Contents. 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7:22. 1 Kings 17:1 19:21; 2 Kings 1:1 2:11. 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12 8:15; 13:20-25.

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2 ADULT Lesson Commentary Contents Editor s Note About the Writers Introduction Lesson 1 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom Kings 3:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1:1-17. Lesson 2 The Construction of the Temple Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4:22. Lesson 3 The Dedication of the Temple Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7:22. Lesson 4 The Fame and Shame of Solomon Kings 10:1 11:43; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9:31. Lesson 5 Splendor to Splinter The Kingdom Divided Kings 12:1-24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19. Lesson 6 Jeroboam and Asa A Contrast in Worship Kings 12:25 16:34; 2 Chronicles 11:1 16:14. Lesson 7 Elijah God s Prophet of Courage Kings 17:1 19:21; 2 Kings 1:1 2:11. Lesson 8 Ahab and Jezebel The Demonic Duo Kings 20:1 22:53; 2 Chronicles 17:1 20:37. Lesson 9 Elisha God s Prophet of Miracles Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12 8:15; 13: Lesson 10 Obadiah God s Prophet of Doom Obadiah; 2 Kings 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20. Lesson 11 Jehu God s Man of Retribution Kings 9:1 10:36; 2 Chronicles 22:1-9. Lesson 12 Jehoiada God s Leader in Real Revival Kings 11:1 12:21; 2 Chronicles 22:10 24:27. Lesson 13 Joel God s Prophet of Judgment Joel 1 3; 2 Kings 13:1-25. Bibliography ADULT LESSON COMMENTARY, Sunday School, Vol. 5, No. 4, issued March 1, 2005, is published quarterly. Prepared by Larry Crouch, Victor McGehee and H. L. Wilkinson. Cover design by Jeff Allen; Larry E. Clements, Editor in Chief, <larryclements@abaptist.org>; Wayne Sewell, Business Manager, <wsewell@abaptist.org>. Copyright 2005, BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE of the American Baptist Association, 4605 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX Phone:

3 Editor s Note For this quarter s study I borrowed from the title of Warren Wiersbe s book Walking with the Giants (Baker Book House, copyright 1976). Mr. Wiersbe s book consisted of short biographies and sample sermons of eighteen famous preachers. The title is applicable for these lessons because we, too, will study about some true spiritual giants along with some pesky little gnats. Though the subjects of this study are varied and the events encompass a major religious, cultural and political shift in the nation of Israel, all these events took place during a short, 200-year period of time. Israel made an irreversible turn that effectually split the nation in two. These studies begin with the new king of Israel, David son, Solomon. We will examine the construction and dedication of the great Temple in Jerusalem, as well as Solomon s foolishness and shame as he followed his foreign wives into hideous idolatry. Solomon s son, Rehoboam, lacked his father s wisdom, as he followed the advice of his peers, and caused the Northern Kingdom of Israel to rebel, split the confederacy and follow his father s rival, Jeroboam. Jeroboam s insecurity and lack of faith in God led him to establish a false religion that became the doom of Israel. This false religion that he devised of his own heart (1 Kings 12:33) was a perpetual snare to the Northern Kingdom. For generations following him, fifteen times in 1 and 2 Kings, Jeroboam the son of Nebat is described as the one who made Israel to sin (2 Kings 3:3). Idolatry plagued the people of Israel and Judah, eventually bringing their defeat and dispersion. Some of the giants of Scripture to be studied this quarter are Asa, Elijah, Elisha, Obadiah, Jehoiada and Joel. But, we must also study the lives of a couple of gnats, the demonic duo, Ahab and Jezebel. Giants and gnats, heroes and heels; offspring of both families populate God s Word, and the wise person may learn valuable lessons from them both. On the inside cover of the Lesson Commentary, observe the chart of the Chronological Order and Scriptural Setting of Israel s Kings and Prophets. This chart will help the student and teacher put chronology, people and events into perspective along with the contemporary kings and prophets with Scripture reference. These charts are available in a color-coded 11 by 17 inch format. This Adult Lesson Commentary is an in-depth study of the Scripture passages in each lesson. Each lesson consists of three elements: the narrative of the Scripture passage; the manna, a discussion of interesting and informative topics related the the Scripture passage; and the word studies based on specific words used in the Scripture text. The number following each word study identifies the word by the numbering system of Strong s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible and is provided those who want to study the Word of God in greater detail. For this issue of the Adult Lesson Commentary, we appreciate Larry Crouch who wrote the lesson narratives, Victor McGehee who did the word studies and H. L. (Jinx) Wilkinson who prepared the mannas. Larry E. Clements, Editor in Chief Baptist Sunday School Committee

4 About the Writers Recognized for their knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the holy Scriptures, the writers of the Adult Lesson Commentary are faithful pastors, teachers and spiritual leaders among the Lord s churches. Following are a few biographical notes about these men. Brother Larry Crouch is a native of California, saved and baptized at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Sacramento, California, in He surrendered to preach on August 4, 1957, at Bayshore Missionary Baptist Church in Vallejo, California. Brother Crouch received his Bachelor of Theology degree from California Missionary Baptist Institute in Bellflower, California, in He remained with the school for several years and taught Major and Minor Prophets, Pastoral and Prison Epistles, Hermeneutics and Journalism. He is a member of the California and American Baptist Association History and Archives Committees. The Fresno Missionary Baptist Institute in Fresno, California, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in He has pastored in Washington and California and currently pastors Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Oakley, California. He and his wife, Joyce, and son, Zachary, make their home at 4580 El Monte Court, Oakley, CA They have two other children, Lance and Kari; both are married and have blessed their parents with five grandchildren. Brother Victor McGehee was born and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was saved at the age of thirteen and baptized by Salem Missionary Baptist Church. He married Ceilia Brown in 1964, and they were blessed with four children. They now have nine grandchildren. In April of 1991, he submitted to the call to preach and was ordained by Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Rison, Arkansas. On August 18, 1991, he accepted his first pastorate, New Home Missionary Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he still pastors. He entered Oxford Baptist Institute in Oxford, Mississippi, in 1991 and has received his Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Bibles Languages degrees from Oxford Baptist Institute. In 1998, he was added to the teaching staff of Oxford Baptist Institute where he has taught the Hebrew Language, Ministerial Practicalities, Old and New Testament Survey, Bible Manners and Customs, Bible Geography, the book of Acts and the book of Daniel.

5 Brother H. L. (Jinx) Wilkinson was raised in Stamps, Arkansas, where he graduated from high school in He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in While attending the Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship there, he was saved and baptized at Central Missionary Baptist Church under the ministry of Dr. Gene Smith. Brother Wilkinson served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, during which time he surrendered to the ministry and was licensed to preach at Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Anaheim, California. He attended Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock and earned a Masters and Doctor of Theology degree from this institution. After serving as pastor of two churches in Arkansas, he was called as a missionary to First Baptist Church in Monrovia, Maryland, which he organized and pastored for eleven years. In 1988 he was called as missionary to Mayfield Drive Baptist Church in Smyrna, Tennessee, which he organized and now pastors. He served on the Baptist Sunday School Committee for nineteen years. Brother Wilkinson also served as editor of the Vine Line for several years and was a contributor to the History of the American Baptist Association. He and his wife, Ann, have three children and live on a small farm at 2410 Oregon Road in Lascassas, Tennessee. Ann is the daughter of the late Dr. Paul Goodwin and Frieda Goodwin.

6 1 Kings 3 22; 2 Chronicles 1 24; 2 Kings 1:1 13; Obadiah; Joel Introduction The Name of the Books. The two books are named from the subject matter which is the history of the kings of Judah and Israel. The Hebrew title simply reads, Kings. Like the book of Samuel, Kings was written as one book, therefore the Hebrew Canon of Scripture treats 1 and 2 Kings as one book. The Greek Septuagint divided them into the Third and Fourth Books of the Kingdom. The Author of the Books. There is no writer named within the book itself. Jewish tradition, along with several other scholars, has for many years given the authorship of the book to the prophet Jeremiah. Since he played an important role in the history of Judah during the later years of the kingdom, Jeremiah would have had personal knowledge concerning the contents of these books. Jeremiah had access to the various source material that is mentioned within Kings: the book of the acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41); the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19); and the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:29). The Date of the Books. The contents and language of the book help us determine the time of its writing. The language used is later than that of the earlier prophets such as Isaiah, Amos or Hosea but before the time of Haggai and Zechariah. The writing style is close to that of Jeremiah and Ezekiel s time. The contents record the fall of Jerusalem and the capture and deportation of Jehoiachin and Zedekiah to Babylonian. The last entry, 2 Kings 25:27-30, records the release of Jehoiachin by Evil-merodach during the first year of his reign in the year 561 BC. The fact that there is no mention of Israel s return from captivity in the year 538 BC dates the writing most likely between BC. The Period of Time Covered in the Books: Due to the overlapping reigns and co-regencies of several of the kings of both Judah and Israel, an exact period of time is difficult to pinpoint. First and Second Kings cover the period of Israel s history from the last days of David (1 Kings 1) until the release of Jehoiachin (2 Kings 25). Calculations of dates and years give us a time period of four hundred ten to four hundred fifty-four years. The Character of the Books: The book is presented as a record of the kings of Judah and Israel; however, the writer did not use the approach of a historian, but he was more concerned with the religious aspects of the kingdom. He was dealing with God s chosen people and he was concerned with the 5

7 promises and warnings that were given to David and those who followed him. The military history was passed over lightly while the ministry and miracles of the prophets were covered fully. In this quarter the ministries of Elijah, Elisha, Obadiah and Joel will be noted. A few, perhaps lesser known, prophets will also be heard from during this time of Israel s history. They are Ahijah, Jehu son of Hanani, Shemiah, Azariah, Hanani, Jahaziel and Eliezer. 6

8 Lesson 1 For Sunday, March 6, 2005 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom 1 Kings 3:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1:1-17 A review of the final chapters of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings 1 will be helpful before starting this quarter s study. These lessons pick up the story from the 2004 Spring Quarter lessons entitled Blessings of Obedience... Judgments of Disobedience. Israel had just lost the king a man after God s own heart who had brought the nation and the peoples of Israel together as one. Who could possibly step in behind such a great warrior and leader? How could the great plans of David to build God a magnificent house now be carried out? The answers to these questions are found in Solomon s early relationship and dependence on the Lord (2 Chron. 2:1). Solomon did not seek to exalt himself or his reign; his purpose and goal were left with the Lord his God. Making right choices are great responsibilities that have been given to every person. God has given mankind the privilege of choice. It cannot be overstated how important it is for us to make the right choices (Deut. 30:19; Joshua 24:15). The value of prayer and wisdom are set forth in this lesson. Prayer is our direct line to God (Eph. 2:18; 1 John 5:14, 15). Through prayer, the resources of Heaven come into play (Matt. 6:33; Phil. 4:19). The answer will always be over and above what we may ask or think (Eph. 3:20). Wisdom is not to be confused with knowledge or one s own ability. Wisdom comes by seeking and asking of God (James 1:5; Prov. 2:6, 7). Wisdom is an invaluable attribute in the life of the child of God (Prov. 3:13-22). The prayer and dedication of Solomon as he ascended the throne of the nation of Israel is worthy of our emulation. Monday, February 28 Lesson 1 SOLOMON S ACCESSION 1 Kings 2:12-25 Verse 12 serves as an introduction to the rest of this chapter. The establishment of Solomon s kingdom was now certain. All rivals and those disloyal 8

9 9 / 1 Kings 3:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1:1-17 to the throne of David were removed. The name Solomon means peaceful. All the tribes of Israel were ready to follow Solomon and acknowledge him as their rightful king. Adonijah, the eldest surviving son of David, felt by right of firstborn inheritance that he should be king. He tried to usurp the throne. He took full advantage of David s declining years and illness. Adonijah did not live up to his name which means worshiper of the Lord. Adonijah had begun his attempt to usurp the throne of the nation of Israel by throwing a large party at which he had it announced that he was Israel s king. He held his inaugural feast by the spring of En-rogel, which served as the border between Judah and Benjamin. It was just outside the south wall of Jerusalem near the junction of the Kidron valley and the valley of Hinnom. It was also called the fountain of feet because it was here the fullers washed their cloth by walking on it with their feet. Here it was that Adonijah rallied some of the heads of state around him (1 Kings 1:5-7). All the great men of Israel were invited except Solomon. Two of the more prominent leaders of the people of Israel to join with Adonijah were Joab (Jehovah fathered) and Abiathar (father of abundance). Joab had been the captain, or general, of David s army. He had aligned against David. He did not follow orders. First, he was responsible for the slaying of Absalom, when David had asked for the young man s safety (2 Sam. 18:5, 9-17). Joab angered David further by killing Abner with whom David had just made peace (2 Sam. 3:20-30). He wrongly supported Adonijah in his claim to the throne hoping to gain favor with the new king by helping him secure the throne. Abiathar who had served as high priest during the reign of David also joined with Adonijah and Joab. Abiathar was the son of Ahimelech the high priest at Nob. He somehow escaped the slaughter of the priests at Nob by the hand of Doeg the Edomite who carried out the ungodly orders of Saul (1 Sam. 22:16-22). Abiathar was also likely attempting to secure his position with the new king. Adonijah was quickly out maneuvered by the prophet Nathan who proved both his faithfulness to God and to David. Nathan told Bath-sheba what was taking place at En-rogel and how Adonijah had declared himself to be king of Israel. Nathan feared for the lives of Bath-sheba and Solomon. He was aware of God s covenant and David s promise that Solomon would be king. Therefore, Nathan knew that David was not aware of Adonijah s actions. Nathan instructed Bath-sheba how to approach David and make him aware of what was taking place. Bath-sheba went into the king s chamber and interceded for her son, Solomon. She reminded David of his oath that Solomon would be king after him and told him how Adonijah was attempting to usurp the throne against his will (1 Kings 1:15-21). Nathan entered the king s chamber, while Bathsheba withdrew and corroborated all that Bath-sheba had told David. David called for Bath-sheba to return, and he restated his promise that Solomon would reign over Israel after him. David called for the faithful priest Zadok,

10 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom / 10 Nathan (given) the prophet and Benaiah (the Lord has built), who was in charge of the king s royal guards and instructed them to bring Solomon to the Gihon spring. Solomon was to ride the royal mule, a sign that the throne and rulership was being transferred. Near the Gihon spring, Zadok took the horn of oil and anointed Solomon king over all Israel (verses 38-46). The Gihon spring is on the east side of Jerusalem and directly north about one-half mile from En-rogel. A large crowd of Jerusalem s citizens had gathered around Gihon, and they began to play music and rejoice. They were so loud that the noise carried down the valley between the hills around Jerusalem where Adonijah and his guests were finishing their feast. Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, entered with the news that Solomon had been anointed king. Upon hearing this, Joab, Abiathar and all the guests quickly abandoned Adonijah (verse 49). Adonijah feared for his life. What he had done was a capital offense. He fled and sought refuge by wrapping himself around the horns on the altar while pleading for mercy. He was fearful that Solomon would order his death. Solomon s only requirement was that he submit to him as the new king of Israel. Adonijah came and bowed himself before Solomon and was permitted to return to his home. David was on his deathbed when he summoned Solomon before him for the last time. He was concerned that Solomon would prove himself a man (1 Kings 2:1, 2). David s main concern was that Solomon would walk with the Lord (verses 3, 4). He knew from his own experience that Solomon s spiritual standing with God would either make or break him as a man and king of Israel. Solomon was given some tasks to perform after the death of David. He was instructed to deal with Joab for his unjust killings of Abner and Amasa (verses 5, 6). He was to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai because they showed kindness to David when he fled from Absalom (verse 7; 2 Sam. 19:31-39). Solomon was also to deal accordingly with the cursing Shimei (1 Kings 2:8, 9; 2 Sam. 16:5-7; 19:16-23). These instructions were given as a matter of respect to the Lord s anointed king. Those who blessed the king would be blessed. Those who disobeyed his orders or cursed him were dangerous to the kingdom and were to be judged for their crimes. David rejoiced in knowing that God was going to use his son to complete the Temple in Jerusalem. David had reigned forty years over Israel. He was now in his seventieth year and was growing more feeble each day. The time of David s passing came and he slept with his fathers (1 Kings 2:10). David was among the greatest of warriors, a successful leader of men and Israel, a man of much compassion, a talented song writer, singer, musician and a sacrifical giver for the work of the Temple. David s life was an open book before God and man. First Chronicles 29 indicates that David died in comfort, wanting nothing. And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour (1 Chron. 29:28).

11 11 / 1 Kings 3:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1:1-17 With the death of David, Adonijah and his evil counselors became more subtle in their attempt to usurp the throne. Their wicked plan even involved Bath-sheba, Solomon s mother, in a scheme to obtain Abishag as Adonijah s wife. Abishag was the young Shunammite who took care of David during his final days (1 Kings 1:1-4). That Adonijah s heart was evil is evident by his own admission to Bath-sheba. He knew the kingdom was turned from him and given to Solomon by the Lord; yet, he chose to try to wrest it away from the Lord s anointed. Perhaps it was Adonijah s vow that he had come peaceably that led Bath-sheba to agree to speak for him before Solomon. Perhaps she did not realize the gravity of the request she was asked to make. All seemed to be going as planned when Bath-sheba entered the court of Solomon and was given the seat of honor on the king s right hand. She was told Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay (1 Kings 2:20). Solomon s reply to Bath-sheba showed that he was not fooled for one moment with the request that was made, Ask for him the Manna Godly Justice Benaiah the Son of Jehoiada (1 Kings 2:25, 30, 31, 34, 35, 46): Solomon s reign was peaceful because he removed all opposition at its beginning. His brother, Adonijah, tried to take the throne for himself prior to his father s death even though it had been promised to Solomon. When David was informed of the plot, the ailing ruler immediately anointed this son of Bath-sheba. Adonijah realized his father s endorsement of Solomon doomed his plot; therefore, he pledged loyalty to his brother. When Adonijah sought to marry David s nurse Abishag, Solomon recognized this as a veiled threat to the throne. So, he had Adonijah executed. Then Abiathar, a priest sympathetic to Adonijah, was banished to Anathoth. Similarly, Benaiah slew Joab, Adonijah s military advisor in the first coup, knowing he would participate in another plot. Finally, Shimei, an old rival of David, was slain because he failed to stay in the city appointed for his exile. Solomon s actions seem harsh, but they were not from selfish ambition but for the good of the nation and to fulfill divine covenant. God s wisdom is always right even when harsh. kingdom also (verse 22). Love had nothing to do with Adonijah s request. His was a love for power and the desire to be king of Israel. Solomon s sudden outburst of anger came because the planners of this plot against his throne had so cleverly schemed that they had even deceived his mother. It was a custom for the harem and ladies of the court of the king to pass on to his successor. Such was the case when David came to the throne of Saul (2 Sam. 12:7, 8), and when Absalom tried to dethrone David (2 Sam. 16:20-22). Adonijah s scheme was to use Abishag as a means to claim the throne of David as his own. Adonijah s desire for the throne would continue to be a threat to Solomon and the welfare of Israel. Because of the times and the customs, Solomon, in honor to God and his father David, acted right by charging and ordering the execution of his

12 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom / 12 older brother. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, who had been one of David s mighty men, was sent to slay Adonijah. Tuesday, March 1 Lesson 1 SOLOMON S PURGES 1 Kings 2:26-35 Solomon did not forget the others who helped Adonijah in his evil plots. This is truly a sad picture of some good men gone bad. Abiathar had come to David after Saul had killed his father, Ahimelech, and the priest at Nob (1 Sam. 22:18-20). We are not told why Abiathar turned against David nor if he had any part in Adonijah s second conspiracy to secure the throne by using Abishag, but he was seen as an enemy because of his role in the attempt to anoint Adonijah as king. This was an act of treason punishable by death; however, because he had borne the Ark of the Covenant and for his faithful years of service to David, Solomon showed mercy and did not have Abiathar killed. Solomon instead had him removed from his priestly service and banished to Anathoth, a city of Benjamin that was assigned to the priests (1 Kings 2:26). This fulfilled God s word to Eli (1 Sam. 2:27-36), who was a descendent of Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron (1 Chron. 24:13). Eli s son was Phinehas (1 Sam. 1:3); his son was Ahitub (1 Sam. 14:3); his son was Ahimelech (1 Sam. 22:9); and his son was Abiathar (verse 20). God s judgment upon the house of Eli was now complete. Next Solomon dealt with his older cousin, Joab. Joab was the son of Zeruiah, David s sister (1 Chron. 2:15, 16). He was faithful to David for over fifty years. Joab did not side with Absalom during the rebellion; he remained true to David; however, though David had given orders for Absalom to be spared, it was Joab who first struck Absalom with three darts and then ordered his men to kill him. Now, in his old age, he sided with Adonijah in an attempt to usurp the throne from David and his appointed heir Solomon. David, on his death bed, reminded Solomon of Joab s treacheries in the deaths of Abner and Amasa. David charged Solomon not to let Joab s gray head go down to the grave in peace (1 Kings 2:5, 6). When Joab heard of the failure of the attempted takeover, he fled to the Tabernacle and took hold of the horns on the altar. Neither the altar nor the cities of refuge were for the protection of a murderer (Ex. 21:12-14; Deut. 19:10-12). When Solomon heard of Joab s actions, he sent Benaiah to fall upon him (1 Kings 2:29). Benaiah pleaded with Joab to come out of the Tabernacle and face his fate, but he refused saying, I will die here (verse 30). Benaiah did not in any way desire to desecrate the house of the Lord with a treasonous murderers blood. He reported back to Solomon concerning the actions and words of Joab. Solomon ordered Benaiah to, fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed

13 13 / 1 Kings 3:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1:1-17 (verse 31). Thus the death of Joab cleansed the house of David. This was the reason for David s charge to Solomon. It became his obligation as king to see that justice was carried out. Joab s years of living by the sword had reaped what he had sown (1 Kings 2:28-34). Solomon, for their loyalty both to him and his father, appointed Zadok as high priest in the place of Abiathar, and Benaiah was promoted to captain of the host (verse 35). Wednesday, March 2 Lesson 1 SOLOMON EXECUTES SHIMEI 1 Kings 2:36-46 Shimei was from the tribe of Benjamin and the house of King Saul. The name Shimei is from a Hebrew word which means to report, to tell a rumor good or bad, of hearsay. This seems to fit his character. He lived in Bahurim, a small village on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho not far from the Mount of Olives. David passed through there as he fled from Absalom. Shimei cursed David and threw stones at him. Although David spared his life at the time, he did not forget the incident. A part of David s charge to Solomon concerned this man (1 Kings 2:8, 9). Shimei was not to be held as innocent. Solomon acted in full accordance with the Law in the deaths of his brother, Adonijah, and his cousin Joab. It appears that Solomon felt enough blood had been shed in securing the throne. He did not want the people of Israel to believe that he was ruthless and unmerciful. Shimei was also guilty of crimes punishable by death, but Solomon showed him mercy. Shimei was brought to Jerusalem and allowed to build a house within the city. He was placed under oath to the Lord and before Solomon that he would never leave the city and cross the Brook Kidron. The penalty for doing so would be his death. Living within Jerusalem s walls a watchful eye would be on Shimei. He well understood that any disorder on his part would cost him his life. Shimei agreed to Solomon s terms (verses 36-38). Three years later, Shimei left the city of Jerusalem and went to Gath in pursuit of two runaway servants. Gath was an ancient city of the Philistines some twenty eight miles southwest of Jerusalem. Solomon was informed of the broken oath and disregard for the king s forbearance. Solomon sent for Shimei and presented the charges to him. Shimei was reminded that he had sworn before the king by the Lord that he would stay in Jerusalem. The Text notes that Shimei went to Achish. This led Solomon to believe that some sort of conspiracy was in the works. Instead of leaving Jerusalem to find his two servants, he should have informed Solomon and requested that he have the servants returned. The simple truth is that Shimei defied both the Lord and

14 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom / 14 the Lord s anointed. His sin and blood was on his own head. Solomon issued the order for Benaiah to carry out the sentence of death. Thursday, March 3 Lesson 1 SOLOMON S ATTITUDES 1 Kings 3:1-15; 2 Chronicles 1:1-17 We learn of Solomon s attitude toward marriage (1 Kings 3:1). This chapter opened by telling us of Solomon s marriage to the daughter of the pharaoh of Egypt. There was no prohibition against Israelites marrying foreign wives, if the wives converted and accepted the God of Israel. Such was the case with Rahab and Ruth, who were both named as part of the generations of Christ (Matt. 1:5). Solomon built a special house for his bride (1 Kings 7:8; 2 Chron. 8:11). Psalm 45 was possibly written for this occasion. Solomon s attitude concerning marriage was correct at this point in his life. We learn of Solomon s attitude toward the Lord (1 Kings 3:2-4; 2 Chron. 1:1-6). Several things are said in these verses that show us Solomon s attitude toward the Lord and sacrifice were right. The word only (verses 2, 3) is not a word of condemnation, but one that was leading up to a fuller explanation. The people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days. This reference was to the building of the Temple, which was not yet under construction. The Tabernacle had been mobile since Israel settled in the Land of Promise. It was first pitched at Gilgal. Later under Joshua it was placed at Shiloh until the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines. During the time of Saul, it was set up at Nob, but after Saul ordered the slaying of the priest at Nob, the Tabernacle was established at Gibeon. Although David brought the Ark of the Covenant and placed it in the tent he had prepared at Manna The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord (1 Kings 3:15): The Ark was a small chest in the Holy of Holies. At various times it contained Aaron s rod that budded, manna and the Ten Commandments (Heb. 9:4). It was made of shittim, or acacia wood, and overlaid with gold both inside and outside. Based on an eighteen inch cubit, it measured 45 by 27 by 27 inches. The Ark was carried by priests holding two staves also of shittim overlaid with gold that passed through rings on each side of the box. They transported the Ark with dignity similar to the way pallbearers carry a coffin at a graveside service today. The lid of the Ark was called the mercy seat. It was kept in the windowless Holy of Holies, or most inner room of the sanctuary. The high priest entered there only once a year on the Day of Atonement. At this time, he ceremonially sprinkled the blood of sacrifice on the mercy seat. This typified the death of Christ for the sins of the world, and the Shekinah glory represented Jesus as the Light of the world.

15 15 / 1 Kings 3:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1:1-17 Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:17; 2 Chron. 1:4), the people still went to the brazen altar at Gibeon to offer sacrifice (1 Chron. 16:37-39; 1 Chron. 21:28, 29). Such was the occasion here, Solomon had called the people together for a great sacrifice of one thousand burnt-offerings to the Lord (1 Kings 3:4; 2 Chron. 1:5, 6). This brazen altar made by Bezaleel measured 7.5 feet by 7.5 feet and stood 4.5 feet high (Ex. 27:1, 2). Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father (1 Kings 3:3). And the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly (2 Chron. 1:1). Solomon honored both his heavenly Father and his earthly father. We learn of Solomon s attitude toward life (1 Kings 3:7-15; 2 Chron. 1:7-12). It was in that same night when Solomon was worshiping the Lord that God appeared to him. What an open door was placed before Solomon! The Lord told Solomon, Ask what I shall give thee (2 Chron. 1:7). The list of things he could have named is endless; yet, his Understanding: shama, this is the only occasion in which the word shama is translated understanding. It appears twice in Judges 2:17 and is translated hearken once and obeying once. The idea in 2 Kings 3:9 probably is best understood as to hear with attention or obedience. Word Study #8085 and #995. Heart: lev is the center or middle of something. The most common usage of lev is that of the inner being of man. In verse 9, Solomon is seeking a heart that is obedient to God, shama. Then in verse 12, God is giving Solomon a heart that would judge right and wrong, bin, wisdom. When we seek to be obedient to God, He gives us the wisdom to choose good over evil. Word Study #3820. attitude toward life was one of responsibility. Solomon viewed his position as the king of Israel with much humility. God had been with his father, David, and greatly blessed his reign. Solomon referred to himself as a little child in comparison. Although he was still a young man of twenty years, this reference was to his humility in this matter and not to his age. Solomon showed a great amount of maturity both physically and spiritually. His request for wisdom and knowledge to lead God s people is evidence that he knew true wealth and fame came from serving the Lord, not in the abundance of things (Luke 12:15). The Lord granted the request far beyond what Solomon could have imagined (Eph. 3:20). There was never a man, save Jesus Christ, who had greater wisdom and understanding (1 Kings 3:10-12). Humility, such as that displayed by Solomon, is always honored by the Lord (James 4:6-10). Solomon was not only granted his request, but God also granted him riches, wealth, honor and length of days unlike any other king (2 Chron. 1:11, 12; 1 Kings 3:13, 14). Only God can grant such gifts as these. Solomon put the kingdom first; therefore, God added all else that was needed.

16 Solomon God s Man of Wisdom / 16 Friday, March 4 Lesson 1 SOLOMON S CHIEF OFFICIALS 1 Kings 4:1-28 The government and court of Solomon was much larger than that of David s. Azariah, the grandson of Zadok, was likely named first since he was the high priest of Solomon s Temple (1 Chron. 2:8-10). Elihoreph and Ahiah followed in their father s footsteps as scribes (1 Kings 4:3). Jehosaphat served as the king s private recorder, marking and remembering things of importance, which was the same office he held under David (2 Sam. 20:24). Benaiah served both David and Solomon faithfully as commander of the army. Zadok and Abiathar were both named as priests. Why Abiathar was named here remains uncertain. Solomon had banished him to Anathoth (1 Kings 2:26). Since this fulfilled the words of the Lord to Eli, it is unlikely Solomon at some later date reinstated him as priest. Solomon divided the land into twelve districts or states that closely followed the boundaries of the tribal inheritance. There were officials placed over each district who were responsible for providing one month s provision each year. The chief officials overseeing this work were Azariah and Zabud, sons of Nathan who was Solomon s brother. The size of Solomon s own family and kingly court required much in the way of daily provisions. Approximately one hundred eighty bushels of flour, twice that amount of meal, thirty well fed cattle, one hundred sheep, plus numerous other animals and fowl. To this must be added what was needed to feed the forty thousand horses along with the many other animals Solomon brought to Israel. Saturday, March 5 Lesson 1 SOLOMON S WISDOM 1 Kings 3:16-28; 4:29-34 Largeness: rochab means width, breadth, broad or largeness. Largeness has reference to the size of anything measured. Word Study #7341. In these verses we learn of Solomon s attitude toward judgment. Solomon s wisdom and judgment were quickly put to the test. His handling of the two disputing harlot mothers over who was the rightful mother of the living child was proof that his wisdom was of divine origin. It showed a deep insight into motherhood. Solomon s resolve to divide the child aroused the love of the child s birth mother. She proved her love by asking for the child s life to be spared, even if it meant her son would be raised by another.

17 17 / 1 Kings 3:1 4:34; 2 Chronicles 1:1-17 Manna Solomon s Songs and Proverbs(1 Kings 4:32): The Scripture declares Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs and one thousand five songs. In addition to this spiritual, musical and practical wisdom, he was highly learned in botany and zoology. Many of his wise sayings have been preserved for us in Proverbs and his songs, or Hebrew poetry, in Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon. Some have denied Solomon s part in writing Ecclesiastes because of its vocabulary and alleged late date for its writing, but recent studies have confirmed the traditional view for his authorship. Obviously, much of Solomon s wisdom and knowledge has not come down to us in modern times; however, all that is necessary That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:17) has been preserved. It is of great practical benefit to us in our daily walk with God and to enjoy the abundant life. When word of Solomon s wise judgment and justice spread across Israel, the people were in awe of their king. God truly had kept His promise to Solomon. His wisdom and fame spread to all the nations surrounding Israel. His wisdom exceeded that of all other rulers and wise men of his day. Of the three thousand proverbs mentioned in verse 32 only about one-third are recorded in the book of Proverbs. The one thousand five songs are all but lost for in the Psalms only two, Psalm 72 and Psalm 127, bear his name. First Kings 4:33, 34 is a testimony that Solomon s wisdom and knowledge covered many subjects. It was so wide spread that kings and people came from all over to hear this gifted one speak.

