Dear Azy, Rumi, and Ari,
Today, we’ll be talking about the kings that followed David and Solomon and what happens when we cut off from God from one generation to another and how much can change: To go from one of the most prosperous kingdoms to ever reign on Earth to a divided kingdom of Israel worshipping Idols and turning away from God.
To start, David built God’s kingdom and planned the construction of the temple. But God said it would be David’s son that would build his temple and he would see one of the most peaceful times as king for God would keep all sides at peace. Then Solomon asked for wisdom to serve his people and God made him one of the wisest men to ever walk the earth. He finished the temple, the people were happy, and came to worship God at Jerusalem. It was a beautiful temple made with only the finest materials: gold, silver, bronze, and the people would come from all 12 tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to worship God.
So the 1st lesson here is sometimes God has a plan that doesn’t get completed in one generation and is passed from parent to child. Because both David and Solomon’s heart were with God, it made it easy for God to have them implement his plan and build the temple. And because they were on God’s side, they were blessed with prosperity, wisdom, abundance, and peace.
Then Solomon had to pass his throne to the next heir. He chose one of his sons, Rehoboam, to be the heir. On the day they were to make him king, Solomon’s adversary, Jeroboam, and the leaders of Israel met with him and asked him what kind of king he would be, harsh or merciful, for the people had paid heavy taxes and were looking for a lenient king. If he was merciful, they would follow him. Rehoboam said give me 3 days to think about it and I will give you my answer. Then he consulted with his advisors. His older, wise advisors said be a lenient king and the whole of Israel would be his loyal subjects. His young advisors said tell him I’m going to be not only harsh, but even harsher than my father. I am the king and you will obey. Rehoboam went back 3 days later and decided to follow the advice of the younger advisors, telling them things are going to be harsher than before. This angered the people and Israel divided into 2 kingdoms. The ten tribes of the north were called Israel and Jeroboam became their new leader while Judah, the tribe of Rehoboam and where the temple was located, and Benjamin, the area around Jerusalem, stayed loyal to Rehoboam. God did this for Judah to keep his promise to David that one of his descendants could always rule.
The lesson here is in less than a few days, Rehoboam, with one decision, divided the kingdom of Israel. So what took two generations to build for God was destroyed quickly. It’s important every generation seeks God and follows what he wants. Rehoboam didn’t consult God but his advisors. Had he consulted God, he would of known to go with the advice of the older advisors.
Then followed a period of time where all the kings of Israel, the 10 tribes, were evil and taught their people to worship idols, not God. The kings of Judah did the same, with the exception of a few kings who tried to bring the people back to God, Asa and Jehoshaphat.
When the kings turned to God, he was merciful and helped them. For example, he helped Asa, with only 580,000 troops defeat an Ethiopian attack of over 1 Million solders. He also helped Abijah, king of Judah, defeat Jeroboam with only 400,000 army vs. his 800,000. In each of these cases, the kings of Judah were outnumbered. But it’s not about the amount of men you have following you, but whether you are on God’s side. Do you seek his counsel and his will? If you do, that’s all you need.
One of the most evil kings to rule Israel during this time was Ahab. He was married to Jezebel, who worshipped idols and have turned all of Israel to idol worshipping. God raised a prophet Elijah to warn Asa to change his ways. In the meantime, God would bring a drought upon Israel until he gave the word it’s over. He did this as a punishment for turning against him. Then Elijah ran to hid from Ahab and avoid him getting punished for his prophecy. God told him to go hide and by the brook, drink its water and he will have ravens come feed him. So the ravens would bring Elijah food. Once the book dried up because of the drought, God told him to go see the widow at Zarephath and she will feed him. When he gets here, the widow says I only have enough food to cook a last meal for my son and I. Elijah said just give me a little bread and make the rest for you and your son and God will provide food for you until this drought is over. So the widow gave some bread to Elijah and continued to feed him. As she did, he realized God provided food for her and her son and there were no longer hungry or worried about food.
Some time later, the widow’s son got sick and it kept getting worse until he died. Then Elijah took the son’s body and cried to the Lord, please let the son of this widow who’s opened her home to me come back to her. He prayed it three times and the son was revived and came alive. Then the widow thanked Elijah and said now I know you are from God and God speaks through you.
Several lessons here. Elijah risked his life telling the king what he didn’t want to hear. Sometimes, we have to decide saying hard things that are the truth vs. saying things that are easy to make this feel good. It’s important to speak the truth especially if it’s from God because God will protect us from our enemies and work it out for his good, which is what’s most important. Second, the widow was down to the last meal for her and her son. But Elijah came and she graciously offered what little she had to him. By doing so, God provided for her and her son all they needed. We too must give a portion of what we have, no matter how small, to God, and he will bless it and make more from it. For God provides all we need when we turn to him. Last, her son dies but God was able to bring him back to life. This was the first resurrection in the bible. We’ll see how God used resurrection miracles to show who he is again when we talk about Jesus.
