Division: A Study in 1 KingsSample

What does it say?

As Israel split into Northern and Southern Kingdoms, the kings and the people behaved wickedly, making idols and false gods in their own special places of worship.

What does it mean?

The religious climate had changed dramatically since the days of David! While David had devoted his heart and actions to worshiping God fully, King Jeroboam of the northern tribes and King Rehoboam of the southern tribes substituted idols and a false goddess for the one true, living God. This chapter reports that Israelites were making Asherah poles as objects of false worship. Asherah was said to be the mother goddess over Baal and a fertility goddess of the Canaanites. Some even said she was mother to Israel’s God! It was detestable to the one true, living God that His own people would worship idols and false goddesses.

How should I respond?

We live in a world in which polytheism (worshiping multiple gods) and pluralism (adopting multiple religions) is popular. However, the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God (Deut 6:4-5) and one true religion that is pleasing to God (Eph 4:4-6). As you work your way through 1 and 2 Kings, make a list of the good and bad kings of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. What did they do that caused God to see them as worthy or unworthy to be kings? Ask yourself: "Is there anything in my life that has a higher priority than my relationship with God?” What action will you take to put and keep God first in your life?