18 Lesson 2 For Sunday, March 13, 2005 The Construction of the Temple 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4:22 It is important to understand why Solomon built the Temple. The Tabernacle had served the people of Israel since the days of their wanderings in the wilderness. The unstable conditions during the time of the Judges still existed during the reigns of Saul and David; shewbread: ma are kheth is a row, order, a pile (of loaves), an exhibition. These twelve cakes were to be ever present before God. It was an unleavened bread and was changed out regularly as it was given to the priest who served the Temple. Word Study #4635. therefore, a mobile tent served the nation quite well. It was David s desire to build God a permanent house that far exceeded his own house in beauty. God did not allow David to build the Temple because he was a man of war and blood (1 Chron. 28:2-6). However, David s war efforts had, by the time he anointed Solomon, brought peace to Israel. David was, however, permitted to gather the much needed material for construction (1 Chron. 28:11-18; 29:2-5). With peace in the land, materials and workers ready, the time was right to build a house for the glory of God in Jerusalem. The importance of the Shekinah glory that filled the Tabernacle and the Temple should be reviewed and studied. This will give the reader a greater appreciation of God s presence with the children of Israel. The presence of God is what made the Tabernacle more than just a tent and the Temple more than just an elaborate building. When the Holy Spirit came upon the church at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, He fulfilled the promise of the Father and the words of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:4; John 14:16-18, 26; 16:7). The presence of the Holy Spirit is what separates New Testament churches from all other organizations and assemblies. 18

19 19 / 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4:22 Monday, March 7 Lesson 2 MATERIALS FOR THE TEMPLE 1 Kings 5:1-18; 2 Chronicles 2:1-17 Solomon and the nation of Israel were now ready to undertake a seven year building project the likes of which the world had never seen. This was to be the house of God. Solomon s wisdom and understanding certainly come into play during this time. He showed himself a wise planner, businessman and master builder. When Hiram, king of Tyre heard David was dead and his son Solomon had succeeded him, he sent ambassadors to congratulate the young king. Solomon sent letters back telling Hiram of his plans to carry out his father s wishes to build a magnificent house for the Lord. Like David, his father, Solomon desired to make an alliance with Manna New Moons and Solemn Feasts(2 Chronicles 2:4): Solomon sent a message to Huram, or Hiram, the king of Tyre, telling him he wanted to build a Temple to glorify God. Specifically, this Temple was for the Jews to observe certain religious feasts and sacrifices, which were based on the new moons, or lunar calendar. Moses gave detailed instructions (Ex. 23:14-19) for the observance of three primary national feasts, which corresponded to the harvests of barley, wheat and fruit. These observances were festive in nature and called pilgrimage feasts because they required the actual physical presence in the Temple of all able-bodied, ceremonially clean Jewish males: 1. In the barley harvest, they went to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which began after the Passover on the fifteenth of Nisan, usually in April. 2. In the wheat harvest, they were to attend the Feast of the Firstfruits, or Pentecost, which began the sixth of Sivan in June fifty days after Passover. 3. In the fall fruit harvest of olives, grapes and figs, they went to the Feast of Ingathering, or Tabernacles, that was celebrated starting the fifteenth of Tishri, our October. Hiram. When Hiram learned of Solomon s great plans and his request for men and supplies, he agreed to the contract. The cedars from the mountains of Lebanon were a much needed and valuable building material. Along with the needed lumber, Hiram also provided skilled workers to cut the timbers. Solomon praised the skill of Sidonians as hewers of wood (1 Kings 5:6). Hiram rejoiced that God had given David such a wise son. It was his desire to continue the warm relations with the Israelites that had been established during David s reign. Hiram had supplied cedars, carpenters and masons to build David s house (2 Sam. 5:11). Hiram readily agreed to Solomon s requests for cedars and skilled workers. Solomon in turn agreed to provide men to help with the logging and to pay the wages of Hiram s workers. The timbers of cedar, fir and

20 The Construction of the Temple / 20 algum, (a red sandalwood) were brought down from the mountains of Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea. From there they were put on rafts and floated down the seacoast and delivered to the port of Joppa (2 Chron. 2:16). Solomon, in turn, supplied Tyre with much needed wheat, barley, wine and oil not once but year by year (1 Kings 5:11; 2 Chron. 2:15). The twenty thousand measures of wheat are equal to 103,200 bushels. The twenty measures of pure beaten oil is equal to 1,100 gallons. We are not given the numbers for the barley and wine, but it too must have been a considerable amount. Hiram, king of Tyre, also acquired the services of a man named Hiram (Huram in Chronicles), who was a widow s son of the tribe of Dan, whose father was from Tyre. This Hiram (Huram), who was skilled in working with gold, silver, brass, iron and stone, came to Jerusalem and supervised this group of workers (2 Chron. 2:12-14). Tuesday, March 8 Lesson 2 SOLOMON ORGANIZED 1 Kings 5:13-18; THE WORKERS 2 Chronicles 2:1, 2, 17, 18 The size of the project is best understood by noting the number of workers employed in its building. Solomon placed a levy on the able men of Israel. Second Samuel 24:9 states there was a total of 1,300,000 valiant men in Israel and Judah. It was from these that 30,000 were chosen for the work of the Temple (1 Kings 5:13). They rotated on a monthly basis with 10,000 of them constantly working in Lebanon on the Temple project. They worked one month in Lebanon, then they were two months at home (verse 14). Solomon took a census of the remaining Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, who were not of the children of Israel. These remnants of the Canaanites numbered 153,600. From these men Solomon enrolled 70,000 as burden bearers and 80,000 as woodcutters. Over the great number were placed 3,600 foremen (2 Chron. 2:17, 18; 1 Kings 9:20, 21). Solomon placed over the Canaanites another 550 chief officers of Israel who acted as superintendents over the work (1 Kings 9:22, 23). When Solomon had secured the needed materials, labor force and organized schedule, he decreed that the work begin. Special care and preparation were taken for the foundation stones, even though these stones would not be seen. In other buildings of this era and in the centuries that followed, plain stones were used in forming a foundation. Solomon wanted everything in the Lord s house to be special. The foundation stones of the Temple were huge in size, meticulously hewn and costly. These large stones were hewn, shaped and dressed to fit perfectly. A number of these large stones and the handiwork of the skilled masons can be seen at the Wailing Wall and on the Temple mount today. Israelites, Canaanites and Phoenicians worked along side each other hewing timbers and stones. Among the workers from Phoenicia were the

21 21 / 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4:22 skilled hewers from Gebal (Byblos), which is some seventy miles north of Tyre (Ezek. 27:8, 9). The agreement Solomon arranged with Hiram manifested his God given wisdom as a negotiator and statesman. Solomon chose the way of peace. His letter was a request not a demand or threat. It is an amazing wonder what the work of the Lord can do to bring harmony to once bitter enemies. This was one time in the history of Israel there was peace in the Middle East. During this time the unemployment rate in Lebanon and Israel was likely at zero. This great undertaking put the nations to work. Solomon s heart was in tune with David s desire to build the Lord a house. Solomon, in the early years of his reign, made the worship of Jehovah his highest priority. In this Solomon is a picture of the great Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ (Isa. 9:6; Acts 10:36). Jesus Christ will bring peace to all the nations and peoples of the earth when He returns (Eph. 2:11-17). As all people and the kings of the earth came to hear and witness the wisdom and work of Solomon (1 Kings 4:34), so will all men from every nation kings, prime ministers, presidents, dictators, emirs, rich and poor come to bow at the feet of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:9-11; Zech. 14:9, 16). Wednesday, March 9 Lesson 2 THE EXTERIOR OF THE TEMPLE 1 Kings 6:1-10; 2 Chronicles 3:17 Manna Threshing Floor (2 Chronicles 3:1): Threshing floors were located on windy hilltops so the breezes could winnow away the husks of grain during the harvests. A circular space from thirty to fifty feet in diameter was prepared by leveling the ground and packing down clay to form a hard surface. Threshing was typically done by three methods: 1. Flailing the grain by hand with a stick until the kernel was separated from the husk. (See Ruth 2:17; 3:2, 3.) 2. By the farmer riding a wooden sled pulled by a team of oxen over the grain. 3. By allowing the oxen themselves to walk over the grain and rub the seed out of the husks. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 25:4: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn to teach generous compensation of Christian workers (1 Cor. 9:9; 1 Tim. 5:18). The construction of the Temple was the greatest accomplishment of Solomon s reign. This magnificent edifice was without a doubt an architectural wonder of the ancient world. Actual construction began in the spring month of Zif during the fourth year of Solomon s reign (1 Kings 6:1). Zif was called the month of flowers and corresponds to our month of May. The date was four hundred eighty years after the Exodus from Egypt. The date then was May 1011 BC (verse 1). The work was not completed until seven years later in the fall (verse 38). Araunah s threshing floor was purchased by David and designated as the building site (2

22 The Construction of the Temple / 22 Manna Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1): The Temple was built by Solomon on Mount Moriah, the same place mentioned in Genesis 22:2 where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac. Here David purchased the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite for sixty shekels of silver. He later purchased the place or entire farm of Ornan for six hundred shekels of gold. This gave him enough property to build the Temple complex in Jerusalem (1 Chron. 21:25). Today, the Dome of the Rock is believed to sit on Mount Moriah, though some excavations suggest the actual location of the Temple may have been a short distance north of this holy place of Islam. Sam. 24:18-25). The threshing floor was located on Mount Moriah (2 Chron. 3:1). This mountain joined the city of David just to the north. This is also the site where Abraham offered his son Isaac to the Lord (Gen. 22:1-14). Solomon s stonemasons cut into the north end of Mount Moriah outside the city walls between the present-day Herod s Gate and Damascus Gate. The quarrying of rock from this area was left off when the rock face became unstable in the Temple construction. It is on the face of this escarpment that General Charles Gordon discovered the skull feature and the nearby Garden Tomb. Many believe it was here the prophecy of Abraham was fulfilled and God offered up His Lamb, Jesus Christ (Gen. 22:8; John 19:17). It seems fitting that Abraham s sacrifice of Isaac, the building of God s Temple with its thousands of sacrifices, and the One complete sacrifice for all men, Jesus Christ, would all take place on the same mountain. The details of the blueprints given in the Bible are adequate enough to permit the reader to visualize how the Temple may have looked. The dimensions are carefully detailed. Like the instructions for building the Tabernacle, this shows the precision of the pattern God had given (Ex. 26:30; Heb. 8:5). The care taken to the details show the respect Solomon and the workers had for the Lord and His Temple. The main building of the Temple was not large in size compared to many modern day cathedrals. It was not constructed to accommodate a large congregation of people. The purpose was for God to have a meeting place with Israel through the work of the priests, and especially the high priest who ministered before Him. The Temple was built with some similarity to the Tabernacle with the dimensions doubled for the floor plan and tripled in its height. Therefore, aside from the various courts, porches and side chambers, the Temple measured approximately ninety feet long, thirty feet wide, and fortyfive feet high. This would give it twenty-seven hundred square feet of floor space on the main floor (1 Kings 6:2). In front of the main building was a porch measuring fifteen feet in depth and reaching thirty-five across the front of the east end of the Temple and reaching a height of one hundred eighty feet. The porch would present an awesome sight to see. Thus, the portico would rise above the roof in the form of a tower. This was all overlaid with pure gold and embellished with precious stones (1 Kings 6:3; 2 Chron. 3:4-6).

23 23 / 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4:22 There were an unstipulated number of perforated narrow shutters or lattice type work that could be opened and closed to let in the light (1 Kings 6:4). Attached to the wall around the Temple building and court, Solomon built a three-floor structure. Each story was seven and half feet high. Allowance must be made for the flooring and roofing. The three floors of the chambers were staggered in width. The bottom floor was seven and a half feet wide, the second floor was nine feet wide and the third floor was ten and a half feet wide. The chambers were not built into the wall of the Temple, but they were to rest on ledges in the wall; each ledge was a cubit in breadth. This way the wall became thinner, and the chambers wider by a cubit on each ascending floor. It is estimated that there were thirty such chambers. These narrow chambers surrounded but were not attached to the Temple. There was a chamber to store wood for the altar. The oil chamber stored the olive oil for the menorah and meal offerings. The chamber of music kept the musical instruments and served as a practice room for the choir. Several chambers were used as dressing rooms. The Parvah chamber stored the hides of the sacrificial animals. The Avtinas chamber was where the priests mixed and stored the incense compound. The rinsing chamber was used to wash the animal sacrifices. The golah, or bowl, chamber was where fresh water was drawn and kept for drinking and cooking. The chamber of the elders (later called Sanhedrin) was used by Israel s judges. The Metzorah chamber was where those who were unclean would await their final cleansing rite. There was also a special chamber called the Parhedrin that was used by the high priest in preparation for the Day of Atonement. Winding staircases were used to reach the upper floors of the chambers (1 Kings 6:3-6, 8-10). Throughout the seven years of construction, the holiness of and for the Temple was maintained by the workers. All the stone and wood was cut and fitted outside the city. As the stones were brought to the mount and set in place, they were covered over with the cedars of Lebanon which in turn was covered with pure gold and precious stones (1 Kings 6:9; 2 Chron. 3:5, 6). Thursday, March 10 Lesson 2 THE INTERIOR OF THE TEMPLE 1 Kings 6:11-38; 2 Chronicles 3:8-17 The Temple construction was the Lord s promise to Solomon. We are not told just how the word of the Lord was revealed to Solomon. It may have come through the prophet Nathan or in a dream as when the Lord appeared to him in Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4, 5). The truth presented to Solomon is just as important today for every local church that enters into a building program. A building alone, no matter the size or how ornate, is not enough, nor is it sufficient to honor and worship the Lord. Obedience and faithfulness to the Word of God

24 and His directions are needed. Without this the building would be but a mausoleum, cold and void of the Spirit of God. Faithfulness to the Lord s statutes, judgments and commandments will bring His blessings. The Lord promised to dwell with and not forsake His people Israel (1 Kings 6:11-13). This echoes the promises of Jesus Christ to New Testament churches. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (John 14:15-18). This building contained the same two divisions as the Tabernacle. The Holy Place occupied two-thirds of the space or an area sixty feet by thirty feet. The Holy of Holies was a cube, measuring thirty feet in all directions (1 Kings 6:20). Therefore, there would be a thirty by thirty by fifteen feet high open space above this sacred room. The The Construction of the Temple / 24 Manna Solomon s Instructions for the Temple (2 Chronicles 3:3): Though wise, Solomon did not build the Temple according to his own plans. Instead, he followed the written and Spirit inspired plans of David (1 Chron. 28:11, 19). Much that was in the Temple had previously been in the Tabernacle, which likewise had been built according to the divine specifications given to Moses (Ex. 25:9). Everything was to be constituted exactly according to this pattern because it taught future spiritual realities concerning the high priesthood of Christ (Heb. 9:23, 24), the believer (1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16) and the local church (1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19-22). Nails: micmerah is a peg. These were the nails of a carpenter, and they differ little from nails of today in size and shape. They were made of bronze or iron and hand-forged. Word Study #4548. cedar walls were engraved with knops, open flowers and cherubim all inlaid with gold and precious stones (2 Chron. 3:6-9). The partition that separated the Holy Place from the oracle, from the Hebrew word debir, which refers to the innermost place or the Holy of Holies, was placed thirty feet from the west end of the Temple. The Holy of Holies was overlaid with gold (2 Chron. 3:8). The amount of gold used here alone weighed six hundred talents. This is the equivalent of tons or 45,300 pounds. At today s market price per troy ounce, this cost alone would be a staggering 27 million dollars. The upper chamber was also overlaid with gold (2 Chron. 3:9). It is believed the furniture and coverings of the Tabernacle were placed here. In front of the debir, Holy of Holies, was placed a stone altar covered with cedar and overlaid with gold. This was the golden altar, also called the altar of incense. The chains that protected the entrance to the Holy of Holies were covered with gold. Thus the area was prepared to house the Ark of the Covenant. This is the place

25 25 / 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4:22 where God promised to meet with the nation of Israel on the Day of Atonement. Two immense cherubim were carved Cherubim: kerus means a winged celestial being whose primary function seems to have been to guard or protect... Inside the Holy Place stood two cherubim of gold ten cubits or fifteen feet high (1 Kings 6:26) and twenty cubits or thirty feet wide. Word Study #3742. Veil: poreketh meaning to break apart or screen. As used in 2 Chronicles 3:14, it was a screen or curtain used to divide or break apart the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Word Study #6532. from olive wood and overlaid with gold. They each stood on their feet fifteen feet tall with their faces turned inward toward the mercy seat. Their outstretched wings of seven and a half feet each reached across the Holy of Holies from wall to wall (1 Kings 6:23-28; 2 Chron. 3:10-13). The walls were carved with the figures of cherubim, palm trees and blooming flowers. Even the floor was overlaid with gold. None of the cut stones showed; only the precious metals and stones were in sight. The doors, which opened into the debir, or Holy of Holies, were made of olive wood. These doors were masterfully carved with cherubim and palm trees like those on the walls, and then overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:31, 32). The veil hung inside the debir that prevented any other priest from looking into the Holy of Holies when the doors were opened on the Day of Atonement. The veil is described in the same manner as the one in the Tabernacle. It was blue, purple, crimson, of fine linen and wrought cherubim thereon (Ex. 26:31; 2 Chron. 3:14). The posts for the outer doors were made of olive wood. The outer doors of the Temple were made of fir decorated with cherubim, palm trees, and flowers overlaid with gold. These doors where made so Blue: tekeleth means the color (violet). The dye which they used in obtaining this color was made from the cerulean mussel. Verse 14 describes the beauty of the curtain which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This veil was made from the same material and colors as that of the Tabernacle with similar cherubs interwoven. Its beauty and richness suggest the extent to which Solomon went to beautify the Temple. Word Study #8504. they would fold and were approximately seven and a half feet wide (1 Kings 6:33-35). The inner court of the Temple had a wall around it that was formed by three rows of cut stones and a row of cedar beams. The size of the court is not stated, but in accord with other measurements it was likely twice that of the Tabernacle. Therefore, the inner court would have been three hundred feet by one hundred and fifty feet (1 Kings 6:36). The building project for the Temple was finished in Solomon s eleventh year. The month was Bul (October). So the actual time of the work lasted seven and a half years (1 Kings 6:37, 38).

26 The Construction of the Temple / 26 Friday, March 11 Lesson 2 SOLOMON S PALACE 1 Kings 7:1-12 The time spent building Solomon s palace was double that of the time building the Temple for several reasons. Early preparations like those done on the Temple were not done; several buildings were of a much larger scale than that of the Temple; and there is no indication that Solomon maintained the same work force of skilled labor he had working on the Temple. From the description given in the Scriptures, the house of Solomon was unrivaled by any other kingly palace. The house of the forest of Lebanon (1 Kings 7:2-5) was so named for its forty-five cedar pillars that were set in rows of three by fifteen to resemble the cedar forest of Lebanon. This was a large structure measuring one hundred fifty feet by seventy-five feet by forty-five feet. The lighting system was cleverly designed in three tiers on each side placed high on the walls so light would shine against light. The doors and posts were squared with the windows with three on each side of the building. This building served as the nation s treasury and armory. A part of it served as housing for the royal guards (1 Kings 10:17; Isa. 22:8). Solomon also made a porch for the throne, called the porch of judgment (1 Kings 7:6). This porch of pillars measured seventy-five feet by forty-five feet. This was a covered colonnade with a roof but no sides. It, too, was covered with cedar. This structure connected the house of Lebanon with the judgment hall. This was where guests and petitioners who desired an audience with the king waited until they were called. The hall of justice was open across the front and closed in by walls on three sides. It was here that Solomon had court and gave audience to his guests (verse 7). The hall of justice served as the main entrance into Solomon s private quarters. Other than it was in a courtyard and built somewhat like the hall of justice, little else is known about this building. Solomon s wife s private quarters were also built in this same style (verse 8). Great large stones the size of those mentioned may be seen around the Temple mound today (verses 9-12). Saturday, March 12 Lesson 2 TEMPLE FURNISHINGS 1 Kings 7:13-51; 2 Chronicles 3:17; 4:1-22 To finish the fine metal work, Solomon sent for a master craftsman who was also named Hiram (1 Kings 7:13). Immediately in front of the Temple proper, Solomon erected two giant pillars (1 Kings 7:14-22; 2 Chron. 3:17). He named these pillars Jachin and Boaz. These two names signify the confidence Solomon had in the God he served. Jachin means He (God) will establish.

27 27 / 1 Kings 5:1 7:51; 2 Chronicles 2:1 4:22 Boaz means He (God) will strengthen. The two pillars with their chapiters stood thirty-five feet high. Jeremiah 52:21 indicates they were hollow and the metal was four fingers thick and measured eighteen feet in circumference. All of the furnishings of the Tabernacle, with the exception of the Ark of the Covenant, were recreated on a much larger and grandeur scale. The brazen altar Solomon had built had sixteen times the surface area of the one Moses had constructed. It was a thirty feet square standing fifteen feet in height. The molten sea measured fifteen feet from brim to brim and the basin stood seven and a half feet high. This great basin contained 2,000 baths. The Hebrew bath is equal to 5.75 gallons. This means the great basin when in service held approximately 11,500 gallons of water. The basin stood on the backs of twelve oxen with three facing in each direction. The brim was worked smooth like that of a drinking cup. It was decorated with flowers and two rows of knops, or gourds, spaced so that ten were placed in the space of eighteen inches. From the description given, the laver would have weighed around thirty tons. The Bible does not explain how this great sea was filled. Solomon had fresh water coming into the city from several pools near Bethlehem that was stored in reservoirs under the Temple mount. Jewish writers say the laver had several spigots from which the priests could draw water (1 Kings 7:23-26; 2 Chron. 4:2-5). Note: Chronicles states the laver held three thousand baths. This difference likely comes from Kings recording the amount of water normally used, while Chronicles records the amount it would hold if filled to the brim. In addition to the molten sea, there were also ten lavers with each one containing forty baths or about two hundred thirty gallons of water. These were placed on carts and were engraved with cherubim, lions and palm trees making them ornate in design. Five were placed on each side of the Temple court. These smaller lavers were used to wash the sacrifices, while the molten sea was the cleansing of the priest. All of the brass used here and in the great pillars had been taken from the king of Zobah by David (1 Chron. 18:8). Inside the Holy Place, Solomon made ten candlesticks using the same design as the original. Five were placed on each side of the room. The ten tables for the shewbread were also arranged five on each side. The altar of gold, also called the altar of incense and the golden altar, was made and put in its proper place. All references indicate there was only one such altar in the Temple. David had given Solomon plans and gold that was designated for its construction (1 Chron. 28:11, 18). Along with these larger pieces of furniture, all the basins, tongs, snuffers, censers and spoons needed for the priests to properly function in their service before the Lord were also included. These too were made of gold.

28 Lesson 3 For Sunday, March 20, 2005 The Dedication of the Temple 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7:22 These chapters present the greatest dedication and religious services held in the Old Testament. All the work was finished on the house of the Lord. The only thing left to do was put the Ark of the Covenant, which was symbolic of the Lord s presence, in its proper place. If we fail to give the Lord His proper place, all else is vanity regardless of how costly or elaborate the building or the rites may be. The people of Israel had worked hard and long over the past decade to bring about this great day. David had already set the priests in their various orders, assigning places of service and the accompanying duties. The officers, singers, porters, judges and captains were each given their lot (1 Chron ). Monday, March 14 Lesson 3 THE GLORY OF THE LORD 1 Kings 8:1-11; 2 Chronicles 5:1-14 Both Jews and Gentiles came to Jerusalem by the thousands to witness the great event. The dedication of Solomon s Temple stands out as a high point in Israel s Old Testament history. Because of the Temple s importance to the worship of Jehovah and His plan for man s redemption, the writer gave the reader all the details of the day of dedication. Solomon assembled all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem. Three groups of men were specifically mentioned the elders or aged men of Israel who were respected not only because of their age, but for their wisdom, the heads of the tribes who were leading men because of their birth and the chief, or prince of the forefathers. They were summoned to move the Ark of the Covenant to its new home. The national sanctuary was completed, and it would take the place of the Tabernacle where the nation of Israel had worshiped Jehovah for almost five hundred years. 28

29 29 / 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7:22 Manna The Glory of the Lord (1 Kings 8:11): The Lord manifested Himself to the people of Israel by leading them through the wilderness by a pillar of fire and a cloud. In the Tabernacle and Temple God filled the darkness of the Holy of Holies with His Shekinah glory, The cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD (1 Kings 8:10, 11). Later, when the Temple was dedicated fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house (2 Chron. 7:1). All present bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever (2 Chron. 7:3). The Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant about one hundred forty years earlier. During that time it was first brought to the house of Abinadab in the city of Kirjath-jearim (city of wood) about eight miles west of Jerusalem. The Ark stayed there until David became king over all Israel. David s first attempt to bring the Ark up from the house of Abinadab on a new cart ended in disaster and cost Uzzah his life. The Ark was placed in the house of Obededom the Gittite for three months. After proper preparations were made according to God s Law, the Ark was brought to Jerusalem and placed in a tent that David had specially prepared. The Ark rested there Holy Place: qodhesh meaning Holy Place is varied being applied to vessels, sacred oblations, a sacred place or thing. The Tabernacle and the Temple had two separate rooms, the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place. Each were sacred places, but differed in the furnishings it housed and in who could enter. All the serving priests could enter the Holy Place, but only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. Word Study #6944. for forty years. Solomon and the appointed priests first task was to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Mount Zion and the tent in the city of David to its new home in the Holy of Holies in the Temple built on Mount Moriah. This was on the site of Araunah s threshing floor that David had purchased. Along with the elders and tribal heads, all the men of Israel assembled. It was the seventh month of the Jewish sacred year called Ethanim and corresponds to a part of our September-October. On today s Jewish calendar this month is called Tishri. The feast of the seventh month that lasted for eight days was the Feast of the Tabernacles. The feast began on the fifteenth day of the month. This was a great and joyful time of the year in Israel. The Feast of Tabernacles was the harvest festival, and the anniversary of the beginnings of the wanderings in the wilderness. The eighth day immediately following the Feast of Tabernacles was to be a solemn assembly and a final day of rest and rejoicing (Lev. 23:34-36). On this occasion the priests were designated to carry the Ark of the Covenant. The rest of the holy vessels that had been used

30 The Dedication of the Temple / 30 in the Tabernacle were brought up by the Levites (1 Kings 8:3, 4). Solomon and the assembly were before the Ark. They sacrificed sheep and oxen in great numbers (verse 5). The priest placed the Ark under the wings of the cherubim, which completely overshadowed it (verses 6, 7). The command of Exodus 25:12-15 was that the staves were not to be removed from the ark. There are those who believe the staves were not completely withdrawn, but only pulled out to the first ring and left hanging. If this were true, considering the size of the Holy of Holies and the size of the Ark, the staves had to have been at least eighteen feet long to be seen in the Holy Place. While in the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant was like a pilgrim wandering in the wilderness, but now it had come to its place of rest. Therefore, for the first time in its history, the staves were pulled out and left to protrude into the Holy Place. When the Ark was placed in the Temple, it only contained the two tablets of stone on which where written the Ten Commandments. The pot of manna and Aaron s rod that budded were not mentioned (1 Kings 8:9). Jewish writers believe the Philistines or the men of Beth-shemesh may have removed these two items when they wrongfully looked into the Ark (1 Sam. 6:19). As the priests began to leave the oracle, the singers began to sing, the musicians played their instruments, the one hundred twenty priests sounded their trumpets, and the people praised the Lord. At this point of the services, the house was filled with the cloud; So that the priest could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God (1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chron. 5:14). The way divine approval was shown on the work Solomon accomplished was that the Shekinah glory, or dwelling of God, filled the house. This was the visible presence of Jehovah in the Holy of Holies. The prophet Isaiah and the apostle Paul both alluded to this wondrous glory of God (Isa. 60:2; Rom. 9:4). Moses called this presence of the Lord the cloud (Ex. 14:19). It was first seen leading Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 13:21). It stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians until Israel was safely across the Red Sea (Ex. 14:19, 20). It covered Mount Sinai when God spoke with Moses (Ex. 24:15-17). It filled the Tabernacle on its day of dedication (Ex. 40:34, 35). It led the people of Israel throughout their wilderness journey (Ex. 40:36, 38). It was this same cloud that filled the Temple (2 Chron. 5:14). Cloud: anan means a thunder cloud, clouds, a crowd, a very large army. It also represented the presence of God. Such was the case with the pillar of cloud that lead the Israelites in the Exodus and the cloud which filled the Tabernacle and the Temple. In these cases, it represented the presence and acceptance of God of the sanctuary which had been built for Him. Word Study #6051. House: bayith is a noun meaning to build; tent, hut, house, mansion, palace or temple. As used in 1 Kings 8:10, it means the Temple Solomon built, but it is simply a dwelling place. Thus it fulfills God s command of Exodus 25:8. The Tabernacle and, later the Temple were His dwelling place amid His people. Word Study #1004.

31 31 / 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7:22 Tuesday, March 15 Lesson 3 SOLOMON S SERMON 1 Kings 8:12-21; 2 Chronicles 6:1-11 Manna Sit on the Throne of Israel (1 Kings 8:20): Before Solomon prayed his dedicatory prayer, he prefaced it with a statement about the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises to build the Temple and to allow David s seed to sit upon the throne of Israel. This was a reference to the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:12-17) which promised a descendant of David would rule until the Messiah established His kingdom. So, when Jesus Christ was born, He came to sit upon the throne of David. According to prophecy, He was born under the Law according to God s time plan to a virgin in Bethlehem (Isa. 7:14; Micah 5:2; Gal. 4:4). He will come again to receive His own and will sit upon this same throne in Jerusalem (Matt. 25:31; Acts 1:11). As he witnessed this awesome scene, Solomon was inspired to worship the Lord. Solomon turned his heart and eyes up to the heavens and delivered his dedication prayer and message. Solomon turned from his awestruck view of the Temple and the glory of the Lord and faced the large congregation assembled on Mount Moriah. Solomon acknowledged the Lord s presence and great blessings upon him and the people. The purpose of building the Temple was reaffirmed. This building, like the Tabernacle before it, was designated as the house of the Lord (Ex. 23:19; 2 Chron. 5:1). Respect for that which had been dedicated to the Lord was high in Israel at this time in its history. There is a valuable lesson here for God s people today. Solomon praised the Lord for His faithfulness to his father, David (1 Kings 8:15). When the children of Israel came out of Egypt and took possession of the Promised Land, the Lord did not choose a city in which to build a house for His habitation. In the process of overseeing the building of His house, the Lord chose Jerusalem that His name might be there (2 Chron. 6:6). It was the Lord who chose David to rule over the people of Israel. The people had foolishly chosen Saul, but the Lord chose a young shepherd boy (1 Sam. 16:1, 11-13) who became the man the Lord referred to as a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). It Covenant: berith means a league, confederacy or constitution. The word covenant most often refers to an agreement either between men or a constitution between God and man. The all-important Abrahamic Covenant is such a covenant. Word Study #1285. was David s desire to build the Lord a house. He did not feel it was right for him to live in a house made of fine cedars and the Lord to dwell in a tent (1 Chron. 17:1). The Lord approved of David s desire with one exception. The Lord promised to raise up a son from the family of David, and he would know the blessing and honor of building the house of the Lord (1 Kings 8:16-19).

32 The Dedication of the Temple / 32 The Lord was faithful to His promise to David, as He is in all of His promises (2 Cor. 1:20). Solomon was raised up as the master builder of the Temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. The completed Temple provided a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant that contained the covenant agreement between the Lord and His chosen people Israel (1 Kings 8:20, 21). Wednesday, March 16 Lesson 3 PRAYER OF DEDICATION 1 Kings 8:22-53; 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 Solomon s sermon was concluded with a prayer of dedication proclaiming that there was no other god like the God of Israel. This in no way is meant to suggest that there are other gods. On the contrary, what Solomon declared is what is taught throughout the Bible: Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him (Deut. 4:35). I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me (Isa. 45:5). But to us there is but one God (1 Cor. 8:6). Solomon s prayer was from a heart and life that was in tune with the Lord. It was a prayer from a heart that was an open book before the Lord and the people of Israel. Take note of Solomon s reverence as he came before the Lord in prayer. This scene of Israel s king standing before the altar of the Temple set the precedent in the minds and hearts of the congregation that this was to be a house of prayer (Isa. 56:7: Matt. 21:13). Solomon s prayer was composed of ten requests. First, he asked the Lord to keep the promise that the house of David would continue to reign as long as it was faithful to Jehovah (2 Sam. 7:1-16; 1 Kings 8:25, 26). Second, he asked that God would continue to hear the prayers made in the Temple and grant forgiveness. Solomon and the people of Israel understood that Jehovah could not be confined to a building (1 Kings 8:27-30). Third, he asked that God would judge the people; condemning the wicked and justifying the righteous (verses 31, 32). Fourth, he asked God to Manna Carry Them Away Captive (1 Kings 8:46): God gave Solomon prophetic insight into the future of the nation of Israel If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near (verse 46). Over two hundred years later, in 722 BC, these prophecies were fulfilled by the Assyrian captivity of the Northern Kingdom, and in 586 BC by the Babylonian captivity of the Southern Kingdom. One of the strongest proofs of the inspiration is the supernatural fulfillment of numerous predictions such as this prophecy. No one, even if he is as wise as Solomon, can so accurately predict the future except he be given the supernatural gift of prophecy. If anyone who claims to have the gift of prophecy utters a prediction that does not come exactly true as spoken, he is not of God (Deut. 18:20-22).

33 33 / 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7:22 hear the Israelites when they confessed their sins and that He restore them to His favor and deliver them from captivity (verses 33, 34). Fifth, he asked God to hear those whose sins had brought drought to the land. After their confession and repentance they were to be taught the way they should live to bring about God s blessings (verses 35, 36). Sixth, he asked God to hear those suffering from plagues or illness. The remedy remained the same in each request. Confession and repentance are what is needed to be restored to God s favor (verses 37-40). Seventh, he asked God to hear the Gentiles who worshiped Jehovah. When the Gentiles heard of the greatness of Jehovah and came to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple, the name of the Lord would spread to the peoples of the earth (verses 41-43). Eighth, he asked God to hear the soldiers as they went into a battle ordered by the Lord and grant them victory over the enemies of Israel (verses 44, 45). Ninth, he asked God to hear those taken captive by the enemy. Solomon knew that such prayer must come with a change of heart, a plea for forgiveness, confession of sin and a returning to Jehovah. This request was so Israel would be vindicated as God s chosen people and the enemy would show them mercy. Israel is God s people and inheritance (verses 46-51). Tenth, he asked God to look with favor upon every prayer of Solomon and the people of Israel. This request was based on the fact that it was God who brought them up out of Egypt and made them a special nation. (verses 52, 53). The writer of Chronicles closed the prayer with a plea to the Lord to let salvation be the results of the priests service, that the people may rejoice (2 Chron. 6:40-42). Thursday, March 17 Lesson 3 ISRAEL BLESSED 1 Kings 8:54-61 These verses are a benediction and a challenge for Israel to commit itself to obey the Lord. Solomon arose from kneeling before the altar and stood to bless the congregation of Israel. His blessing began with thanks to the Lord for bringing peace and rest to the people as He had promised Moses (Deut. 12:10). This time of rest could have come Blessed: barakh means to bend the knee, kneel down; to praise; to be blessed... Word Study #1288. years earlier if the people of Israel had served the Lord in the days of Joshua and the Judges as they did at the end of David s reign and when Solomon first came to the throne of Israel. Israel struggled for nearly five hundred years in the land of promise before it reached this glorious time of peace and safety. The difference was that during the time of the judges, every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25). At the end of David s reign and the beginning of Solomon s reign the spiritual climate had never been better in Israel s history. Obedience to the Lord s commands was a prerequisite to Israel s having rest and peace.

34 It was Solomon s hope that the Lord would continue to pour out His blessings upon the people of Israel. Let him not leave us, nor forsake us (1 Kings 8:57). This promise of the Lord is stated twice in the Scriptures, once to the people of Israel just before they entered the Promised Land (Deut. 31:6), and the second time to the Jewish Christians of the early church (Heb. 13:5). In conclusion, Solomon was seeking the best of God s blessing for Israel. He prayed that The Dedication of the Temple / 34 Manna Kneeling on His Knees (1 Kings 8:54): Solomon s kneeling and praying with his empty hands raised toward Heaven illustrated his need of divine favor and helplessness without God s answer to his prayers. Even though he was king of the greatest nation on earth, this posture illustrated his utter vulnerability to the task that lay before him without God s help. He was like a beggar sitting on a street corner with a cardboard sign that states: Will work for food. God bless. The young king sincerely sought the kindness, goodness and blessings of Jehovah. God would teach the people of Israel His Law so they would walk in and keep His ways. In this, Solomon also asked for the Lord to be with them night and day. This was another way of saying, give us our daily bread. This would enable the Israelites to be a strong witness for Jehovah to the nations of the world as they stayed true to His word (1 Kings 8:58-61). Perhaps these words in verse 59, Let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night led C. B. McAfee to write these words in his beloved song, There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God,... A place where we our Saviour meet, Near to the heart of God. Friday, March 18 Lesson 3 SACRIFICE AND FIRE 1 Kings 8:62-66; 2 Chronicles 7:1-11 FROM HEAVEN At the conclusion of Solomon s prayer, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house (2 Chron. 7:1). The dedication service lasted for seven days. During this time a total of 142,000 animals were sacrificed (1 Kings 8:62, 63). The brazen altar in the Temple had a sacrificial surface of 900 square feet. It was a 30-foot square standing 15 feet high (2 Chron. 4:1). Because to the number of animals being sacrificed, Solomon hallowed the middle court of the Temple and the priests offered burnt-offerings, meat-offerings and the fat of the peace-offerings (1 Kings 8:64). This inner court area would have measured 300 by 150 feet, being twice that of the Tabernacle. An important side note is stated in 2 Chronicles 7:8. Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great con-

35 35 / 1 Kings 8:1 9:28; 2 Chronicles 5:1 7:22 gregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. People came for this great celebration from one end of the country to the other. God made a covenant with Abraham some nine hundred years earlier that promised him and his seed all the land from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates (Gen. 15:18). The city of Hamath (fortification) is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is located about one hundred twentyfive miles north of Damascus. The district of Hamath during Solomon s reign reached as far north as the city of Tiphsah on the Euphrates River and the caravan route (1 Kings 4:24); to the south, the area of Azzah is named which today is called Gaza. The river of Egypt is the present day Wadi el-arish which flows about five miles southwest of Kadesh-barnea. It runs into the Mediterranean Sea about twenty miles south of the present day Gaza Strip. This area would cover all of modern day Israel plus all of western Jordan and Syria. On the eighth day Solomon sent the people to their homes still rejoicing in the Lord because of the blessings God had granted upon the house of David and Israel (1 Kings 8:65, 66; 2 Chron. 7:9, 10). Saturday, March 19 Lesson 3 CONDITIONS NEEDED 1 Kings 9:1-28; 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 FOR REVIVAL These verses move us several years ahead in Solomon s reign to his twenty-fourth year as king over Israel. The Lord appeared to Solomon a second time and answered the question concerning blessings and judgment. Second Chronicles 7:14 is often read during revivals and evangelistic meetings. It sets the standard for answered prayer and God s blessings. The message presented to Solomon and the people of Israel in these verses never rang any truer than they do at this very moment. In His house we are in the place He promised to bless and be with us throughout all ages. It should be the prayer of every child of God to give Christ the glory in His house (church). It is easy for us to rejoice in the midst of revival. Praise comes easily when all things are going well, but how do we fare when difficult times come? In the midst of Israel s great celebration, the Lord presented Solomon with a very solemn scene, If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people (2 Chron. 7:13). This is not the thought of the king or the people in the midst of triumph and celebration. If any of these situations presented themselves, the Lord clearly told Solomon what the people of Israel needed to do. This message was addressed by the Lord to my people, which are called by my name (verse 14). The Lord looked upon the seed of Abraham as His chosen people, but Gentiles could also come under the blessings of God s chosen people if

36 The Dedication of the Temple / 36 they met the requirements of God s Law. It was not the outward actions but the inward actions of the heart that the Lord sought (Rom. 2:25-29). Only saved people can be revived; those who are dead in sin need to be saved. The Lord wanted His people to act as if they were a chosen nation and to oppose strange gods and idol worship (2 Chron. 7:19, 20). The first step on the road to revival is for God s people to humble themselves. This is realizing who and what we are as we come into the Lord s house and seek His presence. Humility is the key to the Lord s dealings with us (James 4:6). Humble submission before God will put the devil on the run (verse 7). Humbleness places the believer close to the Lord (verse 8). The Lord s people will either humble themselves, or they will be humiliated before the nations. Pride negates one s surrender and humility. God hates a proud look for it will result in a fall to destruction (Prov. 6:16, 17; 16:18). The Lord told the people of Israel that He required for them to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God (Micah 6:8). The chosen of God are to manifest a spirit and mind of humbleness (Col. 3:12). The second step on the road back to revival is for those who have humbled themselves before the Lord to pray. Prayer and revival are closely associated. The apostle Paul admonished the church at Thessalonica to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). The word ceasing is from the Greek word adialeiptos, which means to pray without interruption, without omission, at every appropriate occasion. Daily prayers should never be omitted. What is the appropriate time to pray? The psalmist avowed that he would pray, Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice (Psalm 55:17). Certainly the scene put before Solomon would be an appropriate time to call on the Lord in prayer. New Testament churches are admonished to let our requests be made known to God (Phil 4:6). The prophet Habakkuk prayed for a revival. O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy (Hab. 3:2). The third step on the road back to revival is simply stated and seek my face. Seeking His face means when we pray we come before Him seeking His will. David not only prayed for a clean heart, but also for a right spirit (Psalm 51:10). The fourth step on the road back to revival is to turn from their wicked ways. This implies these humble, praying and seeking people of God have repented of their sins. The Lord s response to such actions by His people will always be favorable: Then will I hear from heaven. Upon hearing the prayer of the humble, seeking heart, the Lord promises He, will forgive their sin. There can be no revival until sin is removed from the camp. Once sin is out of the camp the Lord will heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14).

