Elijah then ordered the prophets of Baal killed. He told Ahab to eat and drink as the sound of rain was approaching. He goes to Mt. Carmel and prayed. His servant looked towards the sea seven times before he saw a cloud rising from the sea. He told his servant to tell Ahab to go down before the rain starts. Ahab journeys to Jezreel while clouds form. Elijah ran ahead of Ahab by the power of the Lord.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 5: 1 Kings 18:40-46
13) Because they opposed God and had led His people astray.
14a) He goes to Mt. Carmel and prayed. His servant looked towards the sea seven times before he saw a cloud rising from the sea.
b) His persistent faith.
15) Where to move. I just keep on chugging along where I’m at until He moves me.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 5: 1 Kings 18:40-46
The most interesting thing here is the judgment of the prophets. It’s no laughing matter to outright oppose God.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 5: 1 Kings 18:40-46
Rain could now fall since the purpose of the drought was to prove the false gods of Baal false was now defeated.
Elijah waited on God to answer him. So must we all. We must have stubborn faith, too.
Elijah ran 14 miles to Jezreel with God’s help. He wanted to beat Ahab, but we are unsure why.
After 3 years, the Lord told Elijah to got to Ahab and present himself. He would end the drought. Obadiah was a devote believer in the Lord, and he was Ahab’s palace administrator. He hid 100 prophets from the evil Jezebel and kept them alive. Obadiah was sent by Ahab to try to find food and water for the horses and mules to keep them alive.
Obadiah met Elijah and bowed to him. Elijah tells him to go to Ahab to tell him he is here. Obadiah, however, balks because he believes Ahab will kill him if Elijah goes missing in the meantime because Ahab has been trying to find him for 3 years. Elijah reassures him, so Obadiah does as bidden.
Ahab blames Elijah for the drought. Elijah tells Ahab the drought is punishment from God for abandoning him. He commands Ahab to assemble the people to meet on Mount Carmel, as well as the prophets of Baal and Asherah.
Elijah says to brings two bulls. He will prepare one for sacrifice and the prophets of Baal will prepare the other. He will call upon the Lord to consume the bull with fire, and the prophets of Baal will call upon their god to do so. Whoever answers is God.
The prophets of Baal called upon their god with no response. Elijah begins to taunt them.
Elijah built an altar to the Lord with 12 stones to represent the 12 tribes. He cut his bull and laid it on the wood. He poured 12 jars of water on the wood. He then prayed to God to answer Him to let His people know He is the God of Israel. God sent fire down, which consumed everything, including the water. The people fell down and proclaimed the Lord is God.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 4: 1 Kings 18:1-39
9) It got Elijah in front of the king so Elijah could show all that the gods of Baal were false.
10) He never wavers in his faith that God will consume his offering. He is 100% confident, even taunting the prophets of Baal. You just don’t do that unless you are sure you are going to “win.”
11a) “Let it be known today that you are the God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” “Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.” In short, He answered in an undeniable show of power.
b) “They fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord – he is God! The Lord – he is God!'”
c) James 5:16-18 tells us that Elijah prayed earnestly. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” The key was Elijah had a heart for God.
12) Unsure on this one. Maybe just staying the course for all He has asked me to do. Asking God to be with me each and every day, to bless me, to keep me, and more.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 4: 1 Kings 18:1-39
I love this story! It shows the best in those who have a heart for God in such a human way (with the taunting and all!).
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 4: 1 Kings 18:1-39
Bible scholars are unsure if this is the same Obadiah whose prophesized against Edom. There are 13 Obadiahs in the Old Testament, which is why we can’t be sure. (2 Chronicles 17:7) (2 Chronicles 34:12) (Nehemiah 10:5)
The meeting between Obadiah and Elijah was no coincidence — it was God’s doing.
Ahab wanted to punish Elijah for the drought, which is why Obadiah was afraid. Ahab should have believed the word of God Deuteronomy 28:23-24 if Israel disobeyed instead of blaming Elijah.
