Day 64 Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 15- 19

1 Kings 15: Succession of the Conflicting Kingdoms

[Summary]

This chapter introduces the second and third kings of the northern and southern kingdoms. Some kings are evaluated relatively positively, but most are not. In addition, the repeated records of wars between the northern and southern kingdoms further deepened their hostility and sense of alienation. This chapter introduces Abijam’s reign in Judah (verses 1-8), Asa’s reign in Judah (verses 9-24), Nadab’s reign in Israel (verses 25-32), and the introduction to Baasha’s reign in Israel (verses 33-34), introducing the second and third kings of the northern and southern dynasties, respectively. However, what stands out in the overall flow is not the content of the individual reigns of these kings, but rather their succession or replacement process. The characteristics contained in this form represent the entire pattern of the northern and southern dynasties.

[Explanation]

After the deaths of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, the two main figures of the divided kingdom, the history of the two kingdoms was inherited by the following rulers.  The author of Kings used a new chronological method to describe the history of the two kingdoms, comparing them chronologically from Rehoboam and Jeroboam. In the southern kingdom of Judah, Abijam and Asa succeeded David’s lineage and ruled in succession. On the other hand, in the northern kingdom of Israel, bloody revolutions began as the regimes changed from Nadab to Baasha. 

1 Kings 16: Kings of Northern Israel

[Summary]

This chapter records the process of dynastic change that occurred in the northern kingdom during the reign of King Asa of Judah. ​​While Asa was king in the southern kingdom, the northern kingdom experienced a total of three kings and six kings. This chapter records Jehu’s warning (vv. 1-4), Baasha’s death (vv. 5-7), Elah’s actions (vv. 8-14), Zimri’s actions (vv. 15-20), Omri’s actions (vv. 21-28), and Ahab’s sins (vv. 29-34).  However, the confusion of the dynasty change shown in this chapter basically stemmed from the disregard for the dignity and authority of the kingship. In the case of the kings appearing in this chapter, most of their authority was based on force, so the kingship was changed according to the flow of force. 

[Explanation] 

Baasha also acted as an agent for God's judgment on Jeroboam, but he could not avoid God's judgment either. As a result, Baasha's family was slaughtered by Zimri. Omri ascended to the throne after Zimri committed suicide, but his reign was also stained with the sin of idolatry. Omri's son, Ahab, was a typical evil king. In the end, Israel fell into a deep spiritual darkness due to the continuous succession of evil kings amidst political chaos and the sin of idolatry. 

1 Kings 17: Elijah's Early Ministry 

[Summary] 

This chapter records the appearance of Elijah. In this book, the history of the kings is introduced, and the record of Elijah is as long as 8 chapters.  This shows the importance of Elijah in the Book of Kings, and also reveals the nature of the Book of Kings as a record that illuminates God's saving actions, not a simple listing of history. It records Elijah's prophecy (verses 1-7), the widow of Zarephath who served Elijah (verses 8-16), and Elijah's miracle of reviving the widow's son (verses 17-24). We should pay special attention to the fact that the setting of this chapter is Zarephath. This is because the fact that a widow in the center of Baal religion accepted the God of Israel is a significant event in terms of redemptive history. No matter how rampant the forces of darkness are, the light of God's plan of salvation will not be extinguished. [Explanation] God prepared a person to judge the wicked King Ahab and to proclaim to the people of Israel that God is the only true God. That person was Elijah. Elijah was an unknown person, so we do not know where or how he received God's calling, or what his upbringing was.  Elijah’s first activities were nothing short of dramatic. 

1 Kings 18: The Confrontation between Jehovah and Baal

[Summary]

This chapter records Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The drought that Israel had to endure at that time was truly a national disaster. However, no one disagreed with the idea that this drought was the result of the wrath of the God of Israel. The question was who this God of Israel really was. From Elijah’s perspective, the drought was the result of Jehovah God’s wrath, who was jealous of idolatry. However, those who were inclined to idolatry interpreted it quite the opposite. For them, the drought was an expression of their displeasure at Baal, the god of natural forces, not eliminating his rival Jehovah and his followers. This chapter was written in this context to prove that Elijah’s God was the living, true God.  The famine in Samaria (verses 1-6), the meeting between Elijah and Obadiah (verses 7-15), the meeting between Elijah and King Ahab (verses 16-19), the confrontation on Mount Carmel (verses 20-40), and Elijah’s prayer for rain (verses 41-46) are recorded. 

[Explanation]

When God reached the point where He had to reveal the fictitious nature of Baal, He called Elijah after three years. God sent Elijah to Ahab to prove that He was the One who controlled the rain. He also proved on Mount Carmel that Jehovah was the true God in front of all the people. 

1 Kings 19: God Comforting Elijah

[Summary]

This chapter records Elijah, who was in high spirits after his splendid victory on Mount Carmel, fleeing to Mount Horeb in the Sinai Peninsula in great frustration. The reason for this is that despite the exhilarating victory on Mount Carmel, the world did not change much, and instead, Elijah was only threatened by Jezebel’s evil. When faced with this situation, Elijah felt even greater discouragement and frustration than the previous day’s victory. It records Elijah fleeing to Mount Horeb (verses 1-8), Elijah’s lament (verses 9-14), the seven thousand who remained (verses 15-18), and Elisha following Elijah (verses 19-21).  The entire chapter is a story of a man who fell into despair, but who, through a deep encounter with God, gained an awakened consciousness and lived the rest of his life. 

[Explanation] 

Elijah not only personally experienced God's power and life on Mount Carmel, but also testified to the Israelites. When he heard the news of Jezebel's revenge, he became extremely frustrated. Hananim comforted Elijah in a quiet voice on Mount Horeb. Then, He gave him a new mission to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha. After that, Elijah met Elisha, who would succeed him.