37 Lesson 4 For Sunday, March 27, 2005 The Fame and Shame of Solomon 1 Kings 10:1 11:43; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9:31 Fame and fortune do not always bring with them a happy life. Here is a prime example of how big men make big mistakes. It is easy to get so caught up in the fame and fortune attitude of the world that we fail to see, or we choose to overlook, their failures. It is important to outline carefully those things that led to Solomon s failure. This first period of Solomon s reign is often referred to as Israel s golden age. Both David and Solomon showed great ability in the art of music, writing and architecture; both were very talented songwriters. Many of their songs were used during Temple worship. A great choir accompanied by trained musicians sang them. During David s and Solomon s reigns several others developed and used their talents. A marked distinction during this period in the history of Israel was the importance placed on worshiping the one true living God. Several prophets ministered during the days of David and Solomon. Nathan (God has given) seems to be the most prominent in the royal court. Nathan stood by David in good times and bad. He told the king what he needed to hear and not necessarily what he wanted to hear. He helped David arrange the music for worship. Nathan proved his faithfulness by helping Bath-sheba and Solomon make sure the throne was secure for God and David s choice as king of Israel. Gad was also called David s seer. It was Gad who warned David to get out of the hold and flee into Judah (1 Sam. 22:5). It was Gad who delivered the message of David s punishment for numbering the people (2 Sam. 24:11-17). It was Gad s message concerning the need of an offering that led David to purchase Araunah s threshing floor, which became the site of the Temple. Iddo was a seer and prophet who wrote a book of genealogies during the reigns of Solomon and Jeroboam. He also wrote concerning Rehoboam (2 Chron 12:15), and Abijah (2 Chron. 13:22). Ahijah was from Shiloh. He met Jeroboam and told him how ten of the tribes would be 37

38 The Fame and Shame of Solomon / 38 taken from Solomon and given to him (1 Kings 11:29-39). A large part of the Hebrew Bible, called the writings was produced during the golden age. Monday, March 21 Lesson 4 SOLOMON S FAME 1 Kings 9:10-28; 2 Chronicles 8:1-18 These chapters bring us to the twenty-fourth year of Solomon s reign. He spent twenty years on his building projects, seven years on the Temple and thirteen years on the large palace complex. He was able to do this with the help of a treaty with Hiram, king of Tyre. Solomon s attempt to make restitution to the king of Tyre for his help in his many building projects was not according to the letter of the Law. According to Leviticus 25, which concerns the land and the year of Jubilee, the land was never to be sold. The Lord counted it as His possession. The people of Israel were there only as sojourners or pilgrims. The twenty cities given to Hiram were in the region of Galilee. Hiram was displeased with these inland mountainous cities. The Phoenicians were seafarers and perhaps cities along the coast such as Acco would have been more to his liking; however, Hiram continued to support Solomon with a gift of one hundred twenty talents of gold. This is just over 4.5 tons of gold, which on today s market would amount to over $43,488, This showed that Hiram was not totally offended with Solomon s gift. Solomon better satisfied his friend and ally by taking the pledged cities and rebuilding, fortifying and then putting Israelites to live in them (1 Kings 9:10-14; 2 Chron. 8:1, 2). Other major building projects of Solomon during this time were the walls around Jerusalem and a fortress with the ramparts call Millo. Hazor (enclosed) is fourteen miles north of the Sea of Galilee. There are twenty-one archaeological levels at the site, which cover a period of about three thousand years. During the time of Solomon, Hazor was one of the largest cities in Israel with a population that exceeded forty thousand. Hazor stood in a strategic location to protect the northern area of Galilee. Megiddo (hill of the governor) was a royal city of the Canaanites. It was twenty-two miles north of Shechem on the south edge of the plains of Jezreel (also called the valley of Esdraelon). It is perhaps the most famous battlefield in the world. Napoleon Bonaparte said of Megiddo it is the most natural battlefield in the world. The water system at Megiddo dates back twenty-eight hundred years. The hilltop area covers about thirteen acres. Archaeologists have uncovered twenty different cities. Solomon fortified Megiddo as a chariot city, and it served him and Israel well as a defense post overlooking the plains to the north, east and west. Excavations have uncovered stables that could care for four hundred fifty horses and the remains of one hundred fifty chariots have also been found which were dated to the time of Ahab BC. Gezer (a rock face) was twenty miles west by northwest of Jerusalem. A limestone tablet measuring four and a half by two and three quarter inches that has been dated to

39 39 / 1 Kings 10:1 11:43; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9:31 the time of David was found here. It is the most ancient inscription in Hebrew writing the Israel Bureau of Antiquities has in its possession. It is called the Gezer Calendar. It was an agriculture calendar telling what crops were harvested at different times of the year. Solomon rebuilt and fortified this city. Note that two of these fortified cities were in the north and the other looked to the seacoast of the Mediterranean. Beth-horon (place of hollows) guarded the approach to the Jerusalem passage coming up the mountains from the valley of Aijalon. It was located on the border between Benjamin and Ephraim. There is no mention of southern fortified cities. Since Solomon was married to Pharaoh s daughter and had made a treaty pact with his fatherin-law, Egypt served as Israel s southern defense. Solomon placed a levy on both the men and money of all those that were not of the children of Israel. No Israelite was made a bondsman during this time. Solomon instead used his kinsmen as men-of-war, his personal servants, princes, captains and chiefs of the officers. When Solomon s building projects were finished, he brought Pharaoh s daughter from the old city of David located on the hill of Ophel to the new palace on the greater heights of Mount Moriah. The writer of Chronicles explains the reason for the new palace and relocation of David s Egyptian queen My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come (2 Chron. 8:11). A Gentile queen living in the area that had been sanctified to house the Ark of the Covenant would not be fitting. After the Temple was completed, there was no need to go to the high places (1 Kings 3:2) to make a sacrifice unto the Lord. Both Kings and Chronicles indicate that Solomon continued to offer special sacrifices three times a year. This would have been during the great Feast, which included the following: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover (Ex. 12:3-20; Lev. 23:1-6; Deut. 16:1-8); the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost (Ex. 34:22; Lev. 23:16; Num. 28:26); and the Feast of Tabernacles (Num. 29:12-38). In addition to these, there were the morning and evening oblations that were done daily (Num. 28:1-10) and also the sacrifices that were observed on other special occasions. These were sacrificed on the large bronze altar in the court. Solomon also burned incense upon the altar that was before the Lord. This was done on the golden altar inside the Temple. The meaning of what Solomon did here needs to be clearly understood. Solomon in no way intruded into the priestly office as did Saul (1 Sam. 13:9). With the Temple work completed, Solomon issued the orders David had made for the priests, Levites and gatekeepers. As the builder of the Temple, Solomon not only provided the things needed for its construction, but he also provided all that was needed to maintain it and to conduct the daily, monthly and yearly rituals as God ordained (2 Chron. 8:12-16). The word finished (verse 16) is from a word that means the work was accomplished and the labor ceased. The word perfected is from a word that means the Temple was complete and was made ready for use.

40 The Fame and Shame of Solomon / 40 Solomon built a navy at Ezion-geber, by Eloth, which is near present-day Eilat on the Red Sea. Once again his old ally Hiram supplied servants and shipmen that had knowledge of the sea. These ships sailed to Ophir, the location of this city or area is not certain other than it was to the south of Israel. These ships returned with gold weighing 31,710 pounds with a present-day value of over $150 million. Solomon s naval fleet also brought other goods almug trees (a type of sandalwood), precious stones, precious woods for building stairs and different kinds of musical instruments (1 Kings 10:11, 12; 2 Chron. 9:11) Today Eilat is a combination port, military base and Israel s leading tourist winter resort. Israel s Red Sea shoreline is only six miles wide at the port of Eilat. To the west is Egypt and to the east is Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Tuesday, March 22 Lesson 4 SOLOMON S VISITOR 1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 The Queen of Sheba s exact identity has not yet been determined. She may have been a possible distant relative of Solomon s through the offspring of Abraham and Keturah s son Jokshan (Gen. 25:1-4). Jokshan s descendants made up what was called the kingdom of Sheba. They were known as the Sabeans. They are portrayed in the Bible as traders of precious stones, incense and slaves (Isa. 60:6; Joel 3:8). The land of Sheba was located on the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula in the area of modern day Yemen. The visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon s court presents a beautiful picture that foreshadows the time when the One greater than Solomon will sit and rule on David s throne. Isaiah 60:1-3 speaks of the Gentiles coming to see the brightness of His reign. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising (verse 3). Jesus used this queen as a warning of judgment on those who would not listen to or heed the greater wisdom of this One who had come (Luke 11:31). Solomon s fame concerning the name of the Lord somehow lured the Queen of Sheba to make her call upon the court of Solomon. She arrived in Jerusalem with a great caravan of camels laden with many precious gifts for Solomon. She had many difficult questions for this great wise one she had traveled so far to see; however they proved no contest to the God-given wisdom of Solomon. Solomon told her all her questions (2 Chron. 9:2). Her every inquiry, regardless of subject, was answered. As the Queen of Sheba listened to Solomon and looked around at the Temple and palace she was awestruck. Before coming she could not believe the things she had heard, but it was all true and so much more. The half was not told me, was her reply (1 Kings 10:7). Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Cor. 2:9). Can we for a moment begin to understand the greatness of Solomon? While we are reasoning on that question, what of

41 41 / 1 Kings 10:1 11:43; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9:31 David s greater Son, Jesus Christ? Paul s prayer for the Ephesus brethren was this: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (Eph. 1:18). Understanding is from the Greek word kardias from which we get our English word heart. When men s hearts are open, they see the greatness of Jesus Christ with clear vision. With a fuller knowledge the queen could now testify to the greatness of the kingdom and its king. In 1 Kings 10:9 she made her greatest of statements and gifts. Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. Wednesday, March 23 Lesson 4 SOLOMON S SPLENDOR 1 Kings 10:14-29; 2 Chronicles 9:13-28 Solomon s annual intake of six hundred sixty-six talents of gold, measured on the troy scale would today be worth more than two hundred forty million dollars. Some of the gold was used to make two hundred targets each containing a little over thirteen pounds of gold. There were also three hundred shields made from about six and one-half pounds of gold each. These targets and shields if around today would be worth over twenty million dollars. Solomon s throne was made of ivory overlaid with gold with a lion on each side of the seat. There were six steps leading up to the throne with a lion at the end of each step for a total of twelve. No other throne was its equal. There is no throne today equal to the one every child of God is privileged to ascend in prayer, and that is the matchless throne of grace. The drinking glasses in Solomon s palace were made of gold; the utensils used in the house of Lebanon were made of solid gold. Solomon, with the aid of the sea-faring Phoenicians, built a fleet of merchant ships capable of travel on the deep seas. The fleets of Solomon and Hiram sailed to the isles of Tarshish every three years and returned with gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks (2 Chron. 9:21). Tarshish is believed to be a district in the south of Spain along the westernmost coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Tarshish was both the name of a town and river that stretched opposite the coast of Africa. This is past the Strait of Gibraltar and up the coast near present day Cadiz, Spain. Both of these coastal Wisdom: chokhmah means experience, intelligence, insight, judgment. Solomon s prayer for wisdom was answered by God, thus everyone looked to Solomon expecting a godly judgment. Knowledge is obtained through study, but true wisdom comes from God. Word Study #2451. shores of southern Spain and North Africa, during the days of Solomon, were under Phoenician rule. Therefore, voyages such as these would likely stop at several ports on both coasts making the imports mentioned easily obtainable. Such a fleet was likely based at Mediterranean ports in both Phoenicia (today s Lebanon) and Israel. So great was Solomon s splendor that the kings of the earth came just to be in his pres-

42 ence and to hear his wisdom. Each brought with them a tribute consisting of vessels made of silver and gold. Included also among these gifts were clothing, spices, horses and mules with harnesses (1 Kings 10:23-25). The visit from the Queen of Sheba was just an example of many such visitors. This is a picture of when the entire world will come to Jerusalem to see and hear the King of kings (Zech. 14:9, 16). In breach of the Lord s command that Israel s king was not to multiply horses (Deut. 17:16), Solomon multiplied horses to a sizeable herd; however, the fourteen hundred chariots seemed to be more for kingly pomp than implements of war. Much of The Fame and Shame of Solomon / 42 Manna Cities for Chariots (1 Kings 10:26): In direct violation of Deuteronomy 17:6, Solomon purchased and depended on horses and chariots for warfare. This prohibition was not because of any inherent evil in owning equestrian stock and equipment, but because they were the most advanced military weapons of the day. God intended for His children to depend upon His power instead of human strength. Even as with Gideon s army, God did not want the people of Israel to vaunt themselves against me (Judges 7:2). Yet, in addition to evidence of horses in Jerusalem, archaeologists have found large stables for them and their tack at Gezer, Hazor and Megiddo. In the end, Solomon ignored God s orders, and that led to other trespasses. Israel is rocky and hilly terrain, which would render a chariot of little use in most areas. Solomon s reign was one of peace, and he did not need a large chariot force. Solomon also maintained twelve thousand horsemen, or cavalry troops. They were stationed in Jerusalem and other strategic cities in Israel (1 Kings 9:19; 10:26). The wealth and splendor of Solomon flowed over into the streets of Jerusalem so that silver was in abundance like stones and valued cedar became as common as the sycamore tree (1 Kings 10:27). Solomon used the silver to buy horses, chariots and linen cloth from Egypt. The price of a chariot made in Egypt and delivered to Jerusalem was six hundred shekels of silver. This is about two hundred forty ounces of silver. At today s price for silver, the Egyptian chariot would cost about eighteen hundred dollars. A horse sold for one hundred fifty shekels or about four hundred sixty dollars. All the kings of that era were eager to trade and sell with Solomon (verses 28, 29). In 2 Chronicles 9:26 there is another reference made to the size of Israel during the reign of Solomon. (See 2 Chronicles 7:8 in Lesson 3 under Friday.) The river is a reference to the Euphrates River. The word Euphrates means to break forth. This mighty river is the longest, seventeen hundred eighty miles, and most important in Western Asia. Its headwaters come from two sources in the Armenian mountains. It runs south through the Taurus Mountains in Turkey, then it turns and runs southeast across Syria and the length of Iraq. The reference to the land of the Philistines was along the southern coastal area of Israel. It consisted of five main cities Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Akron and Gaza. The city of Gaza is much in the news today as the headquarters of the

43 43 / 1 Kings 10:1 11:43; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9:31 Palestinian Liberation Organization previously led by Yasser Arafat. It is also the hiding place and launching area of Hamas and the Intifada that leads suicide bombing raids into Israel. This area will not experience peace until the greater than Solomon, Jesus Christ, sits on David s throne. The last reference is to the border of Egypt, which likely refers to the Nile River and Red Sea delta area. These borders are in keeping with the Lord s covenant with Abraham (Gen. 13:14-17; 15:18; 17:8). Thursday, March 24 Lesson 4 SOLOMON S FAILURE AND CHASTISEMENT 1 Kings 11:1-25 Manna Wives and Concubines (1 Kings 11:3): Solomon ignored another big no trespassing warning for kings: Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away (Deut. 17:17). He violated this prohibition and took many foreign wives. They turned him to the idolatry of his Canaanite neighbors, Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto... you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart (1 Kings 11:2, 3). Strange: nokhri is an adjective that modifies the noun women. Its meaning is foreign, outsider, or from another country and people. It carries the idea of a calamity. This was Solomon s fatal error. In an attempt to strengthen his position, Solomon weakened his kingdom because along with strange women came strange faith. Solomon began his reign in the spirit, but ended it in the flesh (Gal. 3:3). Nehemiah warned those returning to Jerusalem not to be caught in Solomon s sin (Neh. 13:25, 26). Word Study #5237. Solomon broke several of the rules the Lord gave to the people of Israel just before they entered into the Promised Land. They were to make no alliance with any of the inhabitants of the land. They were forbidden to make any marriages. All their altars and images were to be destroyed. Why, For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly (Deut. 7:4). Solomon, during his later years, broke each of these in turn. What a sad commentary that this great man s heart was turned away from the God he had so faithfully served for many years. Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD (1 Kings 11:6). There is a marked difference between David and Solomon. David also sinned, but David in sorrow and repentance returned to God. There is no mention of any such sorrow or return on the part of Solomon. God s anger was kindled against Solomon. The Lord made it clear what was needed for blessings and what would bring judgment (2 Chron. 7:17-22). The words of the Lord are never spoken idly. Solomon had to reap what he had sown. So, in spite of all God had given him, he still failed in his service to the Lord.

44 The Fame and Shame of Solomon / 44 Solomon was no longer submissive to the Lord. His worship was now turned away from the house of God to the house of strange gods. Solomon subsidized the worship of several strange idol gods. Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, was worshiped with lewd rites. The Ammonites sacrificed their children in the flames that burned in the outstretched arms of Milcom, also called Molech. Chemosh, the god of Moab, was often worshiped by offering human sacrifice. This was the beginning of the end for Israel. Even after the division of the kingdom, the Northern Kingdom continued to go further and further into idolatry. The Southern Kingdom, while having several revivals, never did, as we shall see in future lessons, get completely free from idolatry. Success and the affluence that comes with it have been the undoings of far too many who were once good and faithful servants. If not for the Lord s love of David and His promises to him, the kingdom would be lost. The kingdom was later taken from Solomon s son, Rehoboam; yet, for David and Jerusalem, the tribe of Judah would remain. What a contrast to the closing years of David when he anxiously and willingly anointed his son even before his death. Solomon must have dreaded the day knowing what the results would be. Abomination: shiqquts means a disgusting thing, a filthy thing, a detestable thing. Shiqquts is translated seven times in the Old Testament (five times in the books of 1 and 2 Kings). Each time, it refers to idol or idolatrous worship. It is also found in Daniel twice and refers to the abomination that maketh desolate. This reference refers to the anti-christ s desecration of the Temple during Tribulation. Word Study #8251. Friday, March 25 Lesson 4 SOLOMON S ADVERSARY 1 Kings 11:26-40 The rise of these three adversaries was a part of God s judgment upon Solomon. The mischief of Hadad and Rezon came after Solomon s heart was turned from serving God. The early years of his reign were marked by peace and safety (1 Kings 4:24, 25). This was in fulfillment of God s promise to David (1 Chron. 22:9). In the beginning Solomon had no adversaries nor evil occurrences, meaning there were no attempts to make inroads or encroach upon him or his kingdom (1 Kings 5:3-5). Not until Solomon moved away from serving God were the adversaries and encroachers able to make their moves. Hadad was of the royal lineage of Edom. When David and Joab conquered the Edomites, they killed every male they could find. Hadad was just a child and was carried to Egypt by his father s servants. He was raised in Pharaoh s court and married the queen s sister. He returned with a band of men to his hill kingdom, perhaps around present-day Petra, to bring whatever mischief he could to the house of David.

45 45 / 1 Kings 10:1 11:43; 2 Chronicles 8:1 9:31 Rezon was also a war refugee. He was the son of Eliada who fled with a band of followers when David attacked Zobah, an Aramaean kingdom to the north of Israel near the Euphrates River. Hadadezer, the Aramaean king, gathered a band of men together and came to Damascus where he was killed in battle. Solomon continued several building projects around Jerusalem. Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, was appointed the overseer of the house of Joseph or the tribal area of Ephraim. The heavy taxes and compulsory labor levied on the people brought jealousy and a growing band of disgruntles. The prophet Ahijah met with Jeroboam and symbolically tore his new garment into twelve pieces and gave ten of them to Jeroboam. He was told that God would rend the kingdom from Solomon and give Jeroboam ten tribes, sparing the tribes of Judah and Benjamin for the house of David. The promise was that because of the Davidic Covenant, David would have a light always in Jerusalem. Solomon issued a death warrant for Jeroboam who fled to Egypt where he stayed until the death of Solomon. Saturday, March 26 Lesson 4 SOLOMON S DEATH 1 Kings 11:41-43; 2 Chronicles 9:29-31 The writers of 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings named four writings they used to aide them in recording the reign of Solomon. One of the writings was the book of the acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41). There was also the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer (2 Chron. 9:29). Like his father, David, Solomon reigned over Israel for forty years. This would have made him sixty at the time of his death. He was buried in the city of David. This was the original area taken by David from the Jebusites. The lack of religious piety brought Solomon to his day of reckoning. His heart was not perfect with the LORD (1 Kings 11:4). Solomon was privileged to sit on the greatest throne and kingdom the world had ever witnessed. The united monarchy would soon come to an end. The two small nations of Judah and Israel continued to clash until they both, because of their idolatry, were taken captive. Thus marks the end of a great man who did great and marvelous things for God; however, this man s greatness soon waned when he forgot God (Ezek. 18:26, 27). Solomon was succeeded by Rehoboam, his only son mentioned by name in the Bible.

46 Lesson 5 For Sunday, April 3, 2005 Splendor to Splinter The Kingdom Divided 1 Kings 12:1-24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 Shemaiah and Iddo are named as the prophets who recorded the events of Rehoboam s life. Iddo is mentioned three times in the Old Testament (2 Chron. 9:29; 12:15; 13:22). He is not involved in the events, but he is the chronicler of books and a seer or a prophet. Shemaiah is mentioned four times in the Old Testament (1 Kings 12:22; 2 Chron. 11:2; 12:5, 7). He, unlike Iddo, did get involved in certain events. He is called the man of God and also a prophet. Monday, March 28 Lesson 5 WHO IS REHOBOAM? 1 Kings 11:43; 14:21; 2 Chronicles 9:31; 12:13 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead (1 Kings 11:43). The name Rehoboam means he enlarges the people. Rehoboam s mother was Naamah an Ammonite (1 Kings 14:21). Naamah means pleasant. Being a wife of Solomon, she was a chief lady of the court. The Ammonites were the descendants of Ben-ammi or Ammon. His father was Lot by incest with his youngest daughter (Gen. 19:38). They lived just east of the Dead Sea in an area given them by the Lord (Deut. 2:19). The people were of a violent nature, subversive and idolatrous. They worshiped an idol god called Molech, to whom they offered human sacrifices (1 Kings 11:7). He was more like his mother than his father. It seems strange that of all his wives no other children are named. With seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines all desiring to produce the heir to the throne, it is possible Solomon had well over one thousand children. Unlike David we find no mention that Solomon sought the Lord s guidance or that he asked of the 46

47 47 / 1 Kings 12:1-24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 Manna The High Place (1 Kings 11:7): Even though Solomon spent seven years building the Temple, in his old age he constructed high places to worship Baal. Ancient peoples have often worshiped their gods by building altars and making sacrifices to these imagined deities on lofty heights. The Hebrew word asherah is translated grove in the King James Version. It referred to the female fertility goddess, the mate of Baal, whose symbol was the trunk of a tree. In Canaan, the many local gods eventually came to be called Baal, a generic term for all forms of these regional deities. To please one of his foreign wives, Solomon built a high place just outside Jerusalem where he sanctioned the worship of Chemosh, a Moabite god and Molech, an Ammonite deity. Often the worship of these Baals was accompanied by sex orgies and the sacrifice of children (2 Kings 16:3; 17:17). Their images were heated like a stove. Then the bodies of sacrificed children were placed in the idol s arms and burned like meat on a grill! prophets whom he should choose as his heir to the throne. Of all the sons he must have had, he chose an idol worshiping son of an Ammonite to be king over Israel. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign (2 Chron. 12:13). This means Solomon was a young man nineteen or twenty when Rehoboam was born. Rehoboam s reign was marked by shame and ruin because he did not seek the Lord as David, his grandfather. And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD (2 Chron. 12:14). This is the saddest of all commentaries for one whom the Lord had chosen to lead His people. Tuesday, March 29 Lesson 5 ISRAEL MAKES A REQUEST 1 Kings 12:1-5; 2 Chronicles 10:1-5 It is important to understand the reason(s) why the kingdom was brought to this point of failure and division. With the death of Solomon the nation of Israel outwardly seemed to be in a position to continue on for centuries. However, because idolatry was allowed to fester in the latter years of Solomon s reign, the seeds of discontent and rebellion had been planted. It is amazingly sad when one looks at the blessings of God and the glory to which the nation of Israel was elevated during the reigns of David and Solomon and then to see how quickly it came tumbling down. Solomon should have listened more closely to and heeded his own proverbs. All Israel gathered at Shechem to crown the new king. And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king (1 Kings 12:1). Shechem was one of the cities designated as cities of refuge (Joshua 20:2, 7). Shechem was the largest city in the mountains of Ephraim thirty-four miles north of Jerusalem. Today, it is called Nablus. Shechem was

48 a place where the representatives of the tribes of Israel often gathered to discuss and deal with national matters. It is first mentioned as the city Abraham entered when he came into the Promised Land (Gen. 12:6, 7). When Jacob returned from Padan-aram he settled at Shechem (Gen. 33:18, 19). Joseph was sent to Shechem to find his brothers, who sold him to the Ishmaelites (Gen. 37:12-28). Joshua gave his final address at Shechem (Joshua 24:1). Joseph is buried at Shechem (Joshua 24:32). It appears that Rehoboam came to Shechem at the request of the northern tribes who were upset over the tax burden. They likely insisted that Rehoboam meet them in their own territory instead of at Jerusalem, which is on the border of Judah and Splendor to Splinter The Kingdom Divided / 48 Manna To Make Him King (2 Chronicles 10:1): Upon the death of his father, Rehoboam left Jerusalem and traveled about thirtyfive miles north to Shechem for his formal inauguration by the people. Located in the hill country of central Palestine, this city had been important in the early history of Israel. It was the first place mentioned after Abram s arrival in Canaan. There God reaffirmed His promise to give the patriarch the land and he built an altar of thanksgiving there (Gen. 12:6, 7). Shechem was to Jews what Plymouth Rock is to Americans. Thus, Rehoboam chose this city as a fitting place to begin a reign he expected to be as prosperous and peaceful as his father s had been. Perhaps his ambition was to expand the boundaries to the fullest extent of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 15:18). However, such an empire was not to be realized by Rehoboam or under any other king of Israel until the kingdom of God is come on earth under Jesus. Benjamin. When 1 Kings 12:1 states, All Israel were come to Shechem, it is not referring to the total population. Each tribe sent its representatives or elders who were empowered to speak and act on behalf of the tribe. Who was Jeroboam? And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) (1 Kings 12:2). The name Jeroboam means the people will contend. He was the son of Nebat an Ephrathite (1 Kings 11:26). His mother s name was Zeruah and she was a widow. The Septuagint gives the name of Jeroboam s wife as Ano and states that she was an Egyptian princess. Sensing the unrest as a result of the heavy taxes and building projects, Jeroboam lifted up his hand against Solomon (verse 27). There was a time when Jeroboam was Solomon s servant. At first he proved himself a man of valor, and Solomon placed him over the levy or taxes of the house of Joseph (verse 28). The prophet Ahijah met Jeroboam alone in a field and tore Jeroboam s garment into twelve pieces. Jeroboam was told to take ten pieces as a sign that the Lord would divide the kingdom and give Jeroboam the ten northern tribes (verses 29-39). Instead of waiting for the Lord s timing, Jeroboam s rebellion caused Solomon to seek to kill him. Thus, Jeroboam fled to Egypt until the death of Solomon (verse 40).

49 49 / 1 Kings 12:1-24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 Note the reason the Lord rent the kingdom. Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father (verse 33). Even though Solomon sinned and the nation turned to idolatry, the Lord did not go back on his promise to David (2 Sam. 7: 10-16; 1 Kings 11:32, 34). A major theme is restated. David would always have a light in Jerusalem. And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there (verse 36). Ahijah assured Jeroboam that he would be king over Israel. If he would follow the example of David, the Lord promised to bless him and his family (verses 37, 38). Ahijah stated what later prophets reiterated, the day would come when the kingdom would be restored to the house of David. Zechariah foretold of the day when all Israel would be one and the house of David would once again reign over a united kingdom (Zech. 12:7-14). Jeremiah prophesied of the time when Judah and Israel would once again walk together in the land of their inheritance (Jer. 3:18). At that time Israel and Judah will come together weeping, seeking the Lord in Zion, and saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten (Jer. 50:5). It seemed all was well and Rehoboam would be crowned king of Israel by the heads of the tribes. When the people gathered this time, it was not to exercise their choice as they had with Saul. This was not an election. Before the people would consent to crown and accept him as their king, they addressed him with their grievances. They asked him to give his word that he would lighten the tax burden Solomon levied to build the Temple and other building projects in Jerusalem and around Israel. They sent for Jeroboam to act as their spokesman (1 Kings 12:3). It was only right that Rehoboam be just and reasonable about the taxes, other matters concerning the people and his demands upon the people. The building of the Temple brought on heavy taxes, as well as Solomon s many Grievous: qashah means tough, severe, cruel. The grievous yoke was twofold. First, was the heavy taxation because of Solomon s sinful extravagances. Second, the real problem was the near-egyptian servitude that Solomon placed them under when he began to leave God, because of his foreign wives. This caused the Israelites to plead with Rehoboam for relief. Word Study #7185. other building projects such as maintaining the king s house and the expense of government (verse 4). Although the taxes may have seemed excessive, the people failed to remember the forty years of peace and the great prosperity they had enjoyed. Make special note here that their complaints had only to do with material things; not once was the moral decay mentioned. Rehoboam asked the people to give him three days to consider his answer to the ultimatum of the tribal elders. Rehoboam certainly sensed the importance of his answer. If he gave in to their request, would he show

50 Splendor to Splinter The Kingdom Divided / 50 himself to be weak? Would he be crowned only on their conditions? If he passed over their request as though it was nothing, he would face civil unrest. The elders accepted Rehoboam s request and went away peacefully (verse 5). Wednesday, March 30 Lesson 5 WISE AND FOOLISH 1 Kings 12:6-15; 2 Chronicles 10:6-15 COUNSELORS Took Counsel: yaats means to advise, admonish; to consult with another. Rehoboam sought the advice of the older men who counseled his father; yet, he rejected their advice to lighten the burdens of his people and followed the advice of the younger men to make their burdens even greater. Word Study #3289. Manna Took Counsel with the Young Men (2 Chronicles 10:8): Rejecting the advice of the older men, Rehoboam sought a second opinion from his younger friends. The Scriptures give nothing to suggest they had experience in governmental affairs. On the other hand, Solomon s kingdom was one of the largest and most prosperous in the Middle-Eastern world at that time. He had complicated trade and diplomatic relations with many nations. Without taking any of this into consideration, Rehoboam listened to a group of political neophytes. From the human standpoint, his threat to greatly multiply their burdens was disastrous for both Rehoboam and the nation. Yet, in His providence by the coming of the Messiah, God overcame both Solomon and Rehoboam s shortcomings. Rehoboam took three days to consider his answer. First, he consulted with the older men who had experience in matters of state. These elder statesmen had been his father s counselors. These men showed wisdom and compassion for the needs of the people. Their years of experience brought with them softened attitudes. Their advice was for Rehoboam to speak good words to them, and they would be his servants. This was not what he wanted to hear. It is apparent that the new king was not at all eager for what he considered a compromise. He turned a deaf ear to Solomon s political analysts. Jeroboam instead turned to the young men who had grown up with him. Rehoboam asked the young men the same question he had proposed to the elders with some variation. He stressed, What counsel give ye! Rehoboam was clearly seeking a different answer from the younger men. That we may answer this people showed that he had already planned to enforce their advice (1 Kings 12:9). By restating the request of the people it appears that Rehoboam belittled and mocked the people for making such an appeal. The counsel of the young minds was for Rehoboam to be harder on the people than his father was. They advised him to tell the elders of Israel, My lit-

51 51 / 1 Kings 12:1-24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 tle finger shall be thicker than my father s loins (verse 10). Failure to follow wise counsel brought Israel to a new low. They had reached a zenith in their history. The three days expired and Manna Took Counsel with the Old Men (2 Chronicles 10:6): Initially, Rehoboam showed wisdom in consulting Solomon s advisors. No doubt they had heard similar complaints from the people many times before, especially in the king s latter years. They should have brought these grievances to Solomon s attention; however, in his sunset years Solomon lacked wisdom that is from above. Evidently, at this point in life he was not easy to be intreated but he had become hardheaded (James 3:17). His mind was set on things other than God. (1 Kings 11:1-8). Rehoboam, his son, was influenced heavily by his father. Instead of hearing the wisdom of the old men and responding with a soft answer [that] turneth away wrath, as a result of bad advice, Rehoboam replied with grievous words [that] stir {red] up anger (Prov. 15:1), And the nation divided. Jeroboam and Israel s elders returned to hear Rehoboam s answer. Rehoboam rejected sound counsel of the elders and spoke out of season. The meeting in Shechem could have been successful, reuniting the people and the kingdom of Israel; however, in just a matter of a few days Rehoboam managed to turn the majority of the nation against him. Rehoboam s actions were totally void of the wisdom his father had displayed in the early years of his reign. Solomon offered sacrifice and prayer to the Lord. Because of the idolatry that had been brought into Israel, Rehoboam s spiritual life was not in tune with the Lord. His domestic program had a heavier tax burden that would feel like a scorpion compared to Solomon s whip. The word translated whip is from the Hebrew word shot. A shot was a lash of leather used to make horses gallop or to control them when used as reins. Scorpion is from the Hebrew word aqrab which was a knotted whip used for scourging. It was given the same name as the poisonous arachnids because of the stinging pain it caused. Rehoboam let his pride run ahead of a sound mind; however, the wickedness of Rehoboam and his evil counselors were turned about by the Lord to accomplish His word according to the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam years earlier (verse 15). Thursday, March 31 Lesson 5 ISRAEL S CIVIL WAR 1 Kings 12:16-24; 2 Chronicles 10:16-19 The elders of the northern tribes did not hesitate to make their bold and rebellious reply to the prideful Rehoboam. What portion have we in David? (verse 16) declared that Rehoboam, as the seed of David, did not consider

