May 24 / I Kings 16:21-19:21

I Kings 16:21-19:21 Today we meet wicked King Ahab and his adorable wife, Jezebel. Together they strongly institute Baal worship in Israel, furthering Israel’s descent into idolatry. We also meet Elijah, who appears quite suddenly, with no backstory, no build up to establish who he is or what authority he might have. Elijah just appears …

May 23 / II Chronicles 12-16

II Chronicles 12-16 Chronicles gives us some details that we do not get in Kings. We see some positive features of both Rehoboam and Abijah, and shortcomings in Asa. Asa is still clearly the most godly of these first three kings of Judah, as he works to eradicate idolatry. But late in his reign, after …

May 22 / I Kings 14:21-16:20; II Chronicles 10-11

I Kings 14:21-16:20; II Chronicles 10-11 We now have a divided kingdom. As I mentioned yesterday, Chronicles focuses on the southern kingdom of Judah and mostly ignores the northern kingdom of Israel. But Chronicles cannot ignore Israel entirely because what happens there often affects Judah, too. We see that today in II Chronicles 11:13-17, where …

May 21 / I Kings 12-14:20

I Kings 12-14:20 Yesterday we read that the LORD declared that He would tear ten tribes away from Solomon’s son and give them to Jeroboam. Today, we see the fulfillment of that declaration. Solomon is dead, and his son ascends to the throne, but before Rehoboam can establish himself, Jeroboam (the LORD’s chosen man, whom …

May 20 / I Kings 11; II Chronicles 9:29-31

I Kings 11; II Chronicles 9:29-31 Fool! How else should we describe Solomon in the end? Here he is, endowed with more wisdom than anyone else, yet he chooses to ignore its first principle that he himself stated: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One …

May 15 / I Kings 9:10-10:29; II Chronicles 8-9:28

I Kings 9:10-10:29; II Chronicles 8-9:28 Do you get the feeling that things are going really well for Solomon and Israel? You should. Today’s readings describe a kingdom of Israel enjoying extended peace and prosperity — all as blessing from the hand of the LORD, Who is present in His Temple. With all the gold …