Day 65 Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 20- 22, 2 Kings 1-2

1 Kings 20: Ahab's Mistakes That Won the War

[Summary]

This chapter records the war between Israel and Aram during the time of Ahab. The story, which had been centered around the conflict between Ahab and Elijah, stopped and shifted its focus to the war between Ahab and Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram. Ben-Hadad's two invasions ended in unexpected defeats despite his superior forces and equipment. In particular, the second battle ended in an even greater defeat, even though he meticulously improved on the previous day's shortcomings. As a result, Ben-Hadad had no choice but to humiliatingly surrender to Ahab, begging for his life. However, the reason Ahab was able to achieve such a great victory was because of God's help.  The content of this chapter is composed of the part where Ben-Hadad besieges Samaria and makes arrogant demands of Ahab (verses 1-12), the part where Israel defeats Ben-Hadad twice with God’s help (verses 13-34), and the part where a prophet curses Ahab for sparing Ben-Hadad’s life (verses 35-43). 

[Explanation] 

This chapter focuses on King Ahab again. Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram at the time, was actively gathering allies to deal with Assyria’s attack. In the midst of this, he attacked the capital city of Samaria in order to include Northern Israel as his allies. However, Ahab won both wars. However, another mistake by Ahab brought about irreversible consequences. 

1 Kings 21: Ahab Seizes Naboth’s Vineyard 

[Summary] 

The characteristic of Ahab’s era is that it was a time when he turned away from Jehovah.  The struggle on Mount Carmel is related to the religious aspect of the corrupted era, while the incident of Naboth’s vineyard recorded in this chapter is related to the social aspect. This chapter first records Ahab coveting Naboth’s vineyard (verses 1-4) and Jezebel’s plot (verses 5-10). It then records Naboth’s death (verses 11-16), the judgment that Ahab and Jezebel will receive (verses 17-26), and finally Ahab’s repentance (verses 27-29). Behind Ahab’s coveting Naboth’s vineyard, there is an implied intention to strengthen his absolute monarchy by increasing private ownership of land. Therefore, this is an incident in which the king of Israel, who should have protected the law, ignored the law and focused only on strengthening his own power. 

[Explanation] 

The evil nature of Ahab and Jezebel, who had turned away from God, is clearly expressed in the process of seizing Naboth’s vineyard. Ahab forcefully carried out the land transaction that God had prohibited through the law with material means, and Jezebel with force.  Therefore, the judgment became more certain. 

1 Kings 22: The Disasters that Became Ahaziah

[Summary]

This chapter records the end of Ahab. The era of Ahab, who had caused great harm to the faith of Jehovah and the traditions of Israel together with his foreign wife Jezebel, is coming to an end. Looking at the content, when Ahab attempted to recapture Ramoth Gilead (verses 1-12), Micaiah prophesied Ahab's defeat (verses 13-28). Then, the scene of Ahab dying in battle at Ramoth Gilead is recorded (verses 29-40). Then, Jehoshaphat's reign in Judah (verses 41-50) and Ahaziah's reign in Israel are recorded (verses 51-53). In fact, Ahab's plan to go on an expedition was incited by his own desire, as well as by his alliance with Jehoshaphat and the predictions of victory from many prophets. Therefore, his confidence was higher than ever.  However, in the eyes of Micaiah, who knew that all of this was the work of a false spirit, Ahab's confidence was nothing more than a false tower or a sham. The fact that Ahab met his end in this war makes us feel God's providence that transcends human calculations. 

[Explanation] 

The peace treaty between Israel and Aram that Ahab and Ben-Hadad had promised did not last long. Ahab's excessive greed caused the third war with Aram. However, this war was immediately linked to Ahab's tragic end. Although Ahab had once truly repented before God, his sinful nature eventually led him to the path of destruction. 

2 Kings 1: The Disasters That Befell Ahaziah 

[Summary] 

This chapter is a continuation of the story of Ahaziah's reign over Israel that began at the end of 1 Kings 22 after the death of King Ahab. It describes the weakening of the Omri Dynasty, which had been the most powerful and prosperous since the founding of the Northern Kingdom, and reveals the cause of the weakening of Northern Israel.  This chapter begins with the death of King Ahab, who had committed all sorts of evil deeds with Queen Jezebel, and the weakened national power that resulted from this, leading to Moab betraying Israel. This chapter consists of the announcement of Ahaziah's death (verses 1-4), the fire from heaven (verses 5-12), Ahaziah's final sentence (verses 13-16), and the death of Ahaziah (verses 17-18). This chapter specifically shows the direct confrontation between Elijah's divine authority and Ahaziah's secular authority, revealing the superiority of divine authority. 

[Explanation] 

The Book of Kings records the history of the divided kingdom. Ahab's son Ahaziah was a king who received no religious education from his parents and was only taught to worship idols. Therefore, in the case of Ahab, who met a miserable death, he too could not escape God's judgment. 

2 Kings 2: Elijah's Ascension and Elisha's Ministry

[Summary]

This chapter records the ascension of Elijah and the early ministry of Elisha, which concludes the prophet Elijah's activities and foreshadows the ministry of a new prophet. The content includes Elisha following Elijah (verses 1-6), Elisha seeking a double portion of the spirit (verses 7-10), and Elijah's ascension (verse 11). Next, Elisha parting the Jordan River (verses 12-14), the disbelief of the prophetic students (verses 15-18), Elisha's many miracles (verses 19-22), and those who mocked Elisha and died (verses 23-25). In this way, this chapter clearly shows God's reward for glorifying His servants who remained faithful to the end. As a reward for Elijah, the prophet who was faithful to God's command despite numerous hardships and risking death, God allowed him to ascend to heaven without experiencing death, just like Enoch and Moses.  [Kang Hae]

Elijah was a prophet who faithfully fulfilled his mission despite countless hardships during the reign of Ahab and Ahaziah. Now, this chapter begins with Elisha taking over the position that Elijah left vacant after his ascension. This describes the dramatic succession of Israel's spiritual leadership through God's providence.