52 Splendor to Splinter The Kingdom Divided / 52 their needs. Why should they pledge their allegiance to a king who apparently was bent on making their lives miserable? Solomon sowed the seeds of division. These seeds spread and grew to affect the people of Israel politically and religiously. This caused the people to revolt against their chosen leaders. The ten tribes reacted by denouncing the house of David. They had nothing but contempt for David and the tribe of Judah. They had forgotten the many blessings God had given the nation because of David and Solomon. They showed their complete disgust with Rehoboam s answers in verse 18. When Rehoboam sent Adoram, one of Rehoboam s representatives, to collect the new taxes, all Israel stoned him to death. Jeroboam returned from his exile in Egypt and the northern tribes of Israel made him their king. When he saw the people s open revolt, Rehoboam quickly fled to the safety of Jerusalem. Once in Jerusalem, Rehoboam managed to assemble an army of 180,000 men from among the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. His plan was to attack the north and force them into subjection when Shemaiah stopped him. God instructed his prophet to tell Rehoboam that he was not to fight against his Inheritance: nachalah is a possession to which one has received the legal claim; a possession, property or occupancy. In their rebellion, the ten northern tribes not only denied the leadership of Rehoboam, they also denied any inheritance they had in David. Therefore, they also rebelled against God and denied the inherited promise given in the Davidic Covenant. Word Study #5159. Tribute: mas means burden, tax in the form of forced labor. Hadoram (Adoram or Adoniram) was sent by Rehoboam to force payment from the northern tribes. He was their taskmaster. It is important that we understand that the term Israel applies only to the northern tribes who had rebelled against Rehoboam and had paid allegiance to Jeroboam. Word Study #4522. brethren. The army was commanded to return to their homes. What happened was of the Lord. Here at last was a vote in Rehoboam s favor, he listened to the word of God s prophet Shemaiah and returned from going against Jeroboam and the people of Israel. Would-be enemies surrounded Rehoboam Israel to the north, Egypt to the south, the remnants of Moab and Ammon on the east and the Canaanite tribes that were still scattered throughout Judah and Benjamin. When he saw the weakened state of his kingdom, Rehoboam began a new fortification program. He chose fifteen cities in Judah and Benjamin along with other strongholds. These cities and strongholds formed a defense wall around the nation of Judah. Every road leading into Judah had a fortified city on it. Each of these strongholds was supplied with officers, men and the implements of warfare. Jeroboam and his sons would not allow the priests and Levites to execute their offices unto the Lord in Israel (2 Chron. 11:14-16). This resulted in a massive migration of the priests and Levites out of the ten northern tribes. They left their appointed cities and suburbs and came to Judah and

53 53 / 1 Kings 12:1-24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 Jerusalem. Along with them came those out of Israel who had a desire to continue their service to the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem. No statistics are given, but there must have been a great number of people from all the tribes who returned at this time. They helped to strengthen Judah and make Rehoboam strong. This migration had a positive effect on Judah and its new king. Notice how the strength of the kingdom is so closely connected to the number of years they served the Lord. And made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon (2 Chron. 11:17). The strength of Judah, America or any other nation depends on its walking in the ways of the Lord (2 Chron. 7:17-20). Friday, April 1 Lesson 5 REHOBOAM S APOSTASY 2 Chronicles 11:18-23; 12:1-12 Rehoboam s family is mentioned because they, like the many strange wives of Solomon, had a strong influence over the king s spiritual life. Though his marriages and concubines were of much smaller number than that of Solomon, Rehoboam took eighteen wives and sixty concubines for his harem. This was, however, equally in violation of God s law. Of the eighteen wives there are two whose names are given. The first was Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth, and Abihail. Abihail s father was David s brother Eliab. Jewish tradition says that Jerimoth was one of David s sons by a concubine. This would have made Mahalath a granddaughter to David and a cousin to Rehoboam. The other wife named was Maachah. She was a daughter of Tamar, Absalom s daughter, and named after her grandmother. It was Maachah who bore the next heir to the throne, Abijah. Although Abijah was not the oldest, Rehoboam designated him king without divine authorization. This was in violation to the Law (Deut. 21:15-17). During the early part of the twentieth century, it was still the practice in some eastern countries to shut up all the young princes in the harem while the king was alive. When the eldest brother ascended the throne, they were either killed or blinded to suppress any other claims to the throne. Rehoboam showed much wisdom when he dispersed all of his eighty-eight children to the various cities he had fortified (2 Chron. 11:23). This ensured a certain amount of peace within the royal family. It also guaranteed in case of an enemy attack that at least some of the king s heirs would survive to rule the kingdom. This practice is still done in several eastern countries today. While Rehoboam was still unsure and felt unsafe, he and the people walked before the Lord. Once he fortified his cities and secured the kingdom, he turned away from serving the Lord. Rehoboam s mother, Namaah, was an Ammonite (1 Kings 14:21). Since her name is mentioned here, it becomes

54 Splendor to Splinter The Kingdom Divided / 54 apparent that she had a great deal of influence over her son in religious matters. The god of the Ammonites is mentioned among the list of those Solomon brought to Israel and that contributed to the downfall of the kingdom. All the people readily followed the leadership of the king. The newly formed nation of Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord. Idolatry became the prevailing worship during the reign of Rehoboam. The moral and religious state of the kingdom sank lower and lower. The number of high places, groves and images abounded in Judah during this time (1 Kings 14:23). Judah began to live and worship like the heathen nations God had cast out before them. Sodomites with all their abominations became a life-style in Judah (1 Kings 14:24). Sodomites were condemned in God s overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:1-15). Paul called this type of behavior vile, against nature, unseemly and in error (Rom 1:26, 27). God has always condemned sodomy (Deut. 23:17, 18). In the fifth year of Rehoboam s reign the Lord sent judgment upon him. Shishak, the king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem (2 Chron. 12:2). He had an army of twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horsemen and from among his allies a host without number (verses 3, 4). While Shishak and the huge Egyptian army lay siege to the city, Shemaiah reasoned with Rehoboam and the princes (verse 5). His message was short and to the point, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak (verse 5). The message was clear. What does it take for some to realize that the Lord is the One True Living God? With the enemy at the gate, the princes of Judah and the king humbled themselves before the Lord (verse 6). Because of their humbleness, the Lord issued a message of mercy for Shemaiah to deliver to Rehoboam (verse 7). The promise was for some deliverance. They would not be killed nor would the city be ransacked; however, the wages of sin would not be forgotten. Shishak entered the city and the king s palace and took away the treasures of both houses, as well as the shields of gold Solomon had made (verse 9). Rehoboam had them replaced with shields of inferior quality made of brass. The chief guard of the king s house accompanied Rehoboam to the house of the Lord and placed the newly made shields of brass in the guard chamber (2 Chron. 12:10, 11). Second Chronicles 12:12 is a clear and precise statement about the success and failure of any nation. Saturday, April 2 Lesson 5 REHOBOAM S DEATH 2 Chronicles 12:13-16 There are no details given about the cause of Rehoboam s death. We are told that he was forty-one years of age when he was made king and that he ruled for seventeen years. He passed from this life at the age of fifty-eight. Rehoboam was buried in the city of David, which was centered in the old Jebusite fortress.

55 55 / 1 Kings 12:1-24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 Rehoboam s reign was marked by some tragic events. These could have been avoided if only 2 Chronicles 12:14 could have been recorded differently. If a man s heart is not prepared to serve the Lord, nothing else he does is going to turn out right in the end.

56 Lesson 6 For Sunday, April 10, 2005 Jeroboam and Asa A Contrast in Worship 1 Kings 12:25 16:34; 2 Chronicles 11:1 16:14 Jeroboam s name seems to fit the task he faced. His name means he pleads the people s cause. Solomon noted that he was a gifted young man and appointed him overseer of the public works at Jerusalem. He was also in charge of the levy on the house of Joseph. These early appointments helped equip him for what he now faced as the new king of the northern tribes of Israel. Little is known about the external affairs of Israel during this time, other than there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Jeroboam led a successful revolution but was not able to establish a dynasty like the house of David. Jeroboam set up a religious system that has yet to see its match. The false religious systems that are in the world today have borrowed heavily from Israel. Jeroboam had none of the resolve of his forefather, Joshua. He chose to serve the gods of the land. The evil he sowed quickly grew, and its roots were never removed from the kingdom. Monday, April 4 Lesson 6 JEROBOAM S SIN 1 Kings 12:25 13:1-10 Jeroboam was a knowledgeable man in the area of politics. He listened carefully to what the people wanted and gave it to them. Taxes were kept as low as possible. The labor conscription was no longer used; however, Jeroboam understood that his new kingdom would remain shaky if the people continued to go to Jerusalem to worship. Jeroboam s next move was to sacrifice the true worship of Israel in the interest of politics. This is a common practice today with Sin: chatta th means an offense; sometimes habitual sinfulness; a sinful thing. Jeroboam made two golden calves and set one in Beth-el and the other in Dan. This was a sin on his part, but it became a sinful thing for the people of Israel when they began to worship there. Word Study #

57 57 / 1 Kings 12:25 16:34; 2 Chronicles 11:1 16:14 many legislators concerning prayer, Bible reading and the Ten Commandments. In the interest of politics, prayer and Bible reading are no longer allowed in schools. In the interest of politics, abortion is upheld as legal. In the interest of politics, homosexuality is declared an alternate life-style. Jeroboam did not pray to God; no prophet was consulted; he simply reasoned in his heart. Religion born out of the unregenerate human heart does not have the will of God in it. Jeroboam s heart was not right with God. Therefore, he did not have what was best for the people in mind; he only had what he thought was the best way to stop any further migration back to Judah and Jerusalem. This was a religious system Manna Too Much for You To Go Up to Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:28): Jeroboam was afraid if his ten tribes were allowed to continue worship with their brethren in Jerusalem, it would lead to a reunification of the nation and his ouster as king. So he appealed to the lazy instincts of the flesh, it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. To compete with the Temple in Jerusalem, Jeroboam set up centers of worship on high places in Beth-el, twelve miles north of Jerusalem, and at Dan in the extreme northern part of the land. In these temples he rejected using the divinely appointed Levitical priests and ordained worthless non-levites for the devils (2 Chron. 11:15). He placed golden calves at each shrine. Some have suggested they were actually pedestals upon which representations of Jehovah were placed and others that they worshiped like the golden calf in Moses day (Ex. 32:1-7). If the former idea were the case, Jeroboam s two houses of worship may have been closer to the Temple in Jerusalem than we might think. born out of selfish motive. He set up his golden calves at Dan in the far north of his kingdom and at Beth-el on the southern border. Jeroboam was afraid that, if the people returned to Jerusalem to worship, he would lose them to Judah. Man s efforts to establish his own righteousness will always fail because in so doing he does not submit to the righteousness required by God (Rom. 10:3). These calves were not presented as images of the invisible God whom the people of Israel knew as Jehovah. After years of degradation and sin in Israel, the prophet Hosea made it clear that these golden calves were not idols but molten images. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves (Hosea 13:2). The appeal was that it was for the good of the nation. It would be easier for them to worship close to home instead of traveling to Jerusalem. This appealed to the pride of the ten northern tribes who already claimed to have nothing in Judah. There is no mention of self-denial and sacrifice. These elements of worship do not attract worldly men. Jeroboam established a religion of convenience. He built shrines in high places throughout Israel. He appointed priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi (1

58 Jeroboam and Asa A Contrast in Worship / 58 Devised: bada is to invent, devise, feign. The command to build a place of worship and the order of this worship came from God. Jeroboam from a pretending heart instituted the place and order for worship of the northern tribes. He left the ritual and worship of God s authority for ceremonies and services totally of his own invention. Word Study #908. Kings 12:31). He made mockery of the feast of the Lord by ordaining a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. This was a month later than the Lord s appointed Feast of Tabernacles. His pride and arrogance was truly brought to light when Manna Like Unto the Feast That Is in Judah (1 Kings 12:32): In addition to building alternative temples, a special yearly feast was set up in the Beth-el house of worship. It was observed the fifteenth day in the eight month even in the month which he had devised of his own heart (1 Kings 12:33). In November this was exactly one month after the beginning of the Feast of the Tabernacles, or Ingatherings, was observed at the Temple in Jerusalem. The Feast of the Tabernacles marked the completion of the fruit harvest and was begun five days after the Day of Atonement sacrifice in the Holy of Holies. Perhaps this date was chosen by Jeroboam to give the lazier Israelites more time to gather their crops and an excuse not to hurry and go to Jerusalem for worship. he presided as the high priest of his new found idolatrous religion (verses 32, 33). The commandment of God was quite clear, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (Ex. 20:4). This was just a return to Egypt, forgetting the God who had delivered them (Psalm 106:19-21). These golden calves are not unlike the crucifix, statues, icons and relics people worship today. It is not the cross, the garden tomb, the burial shroud of Turin, or any such object, but it is the Christ. The golden calves did not remind them of God. The calves rather caused the people to misplace God for gods which are yet no gods (Jer. 2:11). These were not a blessing but a snare to the people. God desired a house so He could tabernacle among His people (Ex. 25:8). He had given the blueprints for its building (Ex. 25: 40; 26:30). The tribe of Levi was sanctified by God to be His priests (Ex. 29:44). God s program was rejected and in its place men of low degree were made priests. The Feast of the Tabernacles, which was ordained by God to be held on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, was set-aside for a mock holiday to be celebrated one month later. There are many religions today that appear to be doing the right thing. They have the same Bible, sing the same hymns and say a lot of the same theological terms. They may have priests or clergy, altars and high holy days and still be a mockery to God. It may look good in the eyes of men. But how it stands in the eyes of God is the important thing. Jeroboam s religion did not have God s authority behind it; therefore, it was powerless to help the people.

59 59 / 1 Kings 12:25 16:34; 2 Chronicles 11:1 16:14 Because Jeroboam turned his back on the Lord, he also lost the support of God s prophets. The Lord was not going to let such arrogant sin go unchallenged. A prophet of Judah and the prophet Ahijah condemned Jeroboam. Jeroboam was at Beth-el standing at the altar when an unnamed man of God out of Judah arrived. He prophesied that a rival prince from the house of David, Josiah, would come and burn the bones of the self-appointed priests upon this same altar. This was fulfilled three hundred fifty years later just as the man of God had said (2 Kings 23:14-20). Here is strong evidence of the inspiration of the Scriptures. Holy men of God wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:20, 21). The man of God gave a sign that same day that his prophecy was from the Lord. Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out (1 Kings 13:3). Jeroboam pointed his finger at the man of God and ordered his arrest (1 Kings 13:4). God proved the messenger had been sent from Him by drying up or paralyzing Jeroboam s hand so he could not pull it back. The altar was shattered and the ashes blown to the winds (1 Kings 13:5). With his god and his offering blown to the wind how quickly the atheist cries for help. He pleaded with the man of God to entreat the face of the Lord, and pray for him (1 Kings 13:6). In brief, the true and living God showed that the religion of Jeroboam with its sacrifice was not acceptable to Him. The altar being rent was symbolic of the eventual fall of Israel and idolatry. The once proud and arrogant king was humbled before the Lord. When the man of God saw the dried up hand of Jeroboam and realized he was no longer in danger, he prayed to the Lord for the stricken king. The king s hand was restored, and he invited the prophet to come to the palace to eat and refresh himself. Noting the character of Jeroboam, he likely had some underhanded purpose in mind. The man of God refused the king s invitation and told Jeroboam he could not come if he offered him half of his court. He was under the command of God to neither eat nor drink. He was there to deliver God s message and then return to Judah by a different route from the way he came. When the man of God left, there was no doubt the Lord God Jehovah was the God of Israel and not golden calves. Tuesday, April 5 Lesson 6 DECEIT AND MOURNING 1 Kings 13:11-34 Most all of the true worshipers of Jehovah had left Israel and returned to Judah. But, there was an old prophet who still lived at Beth-el. His sons were eyewitnesses to the day s events and came to tell their father. When he heard about the bold stand of the man of God from Judah, the old prophet was encouraged to go after him. His sons had seen the route taken by the man of God and told their father which road he had taken. He had his sons saddle the ass and he went after the man of God (1 Kings 13:11-13).

60 Jeroboam and Asa A Contrast in Worship / 60 He found him resting under an oak tree. The old prophet invited the man of God to return with him to Beth-el. He was given the same answer Jeroboam had received to his invitation. The old prophet lied when he said an angel had spoken to him and instructed him to bring the man of God to his house. It is difficult to determine what his motive was for doing this. We are not certain whether he had participated in the idolatrous worship of the golden calves in Beth-el. Perhaps he was starved for some true spiritual fellowship; however, deceit and lies are never the way to win God s favor. Though we are not told, it is possible he acted on behalf of Jeroboam (verses 14-19). The man of God believed the lie. A point to understand here is the Lord does not reveal one thing to one prophet and then turn around and reveal something else to another prophet that would contradict the first. It was during the meal that the old prophet got a true message from the Lord. He was compelled to cry out against the man of God and foretell his death for disobeying the Word of God (verses 20-22) When the meal was over, the old prophet saddled his ass for the man of God. He had not gone far when a lion killed him. This death produced a strange scene for those who passed by for there was the body of the prophet with the lion and the ass standing near. When this was told in Beth-el, the old prophet knew the reason behind this strange tragedy (verses 23-26). The old prophet of Beth-el found the scene as it had been described. It was with mourning that he brought the body back to Beth-el and buried the man of God in his own grave. He instructed his sons that, when he died, they were to lay his body next to the man of God. He acknowledged the prophecy of the man of God would happen as he said (verses 27-32). One would think such an experience would have a positive effect on Jeroboam. This was not the case for Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places (verse 33). This was the reason his dynasty was never established. His house was to be destroyed (verse 34). Wednesday, April 6 Lesson 6 PROPHECY FULFILLED 1 Kings 14:1 15:8 When Jeroboam s son Abijah fell sick, he sent his wife in disguise to inquire of the prophet Ahijah. The queen went to Shiloh carrying gifts for the prophet of God. Ahijah had once favored Jeroboam and perhaps Jeroboam was in hopes the prophet would do so again. Ahijah was now an old man and his sight was gone, but God, who sees all, told him of Jeroboam s plot. Ahijah, being the true prophet of God, was not for sale; he was not looking for some royal favor; his only desire was to deliver God s Word. Ahijah was given a heavy message to deliver to the queen. God rent the kingdom from Solomon and made Jeroboam king over the ten northern tribes of Israel. But, instead of following after the ways of David and serving the Lord, Jeroboam contin-

61 61 / 1 Kings 12:25 16:34; 2 Chronicles 11:1 16:14 Root Up: nathash is to tear away, destroy or forsake. Deuteronomy 29:28 prophesies of his people being taken from their land because of their idolatry. In 1 Kings 14:15, we see once again this prophecy. This was fulfilled with the Syrians carrying them into captivity. Two points of interest; first, God sent prophets to try and get them to repent. Second, they have never returned to the land. Word Study #5428. Manna Smite Israel as a Reed That Is Shaken in the Water (1 Kings 14:15): Jeroboam had not placed the religious foundation of the Northern Kingdom on solid ground. Instead, he had planted his false religion where the reeds grow. Picture cattails growing near a swamp or river. They wave in the direction the wind blows because they have no strength or firm root. This was Jeroboam s religion. It was intentionally designed to be acceptable to the masses and so that it was easily shaken by popular whims. Such is much of religion today. It followed fads and attracted fools. ued to do evil and put God behind his back. The queen was told the family would be consumed like the dung a man would burn on the fire. She was also told when she returned home, she would find the child, Abijah, had died (1 Kings 14:1-9). The child did die as Ahijah had prophesied. The rest of Jeroboam s family was cut off three years after his death by Baasha (1 Kings 15:28-30). Jeroboam also lost much of the territory he had originally received. By the end of his reign, the northern and eastern borders of Israel had been reduced by half their size during the time of David and Solomon. The Bible mentions only Shishak s threat to Jerusalem, but Shishak had a record made of his plunders of Judah and Israel. Carved into the wall of the temple at Karnak it is recorded how he received tribute from Israel. A victory monument found at Megiddo tells how Shishak s army crossed the Jordan and plundered several cities in Israel (1 Kings 14:25, 26). Rehoboam s son, Abijam or Abijah, began his reign in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam (2 Chron. 13:1). It seems he had somewhat of a mixed religious life. First Kings 15:3 tells how he walked in the sins of his father and was not perfect with the Lord his God; yet, for David s sake, God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem. If not for the Lord s covenant with David, which covenant will never be broken, the son and grandson of David would have completely destroyed the kingdom of Israel and Judah. Abijam laid claim to the whole kingdom on behalf of the house of David. He challenged Jeroboam s army of eight hundred thousand with an army half its size. He cited how Jeroboam led the ten tribes to forsake the Lord God of Israel. He also declared that the Lord was captain of Judah s host and to fight against them was to fight against God. Jeroboam put an ambush into operation only to be smitten by the hand of God. Jeroboam lost over half of his army in the battle (2 Chron. 13:2-16).

62 Jeroboam and Asa A Contrast in Worship / 62 Abijam and Judah prevailed because they relied on the Lord and not their own strength. They took several cities in the south including the important religious center, which was at Beth-el. Although his reign lasted only three years, the thorn he placed in Jeroboam s side so weakened him that he was never able to recover. We are not told the exact circumstances around the death of Jeroboam, but what we are told lets us know that God was still in control of deciding who ruled over His people, Israel. The Lord struck him, and he died (2 Chron. 13:20). This was a sad end to a young man who had all the potential of being a great leader. Jeroboam made the grave mistake we see so many leaders today making when they leave out the Lord in favor of being politically correct (1 Kings 14:19, 20; 2 Chron 13:17-22). Thursday, April 7 Lesson 6 ASA DID RIGHT IN THE EYES 1 Kings 15:9-24 OF THE LORD Judah had a total of nineteen kings. Of these only eight are said to have been good in the sight of God. Asa is the first of Judah s kings of whom it was said, And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father (1 Kings 15:11). This is also said of Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 17:3), Hezekiah (2 Kings 18: 3) and of Josiah (2 Kings 22:2). It was said that Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 12:2). This was also said of Amaziah (2 Kings 14:3). Uzziah and Jotham were said to have done right in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 15:32-34). David set the standard of the godly king that followed the way of the Lord. Of the other eleven kings of Judah it was said of each in turn, and he did evil in the sight of the LORD (1 Kings 15:34). Asa, who ruled for forty years, was the first of the eight good kings following David and Solomon who attempted to rule Judah by the Mosaic Law. Asa was raised in a palace dominated by his idolatrous grandmother, Maachah (she is called mother in 2 Chronicles 15:16), and a two-faced father. In spite of his upbringing he removed the sodomites, prostitutes and the idols from the land. The Lord blessed Asa and Judah with ten years of rest and material comfort. They rebuilt the cities of Judah and their fortifications. Asa gave the Lord all the credit for the blessings they received. Because we have sought the LORD our God, we have Sodomites: qadhesh means a consecrated one, a devoted one. These do not have to be consecrated to God. Those in the land of Israel were devoted to licentious idolatry. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary states that sodomites were male prostitutes, priests or men-servants in the temple of Ashtaroth. First Kings 15:12 probably refers to the priests who served in the idolatrous temples of Jeroboam being male prostitutes. Word Study #6945.

63 63 / 1 Kings 12:25 16:34; 2 Chronicles 11:1 16:14 sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered (2 Chron. 14:7). Judah also strengthened and rearmed the military with shields, spears and bows. The spearmen of Judah numbered 300,000, and the bowmen of Benjamin numbered 280,000. The army and fortification were soon put to the test. Judah was invaded by Zerah the Ethiopian with an army of one million soldiers. Zerah also had three hundred chariots. It is believed that Zerah was the son of Shishak of the Libyan dynasty named Osorkon I. This is the largest single force mentioned in the Old Testament. Asa and Judah met the Ethiopians and Lubims (2 Chron. 16:8) army in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. This valley is about three miles north of Lacish and seven miles southeast of Gath. Before the fight began, Asa prayed a prayer in which he showed his and Judah s dependence on the Lord for victory. LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude (2 Chron. 14:11). The Lord smote the Ethiopian army and Judah pursued them to Gerar and destroyed them and brought the spoils back to Jerusalem (verses 12-15). The message of Azariah, the son of Obed, stirred the spiritual conscience of Judah. Azariah reminded them that they owed the victory to the Lord. The LORD is with you, while ye be with him (2 Chron. 15:2). For several decades there had been no teaching priest or godly practice of the Law. When God s Word is not taught, His laws are forsaken and deplorable sins run unchecked (verse 3). When God s people stand with the Lord no enemy need be feared for they are vexed by the Lord (verses 4-6). Azariah encouraged them in the work of the Lord. Idols: gillul is roller, log, trunks, block, idols. This is one of the ten basic words used to denote idols.they could be made of wood, gold or silver. Asa removed all the idols from the land. He also removed his queen mother because she had made an idol. Word Study #1544. It took courage to stand and right the many wrongs in Judah. Asa was not a respecter of persons in the matter of sinful worship. First, and perhaps foremost, the altar of the Lord was renewed (verse 8). When true believers in the Northern Kingdom of Israel realized the Lord was with Asa and Judah, they came to Judah out of Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon in abundance (verses 9, 10). There was a great revival that reached out to all the sons of Jacob. In the fifteenth year of Asa s reign the true worshipers of the Lord entered into a covenant to seek the Lord. Those who would not serve the Lord were put to death. This was sealed by the offering of seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep (verses 11-15). Asa proved his sincerity in this matter when he had his own grandmother removed as queen mother because of her idolatry (verse 16). Asa ruled in peace for the next twenty years. The reason was that the Lord was with him and that the heart of Asa was perfect all his days (verses 17-19).

64 Jeroboam and Asa A Contrast in Worship / 64 Friday, April 8 Lesson 6 KINGDOM DIVISION 1 Kings 16:1-34 Elah followed his father, Baasha, to the throne of Israel. He ruled for two years. His general, Omri, was sent to take the city of Gibbethon. During this time another of his military leaders, Zimri, found Elah drunk and killed him and all the house of Baasha. Zimri declared himself king and began his rule in Tirzah. Omri had the people behind him, and they declared him king. Omri lay siege to the city of Tirzah and took it. Instead of being taken captive, Zimri took his own life. Omri set up a dynasty that was to last forty-four years and produced some of the most wicked times in all of Israel s history. It is said that Omri was more wicked than all those before him. He moved the capital to Samaria where it remained until the fall of the kingdom. Omri also forged an alliance with the Phoenicians and sealed it by marrying his son, Ahab, to the princess, Jezebel. These are two of the more prominent names in the history of Israel. Jezebel brought with her the worship of Baal. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him (1 Kings 16:33). Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people (Prov. 14:34). This was never truer than in the history of the kingdom of Israel. They turned their backs on God, His house and His priest. There was no place left to go but further down. With the great migration of Levites, priests and those who desired to serve God from the ten northern tribes, Israel was reduced to a country full of idolatry and pagans. Saturday, April 9 Lesson 6 EVIL RULERS 1 Chronicles 16:1-14 The Northern Kingdom of Israel also had nineteen kings. Repeatedly, we read that they made Israel to sin. Only two of these kings seemed to have ever given the prophets of God much heed. Only Ahab, under the ministry of Elijah, humbled himself before the Lord and was granted some reprieve (1 Kings 21:17-29). Jehu was the only one who attempted to remove Baal worship from Israel (2 Kings 10:19-31). The history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel was one of revolution and counter-revolution. Six of Israel s kings were assassinated. Zimri committed suicide by burning the palace down with him inside after seven days as king. Nadab was Jeroboam s successor to the throne. He walked in the way of his father, and in his sin (1 Kings 15:26). Baasha plotted Nadab s death and usurped the throne. Baasha ruled for twenty-two years; yet, little is said of his reign. Baasha attempted to fortify Ramah, four miles to the north of Jerusalem. Asa, king of Judah, joined forces with Syria and was able to pre-

65 65 / 1 Kings 12:25 16:34; 2 Chronicles 11:1 16:14 vent him from completing his work. In the summer of 1993 archaeologists discovered a one-square foot victory monument at Tel-Dan in northern Israel. The stone is a record of the payment Asa made to Ben-Hadad, king of Syria. The stone is now on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

66 Lesson 7 For Sunday, April 17, 2005 Elijah God s Prophet of Courage 1 Kings 17:1 19:21; 2 Kings 1:1 2:11 There is no mention of a prophet in Israel during the reigns of Elah, Zimri, and Omri, a period of twelve years. We now arrive at the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. Their reign is recorded as the worst in Israel s history (1 Kings 16:30). God needed a strong prophet to stand up as a witness during this dark time of Israel s history. The man God chose was Elijah (my God is Jehovah) and, although he was not one of the writing prophets, he has a prominent place in Scripture. Elijah was one of two men in the Scriptures that did not see death (2 Kings 2:11); Enoch was the other (Gen. 5:24). The name Elijah (Elias) was often given when Jesus would ask, Whom say the people I am? (Luke 9:18, 19). In the hearts and minds of the people, Elijah held an important place. It was Elijah, accompanied by Moses, who appeared with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-3; Luke 9:28-30). To better understand the setting of this lesson, a review of 1 Kings 16:28-34 will be helpful. Three things stand out in these verses that set the stage in Israel for the years that followed. Ahab married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess; her father was King Ethbaal of Zidon. This marriage served to seal the alliances between Israel and the Phoenicians. However wise diplomatically and economically this may have seemed, it spelled religious disaster for Israel. God warned of the results of such marriages (Ex. 34:12-17; Deut. 7:1-5; Joshua 23:11-13). Jezebel was a worshiper of Baal-Melqart, god of storm and good crops. It was not long before Ahab erected an altar to this false god in the capitol city of Samaria. Ahab also made a grove which is from the Hebrew Asherah having reference to the worship of the goddess of passion and the sea. Although Jehu later destroyed the worship of Baal in Israel, the influence of idolatry had been well engrafted into the nation and its leaders (2 Kings 10:28, 29). 66

67 67 / 1 Kings 17:1 19:21; 2 Kings 1:1 2:11 Monday, April 11 Lesson 7 ELIJAH THE TISHBITE 1 Kings 17:1-6 Manna The Land of Gilead (1 Kings 17:1): Elijah, a native of Tishbi, lived in Gilead, which was a large plateau that ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 feet in elevation. It was located south of the Sea of Galilee and north of the Dead Sea. Gilead stretched from the east bank of the Jordan westward into the desert. It was occupied by the tribes of Manassah, Dan and Reuben. At one time Gilead was a fertile region famous for its balm, or resinous ointment. In later times it was probably more arid and referred to as Transjordan, though not known in the Bible by this name. Today this region is the nation of Jordan. It is ruled by the Hashemite dynasty of Arab kings. The influence of Jezebel s religion spread quickly. Elijah was a Tishbite from the city of Tishbi which was in the mountains of Gilead some thirty miles northeast of Samaria on the east side of the Jordan. It was a rugged and sparsely inhabited area with a lot of Arab culture throughout its region. During these perilous times in Israel, God did not seek one from the school of the prophets or from some great civilized city. Elijah came from the mountains, forests and deserts of Gilead. Elijah appeared abruptly on the scene (1 Kings 17:1). There was no announcement of his entrance. To understand the reason behind such an entrance, a study of the previous chapters are needed. With the departure of the Levites and Godfearing of Israel, the rest of the people no longer worshiped the Lord God Jehovah. It had only been fifty-eight years since the death of Solomon and the division of the kingdom. Seven kings had ruled over Israel during this time. Each in turn was more wicked than his predecessor. The first of these wicked kings was Jeroboam. The Bible tells us he caused the hearts of the people to worship false gods, even calves of gold. Jeroboam s son, Nadab, reigned for only two years when he was assassinated by Baasha, who then usurped the throne of Israel. Anarchy and unbridled idolatrous worship continued as the order of the day. By the time of Ahab s reign, any trace of pure worship had all but disappeared. During this time of spiritual darkness in Israel, God spoke to Elijah. He was raised up as the prophet of God during the reign of one of the most wicked kings and queens ever to rule over God s chosen people. The reign of Ahab and Jezebel is marked by this statement, Thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD (1 Kings 21:20). Elijah came to Israel in the dark hour when every voice of true spiritual light had been quieted. Nothing is known of Elijah s family or his early life. Since he came from Gilead, it was either from the tribe of Gad or Manasseh who settled in this area during the time of Joshua. It is awesome to see how God always has his man in reserve to meet the needs of every occasion. Elijah revealed the spirit that

68 encouraged him in his ministry. I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts (1 Kings 19:10). The word jealous is from the Hebrew word qana. This Hebrew verb is used to express a strong emotion. It has to do with one s zeal and passion toward something that stirs them to action. This shows the desire of Elijah s heart was to serve the Lord. Elijah was given an important word to deliver to Ahab. As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word (1 Kings 17:1). An important note on this verse is that even with all of Israel s sin, the Lord still identified Himself as the God of Israel. James 5:17 told us that Elijah had prayed about the spiritual darkness that pervaded the land. Elijah delivered his brief, yet stunning, prophecy with the authority of the Lord God of Israel. His message was an open and direct challenge to Baal-Melqart. If Elijah s prophecy came to pass, Baal-Melqart had failed as the god of storm and good crops. Such a prophecy meant judgment was set for the people of Israel and the house of Ahab. Elijah would not have been a true prophet of God if he had prayed and asked God to bless Israel and Ahab in their sins. Such would have only encouraged them to continue in sin. God s judgment was the only thing that would bring them to their knees. During the forty-two months of draught, God took special care of His prophet. First, Elijah was told to go to the Brook Cherith where he would find water and food supplied by ravens morning and evening. Elijah found himself under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). Here in the deep gorge cut out by the Wadi (pronounced wäd-e,) Cherith, God hid Elijah in His secret place from Ahab and Jezebel. Cherith was Elijah s proving ground. Here his faith and patience would learn to trust and wait on the Lord (1 Kings 17:2-6). Elijah God s Prophet of Courage / 68 Manna The Effects of Drought (1 Kings 17:1): In contrast to Egypt, which had no significant rainfall, ancient Israel had sufficient seasonal rains and no need for irrigation. The latter rains came in the spring and the former rains in the fall as a sign of either God s pleasure or displeasure with the nation (Deut. 11:16, 17; 28:23, 24; Lev. 26:18, 19). Baal was also considered the god of rain. So, when God gave Elijah control over the weather, it was an open rebuke of this false god. The barley and wheat crops planted in the fall were entirely dependent on the former rain to soften the ground for plowing and to germinate the seed. In the spring the latter rain helped mature these crops immediately before their harvest. Since there was normally little or no precipitation in the period between the latter and former rains, if either were lacking, the crops would fail or be severely damaged. This caused famine and hardship on man and beast such as was seen when Obadiah and Ahab joined together to search for water: Peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts (1 Kings 18:5). Often epidemics and war followed famine.

