Bible for Dummies - Completing 1 and 2 Kings (Chapter 10, Part 4)

Hello friends,

We conclude our look at 1 and 2 Kings (and 1 and 2 Chronicles) by examining Elijah's confrontation with Ahab on Mr. Carmel, discussing Elijah's life after this confrontation, and looking at two of the most successful kings of Judah.

We also consider some of the valuable lessons learned from our study of the kings.  Things like, "No one leads in a vacuum...leadership always has consequences on the people being led."

I hope that God blesses you as you respond to His Word.  Remember...do not be a hearer of the Word, only. Be a doer of the Word.  - KM

Chapter 10 – A Tale of Two Kingdoms

1 and 2 Kings; 1 and 2 Chronicles

Part 3

** Elijah – My God is Yahweh

·      A Tishbite (from Tishbe, Upper Galilee)…came to be a euphemism for “stranger” (similar to how we use our word, “Indian”…not someone from India, but a native American)

Bible for Dummies - Solomon Dies and Israel Divides

In this episode, Solomon has died and the nation of Israel divides in a civil war. The Northern Tribes (10 in all) take the name, Israel.  The Southern Tribes (2 - Judah and Benjamin) take the name, Judah. From it's inception, Israel is ruled by evil kings who lead her down a path of idolatry.  Judah is ruled by better kings, but they, too, have their problems.

Listen to this podcast and see how relevant the issues are. Godly leadership is crucial, we learn. As the leader goes, so often goes the nation.  For those concerned about the path America is taking, this lesson is incredibly relevant as we see the kings of the Northern Tribes lead their people into destruction.

May God bless you as you study His Word.

Chapter 10 – A Tale of Two Kingdoms

1 and 2 Kings; 1 and 2 Chronicles 

Part 2

** After Solomon’s death (~ 922BC), the 12 tribes of Israel divide into two kingdoms:  Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom).

** Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, is king over the Southern tribes, while Jeroboam, the rebellious leader of Solomon’s servants/workers, becomes king over the Northern tribes.

Snips and Flails and Scorpion’s Tails: Rehoboam Divides a Nation – 1 Kings 12

** When Rehoboam became King, he went to Shechem (in Manasseh - West) with the expectation of the northern tribes showing some allegiance by crowning him king over all of Israel.

** Hearing what was happening, Jeroboam returns from exile in Egypt to confront Rehoboam by declaring, “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke

Bible for Dummies - Solomon's Reign - 1 and 2 Kings (Chapter 10, Part 1)

According to the Bible, Solomon was the wisest man ever to live on earth (apart from Jesus). So wise was he that when given the opportunity to ask God for one gift, Solomon asked for wisdom.  Yet, as his life advanced he became less wise and more worldly. This leads not only to his personal demise wherein his family was rife with dysfunction, but his commitment to God essentially erodes.

Listen to this episode and learn from Solomon's example about what to do and not do when given a gift from God.  I trust you'll be blessed by the Lord as you study His Word.  - KM

Chapter 10 – A Tale of Two Kingdoms

1 and 2 Kings; 1 and 2 Chronicles

Part 1

** The transition from the “Samuel” books to the books of the Kings and Chronicles marks a shift in the Prophet/Priest-dominate era to the era of the kings.

A Quick Recap of Where we Are:

·      David is king over a united Israel.

·      Jerusalem is the capital of the nation, with the Ark of the Covenant (symbol of God’s presence) being in “temporary” housing in Jerusalem

Bible for Dummies - Chapter 9 Part 4 - David Reigns and Dies (1 and 2 Samuel)

David is blessed by God. Even though he is an extremely challenged man and his flesh often gets the best of him, he is a "man after God's own heart."  Our study in this chapter covers the dysfunction of David's family while the kingdom of Israel flourishes.  God's hand is on David unlike, perhaps, anyone ever seen in human history.

Below are notes you can use to follow along. I trust that the Lord will bless you as we study His Word together.

Building a Dynasty…David Secures his Throne – 2 Samuel 1-4

** At the beginning of 2 Samuel, David hears of Saul’s demise (and his best friend, Jonathan’s, death) and engages a period of mourning.

** David does not immediately become king over all of Israel because Abner, commander of Saul’s northern army, and some from the northern tribes of Israel declare that Saul’s other son, Ishbaal (whose name means, “Man of Baal”) – at the age of 40, is the new king (2 Samuel 2:8-10)

** War ensues between David and Ishbaal (as led by Abner). However, Abner grew more powerful

than Ishbaal, and Ishbaal feared Abner to the point that Ishbaal

Bible for Dummies - Chapter 9, Part 3

In this episode, we look at the end of Saul's reign as King over Israel, and the beginning of David's reign.  Listen to the class audio and follow along on the class notes provided below.

We begin in 1 Samuel 18...

Addendum to Last Week: Re: David’s Age when he was Anointed by Samuel... and when David Fought Goliath

·      In the scholastic world, there is no consensus on how old David was when he was anointed to be King of Judah by Samuel (See 1 Samuel 16:13)

·      Working backward though…we know that the battle with Goliath happened AFTER David

Jesus is a People Watcher

Jesus was a people watcher.  During the last week of his earthly life, he watched those in the Temple, leaders and laity alike.  After observing them and their actions, Jesus had some clear teachings about their motives and practices that are helpful to us, today.

After all...Jesus is a people watcher and he is watching us. Can't you imagine... Jesus is sitting next to our Father in heaven. He leans over and says to the Father, "Abba...check that out...what               is doing."

I trust this message will be helpful to you. After all, Jesus is watching.

 “Check that Out!”

** Jesus is a people watcher…

…to hide away in a corner, somehow, to watch how people lived.

Mark 12:41 – “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.”

Note: Not to make you nervous, but Jesus watches us…he’s watching now…

Don't Let the World Silence You!

Hello friends,

Well...I'm back after a brief hiatus and time of travel as I recently watched my son, Jason - at FSU, swim in his college conference championship.   It's good to be back!

This next episode from our systematic study of the Gospel of Mark challenges us to consider our public witness. The world tries to squash the voices of those who follow Jesus. We are told to be quiet and not impose our values or beliefs on our culture.  (Of course, the world is asking us to do something they will not offer us...we call that hypocrisy.)  So the world says, "Religion and politics should not mix" or "Eternal life is a myth" or "Every path leads to God...whatever works for you is just fine" or you can name your own, and they demand that Christians remain silent and not respond.  

Well, Jesus has another thought...hear what it is by listening to this message.

I hope and pray the Holy Spirit touches your heart through this message. May God bless you as you respond.  - KM

“Tested…but True”

Fallacy 1 – Religion and Politics should not mix.

ILL:  Danbury Baptist and Thomas Jefferson

·      Separation of Church and State was for the safety of the Church from State interference…

·     

…not safeguard for the State from theocracy.

** So...the notion of the separation of Church and State, as applied today, is a complete doctrine of revisionist history wherein the "facts" are completely misinterpreted and misapplied.

Mark 12:17 – Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

** See…Pharisees and Herodians hoping people reject Jesus’ teaching…