Before God sent rain, he had to discredit Baal’s gods. This showdown was God’s doing.
The water Elijah used was precious, indeed, after the years of drought. It was a fitting sacrifice to God and it made the wood even harder to catch on fire.
The people were persuaded, but as in all of this history of God’s people, this faith would not last for long.
When the brook dried up, God spoke to Elijah. God told him to go to Zarephath of Sidon where a widow will give him food. When he arrived, he spoke to a woman at the town gate gathering sticks. He asked her for food and water. She told him she hardly had any food for her and her son. Elijah told her to go home and make him a small cake of bread and then make something for her and her son. Her jar of flour will never be used up and her jug of oil will not run dry until it rains.
She did as commanded and it was so. She had flour and oil every day, as well as food.
The son of the woman grew ill and died. Elijah took him into a room and cried out to the Lord to give him his life back. The Lord heard Elijah’s cry and revived the boy. The woman believed in the Lord.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 3: 1 Kings 17:7-24
6a) She did as Elijah had commanded and made him a cake of bread despite she and her son were starving. He asked her to have faith in God and she did.
b) They both received food and water while there was drought and famine in the land.
7a) The woman responded in anger, mad that God had punished her for her sin by taking her son. Elijah responded by turning to the Lord for help.
b) Probably some of both. I get angry and then I pray.
8 ) I know that there is a life outside of this earthly life that is infinitely better. This gives me hope in my troubles.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 3: 1 Kings 17:7-24
I had forgotten this story! It’s been a while since I’ve studied Elijah, so this is great! I love: 1) When God conquers death 2) He answers our prayers. Great stuff!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 3: 1 Kings 17:7-24
Elijah moved around a lot, and here he’s ordered to go to the home of a povery-stricken widow in the territory of the evil Queen Jezebel, which is not a welcoming place for a prophet.
The woman had no idea she had been chosen by God based on her responses to Elijah.
She says “the Lord your God,” which shows she is a Gentile. Elijah makes a bold response to feed him first when they have only a small amount of food. The widow willingly obeys, and she is blessed by God for it.
The widow is angry when her son dies. Now, she has no one to provide for her in her old age as was the custom. She blames Elijah and her sin.
Elijah asked God to fix this tragedy. Out of faith, God answered. All of the widow’s needs were met.
Fun Fact: This is the first recording in the Bible of God raising the dead.
Nadab became king of Israel and he reigned over Israel 2 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Baasha killed Nadab and succeeded him as king. He killed Jeroboam’s whole family. Baasha became king of Israel and he reigned 24 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The prophet Jehu told Baasha that God was angry with him for his actions and God will destroy him.
Elah succeeded Baasha as king. He ruled 2 years before he was struck down by Zimri, who succeeded him. He killed Baasha’s whole family. He ruled 7 days before Omri was proclaimed king. Omri became king of Israel and he reigned 12 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him. Ahab, Omri’s son, succeeded him as king of Israel. He reigned 22 years and did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any before him. He married Jezebel, daughter of the king of the Sidonians and began to serve Baal.
By rebuilding Jericho, Hiel endured the curse of the Lord as spoken by Joshua in Joshua 6:26.
Elijah the prophet proclaims to Ahab that a famine is coming for a few years. The Lord sent Elijah to live in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The river and ravens will feed and water him.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6
3)
Nadab. He caused Israel to commit sins.
Baasha. Baasha killed Nadab and succeeded him as king. He killed Jeroboam’s whole family
Elah. He got drunk and was struck down.
Zimri. He killed Elah and Baasha’s whole family. He set the royal palace on fire and he died as a result of the fire and of his sins.
Omri. He caused Israel to commit sins and brought worthless idols to the nation.
Ahab. He began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal and made an Asherah pole.