69 69 / 1 Kings 17:1 19:21; 2 Kings 1:1 2:11 Tuesday, April 12 Lesson 7 ELIJAH AND A HANDFUL 1 Kings 17:7-16 OF MEAL The wadis that flow to the Jordan are often torrents during the rainy season, but, as did Cherith, they soon dry up when there is no rain in the land (1 Kings 17:7). The Lord did not forsake His prophet. The Lord always takes care of those who serve Him. The psalmist perhaps said it best. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37:25). When the daily needs could no longer be supplied at the Brook Cherith, the Lord led Elijah to move at His direction. Note how closely this ties in with words of the apostle Paul, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). God did not speak or move Elijah to another place until the brook was dry. It is when our hopes are removed the love of the Lord may be found (Isa. 54:10). Elijah was told to go to Zarephath, a Phoenician city on the coast between present-day Tyre and Sidon in the country of Lebanon. This would have been an arduous journey during a time of draught. The Brook Cherith is located near Jericho. From Cherith to Zarephath by a direct route would be a journey of about one hundred fifty miles. Elijah likely made his way northward along the Jordan River and crossing into Phoenicia through the northern mountains of Israel and southern Phoenicia. Elijah s journey would have taken several days across the drought-stricken Israel. The prophet was being refined even more for what lay ahead. Elijah s experience at Cherith assured Him that God could and would supply his needs, even if it meant using ravens. Therefore, when the word of the Lord came and told him he would be taken care of by a widow in Zarephath, Elijah did not hesitate in the journey (1 Kings 17:8, 9). This was the equivalent of being called to a foreign field. It is always a blessing to receive the reports from foreign missionaries. These brethren have left their comfortable homes and life in America to find themselves in areas of the world where housing with proper electricity and running water is difficult to find. The name Zarephath means to refine. What a surprise met Elijah as he came to the gates of the city! He met the widow woman to whom the Lord had sent him. The widow was gathering sticks, which was a sign that she too was in need. Elijah approached her and asked for a drink of water. The Litani River flows from the Bekaa Valley near Baalbek south through the mountains of Lebanon. Just south of the Beaufort Castle it turns west and enters the Mediterranean between Tyre and Zarephath. This river and several other small streams apparently had kept the wells and cisterns around Zarephath filled with enough water for drink. Giving a drink of water to a weary traveler was looked upon with a sense of duty (1 Kings 17:10). As the widow turned to go and bring the water, Elijah also requested a bite to eat (verse 11). The widow recognized by his dress that Elijah was an

70 Elijah God s Prophet of Courage / 70 Israelite. She answered Elijah by referring to the Lord as thy God. It was then he learned, after being promised a widow woman would sustain him that she, too, was at the point of starvation. Only one handful of meal and enough oil for one more meal remained in her house (verse 12). Elijah s faith had been challenged, and now he put the test of faith to the widow. Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth (verses 13, 14). As the widow moved to do the prophet s bidding, the Lord moved to sustain the meal and oil needed until the rains returned and the drought was ended (verses 15, 16). The widow s faith and the resulting blessing was touched upon by Jesus Christ as He addressed the newly chosen twelve apostles. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet s reward (Matt. 10:41). Wednesday, April 13 Lesson 7 WIDOW S SON RAISED 1 Kings 17:17-24 From the words of Jesus in Luke 4:25, 26, we learn that it was not only for Elijah but for the widow also that he was sent to Zarephath. Only one who has experienced the loss of a child could know the grief that came over this widow as she pressed her son to her bosom as he drew what she thought was his last breath. The pains of death got hold of her as she cried out against the prophet. She felt she was being judged for some past sin, and Elijah was somehow responsible (1 Kings 17:17, 18). The widow wrongly construed her son s death as some sort of punishment for her sins. The reasons here are the same that Jesus spoke of when His disciples questioned Him about the blind man. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him (John 9:2, 3). Elijah was not shaken by her words. He carried the dead child to an upper chamber of the house. There, as he stretched himself over the child, he prayed unto the Lord to restore his soul. The Lord heard Elijah s prayer and granted his petition. What the miracle of the meal and oil had not fully accomplished, seeing her son alive did. Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth (1 Kings 17:1-24). For those who would question the life, ministry and miracles of Jesus, the answer is found on the other side of the tomb. He lives, He is the Son of God and His Word is Truth.

71 71 / 1 Kings 17:1 19:21; 2 Kings 1:1 2:11 Thursday, April 14 Lesson 7 ELIJAH GOES TO SEE AHAB 1 Kings 18:1-18 God had not only been preparing Elijah to fully challenge the religion of Baal-Melqart, but He had also, through the forty-two months of drought, caught the attention of Ahab and the people of Israel. Ahab had been searching for Elijah throughout the country during this time (1 Kings 18:10), but the time was not yet right. God was in charge of the situation and not King Ahab. It was in the third year of the drought that the Lord instructed Elijah to return to Israel. He was to go and show himself to Ahab, and the Lord promised to return the rains to Israel. Without question or hesitation, Elijah left his haven at Zarephath and went to find Ahab in Samaria (verses 1, 2). Jezebel s ungodly wickedness during the time of the famine was brought to light. We are not told how many prophets of the Lord she killed, but even the death of one would have been one too many. Obadiah (servant of Jehovah) proved his faithfulness by hiding one hundred prophets in caves to keep them from Jezebel s evil hand. The words cut off from the Hebrew word karath means to destroy by cutting into pieces. It is used in cutting and filleting an animal in preparation of a sacrifice. When the rest of Israel was in drought and sore famine (verses 3, 4), Obadiah, by the help of the Lord, had enough bread and water to sustain one hundred men. Ahab sent Obadiah to search for water and pastureland to save the animals. So it was that Obadiah and Ahab divided the land of Israel between themselves in the search for water and grass to feed the animals (verses 5, 6). While on his search for water, Obadiah met Elijah. At first, Obadiah was reluctant to go back to Ahab with a message, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. He was afraid Ahab would kill him if Elijah did not show himself. His fears were calmed when Elijah assured him, in the name of the Lord; he would surely show himself to Ahab. Obadiah delivered the message, and Ahab met with Elijah (verses 7-18). Friday, April 15 Lesson 7 FALSE PROPHETS CHALLENGED 1 Kings 18:19-46 How quickly the wicked try to pass the blame. Ahab had no sooner seen Elijah, when he made a feeble attempt to lay the blame for the drought at his feet. Art thou he that troubleth Israel? (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah s answer did not hedge just because Ahab was king. His answer cut deep into the heart of Ahab. Ahab turned his back on the Lord and followed after Baal. False religion still troubles the land today with their Christ-denying and soul-damning messages. The need of the hour is for pastors and teachers with the boldness of Elijah to lay sin at the door and preach Jesus Christ.

72 Ahab, at Elijah s urging, agreed to call the people of Israel, the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal, and four hundred prophets of Asherah to Mount Carmel (verses 19, 20). Elijah s challenge was to everyone in attendance. How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD [Jehovah] be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him (verse 21). The nation of Israel had forty-two months to ponder this question and think on its answer. The gods of Jezebel did not produce the promised rain and good crops. What does it take for some to get their eyes and hearts opened to the truth? The pointed question of Elijah still rings with truth today. Choose you this day whom ye will serve (Joshua 24:15). The manmade isms of religion have, and are, failing to meet the spiritual needs of lost souls. What better contest? The prophets of Baal failed to bring back the rain, so let s see if they can bring down the fire! The God that answereth by fire (1 Kings 18:24) seemed a most reasonable test. Elijah issued a fair challenge and the people and prophets of Baal readily consented to it. The frantic fanaticism of false religion was witnessed on Carmel. The challenge was to build their altar, put the bullock on it and put their god to the test. The false prophets chose their bullock and laid it on their altar. First, they leaped on the altar, and then in response to Elijah s mocking, they screamed and cut their bodies; yet, for all their show there was neither voice, not any to answer, nor any that regarded (verse 29). Elijah called the people to come closer. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down (verse 30). The Lord could have answered without an altar, but the prophet wanted everything to appear equal so there could be no legitimate question afterward about who was God in Israel. Elijah built his altar from twelve stones and dug a trench around it. The wood and the bullock were laid on the altar in proper order. Three times the altar and its contents were drenched with water until the water filled the trench and soaked the Elijah God s Prophet of Courage / 72 Manna Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19): Mount Carmel is one of the peaks in the Carmel Mountains in northern Israel immediately southeast of the modern port of Haifa. It overlooked both the plains of Sharon on the south and the Mediterranean to the west. Mount Carmel was considered by the ancient Phoenicians as the holy dwelling place of Baal. Thus, Elijah s confrontation with the false prophets on Carmel was like grabbing the whiskers of the lion in his own den. Elijah s challenge of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel emphasized the powerlessness of Baal from the start of the confrontation. Measure: se ah means a seah or certain measurement for grain. The seah is equal to one third of a ephah. This container would hold about three gallons. The trench that Elijah built around the altar was to hold the water that ran off. The trench was designed to hold approximately six gallons of water. Word Study #5429.

73 73 / 1 Kings 17:1 19:21; 2 Kings 1:1 2:11 Manna Twelve Stones for an Altar (1 Kings 18:31, 32): Here Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. Apparently there had been an altar built there in the past, but it had to be restored. He rebuilt it by gathering twelve stones, each representing one of the tribes of Israel. Elijah then arranged the stones to hold a stack of wood upon which the sacrifice was laid. Sometimes a metal grate was placed on this foundation to hold the sacrifice, but there is no indication this was done here. altar (verses 31-35). As mentioned above, the Lord could have proved Himself without all of this, but it is well that we remember that the Lord does not pass over human means. He wants His children to enjoy the blessings that come with faithfulness in service. The Lord could grow a crop of fruits and vegetables for us, but He would rather we till the soil, plant the seed and reap the bounty of the harvest. It was at the time God had commanded for the evening sacrifice that Elijah came near the altar and prayed. Here we find one of the greatest prayers of the Bible. The heart of his prayer was let Prophet: navi means a speaker of oracles, one who was actuated by a divine spirit; an authorized spokesman. Not all prophets were men of God. There were false prophets who pretended to be prophets of God. At times, they were men used as a go-between. Aaron served as a prophet, or spokesman, on the part of Moses. Sons of the prophets were students of the Scriptures. Elijah was credited for beginning a school for these. Word Study #5030. God: Elohim could probably be used in a broad sense and relates to angels (Psalm 8:5), pagan gods (Ex. 18:11) or God. It is plural in nature, meaning three or more, but often requires a singular verb. The writer in this phrase is desiring that Israel, as a nation, might understand that Jehovah is God. Word Study #430. it be known this day that thou art God in Israel (verse 36). There was no prolonged crying, leaping or abusing of the body. These things are not necessary with the true and living God, Jehovah. Two things are found in Elijah s prayer that should be in ours today. First, our prayers should be grounded in the Word of God. He addressed his prayer to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel. Second, our prayers should be for the glory of God and not our own. Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel (verses 36, 37). God heard and answered far above what the people even imagined; yet, it was nothing less than the prophet expected of his God. There was nothing left but a scorched spot on the earth. The victory was won. The people fell on their faces and proclaimed that Jehovah, He is the God. The prophets of Baal were taken to the Brook Kishon, which flows below Carmel and enters the sea near present-day Haifa, and there they were killed (verses 38-40).

74 Elijah God s Prophet of Courage / 74 Elijah s challenge proved without a doubt that Jehovah was the living God of Israel. Elijah told Ahab it was time to eat and drink for rain was on its way. Elijah then returned to the top of Carmel and bowed with his head between his knees. This was a sign of reverence for what the Lord had done that day on Mount Carmel. Elijah s servant was commanded to go and look toward the sea seven times. When he returned the seventh time, he reported seeing a small cloud the size of a man s hand. The test had been set and the victory won; rain now came in abundance. As the rains began, Ahab boarded his chariot and rode to Jezreel. Ancient Jezreel was about four to five miles east of Megiddo. It was the site of Ahab and Jezebel s ivory palace (1 Kings 22:39). Saturday, April 16 Lesson 7 OVERWROUGHT PROPHET 1 Kings 19:1-18 What a blow was dealt to the maniacal Jezebel as she heard the reports from Ahab. Jezebel was so steeped in her false religion and pride that she was blind to the truth. Her heart and mind went into a rage, and she sent word to Elijah threatening his life. The hope of national renewal was never better. The victory on Carmel awakened the hearts and minds of the people to Jehovah; however, Jezebel s threat caught the otherwise strong prophet at a weak moment, and the chance for a full revival was thwarted. Elijah s reaction to Jezebel must have come as a shock to those who had witnessed his boldness a few hours earlier. Elijah, the great messenger of God, had his shortcomings. This one who had made and won such a grand challenge was now going down in defeat. He believed he was fleeing for his life (1 Kings 19:1-3). Elijah was so discouraged that he prayed to die, but once again the Lord sustained him. This time it was by a heavenly guest who apparently baked him a cake and provided a cruse of water. After eating, Elijah continued to sleep under the juniper tree until the angel woke him and prepared him for forty days and nights of fasting (verses 4-8). Elijah s journey finally took him to Mount Horeb deep within the Sinai. At this point Elijah felt he was alone in the fight, but God strongly rebuked the runaway prophet and asked a striking question, What doest thou here, Elijah? (verse 9). The Lord assured Elijah he was not the only one left in all Israel who served Jehovah. There were seven thousand who had not bowed their knee to Baal. Elijah learned the valuable lesson that God does not always carry out His plan with great winds, earthquakes or fires. These were methods Elijah may have felt appropriate against Jezebel. God chose to use the still, small voice of his prophet. Elijah s life and ministry was not over, the war had not been lost, it was time for him to return to Israel and witness what God could do (verses 11-13).

75 75 / 1 Kings 17:1 19:21; 2 Kings 1:1 2:11 The Lord still had a job for Elijah to finish. He was instructed to go to Damascus and anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. He was also to anoint Jehu as king of Israel, but perhaps the most important of his tasks was to anoint Elisha to be a prophet (verses 15-18).

76 Lesson 8 For Sunday, April 24, 2005 Ahab and Jezebel The Demonic Duo 1 Kings 20:1 22:53; 2 Chronicles 17:1 20:37 Even the nominal Christian recognizes the names of Ahab and Jezebel. Their names have become synonymous with evil and wickedness. Because of this familiarity, the lesson today presents an excellent opportunity to show how God deals with those who knowingly and deliberately disobey His Word. Ahab was the seventh king of Israel. He, in many ways, was perhaps the most capable leader Israel ever had. He continued the building projects Omri, his father, had begun. He built several cities and an elaborate palace in Samaria. Archaeologists have found ivory inlaid in the wood paneling and furniture that came from Ahab s palace. (See Amos 3:15; 6:4.) The military prowess and effectiveness of Ahab is also noteworthy. His political ability, especially in the area of foreign affairs, had little equal among the kings of Israel. Ahab s character was much like the Pharisees Jesus spoke of in Matthew 23. He personally knew and recognized the prophets of Jehovah God; yet, at the same time, he allowed the worship of Baal to become the state religion of Israel. The names of his children indicate that he did not openly renounce the worship of Jehovah. Athaliah means Jehovah is exalted, Ahaziah means Jehovah holds in possession and Jehoram means Jehovah is raised Ahab stood in the crossroads between the true God of Israel and the gods of the conniving Jezebel. Breaking God s first two commandments (Ex. 20:3-6) and his inability to stand up to the treachery of his wife brought about the downfall of the house of Ahab. Monday, April 18 Lesson 8 AHAB S FIRST SYRIAN CAMPAIGN 1 Kings 20:1-22 One of the tasks Ahab faced during his twenty-two year reign was to break the Syrian yoke that had been placed around Israel. Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, brought an army of over one hundred thousand men into Israel and set 76

77 77 / 1 Kings 20:1 22:53; 2 Chronicles 17:1 20:37 siege to the city of Samaria. His purpose was twofold. First, he desired to totally humiliate Ahab and the throne of Israel. He demanded the surrender of the king s harem, which in effect asked the surrender of the throne. Review Absalom s treatment of David s harem (2 Sam. 16:21, 22) and Solomon s response to Adonijah s request for Abishag (1 Kings 2:22). Second, Ben-hadad wanted to plunder the city and render it to dust. In the face of Ben-hadad s increased threats and demands, Ahab called a council of the elders of Israel to confer with them concerning this grave situation (1 Kings 20:1-7). Jezebel had many of the Manna Alcoholic Drink (1 Kings 20:12, 16): Benhadad s drinking, coupled with his wicked heart, affected his judgment in opposing the people of Israel. It brought disaster to his people. In biblical times wine was used as a disinfectant and medication (Luke 10:34; 1 Tim. 5:23). Today, we have more effective remedies for these needs. There are more warnings in the Scriptures against the use of alcohol as a beverage than what may be considered its endorsement. (See Proverbs 23:29-32.) The Christian rule is that it is not right to do anything that will cause someone to stumble or bring disrepute on the cause of Christ (Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 10:31) In drinking wine, if it is done at all, it is only to be done in moderation (1 Tim. 3:8). There is no allowance in the Scriptures, either stated or implied, for the use of beer or hard liquor. No one ever became an alcoholic who refused his first drink. Remember Ben-hadad! prophets of God in Israel killed, Ahab had built a house in Samaria for Baal, and yet in this dark hour there came a prophet. The question may be asked why would God bother? Would not the destruction of Samaria and the throne of Israel be just recompense for the sins of Ahab and Jezebel? Let us never forget, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). This was just as true for Ahab as it is for mankind today. Another point of issue here concerned Ben-hadad s open defilement of the God of Israel. When he vowed by his gods to reduce them to dust, the Lord God of Israel had been challenged; therefore, He took up the gauntlet (1 Kings 20:8-14). Ben-hadad s threat was but an empty boast. Even though he had thirty-two other kings as his allies, he was doomed once he had defied the living God. No matter how large the army or how big the giant they will all fall before the Lord God Almighty (1 Sam. 17:36, 45). To boast against God s chosen is to incur the wrath of God. Ahab was told to attack even though he only commanded an army of seven thousand men (1 Kings 20:15). The small army under the command of Jehovah was more than sufficient to roust the enemy. For there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few (1 Sam. 14:6). David learned years earlier that there is no need to count your army if the Lord God is your com-

78 Ahab and Jezebel The Demonic Duo / 78 mander and chief (2 Sam. 24:10; 1 Chron. 21:17). Wake up, Ahab! Wake up, Israel! God is desirous to be on your side. Wake up, America! Wake up, New Testament churches! God is desirous to be on our side. True New Testament churches have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). The Lord promised the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church (Matt. 16:18). America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles from the Word of God. As long as America will stand with God, God will stand with America (2 Chron. 15:2; Psalm 46:10, 11). Ahab, under the prophet s direction, struck at the noon hour that day. The noon meal was a lengthy break from the day s activities. Ahab and his army marched out of Samaria to meet Ben-hadad and his forces. Ben-hadad and his allies were so sure of their victory that the noon meal became a drunkard s party. The party was interrupted with the report that men were approaching from Samaria. His orders were to take them alive, but his evil plans failed and the Syrians fled. Ben-hadad left the scene on horseback leaving his army to be slaughtered (1 Kings 20:16-21). The prophet once again came to Ahab with a message. He was told not to get too comfortable because the danger was not over. Ahab was to prepare himself for another battle. At the turn of the year, which came at the start of spring, Ben-hadad and the Assyrians would attack Israel again (1 Kings 20:22). Tuesday, April 19 Lesson 8 AHAB S SECOND SYRIAN CAMPAIGN 1 Kings 20:23-43 The reasoning of the ungodly never ceases to amaze me. The counsel Benhadad received from his servants was ludicrous. Their gods are gods of the hills (1 Kings 20:23). The idea of deities having only local power and only over certain things was a tenet among the idolaters. This is the reason they worshiped such a multiplicity of gods. They considered war to be a struggle between the gods. The advice of Ben-hadad s servants appeared to be wise counsel. Replace the thirty-two kings, who each likely had his own agenda and little battle experience, with captains experienced in matters of war. They advised him to rebuild his army man-for-man, horse-for-horse and chariot-for-chariot. The Syrians did not consider, for they did not know, that the God of Israel was the Almighty God over all the earth. Ben-hadad soon found out that the place of battle made little difference when the challenge was against the God of Israel (1 Kings 20:23-26). We are not told the size of the army Ahab sent forth to battle, but compared to the Syrian host they appeared like two small flocks of goats. The prophet of God assured Ahab that Ben-hadad and his army would be delivered into his hands. The deliverance by God was so Ahab and Israel would know I am

79 79 / 1 Kings 20:1 22:53; 2 Chronicles 17:1 20:37 the LORD (verses 27, 28). The battle was set in array for seven days. On the seventh day Israel and Syria attacked. It was God who turned the battle in Ahab s favor and Israel killed one hundred thousand of the Syrians in one day. The rest of the Syrians retreated to the city of Aphek. Here at this town on the Golan Heights four miles east of the Sea of Galilee, the walls fell, killing an additional twenty-seven thousand Syrians. Ben-hadad hid himself in an inner chamber of the city (verse 30). In the face of complete destruction, the servants of Ben-hadad dressed themselves in sackcloth and with ropes around their necks came out of the city to face the judgment of Ahab. They hoped for mercy that would save their lives (verses 31, 32). They were ordered to bring out Ben-hadad who was brought to Ahab s chariot. The once boasting king was brought to his knees. He promised to restore the cities taken captive and name streets for Ahab in Damascus. Ahab and Ben-hadad made a covenant and returned to their palaces (verses 33, 34). Ahab s leniency on Ben-hadad was rebuked by the prophet of God. This was not what God had intended. Ben-hadad had been marked for destruction and now Ahab would face the consequences of not carrying out the Lord s will. One of the sons of the prophets urged a fellow son to strike him and wound him. His refusal was met by his being killed by a lion. He then urged another man to smite him. This time the command was carried out. The prophet then disguised himself with ashes on his face and waited for Ahab to pass his way (verses 35-38). When Ahab passed the prophet pretended to be a wounded soldier. He asked Ahab to make a judgment. His story was that he had been wrongly punished by a superior officer. He explained how he was to guard a prisoner, but if the prisoner escaped, he would be killed or pay a talent (75.5 pounds) of silver. The prisoner escaped while he was busy with other duties. A common soldier in the ranks would not have a talent of silver. Therefore, the penalty would be certain death. Hearing the story, Ahab said, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it (1 Kings 20:39, 40). Appointed to Utter Destruction: cherem means something devoted unto divine service, extermination. The city of Jericho was to be utterly destroyed; thus it was devoted to God for destruction. Word Study #2764. The prophet removed his disguise and Ahab knew he was a prophet. Ben-hadad had been appointed for death; he was a condemned man by the orders of the Lord. Ahab had him in his hands but let him go. The prophet turned Ahab s judgment back upon him. It was the Lord s way for Ahab to see his failure and just judgment. The prophet had made it clear this was the Lord s battle. Ahab did not have the right to deal with Ben-hadad in a merciful way. If Ahab had heeded the word of God s prophet, and if he had the best interest of Israel at

80 Ahab and Jezebel The Demonic Duo / 80 heart, he would have dealt with Ben-hadad in the same manner Gideon dealt with Oreb and Zeeb (Judges 7:25, 26). Wednesday, April 20 Lesson 8 AHAB S CRIMES AGAINST NABOTH 1 Kings 21:1-29 In this chapter Ahab took on the character of the spoiled little rich kid. He was a wealthy king with great possessions; yet, he coveted what was not rightfully his. It may appear to the casual reader that Ahab s offer to Naboth was generous; however, under the Mosaic Law, Naboth had every right to refuse the king s offer (1 Kings 21:2, 3). The prince was not to take of the people s inheritance (Ezek. 46:16-18). The inheritance of Israel was not to move from tribe to tribe or person to person. It was to be kept as it had been given to the fathers (Num. 36:7). The land was not to be sold forever. It was to be restored to its original inheritor in the year of jubilee (Lev. 25:23, 28). Ahab returned from Jezreel to Samaria, fell into bed, turned toward the wall, pouted and refused to eat (1 Kings 21:4). The treachery of Jezebel was revealed at this time. Jezebel was outraged because the king had not been able to fulfill his desires. She would stop at nothing to get the things she wanted. She comforted Ahab by telling him not to worry because she would get the vineyard for him (verses 5-7). Jezebel premeditated the murder of Naboth to secure the vineyard for Ahab. She wrote a letter, forged the king s name and marked it with the royal seal. The letter instructed the elders of Naboth s city to proclaim a fast as though some wrong had been committed. Manna Heavy: sar is sad or heavy. Word Study #5620. Displeased : za eph means angry, irritated, out of humor, vexed. This phrase appears only twice in the Scriptures, 1 Kings 20:43 and 21:4. Both times, it is Ahab who was sad and angry. Word Study #2198. The King s Seal (1 Kings 21:8): A seal was a convex impression or identifying logo placed on a ring or other type of stamping device. This tool then transferred the emblem to a tablet of soft clay or hot wax verifying the authority of the document or correspondence. The practice of using a seal to verify a statement or official document is used even today by a notary public. The significance of the king s seal is seen in Esther 8:8: Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king s name, and seal it with the king s ring: for the writing which is written in the king s name, and sealed with the king s ring, may no man reverse. A child of God has the irrevocable seal of the King of kings stamped on his soul. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30).

81 81 / 1 Kings 20:1 22:53; 2 Chronicles 17:1 20:37 Belial: beliyya al is worthless, wickedness, a wicked man, a destroyer. It became the proper name for Satan.This statement marked a person as being evil and wicked. Eli s sons were referred to in this manner in 1 Samuel 2:12, and Satan is referred to as Belial in 2 Corinthians 6:15. There is no reference to it as being a city, instead a condition of one s character. Word Study #1100. Jezebel was well enough acquainted with the Law of Moses to know that two witnesses were required to invoke the death penalty (Deut. 17:6, 7). Two worthless men were chosen to falsely charge Naboth with blasphemy against God and the king. Such cursing was punishable by death (Deut. 13:6-11; 2 Sam. 19:21). It is ironic, yet, it shows how unscrupulous Jezebel was, that she would use the name of God and not hesitate to put her evil plan down on paper (1 Kings 21:8-10). That the plan was carried out by the elders shows how immoral the nation had become. Not only was Naboth killed, but we learn from 2 Kings 9:26 that his sons were also slain. This, Jezebel hoped, would guarantee the land would not be claimed as an inheritance by any of Naboth s descendents. Ahab moved quickly to claim the ill-gotten gain. Jezebel, Ahab, the two witnesses and the elders of the city were all equally guilty of the murder of an innocent man (1 Kings 21:11-13). Word was sent to Jezebel the evil deed had been accomplished. She wasted no time informing Ahab he could now take possession of Naboth s vineyard. Ahab went to possess the ill-gotten gain in no time (verses 14-16). While the wicked king rejoiced Manna Stoned with Stones (1 Kings 21:14; 2 Kings 9:4-10, 26): Being stoned to death was the ordinary means of capital punishment prescribed by the Jewish law. Some of the crimes punishable by death included blasphemy (Lev. 24:16), idolatry (Deut. 13:6-10), breaking the Sabbath (Num. 15:32-36), harlotry (Gen. 38:24), homosexual acts (Lev. 20:13), human sacrifice (Lev. 20:2) and witchcraft (Ex. 22:18; Lev. 20:27). The death penalty has had the sanction of God from the earliest stages of human civilization (Gen. 9:6). over his new vineyard, the sin by which he acquired it had not gone unnoticed. The Lord told Elijah exactly where to find Ahab and what he was to say to him. Ahab was startled to see Elijah there in the vineyard. No doubt Ahab had gone there to gloat over how he obtained it for nothing, or so he thought. Elijah met Ahab at the scene of the crime. Ahab had nothing to offer in his defense when Elijah asked, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? (1 Kings 21:19). Elijah was the last person Ahab wanted to see. He did not want Elijah to interfere with his plans or reprove him or his actions. Elijah and Ahab, two men with different philosophies and purposes in life, came face-to-face once more. Not at all unlike sinners today, Ahab looked upon the man of God as his enemy. Elijah made it clear he was there because Ahab had sold himself to work evil (verses 17-20).

82 The condemnation was presented in no uncertain terms. The message troubled Elijah, but not nearly as much as it did Ahab. It was a message of condemnation. It revealed the doom and evil that was to fall upon the house of Ahab. Ahab s heirs were to be exterminated (the literal meaning of take away thy posterity ), not one male heir to the throne was to be left. Ahab s house was to be like that of Jeroboam and Baasha (1 Kings 15:29; 16:11). Ahab was told, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy Ahab and Jezebel The Demonic Duo / 82 Manna blood, even thine (1 Kings 21:19). Jezebel s role in this debauchery would be costly for the prophet Elijah foretold that the dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel (1 Kings 21:23). Sixteen years passed, Elijah was gone up into Heaven; Jehu had been anointed king over Israel and Jezebel was still alive, but we can rest assured God s Word is certain. She met her fate just as Elijah had prophesied (2 Kings 9:30-37). The true character of Ahab was revealed to us in 1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. What Ahab could not think of on his own, his wife, Jezebel, prodded him to even more wickedness. Serving the gods of the Amorites was a big part of Ahab s downfall. The Amorites occupied a great part of Mesopotamia and Dogs in Bible Times (They Ate Jezebel) (1 Kings 21:23): There are forty-one references in the Bible to dogs. Although these animals were often used for guarding flocks (Job 30:1), wild dogs especially are often spoken of in disparaging ways including metaphorically for sin and sinners (Deut. 23:18; Prov. 26:11; Phil. 3:2). So, when dogs were used in the judgments of Ahab and Jezebel, to the Jewish mind, the unusual nature of their death spoke vividly to their own canine-like character, depravity and judgment. In New Testament times, their gnashing of teeth was a reminder of the torments of hell. (See Curse Connected with Being Eaten by Dogs and Not Buried in Lesson 11.) Stirred Up: cuwth means to prick, to provoke, seduce. Ahab ruled the people of Israel, but he was governed by his imperious wife. The wickedness of Jezebel s influence is seen in the death of Naboth (1 Kings 21:13-15). Word Study #5496. Syria. Their capital was at Haran. The idols of Israel included Baal, which was not the name of just one god, but the name of the presiding deity of any given area. Ashtoreth was a goddess of the Canaanites. Her male consort was Baal. These two were worshiped with lewd rites. In the midst of all this confusion and evil 1 Kings 21:27 appears as an anomaly; yet, here within these darkest of days in Israel this verse gives us some hope there was some decency still to be found in Ahab. Hearing the judgment proclaimed by Elijah, Ahab for the first time perhaps in his life showed remorse and humility before God. Ahab was granted a reprieve from

83 83 / 1 Kings 20:1 22:53; 2 Chronicles 17:1 20:37 the Lord. The judgment was put off until after Ahab s death. Sadly, the evils of Ahab and Jezebel found their reward in the children (verses 28, 29). Thursday, April 21 Lesson 8 AHAB S ALLIANCE WITH JEHOSHAPHAT 1 Kings 22:1-28 Ahab s daughter, Athaliah, married Jehoram, the eldest son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. This helped to seal a formal alliance between Israel and Judah. This was the first time since the nation divided that the kings of Israel and Judah met on friendly terms. This alliance continued up until the time Jehu ousted the house of Ahab. It had been nearly three years since Ben-hadad made a covenant with Ahab to restore the cities to Israel that had been taken by his father during the reign of Omri. Ahab felt this was more than sufficient time for Ben-hadad to keep the terms of the treaty, so he enlisted Jehoshaphat and his armies to join him in a battle against the Syrians. It was at the insistence of Jehoshaphat that Ahab agreed to gather the prophets. Almost four hundred were assembled whose obvious desire was to tell Ahab what he wanted to hear. Jehoshaphat, who recognized these were men of Baal and not Jehovah, sought a prophet of the Lord. Micaiah s message was clear and straightforward. He spoke only what was given him to say from the Lord, but Ahab wanted only to hear his brand of the truth and not that he would die if he pursued to go into battle. Micaiah was assaulted and imprisoned because of his prophecy. Friday, April 22 Lesson 8 AHAB S DEATH 1 Kings 22:29-53; 2 Chronicles 18:1-34 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). This was never truer than in the life of Ahab. He never settled the question asked by Elijah on Carmel. If the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him (1 Kings 18:21). Jehoshaphat should have refused any help to the godless Ahab, but he feared the rising powers in Damascus and saw this as an opportunity to quiet the enemy. Jehoshaphat was a godly man, and he insisted that the will of the Lord be sought in the matter. Ahab was not all that willing to comply with the request. When he put the question to his paid prophets, they falsely told of a victory and urged Ahab to go to Ramoth-gilead. These were not the prophets of Baal, but backslidden prophets of the Lord who gave themselves up for hire. Jehoshaphat was rightly suspicious of this group. He sought out an honest prophet who was not tainted by Ahab s evil hand. Micaiah was to be brought

84 Ahab and Jezebel The Demonic Duo / 84 before them. Ahab acknowledged his hate for Micaiah in his words, for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil (1 Kings 22:8). When Micaiah denounced the false prophets and told Ahab that Israel would be defeated, he denounced the words of Micaiah. Ahab s treatment of this prophet of God shows how low spiritually he had sunk; yet, he feared the Lord enough that he thought to disguise himself before he went into battle. How foolish can one be? The many masquerades of false religion are quickly stripped away in the light of God s Word. The Lord easily sees through the pretensions of man. Death usually brings with it at least some sorrow, but what would the people say at the death of Ahab? Was there any good thing to remember or report? When the battle was set in array, Ben-hadad ordered his soldiers to seek out the king of Israel during the battle. Jehoshaphat, dressed in his robes, narrowly escaped being killed. As the Syrians drew back from pursuing Jehoshaphat, an arrow, shot at no particular target, found a deadly mark in the back of Ahab. In spite of Ahab s precautions, Micaiah s prophecy came to pass. The Lord had been patient with Ahab, but the time had passed for the Lord s long-suffering, and it was turned to judgment. The death of Ahab brought the battle to a halt. The prophecy of Elijah was about to be fulfilled. A soldier carried the bloody chariot to a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up the blood. The dogs licking up the blood of Ahab was only a partial fulfillment of Elijah s prophecy. God had given Ahab some immunity for his humility; however, the fullness of the prophecy did fall on Ahab s sons as the Lord said it would (2 Kings 9:24-26; 10:1-10). At a Venture: tom is soundness, perfection, uprightness, simplicity or innocence. Venture has a wide usage in the Scriptures, but in 1 Kings 22:34, it relates the idea that the archer simply let his arrow go at random, not attempting to aim at anything in particular. Word Study #8537. Ahab lived wickedly and died scheming to save his life. With all his powers as the king of Israel, he could not put off the fulfillment of Elijah s prophecy. His somewhat superficial repentance could not help him now. The Lord was long-suffering with Ahab, but the day of judgment had come. Saturday, April 23 Lesson 8 REVIVAL UNDER JEHOSHAPHAT 2 Chronicles 17:1-19; 19:1-11 Jehoshaphat came to the throne of Judah at the age of thirty-fve and continued the religious reforms started by his father Asa. The foundation for revival was found in Jehoshaphat s faith. He sought after the Lord God and his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord. Jehoshaphat took positive steps to restore the authority of the Temple and the Law.

85 85 / 1 Kings 20:1 22:53; 2 Chronicles 17:1 20:37 The people of Judah needed to turn from idols to serve the true and living God. The high places and groves of idolatry in Judah were destroyed. Jehoshaphat knew the surest way to keep the people from idols was to increase their knowledge of the Lord God and His Law. The governors of Judah, along with nine Levites and two priests, were sent to the cities throughout Judah to teach them the books of the Law. This not only had a great affect upon Judah but also upon their neighboring enemies. Jehoshaphat was rebuked by Jehu for helping the wicked Ahab, but unlike Ahab, he did not grovel in evil. He prepared his heart to seek God. He personally traveled from city to city to bring them back to the Lord God. His instructions to the judges and priests were instructions to be repeated and heeded today. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good (2 Chron. 19:11). It is impossible to study the life of Ahab and Jezebel and not be reminded that God s laws are sure. His long-suffering is the time He is giving each of us to prepare to meet Him. The only way to stand before God is on the merits of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He does not desire for anyone to die in their sins. He grants a day and time of repentance by His matchless grace. If like Ahab and Jezebel, we refuse it, He will come with judgment.

