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Elijah is instructed by God to call his successor. Interestingly, the call of Elisha is a foreshadow of Jesus' call of his disciples. Then in chapters 20-22, the reader is given deeper insight about the reign of Ahab and why God will not allow him to continue to lead the people.

Elijah prays for rain which comes in dramatic fashion to end the drought. Then, Elijah finds himself running for his life again as he goes to Sinai to meet God in a whole in the ground in an environment of utter silence. What should we take from this?

Elijah prays for rain which comes in dramatic fashion to end the drought. Then, Elijah finds himself running for his life again as he goes to Sinai to meet God in a whole in the ground in an environment of utter silence. What should we take from this?

Elijah finds himself in a spiritual showdown with the enemy (the prophets of Baal & Asherah). He is one against 850 - seemingly insurmountable odds. Yet God is with him and God's power is fully on display for all to see. But, is this really enough to turn people's hearts back to YHWH for good? Will it take another event in the distant future that has both similarities and also major contrasts...

Elijah finds himself in a spiritual showdown with the enemy (the prophets of Baal & Asherah). He is one against 850 - seemingly insurmountable odds. Yet God is with him and God's power is fully on display for all to see. But, is this really enough to turn people's hearts back to YHWH for good? Will it take another event in the distant future that has both similarities and also major contrasts...

Elijah appears on the scene in 1 Kings 17. He represents God's Word and the drought which God brings on the land through him represents the drought and famine of God's Word from the people. Elijah is removed from Israel to places "east of the Jordan" or "in the area of Sidon". God will keep His true followers safe even in times of distress. Ultimately, God's word will survive and the history of Hi...

Elijah appears on the scene in 1 Kings 17. He represents God's Word and the drought which God brings on the land through him represents the drought and famine of God's Word from the people. Elijah is removed from Israel to places "east of the Jordan" or "in the area of Sidon". God will keep His true followers safe even in times of distress. Ultimately, God's word will survive and the history of Hi...

We hear of five kings of Israel in 1 Kings 16. All of them are evil, and they just keep getting worse and worse as time goes by. Cities are being built that should not have ever existed or "re-existed". God's people are on a downward trajectory - surely a prophetic word is on the way.

We hear of five kings of Israel in 1 Kings 16. All of them are evil, and they just keep getting worse and worse as time goes by. Cities are being built that should not have ever existed or "re-existed". God's people are on a downward trajectory - surely a prophetic word is on the way.

The author of Kings continues to focus on whether or not Kings are being faithful to YHWH. Out of three Kings in chapter 15, one is said to have a heart that is wholly true to God and yet, even there, we find hints of straying from faithfulness to YHWH. 

The author of Kings continues to focus on whether or not Kings are being faithful to YHWH. Out of three Kings in chapter 15, one is said to have a heart that is wholly true to God and yet, even there, we find hints of straying from faithfulness to YHWH.

As Jeroboam's and Rehoboam's lines come to a close in their respective reigns, we see that both kingdoms are going down similar apostate paths. The hopes that the reader had for either kingdom are being dashed by a parallel trajectory toward idolatry.

As Jeroboam's and Rehoboam's lines come to a close in their respective reigns, we see that both kingdoms are going down similar apostate paths. The hopes that the reader had for either kingdom are being dashed by a parallel trajectory toward idolatry.

Today we look closely at one of the stranger stories in Kings: the man of God from Judah. Out of all the difficulties in the story there are still several markers that seem to point toward the Christ story. Our question becomes, "in what way is this strange story pointing us to a better understanding of the great Prophet from Judah who is to come?"

Today we look closely at one of the stranger stories in Kings: the man of God from Judah. Out of all the difficulties in the story there are still several markers that seem to point toward the Christ story. Our question becomes, "in what way is this strange story pointing us to a better understanding of the great Prophet from Judah who is to come?"

King Jeroboam lets fear of losing power drag him into being a worthless shepherd of the people. He sets up golden calves (!), makes new rules for who can be priests, and establishes high places and his own feast days for Israel's worship. But God has something to say to him through an anonymous prophet and through a sign that will point forward to Jesus' day.

King Jeroboam lets fear of losing power drag him into being a worthless shepherd of the people. He sets up golden calves (!), makes new rules for who can be priests, and establishes high places and his own feast days for Israel's worship. But God has something to say to him through an anonymous prophet and through a sign that will point forward to Jesus' day.

A new King is on the throne in Judah, but will things change for the better or not? Unfortunately, Rehoboam will threaten to make life even more miserable than his father. The people decide to follow a new King (a Christ figure?).

A new King is on the throne in Judah, but will things change for the better or not? Unfortunately, Rehoboam will threaten to make life even more miserable than his father. The people decide to follow a new King (a Christ figure?). 

God raises up 3 people to exact judgement against Solomon because of his heart which has gone astray from YHWH and followed other gods. But, why these three? What hints do the details that are given about each one help us to understand why God has chosen these three and what it says about his overall plan?

God raises up 3 people to exact judgement against Solomon because of his heart which has gone astray from YHWH and followed other gods. But, why these three? What hints do the details that are given about each one help us to understand why God has chosen these three and what it says about his overall plan?

Solomon's kingdom continues to expand, but even with the blessings that come through foreign kings & queens, other indications can be seen in light of Deuteronomy 17 that show the King's heart to have gone astray from his primary covenant with YHWH.

Solomon's kingdom continues to expand, but even with the blessings that come through foreign kings & queens, other indications can be seen in light of Deuteronomy 17 that show the King's heart to have gone astray from his primary covenant with YHWH.

The reach of Solomon's kingdom continues to extend into the world. We hear several connecting points back to the garden and Genesis 1-2...but we are also wondering if we are hearing the subtle hiss of a serpent that may be infiltrating the beautiful garden.

The reach of Solomon's kingdom continues to extend into the world. We hear several connecting points back to the garden and Genesis 1-2...but we are also wondering if we are hearing the subtle hiss of a serpent that may be infiltrating the beautiful garden.