day her son became ill and finally stopped breathing. She went to Elijah and told him about her son and supposed the reason was to punish her further. Elijah had her bring her son to him and he took his body up to the room where he stayed and brought him back to life. He took the boy back to her and she told him that he was a man of God and he spoke the truth.
Tomorrow read 1Kings 18-20:25
Meanwhile in Judah, Rehoboam, son of Solomon was king for 17 years. They too did evil by worshiping other Gods. During the 5th year of his reign, the king of Egypt raided Jerusalem and carried off the treasures of the temple and the palace.
There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam.
During the 18th year of Jeroboam's reign, Rehoboam died. His son, Abijah inherited the throne of Judah, and he reigned for 3 years. He did evil things too. Jeroboam fought with Abijah the entire time. Then Abijah died.
Asa the son of Abijah became the next king in Judah in the 20th year of Jeroboam's reign. He obeyed God and cleaned up Judah. Asa reigned 41 years. He restored the lost articles to the temple. Asa would watch a parade of kings come and die in Israel during his long reign. The bible jumps ahead a bit to tell about the war between Baasha, king of Israel and Asa. Baasha fortified the town of Ramah to keep anyone from going in or out. Asa paid the leader of the Syrian army to fight against Israel to make them leave, and it worked.
Back to Israel - Jeroboam died and his son Nadab became king in the 2nd year of Asa's reign. He too did evil things. He reigned for 2 years. Then a guy named Baasha plotted against him and killed him and became king. So, in the 3rd year of Asa's reign Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned for 24 years. He killed everyone from Jeroboam's whole family. A prophet foretold doom to the house of Baasha. In the 26th year of Asa's reign in Judah, Baasha died and Elah, his son, became King of Israel. He reigned for 2 years. Zimri, one of his officials, killed Elah and became king in the 27th year of Asa's reign. Zimri killed everyone in Baasha's family. After 7 days with Zimri in charge, the people voted Omri to be their king. Then, some of the people wanted Tibni to be king, but Omri defeated him. This happened in the 31st year of Asa's reign. Omri was king for 12 years. Omri did evil things and provoked God to anger. Omri's son Ahab became the next king in the 38th year of Asa's reign. Omri was king of Israel for 22 years and did evil things too.
Ahab had a prophet named Elijah tell him that a drought was on it's way. God told Elijah to hide in a ravine where he could get water and food from ravens which God had instructed to feed him. So he went. The ravens brought him meat and bread every morning and evening and he drank from the brook. When the brook dried up, God told Elijah to go to a town to the house of a widow who would supply him with food. He went to the town and saw a widow gathering sticks and asked her for a drink. When she was going to get the water Elijah asked her for some bread too. She swore to him that he didn't have any bread, only a handful of flour and a little oil. She was going to prepare her final meal for her and her son and then die. So Elijah told her not to be afraid, and to go home and do what she planned, but first bring him a small cake of bread and then feed her son and herself. Then he promised her that if she were to do this, her flour and oil would not run out until it rained. It was just as Elijah had said and he lived in a room of her house. One day her son became ill and finally stopped breathing. She went to Elijah and told him about her son and supposed the reason was to punish her further. Elijah had her bring her son to him and he took his body up to the room where he stayed and brought him back to life. He took the boy back to her and she told him that he was a man of God and he spoke the truth.
Tomorrow read 1Kings 18-20:25
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