86 Lesson 9 For Sunday, May 1, 2005 Elisha God s Prophet of Miracles 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12 8:15; 13:20-25 There are eighteen separate short stories that present the life of Elisha. Sixteen of these stories took place during the twelve year reign of Jehoram. There is no mention of Elisha during the reigns of Jehu and Jehoahaz, a period of forty-five years. The last two stories are given during the reign of Jehoash. Each story in some way manifested the divine authority and power of Elisha s God. Monday, April 25 Lesson 9 THE CALL OF ELISHA 1 Kings 19:19-21 Elijah was told that Elisha would be anointed as his successor during a depressing time in his life. As he stood in the opening of a cave on Mount Horeb, the Lord gave him instructions to go anoint Elisha (1 Kings 19:13-16). How uplifting this experience must have been for Elijah. Elisha was more than a successor; he stood in the place of Elijah as an anointed ambassador. Although the anointing of a prophet may have occurred on other occasions, the case of Elisha is the only one recorded in the Scriptures. The name Elisha means God is salvation. Elisha s father was named Shaphat which means judge. Their home was a fertile area near Abel-meholah, a village a few miles south of Bet-Shéan in the Jordan valley. Shaphat was a man of wealth with large fields, and he owned at least twelve yoke of oxen. He did not raise his sons to be idle. Elisha was found in the fields behind the twelfth team of oxen. There was no jealousy between these two men as evidenced by several things. 1. Elijah moved quickly to return and do the Lord s bidding. The revived and refreshed prophet s desire was to carryout the Lord s command. 86

87 87 / 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12 8:15; 13: When Elijah came into the field where Elisha was plowing, he cast his mantle upon him. This showed Elijah s willingness to bow to the Lord s will. It also signified the close relationship these two prophets were to have. 3. They labored together during the final years of Ahab and during the reign of Ahaziah, a period of almost ten years. The attitude of these men toward each other contributed greatly to their success. Elisha s immediate recognition of what Elijah s actions meant and his servant-like attitude toward Elijah were signs of a strong spiritual upbringing. Elijah granted Elisha some time to count the cost of following him in service. Elijah was a fugitive in the eyes of Jezebel with a death penalty hanging over his head. In spite of the personal cost, Elisha left the fields and his father s house with no thought of returning. The sacrifice of the oxen and burning of the instruments showed his break with the past. There was to be no further entanglement in the affairs of his past life. This had to be done for Elisha to be successful as the Lord s prophet. From the time of his anointing until his death covers a period of over sixty years. Elisha was given a long and prosperous ministry. Miracles played a prominent part in the Ministered Unto Him: sharath means to serve, attend, wait on. This verb is in the intensive voice and suggests an intensive dedication of service with which Elisha served Elijah. This is much like the way one would serve the king.the depth of Elisha s commitment of service is seen in his relinquishing his home, killing his yoke of oxen (probably the better of the two) which he owned and burning his yoke and plow. Word Study #8334. ministry of Elisha. He performed more miracles than any other Old Testament prophet. The biblical record shows only Jesus Christ performed more miracles than Elisha did. There were other great prophets in both Judah and Israel. Why did God choose Elijah and Elisha above the others to perform such works? The spiritual decline that existed in Israel during their times made such demonstrations of divine power and authority necessary. There were scattered among the people those who still worshiped Jehovah, but the majority followed Baal-Melqart. These miracles challenged even the most ardent idolater to acknowledge the existence and power of Elisha s God. What is a miracle? Webster s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a miracle as an extraordinary manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. The biblical concept of a miracle is the work of God that goes beyond the powers of nature or human reasoning to accomplish His divine purpose. Unlike the so-called miracle workers of today, Elisha s miracles were real and lasting. Elisha s ministry and miracles show the willingness and readiness of God to meet the needs of those who come before Him with a contrite heart. The setting is the reign of Jehoram. Jehoram s domineering mother, Jezebel, lived throughout the twelve years of his reign. Even though he put

88 Elisha God s Prophet of Miracles / 88 away the image of Baal that Ahab had made (2 Kings 3:2), the influence of Jezebel and idolatry remained strong in Israel. Tuesday, April 26 Lesson 9 THE TRANSLATION OF ELIJAH 2 Kings 2:1-18 This chapter reveals one of the most stirring stories in the Old Testament. Elisha faithfully served under the tutelage of his master, Elijah. From the narrative it appears that both Elijah and Elisha were aware of what was about to happen. Their final journey together on earth started at Gilgal, which was located in the mountains between Beth-el and Nablus, and has been identified with modern day Jiljuliyeh. Elijah again gave Elisha several opportunities to consider the cost of following after him. Tarry here, I pray thee was repeated three times, first at Gilgal, then at Beth-el and finally at Jericho. Elisha was determined to follow his master. Each time he answered Elijah with I will not leave thee (2 Kings 2:2). Elisha followed closely in the footsteps of Elijah. He was prepared to follow his master even to death if that was where the road led him. How picturesque this should be of every child of God and his relationship with Jesus Christ. As they walked through Beth-el and Jericho, the sons of the prophets came out and spoke with Elisha. Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? (verse 3). They knew Elijah was to be taken up from his position as teacher and master. Elisha s resolute determination and surrender once again was seen in his answer. Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace (verse 3). Elijah took his mantle and smote the Jordan and they crossed on dry ground. What happened next is perhaps the key to Elisha s success. Manna Casting One s Mantle on Another (1 Kings 19:13; 2 Kings 2:14) The mantle was a large outer garment worn by most Jews which could be with or without sleeves. It was made of wool or goat hair and worn year round to protect the wearer from the elements. Mantles were particularly useful for shepherds and traveling prophets, the latter of whom were frequently overnight guests of their hearers. It was the custom of the host to provide a sleeping mat for a visitor but no blanket or pillow. Elijah s mantle, which could have been woven with dyed thread to give it a recognizable design, was used by the prophet in parting the Jordan River similar to the way Moses used his staff at the Red Sea (Ex. 14:16, 21; 2 Kings 2:8). It held no supernatural powers of its own, but it was emblematic of the power and authority of God upon the man himself. Thus, the garment was received by Elisha as a sign of passing authority to him and the power of the Lord on his ministry.

89 89 / 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12 8:15; 13:20-25 Manna The Sons of the Prophets (2 Kings 2:3): In the days of Samuel, an assembly of prophets was gathered together at Ramah for training (1 Samuel 19:18-21). Evidently, they preached throughout the land. Later, Elijah was the head of similar groups gathered at Beth-el, Gilgal and Jericho. Today, we would call these preachers in training a Bible institute or seminary. If these schools for prophets were useful during the approximately two hundred years from Samuel to Elisha, they are today. The ministry of Charles Spurgeon proves you do not have to go to seminary to be used of the Lord: yet, you can cut more wood with a sharp axe than you can with a dull one. Iron sharpeneth iron (Prov. 27:17). Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee (verse 9). Elijah had no doubt or question about Elisha s sincerity, or else he would not have made such an offer. The young prophet put the desires of the flesh and the needs and desires of the spirit into their right perspective. I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me (verse 9). This was not a selfish or egotistical desire. In light of the times and the ministry that was ahead of him, it was what he needed to continue walking in the steps of Elijah. Elisha s earnest desire was to be more like his master. Elijah s answer indicated that this was not his to give, but, if Elisha saw him leaving, he would know that God granted his request. Mixed emotions must have Manna The Chariot of Israel and Its Horsemen (2 Kings 2:12): The taking up of Elijah in a whirlwind and the appearance of angels in the form of a chariot of fire driven by angelic horsemen was a reminder to Elisha and the fifty sons of the prophets observing from across the Jordan River that God would continually fight for the people of Israel (Luke 16:22; Heb. 1:7). He would do this by supernatural means instead of depending upon human instruments of warfare like their pagan neighbors (Judges 6:11, 12; 7:2, 16-23). Today, we are reminded the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual. We are to depend upon God, not the flesh, in fighting His battles (2 Cor. 10:4, 5; Eph. 6:10-17; Heb. 4:12). swept over Elisha during those next few minutes. The sadness that comes at such times, the joy in knowing Elijah would be with the Lord and the blessing of knowing his request had been honored by God. Elisha tore his own garment to prepare himself to take up the mantle of Elijah. Elisha was well aware of his need for the power of God as he took the mantle and smote the Jordan and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? (verse 14). When the waters parted, it was proof positive to him and the sons of the prophets who said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha (verse 15). Elisha seemed to be the only one who fully understood what had happened to Elijah. These same fifty young men who told Elisha his master would be

90 Elisha God s Prophet of Miracles / 90 taken, wanted to send out a search party for him. Perhaps they thought Elijah had been carried away by the Spirit in much the same way Philip was in Acts 8:39, 40. By searching the surrounding mountains and valleys, they hoped to find Elijah alive. At first Elisha refused their request, but they persisted to the point of embarrassment. Elisha agreed they could go to satisfy their own hearts and minds. After three days of hard searching in an inhospitable part of the country, they returned without finding a trace of the translated prophet. Elisha took this opportunity to justify his actions. Did I not say unto you, Go not? (verse 18). Wednesday, April 27 Lesson 9 ELISHA HEALS THE SPRING 2 Kings 2:19-25 The men from Jericho came to Elisha and complained about the bad water coming from the spring. It was to the point that the ground was barren. The Hebrew here could have been translated and the land is apt to miscarry. Jewish commentators apply this to the cattle and women around Jericho as well as the ground. Jericho was said to be a pleasant place to live, but they needed good water. The men were asked to provide a new bowl filled with salt. Elisha took the salt and cast it into the spring and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land (verse 21). The waters were made sweet. Today this spring is called Elisha s fountain and it still provides sweet water for the city of Jericho. Elisha was returning to Beth-el when a number of young people from the city met him and mocked him. They said to him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head (verse 23). Elisha turned and cursed his mockers in the name of the Lord. As a result two she bears mauled forty-two of the mockers. This story appears harsh to some; however, close examination of the facts will bring it into proper view. The words little children is from the Hebrew word nearim which can mean young men. This group of mockers was most likely in their teens. These teens from the city that was the center of Israel s calf worship were mocking the man of God to go away like Elijah had done. This was God s curse against the God-defying spirit that prevailed in much of Israel. Thursday, April 28 Lesson 9 MIRACLES OF ELISHA 2 Kings 3:1 4:37 The King of Moab, Mesha, rebelled after the death of Ahab and refused to pay the tribute that had been set by Omri, Jehoram s grandfather. This marked the third time King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with one of

91 91 / 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12 8:15; 13:20-25 the kings of Israel. This time they were joined by the king of Edom. They traveled for seven days through Edom and found themselves without any water. Although Jehoram tried to Manna Jehoram Cleaved Unto the Sins of Jeroboam 2 Kings 3:3): Jehoram was the second son of Ahab, king of Israel. He ruled over Israel from the city of Samaria as had his wicked father and mother. Jehoram took the throne after the death of his brother, Ahaziah, and is commended for removing the images of Baal. He was less wicked than his infamous father, but continued in the sins of Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom. Jeroboam built houses of false worship in Dan and Beth-el to compete with the Temple, because he was afraid his people would be drawn away from his influence if they worshiped in Jerusalem. (See 1 Kings 12:26-33 and Lesson 6.) convince the others this alliance was of the Lord, Jehoshaphat desired to hear from one of the Lord s prophets. We are not told how Elisha came to be in the camp, but his presence was surely by the hand of God. Jehoshaphat knew the word of the Lord was with Elisha. He went with the others to meet the prophet. Elisha strongly reproved the alliance when he rebuked Jehoram. Why did you not call the prophets of Ahab and Jezebel? He asked if Melqart was the god of rain, why come to me? Elisha had little regard for this evil king. Were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat... I would not look toward thee, nor see thee (2 Kings 3:14). Elisha promised, if they would make the valley full of ditches, the Lord would miraculously fill them with water. This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. They were also promised victory over the Moabites. The sight of the full ditches appeared as fields of blood to the Moabites. The evil of the times and the need for a strong prophet of God to stand up and be counted was seen when Mesha, in hopes of turning the tide of the battle, offered his eldest son on the city wall to the Moabite god, Chemosh. Human sacrifice for the hope of appeasement was practiced widely by the nations around Israel and Judah, and no one practiced it more than the Moabites did. Though the man had changed, the spirit and the message had not. Elisha showed himself to be God s man for the hour. Several things are learned about the sons of the prophets in this first verse. 1. They were not all young men. Their service as teachers and leaders in Israel continued into old age. 2. They married and had families. 3. They lived in their separate homes and not in monasteries as some have supposed. This man s deeds and life of faith were known to Elisha. According to Jewish historians and scholars, the poor woman who cried out to Elisha was the widow of Obadiah. If this is true, the debt may have been incurred when Obadiah took the one hundred prophets into his care. He hid and fed them during Jezebel s murderous rampage through Israel (1 Kings 18:3, 4).

92 Elisha God s Prophet of Miracles / 92 This would also make Elisha s concern for her and her sons clearly understandable. The lender was at the door demanding payment. The widow had no means with which to pay, so the lender was about to take her two sons into servitude to pay the debts. Upon inquiry, Elisha found there was only a pot of oil left in the house. What this means is there was only enough oil for one anointing. The widow was instructed to go borrow many empty vessels and bring them to her house. This done, she and her sons filled all the vessels from the one small flask of oil. When all the vessels were full, the oil stopped flowing. By obeying Elisha, she was blessed with enough oil to sell, pay the debt and have enough left for her and the sons to supply their daily needs. Elisha often traveled through the area of Shunem, and on occasion he found himself the guest of a great woman and her husband who lived in the city. Perceiving Elisha to be a holy man of God, she urged her husband to prepare a guest room in their house for him. Elisha rewarded this kindness by healing her barrenness and promising her she would bare a son. Several years passed and the child was now a growing lad. One day, while in the fields with his father, he became ill and was carried back to his mother where he died in her arms. Those who have lost a child in death can sympathize with the sorrow and pain she was suffering. Her actions exemplified hope and faith. She did not immediately set out to bury the child, but she placed the child in the guest room upon Elisha s bed and went out to find the prophet of God. When Elisha saw her coming, he sent Gehazi to inquire, if it is well with her, her husband and her child? Her answer, It is well, speaks of her greatness. She resolved to stay with Elisha while Gehazi ran ahead with Elisha s staff. There was to be no miracle from the lifeless staff, but only by her faith and personal intervention of the man of God. Life was to come from the living and not a dead staff. Elisha covered the child with his own body, symbolically taking his place in death, a beautiful picture of what Christ did on Calvary for those who are dead in trespasses and sin. The child was restored to life and returned to his mother. Her faith was greatly rewarded. Friday, April 29 Lesson 9 THE MIRACLES OF ELISHA 2 Kings 4:38 7:20 The seven years of famine had begun and food was in short supply. When Elisha returned to the school of the prophets at Gilgal, he asked his servant to prepare a great pot of vegetable stew. This great pot was to be shared by all. It would have been of interest to all those in the house, especially in a time of famine. Amos spoke of a famine... of hearing the words of the LORD (Amos 8:11).

93 93 / 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12 8:15; 13:20-25 What happened next serves to teach us that even the best of intentions need to be directed by the Word of God. Even though Elisha had given no such command, one young man went out to gather herbs on his own. He was deceived by what he gathered. They were plentiful, they looked good, but they were poison. Many young Christians are poisoned today by the wild vines of heresy that others have gathered and thrown into the pot. The cry rang out, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot (2 Kings 4:40). The meal that was added by Elisha served as a symbol of divine intervention. The meal alone could not cure the pottage; it had to be accompanied by the power of God. The pottage was now feast for the hungry. In the absence of the regular priesthood in the Northern Kingdom, the offering of the firstfruits was brought to the prophets so they might feed those in need. The twenty loaves of barley and ears of corn would not have gone far in feeding one hundred hungry men. This miracle reminds us of the loaves and fishes the Lord used to feed the great multitude (John 6:9-13). Elisha simply told the server to put it on the table and the Lord would see to it that the provisions were adequate. Even though Naaman was captain of the Syrian forces, he was inflicted with leprosy. He had proven himself a valiant officer for we read, By him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria (2 Kings 5:1). Jehovah is God of all nations and peoples. He knows no boundaries. Pardon: salach is to forgive, to spare, to pardon. It is used eleven times in the Old Testament and is the only word which expresses to forgive. Word Study #5545. Servant: évedh means a slave, a man in bonds, a subject; a worshiper. Naaman has asked Jehovah to pardon (forgive) the one who worshiped Him. He was in bonds to the Lord. Naaman was His subject and a worshiper of Him. Word Study #5650. Leprosy is used in the Scriptures as a type of sin. In Israel the leper was quarantined and those infected were to cry out unclean, unclean when anyone approached them; however, apparently this was not so in Syria. There are many today like Naaman who have positions of authority; they are talented; yet, they are diseased. They lack the cleansing power of God. We are not always aware of the way God may choose to work. In this passage we find a little Hebrew servant girl who suggested her master go see Elisha. Naaman gathered gifts and a letter from the king of Syria addressed to Jehoram king of Israel. The letter caused fear to come over Jehoram. He felt it might be some sort of military provocation. Jehoram must have sighed in relief when Elisha concerned himself with the problem. Naaman soon discovered that there is a prophet in Israel. Naaman s state of mind necessitated the harsh treatment he received from Elisha. He desired to be treated as a captain who happened to have leprosy, instead of a leper who was also a captain. Humility and obedience was what was needed. Naaman must heed the words of the prophet and dip himself

94 Elisha God s Prophet of Miracles / 94 seven times in the muddy Jordan. Not until he heeded the word was he to be cleansed. At the urging of his servant, Naaman finally complied with the words of the man of God. Naaman s victory stands in sharp contrast to the spiritual failure of Gehazi. Because of Naaman s obedience, he was cured of leprosy; because of his disobedience, Gehazi became leprous. He was greedy, misused his master s name and misrepresented Elisha s word. Naaman, the diseased, almost missed the simplicity of the cure Elisha promised. Iron: barzel means iron, an iron implement (ax) head. Word Study #1270. Swim: tsuwph means to overflow, flow, swim. Swim is in the causative state, thus the borrowed ax head was caused to float. Word Studies #1270 and #6687. The sons of the prophets desired to enlarge their campus and requested Elisha go with them. This was of great importance, for they, as we, need the master s presence. One student had an axe that had been borrowed, that is, donated by request so he too could join in the work of cutting timbers. While he was working, the axe fell into the Jordan River. The young man immediately pleaded to his master for help. Out of concern for the young man and the work, Elisha, by God s power, caused the iron to swim. When the axe head was recovered, the work of building continued. The Syrian invaders tried to subdue the people of Israel by surprise attacks. Twice thwarted in his plans, Ben-hadad was certain there was a traitor in his camp. He was told by a servant that it was Elisha s prophetic word that kept Jehoram informed of what was said in Ben-hadad s bedchamber. Ben-hadad sent spies to find Elisha and attempted to capture him at Dothan. Elisha s servant became alarmed at the sight of the Syrian chariots. Alas my master! How shall we do? (2 Kings 6:15). Elisha s words were never truer than right now. Fear not (verse 16). Why not? For God is on our side. God is all that is needed to win (Rom. 8:32; Psalm 46:1). The army that came to take Elisha was struck with blindness. They were peaceably led to Samaria, about twelve miles to the south. Elisha s sword was the Word of God, his shield and strength the Most High. Syria laid siege around Samaria, which resulted in famine within the city. The most loathsome kinds of foods were eaten. Some had even resorted to cannibalism. Although Jehoram appeared upon the wall in sackcloth, he was not penitent; instead he threatened to kill Elisha. Elisha did not run or become alarmed; he knew God would care for him. In the midst of this tribulation, Elisha prophesied that on the morrow food would be in great supply. The Lord caused the Syrians to hear chariots, horses and armies that were not there. They retreated in such haste that all their provisions, including their animals, were left behind. This was discovered by four lepers who reported their findings to the city. Upon investigation the starving Samaritans spoiled the tents. Jehoram s servant had mocked Elisha s prophecy, but the prophecy was fulfilled including the death of the servant.

95 95 / 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:12 8:15; 13:20-25 Window: arrubah is window, dove-cot, chimney or a floodgate. Windows in 2 Kings 7:2 is the answer to what has been said. It is plural and floodgates is the best interpretation.the officer of the king made this scoffing statement that even if God opened the floodgates of Heaven and rained down grain, this prediction should be true. Word Study #699. Heaven: shamayim means to be lofty. There are two main categories of meaning: (1) The physical heavens, (2) where God dwells. Certainly, the latter meaning should be used here.word Study #8064. Because of the famine, Elisha directed the great woman of Shunem and her household to flee to the land of the Philistines for seven years. She now sought to recover her house and lands. Gehazi was rehearsing all of Elisha s great deeds to King Jehoram when the son he had restored to life cried to the king concerning the house and land. Jehoram appointed her a special officer who was to make sure not only her house and land was restored but also the price of the fruits that had been harvested during her absence. God continued to watch over this great lady and her family. Elisha was sent to Damascus so he might fulfill the commission given to Elijah at Horeb (1 Kings 19:15). When he met Hazael, Elisha wept because of his insight to what was to befall Israel. Upon his return to the palace, Hazael murdered Ben-hadad and seized the throne of Syria. Elisha lived such a life that even the ungodly would miss him. Some mocked him, others reviled him, but all would mourn his passing. His miracles served to confirm that his message was from God. Even in his death, it was confirmed that the Lord was his God. Elisha forever reminds one of the great Bible characters of faith and service. May God grant that we be servants like Elisha. Saturday, April 30 Lesson 9 THE MIRACLE AT ELISHA S TOMB 2 Kings 13:20-25 During the early years of the reign of Joash, also called Jehoash, Elisha became ill. Joash came to Elisha, wept over him and repeated the same words Elisha had spoken some sixty years earlier as he watched Elijah ascend into Heaven (2 Kings 13:14; 2:12). Even though he had done evil in the sight of the Lord, Joash was aware Elisha was about to go the way of Elijah. Joash s visit showed some respect for Elisha; however, his main concern seemed to be the impending attack of Syria. Elisha had gained Israel s victories through the prophetic Word of God. He wondered whether the people of Israel would be left defenseless and to the mercy of their enemies if Elisha died? Joash s tears were a mixture of respect for Elisha and sorrow for himself. Elisha took a bow and arrows and symbolically gave prophetic utterance of Joash s victories over Syria. Joash was told to shoot an arrow, which pictured

96 Elisha God s Prophet of Miracles / 96 the Lord s deliverance by the invasion into another s territory and thereby achieving victory. Then he was told to clasp the remaining arrows and smite the ground with them. Joash showed little enthusiasm in the symbolic gesture and was rebuked for stopping after only striking the ground three times. For sixty years Elisha was God s prophet in Israel and on occasion to Judah as well. Jewish historian Josephus wrote, He (Elisha) was a man celebrated for righteousness, and in eminent favour with God. He also obtained a magnificent funeral, such a one indeed as it was fit a person so beloved of God should have (Antiquities of the Jews, page 206). The Moabites had rallied their forces ever since their defeat by Jehoshaphat and Jehoram. They continued their attacks into Samaria each spring of the year. A group of men who were carrying a corpse quickly shoved the body into the tomb where Elisha had been buried when they saw a band of marauders coming. Keep in mind that Jewish graves were not pits in the ground. They were either caves or rooms dug into the side of hills with a heavy rolling stone covering the mouth. The sudden push given the corpse caused it to fall next to the body of Elisha. Even in death, Elisha spoke, for the dead corpse was immediately restored to life. This miracle was more surprising than any he had performed while alive. It was confirmation of the promise that by divine power, Israel would defeat Syria three times. When Hazael, King of Syria, died, he was succeeded by his son, Ben-hadad III. Joash was able by the promise of Elisha s prophecy to defeat the Syrian strongholds in Israel. The towns of Israel on the west bank of Jordan were restored, and Joash was granted three victories as Elisha had said. This final miracle and fulfillment of Elisha s prophecy served to encourage the people of Israel and increase their reverence and appreciation for Elisha.

97 Lesson 10 For Sunday, May 8, 2005 Obadiah God s Prophet of Doom Obadiah; 2 Kings 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20 Obadiah s message is one of judgment for Edom s bitter enmity toward his brother, Jacob and his offspring. Edom is the only neighbor of Israel that is not given any promise of mercy from God. The hatred-like spirit among the sons of Jacob and the descendents of Esau and Ishmael goes back to the days of their youth. Their sons and grandsons have kept the hatred stirred for thirty-eight hundred years, and it is still evident in the Middle East in the year Monday, May 2 Lesson 10 WHO WAS OBADIAH Obadiah 1 Verse 1 serves as an introduction to this important book. Obadiah is often referred to as one of the Minor Prophets. This term has nothing to do with the importance of the message delivered; instead it refers to the size of the book. The message is marked by thus saith the Lord GOD. This is not the word of Obadiah, but the Word of God, through His prophet. The subject of the message is concerning Edom. Two great truths are set before us. 1. There is a rumour from the LORD. 2. There is an ambassador... sent among the heathen. The events that take place sanction both the message and the messenger. We have no knowledge of Obadiah s personal life. His name means servant or worshiper of the Lord. Obadiah is the name of at least thirteen men in the Bible, but none of these can be identified with certainty as the author of this book. Obadiah was perhaps the first of the writing prophets. From the internal evidence of Obadiah, the date would fall sometime after a military attack had brought some destruction to Jerusalem. The time points to the reign of Ahaziah. The Hebrew tense in verse 12 could be read, look not. This would note an action taking place or one about to happen. Edom rebelled against 97

98 Jehoram early in the ninth century BC (2 Kings 8:20-22). Edom and Philistia formed an alliance against Judah during the reign of Ahaz in the middle of the ninth century BC (2 Chron. 28:16-19). Two verses in Obadiah compare closely to passages in the book of Joel. Obadiah 15 compares to Joel 1:15 and Obadiah 17 compares to Joel 3:17. Also compare Obadiah 19 and Amos 9:12. These few facts give us an approximate date that would fall sometime during the reign of Jehoram between the years BC (2 Kings 8:16-24; 2 Chron. 21:1-10). Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only one chapter and twentyone verses. The ministry of Obadiah concerned God s judgment upon Edom (Esau s descendents) because of their hostilities against Judah and Jerusalem. Obadiah is yet another prophet Obadiah God s Prophet of Doom / 98 Manna The People of Edom (Obadiah 1): Edom means red. It refers to the descendants of Esau (Gen. 25:25), who sold his birthright for a bowl of red soup. Edom was a large nation, but it reflected Esau s lack of faith in Jehovah (Gen. 36:1-8; Rom. 9:11-13). It was the region forty miles wide that went southeast from the Dead Sea one hundred miles to the upper end of the Gulf of Aqabah. It was a land of red sandstone mountains, originally occupied by cave dwellers (Gen. 14:6), but had arable land between its rugged peaks. Edom had productive iron and copper mines which produced some national wealth. On the way to the Promised Land, one of Edom s kings refused to allow the children of Israel to pass through its midst by the king s highway, an ancient trade route to Damascus (Num. 20:14-21). This is only one instance of a long history of strife between the two nations that struggled in Rebekah s womb (Gen. 25:22). In 500 BC the Nabateans drove the Edomites from this land. They resettled in Palestine southwest of the Dead Sea in Idumaea and eventually passed out of existence as a nation. of the Lord that proves God s Word and judgment upon sin is sure. There is a close resemblance between Obadiah 1-9 and Jeremiah 49:7-22 concerning God s judgment upon Edom. Obadiah made certain his listeners and readers understood clearly the source of his message. The vision of Obadiah. The word vision is from the Hebrew word chazon which means to have a mental sight such as a dream, to have spiritual understanding, or a revelation granted by God. This title, or more so, introduction, is used by several of the Lord s prophets (Isa. 1:1; Lam. 2:9; Ezek. 8:4; Dan. 2:19; Nahum 1:1; Hab. 2:2). Obadiah also used the same words, as did the other great prophets of God, in the introduction to his prophecy. Thus saith the Lord is used four hundred thirteen times in the Old Testament. The term Lord from the Hebrew word Adoni declares the authority and power by which Obadiah spoke. Adoni is a name or title that declares the sovereignty of God. This word is used of Jehovah in the Old Testament. No other being in Heaven or in earth is worthy of such a title.

99 99 / Obadiah; 2 Kings 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20 Tuesday, May 3 Lesson 10 WHO WAS EDOM? Genesis 25:30; 32:3; 36:1; Malachi 1:2, 3 Edom is also called Esau in the Bible. Esau means hairy in Hebrew. He was the twin brother of Jacob. According to Genesis 25:22 these two struggled with each other while still in their mother s womb. It was foretold to their mother, Rebekah, that the elder would serve the younger. Esau was a man of the fields who loved to hunt. He also was one that lived for the moment. This is evidenced when we read how he gave up his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil soup (Gen. 25:30-34). Esau s worldly character is also apparent when, at the age of forty, he married two Hittite women, Judith and Bashemath. This was a grief of mind unto Isaac and Rebekah (Gen. 26:34, 35). The Hittites were one of the most powerful people that stood against Israel during the days of Joshua. They were descendents of Ham (Gen. 10:15; 1 Chron. 1:13). Ten thousand tablets were found at the ancient Hittite capital at Khattusa (Boghaz-koy) in Turkey. These tablets agreed with the biblical account of these people. Once again the archeologist spade proved the accuracy and inerrancy of the Bible. Several years passed and it became clear that Esau had either forgotten about, or more likely chose to ignore, his sinful bargaining with Jacob over his birthright. The birthright was an honor that was placed on a man s firstborn son. It gave the firstborn blessings and privileges over his younger brothers. The Lord claimed the firstborn of Israel by right of redemption (Ex. 13:2). The birthright included a double portion of the Father s inheritance (Deut. 21:15-17). The firstborn was also given the honor and privilege of acting as priest for the family. The Lord later set aside the tribe of Levi for the priesthood. Numbers chapter 3 tells of the Lord s command to number the Levites and the firstborn of Israel. The Levites numbered 22,000. The firstborn of the rest of the tribes of Israel numbered 22,273. Five shekels was paid for each of the remaining 273 firstborn males in Israel. The redemption money was given to the Levites (Numbers 3:38-51). The blessing of the birthright was passed from Isaac, who was nearly blind at the time, to Jacob by the trickery of his own wife, Rebekah (Gen. 27:1-29). No amount of regret could undo the loss Esau had brought upon himself (Heb. 12:16, 17). Among the sons of Jacob (Israel), Reuben lost his birthright because he defiled his father s bed by lying with Bilhah, Jacob s concubine. Bilhah was the mother of Dan and Naphtali (Gen. 35:22, 49:3, 4). Jacob s second and third sons, Simeon and Levi, lost their birthright because of their cruel vengeance upon the house of Hamor and Shechem for defiling their sister, Dinah (Gen. 34:1-31; 49:5-7). The first blessing came upon Judah who would prevail and be the kingly tribe (Gen. 49:10). But it was Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel, who was blessed with the double portion in his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (1 Chron. 5:1, 2). The Lord knew the character and heart of Jacob and also of

100 Obadiah God s Prophet of Doom / 100 Esau, thus we find it recorded, As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (Malachi 1:2, 3; Rom. 9:13). With his birthright lost, Esau and his descendants built up a strong resentment for Jacob and his descendants. It has continued to seethe and boil over throughout the years. Esau settled in the area south of the Dead Sea known as Seir. There he built a magnificent fortress city at Petra. The name Edom was used to refer to Esau and his family who are called Edomites (Gen. 36:9). At the time of the Exodus, Israel was refused the use of the King s Highway by the Edomites (Num. 20:14-29). During the reign of Jehoshaphat they joined with their cousins, the Ammonites and Moabites and raided the southern borders of Judah (2 Chron. 20:1-37). This type of action was a constant threat to Judah. After the fall of Judah and Jerusalem, Edom rejoiced (Psalm 137:7; Ezek. 35:15). Edom is the only neighbor of the Israelites who is not promised any mercy. Wednesday, May 4 Lesson 10 EDOM S REVOLT 2 Kings 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20 Jehoram was vice-regent for the last four years of his father Jehoshaphat s reign. This appointment was made when Jehoshaphat went to join forces with Ahab at Ramoth-gilead to battle against Syria. This left his son to rule Judah while he was engaged in battle. Jehoram should have taken note of his father s godly rule. Jehoshaphat was one of Judah s better kings, but Jehoram was characterized by evil. No doubt a big factor in the way Jehoram lived like the kings of Israel was his marriage. This marriage was brought about as a result of the association of Jehoshaphat with the wicked house of Ahab. It was one of political expediency and is a blot on Jehoshaphat s memory. Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and she was every bit as wicked as her mother (2 Kings 8:18). This arranged marriage was fatal to the cause of godliness in Judah. An important lesson for us is the importance of godly parents properly supervising the children s acquaintances, those whom they date and marry. Many homes have suffered the heartbreak of seeing their children and grandchildren out of the Lord s service because their son or daughter married outside the faith. Jehoram ruled only eight years after the death of Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 21:5). His reign was marked by one disaster after another. The first tragic act of Jehoram was the murder of his six brothers. Jehoshaphat had given these six sons gifts of silver, gold and precious things, with fenced cities in Judah (2 Chron. 21:2-4). Note how the birthright of the firstborn gained the throne for Jehoram. But the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn (verse 3). Killing siblings was a common act among the heathen kings to insure they had no rivals to the throne. This was not the practice in Judah; however, Athaliah, upon the death of Jehoram and her son Ahaziah, usurped the throne of Judah by killing her own grandsons (2 Chron. 22:10-12).

101 101 / Obadiah; 2 Kings 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20 The second tragic event during the reign of Jehoram involved the revolt of Edom. Edom a few years earlier had joined with Jehoshaphat and Jehoram against Moab (2 Kings 3:4-27). It was likely at this time the Edomites made the deputy king (1 Kings 22:47; 2 Kings 8:20). Jehoram was not successful in putting down this revolt (2 Kings 8:21, 22; 2 Chron. 21:8, 9). Note that the writers of Kings and Chronicles both recorded, So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day (verse 10). If Ezra, the ready scribe (Ezra 7:6), was indeed the main recorder of the Chronicles, then this is speaking of a revolt that continued for three hundred fifty years. The third tragic event was likely inspired by Jehoram s wickedness. The city of Libnah rose up against Judah. Libnah was a royal city of the Canaanites in the southwest part of Judah at the head of the valley of Elah. Joshua took it as Israel possessed the Promised Land (Joshua 10:29-31). It was designated a Levitical city (1 Chron. 6:57). The Levites had stood with Jehoshaphat to judge the people (2 Chron. 19:8), but, under the reign of Jehoram, the Levites, priests and worship of Jehovah were neglected (2 Kings 8:18; 2 Chron. 21:6). There is no indication in Scripture that Jehoram made any attempt to seek revenge upon the Levitical city of Libnah. The fourth tragic event came with the attack of the Philistines and Arabians against Judah, which was stirred by the Lord (2 Chron. 21:16). Judah suffered great material losses. During the battle Jehoram s wives and all of his sons except the youngest, Jehoahaz (also called Ahaziah), were taken captive (2 Chron. 21:16, 17). Upon the death of Jehoram, Ahaziah was anointed king, which would indicate that the Philistines had killed the rest of Jehoram s sons. The final tragedy was the grisly way in which Jehoram died. A letter from the prophet Elijah foretold the evil that would befall Jehoram because of his sins against God (2 Chron. 21:12-15). Jehoram died a terrible death from an incurable disease of his bowels. Two years of affliction and suffering did not bring him to his knees. When he passed, the people of Judah and Jerusalem did not give him a royal burial. The history of Jehoram and Edom serve as a reminder that those who turn their back on the Lord and his people will meet with certain judgment. Thursday, May 5 Lesson 10 EDOM S PRIDE AND DESTRUCTION Obadiah 2-9 Judgment is sure to fall upon Edom! This is a certainty. Why? Jehovah has spoken. The text of our lesson reveals how God felt about Edom. I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised (verse 2). God kept His promises to Abraham and Isaac. God promised to bless Ishmael with twelve princes that would produce a great nation; however, God s covenant concerning the land of promise and the Promised Seed was established with

102 Isaac. (Gen. 17:19-21). Isaac passed the blessing of his father, Abraham, on to his son, Jacob (Gen. 28:1-4). There was a movement among Edom against the chosen of God. This is not unlike events around us today. There are nations who are still desirous to cut off the chosen seed of God. Regardless of what may be said in the news, it is still the underlying plan of the Arab world to push Israel into the Mediterranean Sea. The same is also true of the Lord s churches. There are nations and people within our own country who would like to silence the gospel message and close down those churches who proclaim it. Like all unbelievers, Edom was filled with pride and gave no heed to the messages from God s prophets. Edom was deluded by a false sense of security. Edom s haughtiness was rooted in his heart. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee (Obad. 3). Verse 3 speaks of the deceptiveness of pride. Solomon knew well the deceitfulness and destruction of pride. Among his proverbs we read, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18). The land of the Edomites was also called Mount Seir (Gen. 36:8, 9). This area was originally inhabited by the Horites, which in Hebrew means cave dwellers (Gen. 14:6). Seir is a mountainous plateau that lies south of the Dead Sea down to the Gulf of Aqaba. It is an area about one hundred miles long and some forty miles in width at its widest point. The capital of Edom, Petra (Sela), is located one hundred sixty-nine miles southwest of Amman, the present day capital of Jordan, and fifty miles south of the Dead Sea. The name Sela means rock cliff or crag. The Edomites believed no foreign enemy would ever overwhelm them and take the city. Petra is in the canyon of Wadi Musa. It is surrounded by towering mountains, shear cliff walls, with unbearable heat in summer months, and little water. The entrance to Petra is by a narrow passage between sandstone cliffs that are two to three hundred feet high. This passage is only eight feet wide in Obadiah God s Prophet of Doom / 102 Manna Deceived: nasha means to lead astray. It is a causative verb. Thus, the safeness of the Edomites land caused them to have a false feeling of security. Jeremiah 49:15 begins the same prophecy and in verse 16, Jeremiah says it is their terribleness that has caused them to be deceived. Word Study #5377. The Cleft of the Rock (City of Petra) (Obadiah 3): Edom s pride, likely bolstered by the wealth gained from its mining industry and safe haven in almost impregnable mountains, led directly to their conquest by the Nabateans. After the Edomites were driven out of their homeland, the Nabatean Arabs built the beautiful rose-colored city of Petra for their capital. Though no longer inhabited, it is accessible primarily by donkey caravan and is often visited by Holy Land travelers. Some believe Petra will be the mountain hideaway of the Jewish remnant when the anti-christ desecrates the Temple in the middle of the Tribulation Period (Dan. 9:27; Zech. 13:9; Matt. 24:15, 16).