4a) Elijah the prophet proclaims to Ahab that a famine is coming for a few years
b) The Lord sent Elijah to live in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The river and ravens fed and watered him during this time.
c) God cares for his people. All it takes is simple faith and obedience and God will provide.
5) My whole life really. He always provides everything I need and blesses me everyday with a wonderful life.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6
Lots of “doing evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Truly disheartening.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6
You must remember that the books of Kings are more concerned with the ruler’s spiritual health than anything else, which is why the books are written like they are, pointing out who did good in the eyes of the Lord and who did bad.
Baasha conspired to murder Nadab. Little did Baasha know, he was the instrument of God’s judgment against the house of Jeroboam. Baasha faces the same judgment in his death, too.
Assassination to get the throne was common in ancient times, as was the assassination of the entire family so that no claims to the throne could be made.
God exterminated every member of the first two dynasties of Israel.
Fun Fact: Zimri is one of only a handful of suicides mentioned in the Bible. Some of the others are: Samson (Judges 16:28-30), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4) and Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23). This is because God does not approve of suicide and therefore does not want to approve of it in any way.
Omri defeated Tibni in a civil war, presumably killing him. He built what would become the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria. He is regarded by historians as one of the strongest kings of Israel. The location he chose for the capital guarded all routes north and south into the city, a perfect defensive position. He was the 6th king of Israel since the split into two kingdoms.
In 41 years, Israel had 7 different kings.
Ahab was worse than all of the other previous kings. This is because he introduced the worship of new, pagan gods and made people worship them. This is why God was so angry. Both Omri and Ahab did this; whereas, Solomon only worshipped pagan gods himself. Marrying Jezebel only took the country further into idolatry.
Who is Elijah?
God brings Elijah up in order to try to bring light into this dark time of Israel’s history. Elijah means “Yahweh is my God.” The nation was headed deeper into idolatry. Israel needed a prophet to bring them back to God. Elijah came from nowhere to appear on the scene.
Elijah prayed for a drought and God answered his prayer. God has granted Elijah great power in order to bring Israel back to Him.
God protects and preserves Elijah during the drought by taking him some place to be alone so He could provide for him. Here, Elijah would learn total dependence on God as God fed and watered him every day like God did the Israelites in the desert.
So must we trust God to provide for us.
God told him the specific place. So must we listen to where God wants us, too.
Fun Fact: Elijah is the most mentioned Old Testament prophet in the New Testament.
If someone were invited to one of the most important gatherings ever, you would think they were important, correct?
Considering Elijah was invited to see Jesus’ transfiguration, this would be a clue of his importance in Biblical history. So who is Elijah?
Who is Elijah?
Elijah was a prophet when the kingdoms of Israel and Judah had first separated. He had a powerful faith that God rewarded by answering his prayers. Eight miracles are recorded in the Bible that God worked through Elijah in an effort to win his people back to him. From the first miracle of having the rain stop and bringing a drought upon the land to seeing him defeat almost 1,000 prophets, God used Elijah in great ways for his glory.
Yet, Elijah was human. We see Elijah as depressed and afraid, yet God speaks to him in a whisper, gently reassuring him of his path.
He was unassuming, dressing like a bum in black camel hair. He sleeps in the wilderness and prays for food and water.
Before Elijah shows up to confront the 850 prophets of Baal, he has become the most wanted man in Israel. He alone commanded the rain to stop and he has foretold that he alone has the power to make it rain again. Of course, Ahab wants to find him to try to make him make it rain. Now, Elijah shows up, telling and showing the people who the One True God is.
Elijah lived in a time when God was performing miracles left and right in order to try to win back his people. Sadly, nothing worked, and his people will be scattered and imprisoned. Yet, prophets like Elijah who lived only for God give us hope and encouragement in what a life can look like when lived for God.
You may be confused by the separation of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) from the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Keep these tips in mind to avoid getting hopelessly lost.
Tips to Keep The Kings and Kingdoms Straight
Israel is the breakaway kingdom formed from 10 tribes. Its capital is Samaria. Every single one of its rulers does evil in the eyes of the Lord and are unfaithful to God.