Then, on the third year of the drought, God spoke to Elijah and told him to have Ahab summon all of Israel on top of Mount Carmel, along with 450 prophets of the Idol God Baal and 400 prophets of the idol God of Asherah. Once there, Elijah said let’s see who’s the one true God. There are 850 of you. There’s only one of me as a prophet of Israel. Now go get some wood and we’ll build 2 altars. You build one to your Gods. I will build one to mine. You will pray to your God to see it on fire and I will do the same thing. And we’ll see who’s God is the one true God when he answers. The 850 prophets went and set up the altar and prayed from morning till noon, dancing and doing all they could do to have their Gods set the wood on fire. You’ll have to shout louder, Elijah mocked them. Maybe they’re daydreaming or on a trip or asleep and need to be waken up. Elijah then not only built an altar to God but pour four jars on top of the wood, making it even harder to set on fire. Then he prayed, O God of Abraham, prove to these people you are the one true God and I am here at your command to have your people turn back to you. Immediately, the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the altar. The people bowed down and said the Lord, he is God! As if this wasn’t enough, Elijah then said God had me summon you here to say the drought will end. Later that night, it rained for the first time after 3 years.
Lessons here, you can have 850 people against you. But if it’s you and you’re on God’s side, you will be victorious. Second, Baal and Jezebel worshipped idols because they had no one to answer because they were not real Gods. They could do evil things and get away with it because their God didn’t require they be good to others and serve their people. It was all about them. That’s why God had to punish them and show all his people who was the one true God.
Then Elijah ran away to a cave to hide from Ahab. While there he felt alone and was sad. So God told him to go stand outside the mountain and sent a windstorm, earthquake, and fire, but God was not in any of those so Elijah didn’t feel better. Then God came to him in a gentle whisper and Elijah felt the Lord. Then God told him you’re going to have Elisa and train him to be your assistant. And you will help the 7,000 others in Israel who still worship me.
Two lessons here. First, sometimes we don’t feel God through major miracles but by simply having a personal relationship with him. By talking to him everyday we will feel his presence as Elijah feels his gentle whisper. Second, while we may feel alone sometimes when we take the side of God, like Elijah, we are never alone. Look for other believers to feels your faith when you’re sad. They will help renew your mind and heart and show you there are others who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind and you’re not alone.
Ahab, in the meanwhile, was able to defeat his enemies in two victories because God was merciful and tried to keep his covenant with Israel, being people of Abraham and David, but because he did not give God the credit, God sent a prophet named Micaiah to tell him in his next battle, where he formed an alliance with king Johoshaphat of Judah against the Arameans, he would be killed. So Ahab took of his kingly robes so his enemies would not know who he was. The Arameans were only after Ahab and were given specific orders to destroy him. So when saw king Jehoshapath, in his kingly robes, they thought him for Ahab and went after him. But Jehoshaphat cried out to God for help and the Aramean soldiers realized that he was not Ahab. Then an Aramean solider shot an arrow at the troops of Ahab and it hit Ahab between his armor, destroying him and fulfilling God’s prophecy.
The lesson here is you can’t hide from God. If it is his will, it will be done and there’s not much we can do to change it other than repent and ask for forgiveness and get on his side. For he is God, the creator who can do all things. Second, God is merciful. Despite Ahab being evil, God kept helping him conquer his enemies to show him he’s the true God and he would turn his people back to him. But he never did. So he had to punish him for his actions. For God is just. He will give us plenty of chances, but if we don’t turn to him, he will have us pay for the consequences of our actions.
Jehoshapath, king of Judah, in the meanwhile, was a good king who tried to bring the people back to God. He had educators go through Judah to teach what they had as far as the bible to the people so the wouldn’t forget what God has done for them and to stop worshipping false Gods in idols. In fact, one day, Jehoshapath found out 3 of his main enemies had formed an alliance and had a huge army on the way to defeat him. Knowing he did not have a chance, he had the people of Judah start to fast and pray to God to save them. So all the people of Judah, men, women, and children all fasted and prayed for God’s help. Then the spirit of the Lord came to one of the men, Jahaziel, who said do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not your, but God’s. As Jehoshapath was headed towards the battle side, he appointed singers to sing and told the people, believe in the Lord your God and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets and you will be saved. Then God had the 3 armies fight each other and destroy each other where by the time Jehoshaphat and his army got to the battle site, all were destroyed and they were able to take the plunder, more than they could carry. This became the valley of blessing as the Lord had rescued his people once again.
The main lesson here is Jehoshapath knew he had no chance. Because he completely surrendered to God and had all his people do the same, God not only gave them the victory but had their enemies destroy each other before they even got to the battlefield where all they had to do is claim their reward, the plunder, for their faith. The more you surrender, the more God will take care of things for you.
Jehoshapath was considered a great king of God, but he made the mistake of having his son marry Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter, who became queen and spread her evil ways from Israel to Judah. This is why it’s important for mommy and daddy to live Godly lives too. So we can live lives with God like David and Solomon and pass it on to you. Not be like Ahab and Jezebel who passed their evil ways to their kids who kept God’s chosen people from God and only served themselves.
We’ll talk more about what happens after king Jehoshaphat next time.
Daddy Loves You! 🙂
Daddy
6/28/25