103 103 / Obadiah; 2 Kings 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20 some areas and is nearly two miles long. The location gave its citizens a false sense of security. The mountains around the city are filled with many natural and man made caves. Many of these were enlarged and go deep within the mountains. These caves served as government buildings as well as homes for the Edomites. The magnificent temples and buildings are an engineering marvel. The caves offered natural insulation from the extreme heat of summer and the severe cold of the desert winter. Edom exalted himself when he compared himself to the soaring eagle. This was a vain attempt to flatter himself into thinking he was untouchable. His self-confidence spoke who shall bring me down? (Obad. 3). The Lord answered this self-exaltation and pride with a strong message. The lofty and proud need to remember the words of the prophet Jeremiah, Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD (Jer. 49:16). Jehovah alone is omnipotent. You may think you soar like an eagle and your nest is among the stars, but the God of Exalt: gabahh means be lofty, figuratively to be haughty. It is translated exalt three times in the Old Testament, twice in Ezekiel and here in Obadiah. Here it is in the causative state and expresses the thought that you, Edom, have lifted yourselves, out of pride, above all others. Word Study #1361. Heaven will bring you low (Obad. 4). Many of the nations in the Old Testament learned this lesson the hard way. Egypt, Babylon and Nineveh are just a few that tasted and felt the wrath of God. Even in our own generation, we have seen the fast and mighty rise of communism, fascism and nazism. All of these in turn will answer before the Almighty God of Heaven. Regardless of who we may think we are, we will all answer to the highest authority, Jesus Christ. In verses 5-7, we hear the voice of Obadiah. By using the analogy of robbers and thieves, he showed how complete the ruin of Edom would be. Even a robber would leave something behind and grape gatherers at least leave the gleanings (verse 5). Obadiah was astonished to see how Edom was searched out and brought to his knees. The prophet Ezekiel enlarged on the destruction of Edom (Ezek. 25:13, 14; 35:1-4). Next, Obadiah showed how Edom was deceived by those he thought to be friends and allies (Obad. 6, 7). The rats quickly deserted the sinking ship and took their plunder with them. Aligning with the enemies of God s people will never bring prosperity, only sure defeat. America needs to be cautious about who it calls friend. The voice of Jehovah is heard once again in verses 8, 9. For all of his knowledge and wisdom, Edom could find no way out. His rock city fortress and marauding armies were no help. His wisdom and counsel had perished (Jer. 49:7). The mighty men were totally dismayed. They had boasted of physical

104 Obadiah God s Prophet of Doom / 104 and intellectual accomplishments. A visit to Petra or a study of it will show that these were not ignorant people. They were able to build a most beautiful and magnificent city; however, today it is in ruins. They had great ability and a great opportunity in life; yet, these God-given blessings were all misdirected; therefore, God stripped them of it all. Friday, May 6 Lesson 10 EDOM IN THE DAY OF THE LORD Obadiah Cut Off: karath means to cut off a part of the body, to cut down trees or idols. Metaphorically, eliminate or remove. Word Study #3772. Forever: ólam means time past or time immemorial. God vowed, because of its sin against His people, that Edom would be removed or eliminated for time immemorial. Word Study #5769. These verses are the voice of the prosecutor. All the whys and wherefores are clearly put before us by Obadiah. There was no need for any denial. To plead innocent to charges that all knew to be true would only add to the burden of judgment they faced. They were being charged with violence to their brother Jacob (verse 10). He showed himself to be a perpetual sword in pursuit of Jacob that had no Manna The Day of the Lord (Obadiah 15): In the study of prophecy, predicted events often skip like a flat stone on a smooth lake. They generally have a twofold application the historic present, which is a more immediate application of the prediction, and the prophetic future, a second or third skip in a more distant use for the prophecy. If Obadiah prophesied during the revolt of Edom against Judah (2 Kings 8:16-22), around 500 BC, he was the first prophet to use the phrase the day of the Lord. In this case, its more immediate application, the historic present, was the invasion of Edom by the Nabateans. In the prophetic future, the day of the Lord refers to a series of events over a much longer period of time. It encompasses the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-18), the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:14-17), the Tribulation Period (Jer. 30:7; Zech. 14:1-4; Matt. 24:21; 1 Thess. 5:1-4), the Millennium (Obadiah 15, 21; Zech. 14:8, 9; Rev. 20:1-6) and the Heaven Ages (2 Peter 3:10-13; Rev. 21:1, 2). pity (Amos 1:11, 12). Edom took out his hatred and revenge on his brother (Ezek. 25:12). They now were to reap what they had sown (Ezek. 35:5, 6). During the days of Israel s calamities instead of coming to his brother s aide, Edom chose to stand aloof and side with the enemies (Obad. 11). They helped to scatter God s people among the nations and took part in slave trade and other atrocities (Joel 3:1-3). Obadiah gives us an analysis of Edom s sin. The charges and crimes continued to stack up.

105 105 / Obadiah; 2 Kings 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21: The day the enemy came you just stood there and watched. 2. In the day of Israel s destruction you rejoiced. 3. In their day of distress you spoke proudly. 4. In their day of calamity you entered the gates, looked on their affliction and took their substance. 5. In the day of distress you stood in the crossroads of those who tried to escape and then sold those who still remained in the land. The Day of the Lord had come (verses 15, 16). As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee. When the Lord was finished, it was as though Edom had not existed. The method of judgment was spelled out. It was clear and irrevocable. There would be no appeals. No more hearings or pleading to a higher court. The highest court of all had delivered its verdict and sentence. What God had spoken would be brought to pass. Edom would become a perpetual desolation. His cities would not be rebuilt. Edom and the nations would know that this was the Lord s doing (Ezek. 35:7-15). Edom, or Idumaea as it is also called, took full advantage of the fall of Judah in 586 BC. Many of them migrated into the heart of the land around Hebron. During the time of the Maccabees, John Hyrcanus subdued them and placed them under Antipater as governor. This was the grandfather of Herod the Great. When Rome took Israel, Edom or Idumaea were included. When Titus destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, Edom was gone and disappeared from history. Saturday, May 7 Lesson 10 EDOM INCLUDED IN THE KINGDOM Obadiah Nations have risen and fallen, but the people of God remain. Though Edom was gone, the nation of Israel Manna Mount Zion (Obadiah 17): This term referred to a citadel, or ancient fortress, that sat on one of the hills of Jerusalem immediately south of Mount Moriah. After David captured this hill from the Jebusites, he called it the city of David and brought the Ark there, where it remained until Solomon built the Temple on Mount Moriah. The term is also applied to the nation of Israel (Isa. 33:14; 49:14), the city of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:21), the Temple (Isa. 8:18; Joel 3:17) and to Heaven (Heb. 12:22; Rev. 14:1). would be restored. The people of Israel would take what was rightfully theirs. After almost nineteen hundred years without a country, the Jews began to return in great numbers. The United Nations voted to partition the land of Palestine and create a homeland for the Jews. On May 14, 1948, David Ben- Gurion raised the six-pointed Star of David over the new nation of Israel. God said, And

106 Obadiah God s Prophet of Doom / 106 the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions (Obad. 17). The chosen people were coming home. Israel would regain the land like a firestorm (verse 18). No longer would they be two nations, but Joseph and Jacob were to be one. We have witnessed glimpses of their fire on several occasions. They took the world, especially their Arab neighbors, by surprise when they withstood the attacks from all sides and managed to carve out a homeland. Again during the war of June, 1967, though greatly outnumbered, they defeated the combined Arab forces in just six days. They took all of the Sinai, the west bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights. The greatest triumph came on June, 1967, when for the first time in 1,897 years, the Jews had control of Jerusalem and were able to worship at the western wailing wall. The house of Jacob step-by-step is claiming its possessions. Israel will regain the territories that were given them by divine covenant with their forefathers. Jacob will possess all the territory that was theirs during the time of their greatest expansion during the reigns of David and Solomon. Those dwelling in the southern regions of Israel will take Edom and Mount Seir for their possession. Thus, the country will expand south and eastward. This land is under the control of Jordan today, but God s Word will prevail. Edom will be a possession of the house of Jacob (Num. 24:16-19). The most High and the Almighty in verse 16 are identified as being a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre that would rise out of Israel in verse 17. Jacob, when blessing his sons, gave important prophecy concerning his son, Judah (Gen. 49:9, 10). Jacob spoke of the day the Lord Jesus Christ would rule over Israel and the nations. Balaam s prophecy was partially fulfilled, but Israel is today surrounded by enemies. The news daily reports of clashes and battles within Israel and along its borders. The One coming out of Jacob will have dominion. The kingdom will also expand like a raging fire over stubble (Obad. 18). It will move to the west and south along the Mediterranean coast (verse 19). Those who are living in the plains west of the Judean hills will take the land of the Philistines. The Gaza strip that is much in the news today because of its terrorist activities falls into this area. The land of the north will be completely restored and enjoyed. The tribe of Benjamin, because of its faithfulness to Judah and the Lord, will possess Gilead. Gilead was used in the Old Testament to indicate Israel s possessions east of the Jordan River. This is a two thousand foot plateau that extends from the lower end of the Sea of Galilee southward to the northern end of the Dead Sea. This is the fertile and productive area of Jordan. Many of the exiles will make up an army that will move northward into what is now southern Lebanon (verse 20). The city of Zarephath was an ancient Phoenician city that today is about thirty miles north of Israel s present border. Sepharad is only mentioned here in the Scriptures as a place

107 107 / Obadiah; 2 Kings 8:16-29; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20 Saviors: yasha means to be open wide or free, to be delivered. Word Study #3467. Come: álah is to ascend, mount up, go up, rise, to be exalted. Saviors appears only twice in the entire Bible, here and in Nehemiah 9:27. In Nehemiah, it means a deliverer. Here it implies judge. The judges shall be raised-up, apparently, to judge the Edomites. Word Study #5927. where certain captives of Jerusalem were taken. Its location cannot be stated with any real certainty. Jews use the term to identify the country of Spain. Hence Spanish Jews are called Sephardim. Israel will possess those lands around it when the saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau (verse 21) The Lord s day of vengeance will come (Isa. 63:1-6). The prophecies of Obadiah serve as a warning to those who would stand against God s chosen people.

108 Lesson 11 For Sunday, May 15, 2005 Jehu God s Man of Retribution 2 Kings 9:1 10:36; 2 Chronicles 22:1-9 The two strongest and longest lasting dynasties in Israel reigned successively. First was the house of Omri, which had four kings Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah and Joram on the throne of Israel. These four ruled Israel forty-four years. Second was the house of Jehu, which saw five kings Jehu, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam II and Zachariah on the throne of Israel; these five ruled for one hundred nine years. Zachariah was assassinated after ruling six months. The house of Jehu did not show itself to be strong as Omri s house. During Jehu s dynasty Israel encountered a number of losses. Both were spiritually bankrupt, but Jehu did rid Israel of Baal worship. Monday, May 9 Lesson 11 JEHU S ANOINTING 2 Kings 9:1-13 Jehu was the military captain for Joram and the armies of Israel. He was still at Ramoth-gilead, the scene of the last battle (2 Kings 8:28). Elisha commanded one of the young prophets to go to Ramoth-gilead and anoint Jehu to be king over Israel. Elijah was told at Mount Horeb that the day of judgment upon Baal and its idolatrous worshipers was sure to come. This judgment was to be administered by three men. Elijah was commanded to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, Jehu to be king over Israel and Elisha to be prophet in his place (1 Kings 19:15, 16). Although this was told Elijah twenty years earlier, it shows that Elisha truly was the prophet in the room or place, of Elijah. Even though Elijah had been taken up by the Lord in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11), the truth of his prophecies and ministry did not relinquish for one moment. God worked it all out on His time schedule. When the Lord s time was right, Elisha carried out his commission to anoint Jehu. Elisha was fully aware of where Jehu could be found, what he was doing, and who would be with him. The young man was to ask Jehu to arise and follow him into an inner chamber (2 Kings 9:1-4). The anointing oil 108

109 109 / 2 Kings 9:1 10:36; 2 Chronicles 22:1-9 Manna Gird Up the Loins (2 Kings 9:1): Both men and women wore a girdle in Bible times, which was made of either cloth or leather. It was worn beneath the mantle or outer garment and used to secure the inner garment in place. When a cloth girdle was folded, it could be used to hold small items such as coins. A leather girdle was sometimes strengthened by a suspender and often worn by soldiers, travelers, shepherds and prophets. It could hold swords, tools and pouches such as a carpenter or electrician wears today. As someone prepared for a journey, he would tuck the lower edges of his garment into the girdle and travel unimpeded. Symbolically, girding up the loins meant getting ready to go, preparing to work and entering service (Psalm 18:39; Isa. 11:5; Eph. 6:14; 1 Peter 1:13). was the holy oil, made after the art of the apothecary (Ex. 30:22-32). This was more than just an anointing as king. Jehu was appointed God s instrument of judgment upon the evil house of Omri. When the young man arrived at Ramoth-gilead, he Oil: shemen is to grease, liquid, (olive) oil which sometimes perfumed. It was used as medication in some sacrifices, or to cook with. It had a variety of uses much as we use oils today. It was also used to anoint a new king or to consecrate the Tabernacle and its contents.word Study #8081. Pour: yatsaq means to pour out. Word Study #3332. Head: ro sh means chief, principal, ruler; sum, top. Here it is used to express the idea of the chief of the tribe, or leader of the group.the same usage is found in the New Testament. In these verses, the box or flask of oil was poured over the head of Jehu to signify he was the king of Israel.This would have been the same as the alabaster box of ointment which was poured over the head of Christ in Matthew 26:7. Word Study #7218. called Jehu aside to the inner chamber and anointed him King of Israel (2 Kings 9:5, 6). The young man told Jehu he was to smite the house of Ahab and avenge the death of God s prophets by the hand of Jezebel (verse 7). The house of Ahab had been given a number of opportunities to repent of sin and Baal worship, but the people chose to continue in sin. Elijah pleaded with them on Mount Carmel to choose whom they would serve. Elijah s message was short and clear: If the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him (1 Kings 18:21). Through all of this they sold themselves to work evil (1 Kings 21:20). The house of Ahab would not be spared. Every male descendent was to be killed. His house was to be like that of Jeroboam. Jeroboam reigned for twenty-two years and his son Nadab for only two years. Baasha killed Nadab and then smote the whole house of Jeroboam so that none were left because of Jeroboam s sin (1 Kings 15:27-30). Baasha was as evil as Jeroboam and those of his house who were killed and eaten by dogs (1 Kings 15:33 16:3). The final charge was against the wicked Queen Jezebel, a reminder of Elijah s prophecy made some fifteen years earlier. The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her (2 Kings 9:10). Truly it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31).

110 Jehu God s Man of Retribution / 110 Mad: shaqa means to rave through insanity, to play the mad (man). This statement is made in regards to the man sent to John.The captain called him a mad fellow because of what he had to say to Jehu. This statement might also be made in reference to his dress or the fact that his life s work was that of serving the land. Word Study #7696. The young man then fled the house as he had been instructed. When Jehu returned to his men, they questioned the purpose of the young man s visit. He must have come in like a whirlwind, for they called him a mad or wild fellow. Jehu at first made light of what had happened. He suspected his men had prearranged this with the young man and Elisha (2 Kings 9:11). They denied any such conspiracy saying, It is false, tell us now (verse 12). When Jehu Manna Eaten by Dogs and Unburied Bodies (2 Kings 9:10, 34, 37): In the Jewish culture, a dog, especially if wild, was a lowly creature. Dogs are metaphorically used for fools, sinners and enemies of the gospel (Deut. 23:18; Prov. 26:11; Phil. 3:2; Rev. 22:15). The wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:42), so often spoken of by Jesus, was a reminder of the sounds coming into Jerusalem at night from the valley of Hinnom just outside the city walls. In the time of Christ, this valley was used as a garbage heap. It was where the unburied bodies of criminals were dumped. They were then burned with the refuse and wild dogs and worms fed on them. So, Jesus warned of the eternal abode of the lost where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:44). In addition to the humiliation of Jezebel s being eaten by dogs and denied an honorable burial, this manner of death also pointed to her final destiny. Though buried, wicked King Ahab died in a similar fashion to his wife, both according to prophecy (1 Kings 21:19-25; 22:37, 38). told them what had transpired in the inner chamber, all of their hostility against Joram was released. They quickly proclaimed Jehu king by a creative ceremony. They placed their garments before him on the ground at the top of the stairs and sounded the trumpets. In the eyes of Joram this was a treasonable rebellion; however, the time for God s judgment upon his father s house had come (verses 12, 13). Tuesday, May 10 Lesson 1 JEHU SLAYS JORAM 2 Kings 9:14-29; AND AHAZIAH 2 Chronicles 22:1-9 Jehu and his army had to act fast. Word of what had happened was bound to spread rapidly across the country. Orders were given to seal up the city of Ramoth-gilead so no one could go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel (2 Kings 9:15). Ramoth-gilead means heights of Gilead. Today

111 111 / 2 Kings 9:1 10:36; 2 Chronicles 22:1-9 this area is in the country of Jordan. The ancient site of Ramoth is about forty miles north of Amman, Jordan s capital, and about twelve miles east of the Jordan River. During the reign of Solomon it was the seat of the governor. It was one of the most important Israelite cities east of the Jordan. It was near here Ahab was wounded and died (1 Kings 22:34-38). Ahaziah was the King of Judah during this time (2 Chron. 22:1). He was the son of the wicked Jehoram and Athaliah, who was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Kings 8:16-18; 2 Chron. 21:6). Athaliah was her son s counsellor to do wickedly (2 Chron. 22:2, 3). The spiritual climate in Judah had never been lower. Ahaziah s destruction came when he listened to evil counselors (verse 4). The king of Israel, Joram, was Ahaziah s uncle by marriage. Joram was wounded in the battle with Hazael, king of Syria. He returned to the ivory palace, built by Ahab (1 Kings 21:1), to convalesce from the wounds (2 Kings 9:14-16). Ahaziah had joined with his uncle in battle, but he returned to Jezreel when he heard Joram was sick (2 Chron. 22:5, 6). Jehu was a man of speed for he did not hesitate to perform the task to which God had called him. He was determined to carry out his commission to the letter. Jehu went back across the Jordan and drove his chariot furiously the forty miles to Jezreel. Jezreel, meaning God soweth, is in the fertile valley of Megiddo, also called the plain of Esdraelon. This ancient city is twelve miles south of Nazareth, and four miles south of Afula, which is at the ancient site of Ophrah where the angel appeared to Gideon (Judges 6:11). An alert watchmen saw the men approaching and sent word to Joram. This small group that came toward the palace made Joram think they were bringing news of the battle. Twice he sent messengers to inquire Is it peace? Jehu answered each messenger in turn, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me (2 Kings 9:17-22). To paraphrase, What does it matter to you one way or the other? Get out of my way. He was determined to let nothing come between him and his God-given appointment. The watchman noted that neither of the messengers returned. The watchmen finally identified that Jehu led the approaching chariots. He was driving furiously, which is from a Hebrew word that could also be translated like a madman or like crazy. Joram had chariots harnessed and made ready for him and Ahaziah to go meet Jehu. There was no suspicion of any treason because Jehu had been a faithful servant to the king. Joram and Ahaziah rode out together and met Jehu and the others in the field that Ahab, by murder, stole from Naboth. Joram was no doubt expecting a full report from the captain of his host when he asked, Is it peace, [Jehu]? Why else would the leader of Israel s army be returning? Jehu s caustic reply of What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? surely caught Joram off guard, but he knew full well its meaning (2 Kings 9:21, 22). As Joram turned to flee, he warned Ahaziah of the treachery. Jehu slew Joram with an arrow through his heart and had his body thrown in the field of Naboth, the place where he had witnessed Jezebel and Ahab murder Naboth (verses 23-26). First Kings 21:19, 29 was fulfilled in Ahab s son just as the prophet said.

112 Jehu God s Man of Retribution / 112 Ahaziah had escaped the Philistines and Syrians, but he was not to escape the hand of Jehu and the judgment of God. He first turned south toward Judah and fled as far as Ibleam, about one mile southwest of modern day Jenin. Jehu ordered his men not to let him escape, as he was the grandson of Ahab. Jehu had been commissioned to smite the house of Ahab and that included Ahaziah (2 Chron. 22:7). Ahaziah was mortally wounded by Jehu s archers as his chariot slowed to turn toward Megiddo at the ascent of Gur. He managed somehow to reach Megiddo and died. It would appear from the account in Chronicles that Ahaziah attempted to flee and hid in Samaria, but he was captured by Jehu s men and brought back to Megiddo and killed. Ahaziah was given a royal burial in Jerusalem because of his God-fearing grandfather, Jehoshaphat (verse 9). The last statement of this verse, So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom, will be enlarged on in Lesson 12. Wednesday, May 11 Lesson 11 JEHU SLAYS JEZEBEL 2 Kings 9:30-37 Jezebel was shameless. She clearly presented it in this passage. It had been fifteen years since she had plotted the murder of Naboth. During that time she had witnessed the deaths of her husband, Ahab, and their two sons, Ahaziah and Joram, also called Jehoram (1 Kings 22:40; 2 Kings 3:1 ). Yet, Jezebel never showed any sign of remorse or regret. Her heart was bent on doing evil. She had been the source of evil counsel for thirty-six years. By this time she no doubt felt she had beat the prophet and his God. She showed little sign of remorse for her family. When she received word of what had happened, she prepared herself in hope that she could sink her poisoned talons into the new king, Jehu. It is difficult to imagine that the words of Elijah no longer haunted her, but, in the case of this hardened sinner, it was true. It was not in her thoughts that faithful Jehu could possibly be the Lord s avenger of blood. With painted face and dressed in all her finery, she was neither dressed to mourn nor did she expect her own death. She proceeded as planned and perched herself in a window where Jehu would be sure to notice her. She was filled with sinful pride. She was a grandmother in her fifties who still hoped to seduce the younger Jehu with her good looks. Her cry to Jehu was not one of defiance as some Tired: yatav means to be good or beautiful. Word Study #3190. Her: éth means self. Word Study #853. Head: ro sh means head of a human. Jezebel tried to make her appearance beautiful. Used in conjunction with painted her eyes, Jezebel put her makeup on and dressed her head in royal attire, probably putting on her royal clothing to intimidate. It is also possible that she was preparing to die as a royal queen. Word Study #7218.

113 113 / 2 Kings 9:1 10:36; 2 Chronicles 22:1-9 have supposed. Her intentions were to somehow captivate Jehu and reconcile the kingdom. Jezebel s words are to be understood as a positive declaration. Is it peace between us or have you come in peace is the meaning here. Calling him Zimri (1 Kings 16:9, 10) was a complimentary form of praise. If her charm and beauty did not turn Jehu s head, she hoped flattery would (2 Kings 9:30, 31). Jezebel, with all her evil charm and trickery, did not turn the head or heart of Jehu from his appointed task. Jehu looked up to the window and cried out, Who is on my side? (verse 32). When a couple of her attendants looked out, Jehu commanded them to throw Jezebel out the window. When she hit the ground, some of her blood was sprinkled on the building walls and the horses as Jehu s chariot ran over her body in the street (verses 32, 33). In a short time Jehu was responsible for the slaying of two kings and now a queen. If he were affected by his actions, it did not show. He proceeded on to the palace and went in to eat and drink. The bloody horse-trampled body of Jezebel was left in the street and given little or no thought until Jehu had filled his belly. Jehu referred to her as a cursed woman (verse 34). He ordered her to be buried, not because she had been queen, but because she was a king s daughter. Those who were sent to bury Jezebel returned and reported they found nothing but her skull, feet and hands. The words of Elijah had come to pass (1 Kings 21:23). The dogs had eaten her flesh. It took place at Jezreel outside the city wall. Here the blood of Ahab, Joram and Jezebel answered the cry of the blood of Naboth (1 Kings 21:19; 2 Kings 9:26). There was to be no grave or monument for Jezebel, for her carcass was to be as dung upon the fields. This was a shocking end to a woman who lived a disgraceful wicked life (verses 36, 37). Thursday, May 12 Lesson 11 JEHU SLAYS THE HOUSE OF AHAB 2 Kings 10:1-17 Jehu came into power as a reformer. He quickly set out to cut off the whole house of Ahab. In a subtle way he obtained a pledge of loyalty from the elders at Jezreel. These were the men who nursed and tutored the sons of Ahab. Jehu s letter challenged them to select the best and boldest son of Joram and crown him king. There was a garrison at Samaria, and he challenged the elders to use their weapons and come out against him and fight for their new king. Jehu was certain the elders would not risk a battle with the seasoned soldiers from Ramoth-gilead (2 Kings 10:1-3). The elders were frightened by Jehu s letter. Word had reached them so they knew full well what had happened to Joram, Ahaziah and Jezebel. They would not be able to rally any troops to fight for or defend a detested ruling family. Jehu was a respected military leader with the support of the people.

114 Jehu God s Man of Retribution / 114 Therefore, the elders sent back a letter of surrender. They pledged to be his servants and follow his commands. They would anoint no king, but wrote for Jehu to do what he felt was right (verses 4, 5). Jehu sent a second letter that demanded proof of their loyalty to him. The command was for the elders to behead the seventy sons of Ahab and send them to Jezreel by the next day. The tutors of the king s sons did not hesitate to carry out Jehu s orders. They cut off the heads of the seventy princes of Israel and put them in baskets and sent them to Jezreel (verses 6, 7). When the seventy heads arrived at Jezreel, Jehu ordered that they be put on public display. They were piled in two heaps near the city gates until the morning. The next day Jehu went to the city gate and spoke to the people. He confessed he had killed Joram. He pretended he did not know who had killed the seventy sons of Ahab, but he waited until the next day to speak. Jehu knew word would get around about the fate of the seventy princes of Israel. Since there was no uprising or public outcry, it showed how tired the people were of the evils they had suffered under the house of Ahab. Jehu reminded the congregation what had happened had been foretold by the prophet Elijah (verses 8-10). By invoking the name of Elijah, Jehu hoped to get the sympathy and support of the people. He claimed he was the Lord s avenging agent in these matters. Before Jehu left Jezreel, he slew all that remained of the house of Ahab. This would have included not only the princes but also the princesses. None were left who might claim succession to the throne of Ahab or Joram. The great men were the partisans of the house of Ahab. These were likely those who had carried out the bloody will of Jezebel against Naboth. The Hebrew text refers to them as intimate or familiar friends and not necessarily a family member. His priests is a reference to the prophets of Baal that were on the king s payroll. Thus all that pertained to the house of Ahab were destroyed (1 Kings 21:19-24; 2 Kings 10:11). Jehu had completely done away with anyone at Jezreel that might be a threat to his reign in Israel. He left Jezreel and headed toward Samaria, which was about thirty miles to the south. Near the sheepshearing house Jehu encountered a group of forty-two relatives of Ahaziah, the king of Judah. They tried to convince Jehu they were on their way to visit their cousins and the queen mother, Jezebel. Jehu was not fooled by them. By this time the news of what had happened in Israel had reached Jerusalem. This group of Ahaziah s brethren were not ignorant of the current events. They were going north to their relatives of the house of Ahab. Jehu ordered them taken alive and then slain at the cistern or well near the shearing house. These forty-two princes of Judah were also descendents of Ahab. He would have been their grandfather. So it was the house of Ahab was destroyed in both Israel and in Judah.

115 115 / 2 Kings 9:1 10:36; 2 Chronicles 22:1-9 Friday, May 13 Lesson 11 JEHU SLAYS THOSE OF THE HOUSE OF BAAL 2 Kings 10:18-28 Shortly after this, Jehu met Jehonadab the son of Rechab. Jehu s treatment of this man showed his respect for him. Jehonadab was a faithful servant of God and became the father of the faithful Rechabites (Jer. 35:18, 19). The house of Rechab was identified with the Kenites, a Midianite tribe who came into Canaan with the Israelites (Judges 1:16). They were descendents of Moses father-in-law (Num. 10:29; Judges 4:11). It was Jael, a Kenite s wife, who drove the tent peg into Sisera s temples while he slept (Judges 4:17-22) They kept their nomadic life-style even in Israel. Jehonadab and his people worshiped Jehovah and were circumcised though they were not looked upon as belonging to Israel. The worship of Baal was offensive to them. Second Kings 10:15 shows the true meaning of a handshake. It is a token of hearts and lives that are in fellowship with each other. It is a sign of oneness in purpose. Heart fellowship is required before two can enter into a covenant. Jehu s enquiry sought a faithful ally. Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? (verse 15). Jehonadab s simple two-word answer, It is (verse 15), showed he was in full agreement with Jehu s actions upon the house of Ahab. If it be [or if this is true], give me thine hand (verse 15). The handshake was the seal upon their words. Jehonadab joined Jehu in his chariot. Jehu made it known to Jehonadab that his work was not yet finished. Other actions were still needed to complete the utter overthrow of the house of Ahab in Israel. When they came into the city of Samaria, Jehu showed Jehonadab his zeal for the Lord when he destroyed all that were of the house of Ahab. This included Ahab s other wives, concubines and the families of the seventy sons he had already killed. This appears to be cruel to some, but let us be reminded of the cruelty and evil that Ahab and his descendents brought upon the people of Israel. The Lord had given them opportunity and time to repent under the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, but they chose Baal and evil. This day of judgment could have been stayed if only Ahab and Israel had made the right choice that day on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:21). The judgment was not Jehu s, but according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah (2 Kings 10:17). After deposing the house of Ahab as God had commanded, Jehu embarked upon the greatest reform of his reign. He publicly declared himself to be a worshiper of Baal. He sent a decree that provided for all the worshipers of Baal to be gathered in their temple. They came expecting the king to extend some favor upon them. Jehu was careful to make sure only those who followed after Baal were present at the gathering. At the time the priest went forth to offer sacrifice to Baal, Jehu and Jehonadab withdrew from the temple. Jehu then sent eighty selected men into the temple to slay the Baal worshipers to the last man. This stands as one of the most thorough purgings of a royal family and their religious system in all of history. This served to rid

116 Jehu God s Man of Retribution / 116 the people of Israel of Baal worship, which was never again a religious force in Israel. The temple and altar were destroyed, the images of Baal were burnt, and the ruins became a dunghill. Saturday, May 14 Lesson 11 JEHU PROMISED FOUR GENERATIONS 2 Kings 10:29-36 The military coup started a new dynasty and pulled the country into the religious reformation that had been prepared by Elijah and Elisha. Jehu reigned in Israel for twenty-eight years. After the political and religious purgings, little else is said in Scripture concerning the reign of Jehu. The Lord commended Jehu for his obedience in destroying the house of Omri and the temple of Baal. The commendation not only included thou hast done well (verse 30) but a promise that Jehu s children of the fourth generation would rule in Israel. The decline of the nation of Israel reached a new low during the reign of Jehu. He was a seasoned soldier, but he had little or no capacity for statesmanship. There was a rapid decline in the fortunes of the kingdom, and much territory was seized by various enemies. Hazael, king of Damascus, took all the territory of Israel east of Jordan. By the time of Jehoahaz, Jehu s son, Hazael dictated how many horses, chariots and footmen Israel could have (2 Kings 13:7). In at Nimrud (Calah), one of the capital cities of the Assyrians, archaeologists discovered the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, dated 841 BC. Its inscription gives the subjection of Israel by Assyria. Israel was required to pay great tribute to Shalmaneser. The Obelisk has a picture of Jehu kneeling before the Assyrian ruler and offering him silver, gold, a golden bowl, golden goblets, and pitchers of gold, javelins and staves for the king. Jehu was left with little more to rule than the hill country of Ephraim. From the world s point of view such a decline was caused by Jehu s enthusiastic purge that killed many able leaders. The purges also left him to rule some people who strongly objected to his action. The deaths of all in Ahab s house, plus the deaths of Ahaziah and his kinsmen, shattered all alliances with Judah and Phoenicia. It is important that we see this from God s point of view (2 Kings 10:29-36). Jehu s greatest failure was that he took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel (verse 31). He did not follow through on his reforms, for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam (verse 31). This resulted in the Lord cutting Jehu and the people of Israel short.

