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BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesus

DAY 98 OF 358

Israel enjoyed Edenic peace and abundance when Solomon ruled by Yahweh’s wisdom. As his successors turn to idols for blessings (trying to take lifeon their own terms), Solomon’s achievements unravel.

The border security Israel enjoyed one generation prior turns into a constant threat of foreign invasions. When the Egyptian army marches into Jerusalem, Rehoboam’s carved wooden poles can’t stop Pharaoh’s soldiers. They plunder the temple and the palace, carting away all of Solomon’s gold.

Peace that once reigned among the 12 tribes devolves into incessant warfare between the northern and southern kingdoms. The garden land we saw a few chapters ago is virtually unrecognizable, almost like the pre-creation state described in Genesis 1:2, when everything was lifeless and chaotic.

Today’s reading introduces the criteria by which each king will be evaluated. Did they worship the God of Israel alone, or did they promote the worship of other gods? Did they deal with idolatry among the people or ignore it? Finally, did they remain faithful to the covenant, or did they become corrupt and unjust?

Unfortunately, few kings pass the test. Out of the long list of rulers in today’s reading, only Asa, king of Judah, purges the land of idol statues and follows Yahweh with all his heart. The rest turn their hearts after other gods, leading the whole nation into idolatry and injustice.

The divided kingdom spirals out of control. Can anyone get these wayward kings back on track?

Reflection Questions

  • God offered Jeroboam the same opportunity as David: “If you listen to all that I command you and walk in my ways, and do what is right in my sight by observing my statutes and my commandments, as my servant David did, then I will be with you and build you an enduring house as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you” (1 Kgs. 11:38). How does Jeroboam respond to this invitation? What happens as a result?
  • Meditate on the biblical authors’ evaluation of each king in today’s reading. What do these assessments tell you about the kind of qualities God values in his leaders?

About this Plan

BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesus

Read through the Bible in one year with BibleProject! One Story That Leads to Jesus includes daily devotional content, reflection questions, and more than 150 animated videos to bring biblical books and themes to life. Join the growing community around the globe who are learning to see the Bible as one unified story that leads to Jesus.

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We would like to thank BibleProject for creating this plan. For more information, please visit: www.bibleproject.com