Judah is the Southern Kingdom of two tribes: Benjamin and Judah. Jerusalem is its capital. Some of Judah’s rulers who are the descendants of David will remain faithful to God.
There are 39 rulers between them during this time and our study.
Asa fought Israel’s king Baasha throughout his reign. Asa gave silver and gold to the king of Aram to break the treaty with Baasha and be on his side. This worked and Baasha retreated. Asa died of old age, and his son, Jehoshaphat, succeeded him.
SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 16
Asa fought Israel’s king Baasha throughout his reign. Asa gave silver and gold to the king of Aram to break the treaty with Baasha and be on his side. This worked and Baasha retreated.
Hanani, a seer, told Asa that because he relied on a foreign king to help him rather than the Lord he would be at war from now on. Asa was angry at these words, so he threw the seer in jail and began to brutally oppress some of the people. He died.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 5: 1 Kings 15:16-24 and 2 Chronicles 16
13a) The king of Israel Baasha fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering Judah.
b) God sent the seer Hanani to tell Asa how he had sinned, and Asa could have repented then and there.
c) Instead, Asa was angry at these words, so he threw the seer in jail and began to brutally oppress some of the people.
14a) Most days.
b) God always offers us a way out and a way back to him after we sin. All we have to do is accept God’s forgiveness and turn to him once again.
15) Turn to God first and foremost. Don’t rely on pagans. Pray. Make changes in your life that show you are God’s.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 5: 1 Kings 15:16-24 and 2 Chronicles 16
Even those who do good in the eyes of the Lord also do bad. Humans are all the same; we all sin. What matters is the response after we sin.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 5: 1 Kings 15:16-24 and 2 Chronicles 16
Asa followed God and then failed in a question of faith, and he refused to hear the words of correction.
Asa is a king that did not finish well. His later years he did not follow God, and he oppressed his people.
Asa wanted other Israelites to come to his country, but the way he went about it was all wrong. The covenant he made with God was forgotten.
Asa failed to remember God’s goodness from before. Instead, he turned to pagans for help, which worked but angered God.
Now, more wars would occur. Asa could have humbled himself, but he did not.
The prophet Azariah told Asa that the Lord is with him when he is with God, but if he forsakes God, God will forsake him. Be strong, and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.
Asa took courage and removed the idols from the land. He repaired an altar to the Lord. Asa assembled all of his people and made thousands of sacrifices to the Lord. They entered into a covenant with the Lord to seek him with all their heart and soul. Those who refused this covenant were put to death. The Lord gave them rest.
Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life. He returned all the silver and gold to God’s temple.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 15
10) The prophet Azariah told Asa that the Lord is with him when he is with God, but if he forsakes God, God will forsake him. Be strong, and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.
11a) Asa took courage and removed the idols from the land. He repaired an altar to the Lord. Asa assembled all of his people and made thousands of sacrifices to the Lord. They entered into a covenant with the Lord to seek him with all their heart and soul. Those who refused this covenant were put to death. The Lord gave them rest.
b) Asa assembled all of his people and made thousands of sacrifices to the Lord. They entered into a covenant with the Lord to seek him with all their heart and soul. Those who refused this covenant were put to death. The Lord gave them rest.
12a) Unsure here about public. I did run for public office once, but I lost. I guess you could call this public. I did take quite the beating when I first started doing this because it was online and now BSF is mostly online themselves!
b) Good question. Unsure.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 15
I love verse 7 “be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.” I work a lot for goals, so I’m hoping this is from Him for His work through me.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 15
When you draw near to God, he draws near to you. He does not hide from us. We are to actively look for God in our lives.
Yet, if you forsake God, He will forsake you.
Asa responds correctly and turns more towards God than ever before.
We give to God what He gives us since everything we have is from him.