117 Lesson 12 For Sunday, May 22, 2005 Jehoiada God s Leader in Real Revival 2 Kings 11:1 12:21; 2 Chronicles 22:10 24:27 During these dark days of Judah s history, the thought of revival may have seemed hopeless; yet, we can see God working through Jehosheba and Jehoiada to preserve the royal seed of David and bring victory and revival in Judah. Joash means God-given. He should have been, and was for a time, a great blessing to Judah. In about the middle of his forty-year reign, Joash s reign turned evil. Two lists need to be made to help us understand the life and times of Joash. In one list we may put all the reforms that brought about the victory and revival, and in the other list we would have his evils that brought about his failure and defeat. Monday, May 16 Lesson 12 THE ROYAL SEED DESTROYED 2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12 Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter (Ezek. 16:44). This was never truer than with Jezebel and Athaliah. Athaliah was her mother s child in every respect. She pursued the same wicked goals and had the same vindictive character. Tragedy upon tragedy struck the royal family of Judah and Athaliah. All of her sons, save the youngest, were kidnapped and slain by the Philistines and Arabians; her husband, King Jehoram, died from an incurable disease of the bowels; her brother, King Jehoram of Israel, was killed by Jehu; her son, King Ahaziah of Judah, was killed by Jehu s men; and her mother, Jezebel, had been eaten by dogs. Panic and uncertainty would have been the order of the day in Israel and Judah; yet, in the midst of all this chaos and tragedy Athaliah showed no remorse. The insurgency that took place under the leadership of Jehu was a critical turning point in the history of Judah and Israel. When 117

118 Seed: zera is seed, grain, offspring, family, race. Word Study #2233. Royal: mamlakhah means kingdom, dominion, royal rule. Athaliah, upon hearing of the death of Ahaziah, set out to kill all the offspring of the king. Had she been successful, the royal line of David would have ended. Word Study #4467. Jehoiada God s Leader in Real Revival / 118 Jehu killed the princes of Judah, he set the stage for Athaliah to usurp the throne of Judah (2 Kings 10:12-14). The influence of Ahab and Jezebel spread into Judah through their daughter, Athaliah, and Jehoram the eighth king of Judah. During Jehoram s eight-year reign Athaliah promoted the cult worship of Baal. The word Baal means owner or lord and is used to speak of various gods. It was commonly believed among the Phoenicians and Canaanites that there was a supreme male deity known as Baal. Ashtoreth was their supreme female deity. Such worship prevailed from the time of Moses among the Moabites and Midianites (Num. 22:41). Through these people it began to spread among the children of Israel (Num. 25:3-18). Baal worship was filled with licentious rites involving both male and female prostitution and human sacrifice. When Jehoram died, it was stated that he departed without being desired. This shows us that he had few friends or those who mourned his passing among the people of Judah. The people buried him in Jerusalem, but not in the sepulchres of the kings (2 Chron. 21:20). The priests and the people who loved and worshiped Jehovah despised Athaliah. Their son Ahaziah, killed by Jehu s men, was no more popular with the people than was his father, for his mother (Athaliah) was his counsellor to do wickedly (2 Chron. 22:3). According to 2 Kings 8:26, Ahaziah was only twenty-two years old when he began to reign in Judah, and he reigned only one year. Second Chronicles 22:2 states Ahaziah was forty-two when he began to reign. Since the Old Testament Hebrew did not use numbers, but gave the letters of the alphabet numerical value, it is often difficult to interpret numbers in Scripture. However, since Ahaziah s father, Jehoram, was only forty years old when he died (2 Kings 8:16-17; 2 Chron. 21:20) the reading in 2 Kings is more likely correct. When Jehu killed Ahaziah, the line of succession in Judah would pass to his eldest son. This meant the title of queen mother would be given to the mother of Ahaziah. As queen mother, Athaliah was ruler supreme in the councils of Judah. The only persons in her way of the throne were her grandchildren. What Athaliah did next shows how ruthless a woman she was. Ahaziah s children would have been small and unable to give any challenge to their grandmother s claim to the throne. Athaliah, however, perpetrated one of the most heartless and inhumane crimes recorded in Scripture. She had her own grandchildren murdered so she might usurp the throne of Judah. Her murderous treachery would have also included her daughter-in-law and all the male members of the house of David. All the royal seed of Judah were killed with the exception of a baby son, Joash.

119 119 / 2 Kings 11:1 12:21; 2 Chronicles 22:10 24:27 Tuesday, May 17 Lesson 12 JOASH S CORONATION 2 Kings 11:4-16; 2 Chronicles 23:1-15 Divine providence was at work in preserving the seed of David and the royal line of Judah. Satan had been hard at work since the prophecy of Genesis 3:15. Satan, working through Athaliah, had certainly bruised the heel of the royal house. Had Athaliah succeeded, as she thought, the royal line of Judah would have ended. Therefore, the light and hope not only of Judah but also of the world would have gone out. The coming Messiah, the Christ, had been promised through the seed of the woman. Jacob, when he blessed his sons, foretold that the Messiah would come through the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:8-10). The word Shiloh in this passage is a masculine proper name meaning he whose it is. The passage could read until he comes into his own. It is an epithet of the Messiah who will bring Judah and the world into His own. The light of Judah was kept alive by the hand of the Almighty God. He will not succumb to the wiles of Satan or evil men and women. His Word will stand true. Jehosheba, who was the baby s aunt, rescued Joash. She was the daughter of King Jehoram, sister to King Ahaziah, and wife of Jehoiada the priest. Joash was taken from among the king s sons and hidden, along with his nurse, in a bedchamber of the Temple. Jehosheba and Jehoiada kept Joash safe within the Temple for six years. This was one place in Jerusalem the idolatrous queen Athaliah was not likely to visit. The royal courts cleared of its in line inhabitants, Athaliah declared herself to be Judah s sovereign. No other woman, before or since, has sat on the throne of David. Athaliah s ability and energy, though evil, enabled her to rule for six years. The people of Judah stood by in shock and fear because of her notorious deeds. Kings and Chronicles tells us a little about her activities during the six years. Second Chronicles 24:7 sheds some light upon her wickedness and that of her sons. For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim. This passage makes it known that she continued to follow her ungodly ways while perpetuating the worship of Baal. Jehu had rung the death peal for Baalism in Israel. His blood purge of the Baal worshipers likely provoked her to do even more to see it continue in Judah. During the dark period of Judah s history parts of the Temple were allowed to fall into disrepair. Second Kings 11:18 lets us know that a temple of Baal had been built in Jerusalem; however, since a number in Judah that still worshiped Jehovah, Athaliah did not openly challenge Jehoiada or his position as high priest of the Lord God of Israel. Jehoiada was left in charge of the Temple, its treasury and armory (2 Kings 11:10). Under these extreme hostile conditions, the Temple services continued, and the priests and Levites served in their courses as appointed by David (2 Chron. 23:4-8).

120 Jehoiada God s Leader in Real Revival / 120 When Joash was seven years of age, it was time for Jehoiada, his uncle and high priest, to take the appropriate action needed to place the rightful heir on the throne of Judah. Jehoiada, with the aide of the religious and military leaders, was able to launch a coup détat that would put Joash on the throne and depose Athaliah. A watch was placed upon the palace and the activities of the queen, but the scheme was so well planned that it escaped any suspicions of Athaliah. This was perhaps made easier by the discontent the people had for the queen. Jehoiada called the five captains of the royal guard, the Cherethites, to a secret meeting (2 Chron. 23:1). This title means life-guardsman. These men had entered the service to protect Athaliah because they believed she was the only heir left to David s throne. It was their duty to kill anyone who attempted to harm the king, or in this case the queen. The Cherethites were from a Philistine tribe in the south of Israel that originally came from Crete (1 Sam. 30:14). It was from them that David chose his personal bodyguards. David placed Benaiah commander over the Cherethites (2 Sam. 20:23). They had a long-standing alliance and faithfulness to the house of David. They sided with Nathan, Zadok and Benaiah to make certain Solomon was anointed king of Judah and not Adonijah (1 Kings 1:38-43). The five captains were sent throughout Judah to gather all the Levites and bring them to Jerusalem. Jehoiada revealed Joash, the king s son, and the Cherethite captains, guards and Levites swore an oath of allegiance in the house of the Lord (2 Chron. 23:2, 3; 2 Kings 11:4). The plan Jehoiada set in motion was to assure the safety of young Joash. On the appointed Sabbath day the guards and Levites were divided into five companies. Three were to keep watch around the palace. The other two groups were assigned to guard the new king. This group of guards and Levites were given the spears and shields of David that had been placed in the Temple. They stretched out across the Temple from right to left and by the altar in preparation for the anointing of Joash. No one but the Levites were to be allowed in the Temple. Anyone else approaching the inaugural ceremony area was to be slain by order of Jehoiada (2 Kings 11:5-11; 2 Chron. 23:4-10). At the appointed time, Joash was Crown: nezer is a consecration; a diadem, a crown. This may refer to the period of abstention which was part of the Nazirite vow. It also may refer to the anointing and crowning of the new king of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 23:11 we see the Davidic lineage extending through Joash. Word Study #5145. brought out from his hiding place, and the royal crown was put upon him. Jehoiada also placed the testimony (a reference to a copy of the Law of Moses) in the hands of Joash. This was to symbolize that he would be a godly king, unlike predecessors, Jehoram and Ahaziah. After the crown and the testimony were received, Jehoiada and his sons anointed Joash as the ninth and rightful king of Judah. A large number of people had assembled in the courts around the Temple, and they began to clap and shout, God save the king (2 Kings 11:12; 2 Chron. 23:11). It would not have been Athaliah s custom to enter the Tem-

121 121 / 2 Kings 11:1 12:21; 2 Chronicles 22:10 24:27 Manna Renting of Garments (2 Chronicles 23:13): The high priest Jehoiada engineered a coup against the unauthorized and wicked rule of Athaliah. When she realized the majority of the people were in favor of the rebellion and had crowned Joash king, she tore her royal garments. Probably this consisted only of tearing the outer part of her queenly robe or mantle. In the Hebrew culture, this would be considered naked, though not literally so. (Compare 2 Samuel 6:20; Job 1:20; 2:12; Micah 1:8; and John 21:7. See also Genesis 37:29, 34 and Joshua 7:6.) Perhaps she thought by this outward but insincere gesture of sorrow that she would escape judgment. It did not work. ple area, but, when she heard the noise, she came out and rushed next door to see what was causing all the commotion. What a shock to her eyes when she saw young Joash, crowned, anointed and standing by the king s pillar. All of the attendants, trumpeters, singers and musicians were in their appointed places to praise the king. When Athaliah realized what was taking place, she cried, Treason, Treason (2 Chron. 23:13). At Jehoiada s command the guards closed in around her and led her out of the Temple to slay her and anyone that followed after her. This command was promptly carried out near the horse gate. Reestablishing the rightful heir had been accomplished with only the blood of Athaliah being shed. Thus ended the evil influence of the house of Omri over the throne of Judah (2 Kings 11:13-16; 2 Chron. 23:12-15). Thus all the house of Ahab was destroyed in accordance with the Word of God (2 Kings 9:7-11). Wednesday, May 18 Lesson 12 JEHOIADA S REVIVAL 2 Kings 11:17-21; 2 Chronicles 23:16-21 Joash ruled for forty years, but this young king of just seven years of age needed a strong and godly advisor. During the early years of his reign, Jehoiada, the high priest, served as vice-regent to the throne. Jehoiada was the leader responsible for bringing Judah back to God. He led his nation in a great spiritual revival. The basis upon which this revival was directed was the pledge that Joash s reign would be according to the testimony or the Mosaic Covenant: berith means determination, stipulation, league and confederacy. This agreement or confederacy was made between the king, the people and God. It broke the hold idolatry had held on the people of Israel and reunited them with God. Word Study #1285. Law. Jehoiada started by making a covenant between the Lord, the king and the people, that they should be the LORD S people (2 Kings 11:17; 2 Chron. 23:16). This was a covenant that needed to be renewed in Judah. This is a covenant that pastors need to make with the people God has placed under

122 Jehoiada God s Leader in Real Revival / 122 their care. The covenant was actually in two phases. The first was that Joash would rule according to the Law, and the people would give him their allegiance. The second phase of the covenant pledged the nation to worship Jehovah. The next step in Jehoiada s revival was to rid Judah of idolatry. The house of Baal was torn down. All of the altars and images of Baal were broken into pieces. Mattan, the priest of Baal, was killed. The prophet, Elijah, had laid the choice before Israel and Ahab at Mount Carmel. How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him (1 Kings 18:21). It had only been about thirty years, less than one generation had passed, and this same challenge and choice was now laid before Judah. We hear much about the right to choose. The right choice is always Jesus and truth. Baal is alive and well in our society. He has taken on new names and new rituals, but the goal is still the same false worship that does not honor the Lord God Jehovah. The need is for spiritually minded leaders like Jehoiada who will stand up and be counted for the Lord. If the Lord s people do not take a stand against today s Baalism, the moral fiber of our nation will bring it to a place of judgment and collapse. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people (Prov. 14:34). The third phase of Jehoiada s revival was to appoint the proper officers over the Lord s house. The priests from the lineage of Aaron and Levi were appointed their rightful place within the Temple. This included the gatekeepers and singers. The daily sacrifices were reinstituted. If good Manna Porters at the Gate of the House of the Lord (2 Chronicles 23:19): Generally, porters were gate and door keepers rather than burden carriers. This position was often held by a slave or servant in a Jewish household. In the Temple, the office was filled by a Levite who was ceremonially and morally qualified. This position was considered a place of honor in the Temple: For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (Psalm 84:10). This was in sharp contrast to the character of those chosen to serve in the false temples erected by Jeroboam in the Northern Kingdom shortly after the nation was divided: And he made a house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people which were not of the sons of Levi (1 Kings 12:31). men do nothing, evil will triumph. Many of the freedoms our forefathers bled and died for are on the verge of being taken away. For any nation to prosper materially, it must first be prosperous spiritually. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 2). True pastors have only one place to stand, and that is earnestly contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). We are not told how long it took for these three important things to be accomplished, but with these needed tasks done it was time for the new king to

123 123 / 2 Kings 11:1 12:21; 2 Chronicles 22:10 24:27 Rejoiced: samach; to brighten up, to be gleesome. All the inhabitants who came under the rule of Joash rejoiced at their returning to the God of Judah. Word Study #8055. take the throne. Joash was brought in a victorious procession from the Temple, where he had been safely kept, to the royal palace. And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet (2 Chron. 23:21). This was something that had not been said in Judah since the days of Asa (2 Chron. 14:6; 15:5). Almost sixty years of spiritual famine had come to an end. Joash was blessed to have the faithful Jehoiada to guide him during the young years of his life and the early years of his reign as king. A seven year old would hardly be qualified to make the decisions required of a king. Joash had a wise advisor Manna Unclean(2 Chronicles 23:19): The existence of sin separates all things into that which is clean and unclean. With the rise of Israel and the Law of Moses, a ceremonial aspect was added with some things becoming ceremonially unclean to the Jews though they may have had no inherent sin, impurity or unhealthiness. (For a list of the ceremonially unclean foods, read Leviticus 11:1-47.) In addition, there were numerous types of uncleaness associated with death including touching a dead body and things surrounding the death (Lev. 11:24-37; Num. 19:14, 22). Leprosy, which was typical of sin, was in every aspect considered unclean and exhaustive instructions were given for dealing with it in Leviticus In the New Testament, the Jerusalem council commanded Jewish Christians to abstain from four things: meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication (Acts 15:29). When Jesus died on the cross, the Law of Moses passed away. Today there is only the moral uncleanness of sin: The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23; Col. 2:14). who chose to lead the nation in following the Lord. We are told [Jehoash] did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him (2 Kings 12:2). The Lord had provided for proper spiritual guidance. Thursday, May 19 Lesson 12 JOASH REPAIRS THE TEMPLE 2 Kings 12:1-16; 2 Chronicles 24:1-14 One of the most commendable projects during the reign of Joash was the restoration of the Temple. Jehoram, Ahaziah and Athaliah had all opposed the worship of Jehovah. For the past seventeen years the Temple had been allowed to decay. The dedicated things of God had been taken out of the house and used in the temple of Baal (2 Chron. 24:7). The house of the Lord had been desecrated and was in no shape to be used.

124 Manna Dedicated Things of the House of the Lord(2 Chronicles 24:7): During the reign of Queen Athaliah in Judah, the Temple had been looted, and its dedicated furnishings and the treasures of David were taken to the temple of Baal. Possibly, the altar was used for sacrifices to the heathen god, and the other instruments of worship were used in other ways. These included the bronze laver, the table of shewbread, the candlestick, the altar of incense and the Ark itself. Likely, the large amount of gold placed in the treasury of the Temple by Solomon (1 Kings 7:51) was used to build or redecorate the temple of Baal. It could have been used to pay the priests of Baal who worked in the heathen temple. Jehoiada God s Leader in Real Revival / 124 Joash s project got off to a poor start. He thought to honor the priests and Levites by placing them in their rightful position to carry out their spiritual responsibilities. The Mosaic Law had ordained these offerings. Israel was to tithe to the tribe of Levi, and then the Levites were to tithe from the tithe they received (Lev. 27:30; Num. 18:24-26; Deut. 12:5-7). They were to go from city to city and gather the tithes and offerings so the repairs to the Temple might be made. Three kinds of sacred money is mentioned in 2 Kings 12:4. 1. There was the half-shekel that was required by the Law of all those above twenty years of age (Ex. 30:12-14). 2. There were those who had been specially pledged or vowed to God. This was an estimated amount according to sex, age and wealth (Lev. 27:1-8). 3. There were the freewill offerings. The Levites, however, were slow to see that the proper money was given and the repairs were completed, but, when Joash suspended the regular priestly expenses and devoted all the money to the Temple building fund, the work progressed. With the aide of Jehoiada a chest was built and placed near the altar. There was a hole in the lid so the people could place offerings in the chest when they came with their sacrifices. This resulted in enough to repair the Temple and to secure the needed vessels and furniture for the worship of Jehovah. The work was completed and the house was set in order. And they offered burntofferings... all the days of Jehoiada (2 Chron. 24:14). Friday, May 20 Lesson 12 JOASH FORSAKES THE LORD 2 Chronicles 24:15-22 Scriptures tell us that Joash ruled Judah for forty years. It was at the start of his twenty-third year that the repairs to the Temple began in earnest. During this time we also read that Jehoiada had taken two wives for Joash, and they bore him sons and daughters. We are not told in what year of Joash s reign Jehoiada died. We are told he was well stricken with one hundred thirty years of age and he had lived a spiritually fulfilling life. As a tribute of respect for this godly man, the people

125 125 / 2 Kings 11:1 12:21; 2 Chronicles 22:10 24:27 of Judah buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house (2 Chron. 24:16). The death of Jehoiada must have happened during the latter years of Joash s reign. While Jehoiada was alive, Joash ruled as a God-fearing king. Following the death of this great man of God, Joash listened to and heeded new Testified: udh means to testify, charge, give warning. After the death of Jehoiada, Judah left the worship of God and returned to the worship of idols. God sent the prophets to warn them, but they would not hear. Word Study #5749. and younger advisers. These newfound friends were not worshipers of Jehovah like Jehoiada. They desired to restore the worship of Baal-Melqart (verses 17, 18). The influence the princes of Judah had over Joash was not unlike the young advisers who turned the heart and mind of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:6-11). The influence of these Baal worshipers grew strong upon the king. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, came in the Spirit of God and rebuked Joash for his transgression. Because ye have forsaken the LORD, He hath also forsaken you (2 Chron. 24:20). The king, who as a young man had faithfully followed the advice of Jehoiada, turned a deaf ear to the words of his son Zechariah. Instead of repenting and returning to God, Joash ordered the stoning of Zechariah. This tragedy is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament as a testimony against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Matt. 23:29-35). Joash s spiritual deterioration followed the path of Psalm 1:1. The flattering tongues of the princes of Judah led the king away to do evil. Saturday, May 21 Lesson 12 SYRIAN INVASION 2 Kings 12:17-21; 2 Chronicles 24:23-27 Sin does not go unnoticed by the Lord. When the king of Judah led the people to serve Baal, the Lord raised up His prophet to proclaim the truth and cry out against their sins. The message was not heeded, and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass (2 Chron. 24:18). At the end of that same year, Hazael, king of Damascus, marched into Judah and was able to go as far as Gath, twenty-six miles to the southwest from Jerusalem. Note that Hazael brought with him only a small company. How was a small company of soldiers able to carry off a very great host? The answer is given clear and simple. The Lord delivered... because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers (verse 24). Joash pled for his life and the city of Jerusalem. He was able to persuade Hazael not to destroy Jerusalem by paying a heavy tribute. The price of peace included all the sacred objects that generations had dedicated to God, all the gold in the treasures of the Temple and all the gold in the king s house. What humiliation for him now to have to surrender the things he had once treasured so highly. The money that had been freely given by the people into the treasury of the Lord

126 Jehoiada God s Leader in Real Revival / 126 was turned over to a pagan king. God used the Syrians to execute His judgment upon Joash and Judah. Joash did not give up without a fight. It was not until his army and many of the nobles of Jerusalem had been taken that he pleaded his case to Hazael. The Syrians departed Jerusalem and left Joash in grievous suffering. To nurse his wounds and perhaps to gain some feeling of security, Joash went to the fortress of Millo. Millo was a part of the old Jebusite fort in the city of David just off the south end of Ophel. It may have been built to protect one of the city s main water supplies. The actions of Joash earned him the scorn of his people. So it was, while he lay incapacitated upon his bed, he was assassinated in a conspiracy led by his own servants. What a sad end to a life that for years had served the Lord and His people so well. Joash ruled Judah for forty years and died in shame at the age of forty-seven. Consider for a moment how the epithet would have read if only Joash had continued to follow after the ways of Jehoiada. To be raised by Jehoiada was a blessing both for Joash and the nation of Judah. What great plagues may have fallen upon the people if not for the godly wisdom of Jehoiada? Jehoiada was more than just a friend to Joash; he had taken the place of his father. When he left his uncle s instructions, he became foolish and brought shame upon Judah and his own life.

127 Lesson 13 For Sunday, May 29, 2005 Joel God s Prophet of Judgment Joel 1 3; 2 Kings 13:1-25 The judgments of the Lord take on many different forms in the Bible. Jehovah is the God of nature and all of its forces are under His command. This is noted in the New Testament when Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee by simply speaking the words, Peace, be still (Mark 4:39). The animal kingdom is also under the Lord s control. This was evidenced when Jesus rode the foal of an ass during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:5). This was also witnessed when Peter was told to cast his hook in the sea, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money (Matt. 17:27). This was used to pay the tax debt. The Lord brought His chosen people to their knees with the devasting plague of locusts. The cry and plague of terrorism and war seems to have done little to turn many in our nation back to the Lord. What will it take today to bring America and the Lord s people once again to their knees? Remember that the plague that came in Joel s day was but a forerunner of a worse judgment to come. Monday, May 23 Lesson 13 BACKGROUND FOR THE BOOK OF JOEL Joel 1 3 Joel the son of Pethuel is named as the author of the book. His name means Jehovah is God. What may be gathered from the book is all we know about the prophet, Joel. Joel was a prophet to Judah. His message was directed toward Judah and Jerusalem. Both are mentioned by name six times within the book. Note also the number of times reference is made to the house of the LORD (Joel 1:9, 14; 3:18), the house of your God (Joel 1:13) and the house of our God (Joel 1:16). 127

128 Joel God s Prophet of Judgment / 128 The internal evidence is somewhat helpful in establishing the time of Joel s prophecy to be during the reign of the boy king Joash during the ninth century BC. There are several things of interest that help in forming this date and setting for the book. Joel made no mention of a king or a prince; he did, however, refer to the elders (Joel 1:14; 2:16) and the priests (Joel 1:9, 13; 2:17). The worship of Jehovah was being carried out. The enemies of Judah were named as Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine (Joel 3:4). This had reference to the Phoenicians and the Philistines. Egypt and Edom were also named (Joel 3:19). These four were enemies during the preexilic period (1 Kings 14: 25, 26; 2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chron. 21:8-17). The Phoenicians, who under Hiram had been friendly with David and Solomon, now had forsaken Judah and joined in alliance with the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This came about with the marriage of Ahab to the Phoenician princess Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31). Although there was no mention of any war between Judah and Phoenicia, the Phoenicians were guilty of slave trading those of Judah and Jerusalem to the Grecians (Joel 3:4-6). There was neither mention of the Assyrians who first took Israel captive in 722 BC nor any mention of the Chaldeans who began taking captives from Judah in 605 BC. Isaiah and Amos who were contemporaries during the reign of Uzziah (Amos 1:1; Isa. 1:1) during the eighth century BC seem to have some dependence on the prophecies of Joel. (Compare the following: Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13; Joel 1:15; Isaiah 13:6). These facts do not fit the period of Israel s history between the prophets Amos and Zechariah. They may, however, be explained if Joel spoke during the earlier years of Joash, who, because of his youth, had not yet assumed the duties of kingship. During this time the godly high priest, Jehoiada, served as the head counselor to the young Joash. The background for this lesson may be found in the previous lesson. The ministries of Elisha, Obadiah and Joel may have overlapped a few years. It is quite possible these men may have been acquainted. Joel would have been the youngest, and the core of his ministry is best placed some fifteen to twenty years after Obadiah. It is well to keep in mind that Joel s message makes his book timeless. The burden of his message is the day of the Lord. Joel looked upon the plague of locusts as a judgment of God. He declared it to be an indication of a still more severe judgment, which can only be averted by heartfelt repentance. The day of the Lord is viewed as a day of judgment, which will bring in a reign of order and restoration of all things. Tuesday, May 24 Lesson 13 PLAGUE OF INSECTS Joel 1:1-20 Under the Old Testament economy of the Law of Moses, the people of Israel often gathered in special services to mourn the misfortunes suffered because of their sins (Judges 20:26). The sins of Israel and Judah during the period of

129 129 / Joel 1 3; 2 Kings 13:1-25 history would warrant such a gathering. Joel pled with his contemporaries to hear his message. His plea to the nation fell into four stanzas. The first came in broad or common terms (Joel 1:2-4). The next was addressed to three specific groups in the nation: the drunkards (verses 5-7), the priests (verses 8-10) and the husbandman to bring the needed conviction (verses 11, 12). Each was encouraged to mourn because of the impending plague. The prophets of Israel and Judah time and again called for a national day of repentance to bring the people back into harmony with God. A plea went out to the old men and the inhabitants of the land. Neither the old men of Joel s day nor their fathers had ever witnessed anything that would equal the plague Joel described in verse 2. This message was not to be passed over with a casual eye. Joel had a strong message for those of his day, but let us not be too quick to pass hurriedly over it as though it had no message for us today. The Word of God is to be passed on from generation to generation (verse 3). This command holds true for all of Scripture. It is not just for a few selected verses that touch some sweet cord in our lives. The children of Israel were to diligently teach the Word to their children (Deut. 6:6, 7). A scene that has been witnessed in many lands is described in Joel 1:4. Locusts have often been the plague of the Middle East and especially the nation of Israel. Some think Joel s description of the locust was symbolic of the enemies that came upon the people of Israel and that each in turn was more destructive than the previous; however, the context warrants no reason for not accepting this as a literal plague of locust. We are not told the exact time of the plague. The wickedness and fostering of Baalism that had taken place under the evil hand of Athaliah during the reigns of her husband Jehoram, her son, Ahaziah, and her own usurping of the throne, would make her latter years a period in which such a visitation Locust: arbeh is locust from its rapid increase; grasshopper, locust. There are two different thoughts on Joel 1:4. One suggests that God would send four different locusts, that which gnaws, then that which swarms, then the licking, the consuming locusts. Others believe it refers to four different stages of the locust; however, all agree that there would be a swarm in which all would be consumed. Word Study #697. from God would have occurred. Jehu dealt a deathblow to Baalism in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This likely prompted Athaliah to strive even harder to perpetuate the religion of her mother, Jezebel. The word locust appears fifty-six times in the Scriptures under nine Hebrew names and one Greek name. Joel used the common Hebrew word for locust ( arbeh) and then gave three poetic names that were equivalent to it. Joel depicted how swarm after swarm of locust devastated the harvest. What one swarm left, the next would quickly devour until all was gone. Judah had sinned, and God s Law demanded punishment. They had been warned by Moses that their sins would find them out (Num. 32:20-23). In 1959, a swarm of locust came upon the Jordan valley in Israel and covered an area some ten

130 Manna The Effect of Locust Plagues (Joel 1:4): Locusts are a form of insect much larger than American grasshoppers. Their heads have a horse-like appearance. Locusts move in ranks like an army (Prov. 30:27) and are virtually unstoppable in their advance. In a matter of minutes theses large insects can completely defoliate a tree and sometimes destroy the plant itself. Locusts may darken the sun with swarms many square miles in size. Jerome wrote of one invasion of these insects in Israel so great that, when they died, their decaying bodies polluted the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea and spread disease throughout the land. With the exception of fire, locusts are a grain farmer s worst enemy. Their effect is the same as extreme drought: scarcity of food, sickness, disease and sometimes warfare over limited resources. Joel God s Prophet of Judgment / 130 miles long and up to four miles wide. They completely devoured the summer crops. God s people should never be guilty of using the love and long-suffering of God as an excuse to continue in sin. The devastation of locust was so great that the drunkards of the land awakened from their stupors and began to weep and howl (Joel 1:5). They soon felt the effects because the grape vines were laid waste (Joel 1:7). The drunkards would have no grapes with which to produce new wine. The fig tree was made bare. They stood without a fig, leaf or bark. The locust moved across the land like an army with precision (Prov. 30:27) and in their wake was a famine for the harvest of the field is perished (Joel 1:11). Joel urged the priests to lament and howl in sackcloth as a sign of genuine repentance and sorrow. It was time to bring forth a harvest of fruit that gave proof of repentance. The people were challenged to fast and call a solemn assembly to the house of the Lord. The Law required an offering to be made in the morning and the evening (Ex. 29:38-42). Joel lamented because the plague had caused the offerings to be cut off. The land appeared as though it had been scorched and burned with fire (Joel 1:19). There was nothing left to offer to the Lord. Israel or any nation that ignores the Word of God will not prosper. Wednesday, May 25 Lesson 13 THE DAY OF THE LORD Joel 2:1-10 The expression the day of the Lord is used twenty-five times in the Scriptures. It is not used to speak of a twenty-four hour calendar day. It is a prophetic term used to describe a time of judgment and in particular the final days of this present age. It is a day the Bible also refers to as the time of Jacob s trouble (Jer. 30:7) and great tribulation (Matt. 24:21).

131 131 / Joel 1 3; 2 Kings 13:1-25 It was assigned to the priest to blow the shophar or ram s horn (Num. 10:1-10). It was used to call the people together to hear the Word of God, as a call to worship and also to warn of approaching danger. The Lord called upon the priests to sound the alarm from Zion and from the Temple mount. The first trumpet blast was given to sound an alarm (Joel 2:1; Num. 10:5). The second trumpet sound was to call a solemn assembly (Joel 2:15; Num. 10:10). This was given to bring the people to the Lord s Temple. All of Judah was to assemble, young and old. Even the bride and groom, who were customarily exempt from war and other public gatherings, were to join this assembly (Deut. 20:7; 24:5). What was the great calamity they now must face? This showed the seriousness of the spiritual climate in Judah at the time of this lesson. All had sin, all were guilty; therefore, all must hear the message and repent. This was the message of the apostle Paul to those at Rome (Romans 3:10-26). The message of judgment and salvation is far more important than one s personal life. The shophar was to be sounded from Zion. The term Zion is used in several different ways in the Scriptures. There is Mount Zion (fortress), which was the name of the citadel of the Jebusite city of Jerusalem. It was here that David built His palace. Zion was a sacred place that was also used to speak of the Temple area. Joel called Zion, his holy hill. The second chapter of Joel foretold a plague worse than the first mentioned in chapter 1. The day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand. (verse 1). The present plague of locust was but a preview of a more severe judgment that was imminent. The sound of the trumpet was a direct warning from the Lord Himself. The Lord acted as Judah s watchman. The alarm had been sounded. It was time to prepare for the coming attack, but this was not a call to arms or a manning of the city walls. This was a call to the Temple, the house of God, for a special service of prayer and repentance. One of the most graphic paragraphs in all of prophecy is found in the second chapter of Joel. His contemporaries and readers were made to visualize the blackness of the situation as they saw the devastation that came upon the land. They at once were made to see that the approaching armies posed a much greater threat of destruction than the plague of locust. Compare Joel 2:2 with Matthew 24:21 with Joel 2:10 and Revelation 6:12-14 to see how Joel s description of the Lord s day parallels that of other passages that tell about this great and dreadful day. The great army that is assembled here is the force gathered by the anti-christ in the last days of the Great Tribulation Period. This army that was sent in judgment showed itself to be a well disciplined conqueror. The fighters had the skills of mighty men and veteran warriors. They did not deviate from their appointed task as they marched, ran and climbed walls. All the armies of Judah could not stop the locust, and neither would they deter this army of judgment sent by the Lord from its given task.

132 Joel God s Prophet of Judgment / 132 So fierce will be the battle that the earth will quake and the heavens will tremble. The natural order of nature will be in turmoil. The sun, moon and stars will no longer give forth their light. The day of the Lord s judgment shall be a day of darkness. Thursday, May 26 Lesson 13 GOD S PROMISES Joel 2:11-32 The Lord, as the commander and chief, of the host shall utter his voice (Joel 2:11). Jehovah is going to direct His army, which is described in Revelation 19: In ages past He stood as Israel s and Jerusalem s shield and protector. He will also be in command of the attack against them. His day of judgment has come and His Word will be law (Joel 2:11). The sound of the trumpet was the ancient air raid siren. When the alarm was sounded, it was not a time for loitering. Urgent action will Turn: shuv means to turn back, turn around. The word is used widely throughout the Scriptures, but with the basic idea of returning to the point of departure.the cry of the Lord is for His people to return to Him as they were in the day of their rejoicing.word Study #7725. need to be taken. With such a day impending over the nations, Jehovah urged the people to take the urgent action of repentance and humbly call upon Him for deliverance (verses 12-14). Verse 14 in no way implies that God was wrong and must repent in the same way that lost mankind must repent. The word repent when used of God has to do with a change of mind. Joel 2:15-17 clearly states what is required for God to repent, or change His mind. These verses are a reminder of the Lord s message to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14. It was time for Judah to heed the message and call upon the name of the Lord. If they desired God s blessings instead of judgment, Joel outlined the steps they must follow. First, the shophar was to sound the call for dedicated fast. Such fasts were called to express national humiliation and to seek God s favor. These fasts were often accompanied with the wearing of sackcloth and ashes, reading of the Law and confessing of sins (Joel 2:15). Second, the people of all ages and walks of life were to be sanctified. They were to be made ready to stand before the Lord (verse 16). Third, the priests of the Lord were to intercede for the people (verse 17). God s jealousy and pity are brought to the forefront when He sees the penitence of the people. Jealousy as used here alludes to a husband who is jealous because of any dishonor that has been done to his wife. The loving husband resents this more than if the dishonor had been done to him. The Lord has not, and will not, forsake His own (verse 18). The Lord is jealous for His chaste virgin churches (2 Cor. 11:2). Those who dishonor His churches dishonor the Lord (Heb. 10:24-31). The grace of the Lord towards the people of Israel and His churches are beyond measure (Deut 7:7, 8; Jer. 31:3; Eph. 5:25-32).

133 133 / Joel 1 3; 2 Kings 13:1-25 Manna The Remnant (Joel 2:32): This remnant is the remaining portion of the Jewish nation preserved at the end of the Tribulation Period of the day of the Lord. Dr. Gene Smith wrote, Zechariah 13:8 seems to indicate that two-thirds of the Jewish people will be struck down and perish, but a third part shall be left therein. The remnant (Rev. 12:17) seems to be the one-third in Israel who are preserved through this persecution. The 144,000 of Revelation 7:4-8 are a portion of this. (Compare Isaiah 1:9; 10:20; Romans 11:5.) God, in His providence and care for Israel will not permit Satan to stamp out His people, (Adult Lesson Commentary, September 24, 2000, page 36). A remnant of Jewish believers exists in the church age, Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace (Rom. 11:5). Yet, the primary application of the term is during the Tribulation Period of the day of the Lord. Reproach: cherpah is shame, the object of scorn or contempt. Cherpah is the most often used word for reproach in the Old Testament. Here, God promised the blessing of the crops being restored to His people and they will no longer be ashamed before the Gentile people. Word Study #2781. The Lord always responds to the prayer of repentance (Joel 2:19). The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18). When our spiritual needs are addressed to the Lord, then the Lord will address our physical needs. The Lord promised the Israelites would no longer be a reproach (from the Hebrew word cherpah, which means something or someone disgraceful or shameful. ) Because of national sins, the Lord foretold that Israel would become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee (Deut. 28:37). The word astonishment is from the Hebrew word shammah, which speaks of desolation and waste. The land that once flowed with milk and honey became desolate and waste when the people of Israel were out of the land of promise. During the time of Israel s dispersion among the nations they have been mocked, ridiculed, imprisoned and killed for no other reason than the fact that they are the sons of Jacob. Anti-Semitism has often reared its ugly head in our generation. Let us remember God s promise to Abraham and strive to live accordingly. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee (Gen. 12:3). This promise has been proven many times over in the course of human history. This same promise is true of the Lord s New Testament churches and His saints today. If we seek the kingdom of God first, He will take care of the meat and potatoes (Matt. 6:25-34). Today true churches have been mocked and ridiculed by the communist, atheist, evolutionist, humanists, liberal politicians, religionist and the press. But that day will soon end with a shout and the coming of the Lord as King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:13-16).