The covenant was public and accountable. This was serious business. The people collectively sought God — very powerful, indeed.
Asa became king of Judah, and he reigned 21 years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He expelled the male shrine prostitutes, got rid of idols, and deposed his grandmother. His heart was fully committed to the Lord.
SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 14
Asa became king of Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded all of Judah to seek the Lord and to obey His laws. Judah was at peace during his rule. He built up the fortified cities of Judah. No one was at war with him during those years.
The Lord struck down the Cushites who had come against Asa after Asa prayed to God to help them.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 3: 1 Kings 15:9-15 and 2 Chronicles 14
6) That Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (which is all that truly matters).
7) He expelled the male shrine prostitutes, got rid of idols, and deposed his grandmother. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded all of Judah to seek the Lord and to obey His laws.
8 ) Too many to count. Every day even. With each day and every prayer, I feel I get closer to Him.
9a) God loves to answer prayers. Asa first praised God. He asked for help. He entreated God to not let anyone go against God’s people. God grants Asa’ prayer and then some. He grants him total victory. If we pray, God will grant our victory, too.
b) He struck down the Cushites to the point they were crushed. Judah took away a large amount of plunder from them. God answered by going above and beyond what was asked for. We should expect that response, too, to our prayers.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 3: 1 Kings 15:9-15 and 2 Chronicles 14
Great example of how the Lord loves to reward the faithful. Stay the course is the theme of this lesson.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 3: 1 Kings 15:9-15 and 2 Chronicles 14
Asa was Solomon’s great grandson. Most of the kings we’ll study will be measured against David, the ideal.
Asa removed the hight places dedicated to idols, but not the ones dedicated to the Lord.
The Cushites (or Ethiopians) outnumbered the Judean army. He knew this battle belonged to the Lord, so he called on him to defend His honor.
Asa responded in prayer so that God could demonstrate His might to others. He showed utter dependence upon God. He knew God’s power and relied on it. So must we, and God will answer.
Abijah became king of Judah (Southern Kingdom). He reigned 3 years. He committed all the sins his father did. He was not fully devoted to the Lord, but God made Jerusalem strong anyway. There was war between the two kingdoms his entire lifetime.
SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 13
Abijah became king of Judah (Southern Kingdom), and there was war between him and Jeroboam. He gave a mighty speech to his troops about how Israel under Jeroboam has forsaken God but Judah, his kingdom, has not. Because of this, God helped Abijah win against Jeroboam. Abijah took land from Jeroboam. God struck him down and killed him.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13
3) Abijah became king of Judah (Southern Kingdom). He reigned 3 years. He committed all the sins his father did. He was not fully devoted to the Lord, but God made Jerusalem strong anyway. There was war between the two kingdoms his entire lifetime.
4a) That God has given the kingship rightfully to him. They worship false idols. The Lord is their God, and they have not forsaken him. The Levites are the priests, and they make offerings to the Lord. God is with them and He is their leader. When you fight them, you fight the Lord.
b) God shows up when we ask Him to. He has our back when we have faith in Him. He makes us strong when we are weak. He can accomplish the impossible.
5) Your heart. Do you love God and are devoted to Him? Or, do you only pray when you need Him?
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13
I love history, so I’m digging diving deep into the individual kings. It will be interesting to see as we go along how they abandon God, but He does not abandon Him.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13
Note that the heart is the difference. David was always loyal to God and God was always first in his life. Abijah did not have a real relationship with God.
Abijah calls out Jeroboam for his lack of faith in God; yet, he has the same problem just not to the same extent.
God’s call is for Abijah to be king. His kingdom worships God. Therefore, God is with them.
Note: 2 Chronicles only relates the events that happened to Judah, or the Southern Kingdom. Thsi is the only time we’ll see a Judean king’s reign mentioned in this book.
2 Chronicles 13 shows us that even a bad person can be shown grace, when they rely on the Lord.
Every day one must battle demons and strive for spiritual victory over our enemies.
