The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 1

Major Ideas in Kings I. God’s Sovereignty Over Rulers and Nations The books of Kings highlight the supreme sovereignty of God over His people and their kings and even over the other nations of the earth. The Lord is the one who establishes nations and rulers and causes them to fall (1 Ki. 11:29-38; 16:1-4; 2 Ki. 9:6-10; 17:18). Rulers were not, as they often claimed, gods who ruled by their own divine power. They are governed by God’s providence and judged by His word. God’s people are to have no doubt that God works even the greatest actions of monarchs and kingdoms to fulfill His purposes for His people.

II. The Priority of God’s Word The word of God takes priority over everything else in Kings. Over and over, call kings to account and these kings are judged by whether they submit themselves to God’s word through the prophets (1 Ki. 14:7-16; 2 Ki. 22:18-20). The kings of and are also repeatedly evaluated by their faithfulness to God’s covenants revealed in Scripture. Throughout Kings, God casts down those who disregard His word, no matter how high their position, and exalts those who hear and do His word, no matter how low. Neither military might nor worldly wisdom will preserve a nation or an individual but only fidelity to God’s will in His word.

III. God’s Relationship to the Temple and the King Kings opens with the establishment of the house of in ’s reign along with the building of the temple and ends with the temple destroyed and the house of David in exile. Both the temple and the house of David are essential to what God is doing in the Davidic and are given as blessings to Israel. However, God transcends His temple (1 Ki. 8:27) and His chosen Davidic king (1 Ki. 11:29-38). God is willing to destroy His temple, king, and covenant people when they are defiled to accomplish His covenantal purposes despite their unfaithfulness (1 Ki. 9:3-9).

IV. The Failure of Israel The people of Israel and Judah who had been exiled were not to think that the fall of their kingdoms was an accident or due to failure of God. The reason for the exile was not that God’s hand was too short to save but because of their great unfaithfulness to God’s covenant (2 Ki. 17:7- 41; 21:1-15). There is a finality to this failure. Never again will a descendant of David sit on the throne in . Never again do we hear of the presence of God residing in the temple. In many ways, the fall of Israel and Judah is the end of the old covenantal order and leaves nothing but to look forward to the coming restoration of the New Covenant.

V. God’s Longsuffering with His people Despite His people’s perpetual unfaithfulness, God continually seeks to show mercy to them. When wicked kings humble themselves before God, He shows grace (1 Ki. 21:20-29). In the midst of great unfaithfulness by His people, He continues to identify with them and defend them from harm (2 Ki. 13:22-23; 14:23-27). He sends prophets to call them back from their wayward ways that He might be gracious to them and restore them (2 Ki. 17:13). For centuries, He endures their continual profaning of His covenant while working for good. The books of Kings are a testimony to the truth that the Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Joel 2:12-14). The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 2

Solomon’s Reign in Jerusalem and the Building of the Temple (1 Kings 1-11) I. Solomon’s Wisdom and Glory A. The ministry of Solomon. The books of Kings open in the waning days of David’s reign. As his strength fails him, David turns the kingdom over to his son, Solomon. The reign of Solomon is the golden era of the nation of Israel. The kingdom has gained peace and will enjoy unparalleled prosperity under Solomon’s rule. Solomon himself embodies the blessings of God given to Israel. He is blessed with divine wisdom to bless the people and is greatly enriched by his service to God. Gentiles come to learn of this wisdom and to see the blessings and glory that has been bestowed upon him. B. The ministry of Israel. Israel was called to have a ministry like this. They were given divine instructions in the law which was to be their wisdom in the sight of the nations (Deut. 4:1-8). They were to be blessed and enriched through their keeping of God’s covenant (Deut. 28:1-14). The nations surrounding Israel were to see the blessing of living under the rule of God and desire to join themselves with Israel (Zech. 8:20-23; Is. 60:1-14; 2:2-4 [Mic. 4:1-3]). The reign of Solomon is the closest that Israel ever comes to fulfilling its purpose.

II. Solomon the Temple Builder A. Temple details. The most important thing that Solomon does during his reign is build the temple. Rather than remaining in the tabernacle, the presence of God was now coming to find a permanent residence among His people. God would associate His name and glory with this mountain, city, and people. The temple exceeded the tabernacle in glory. Most of its measurements doubled those of the tabernacle. The designs were multiplied. The tabernacle had cherubim woven into the curtains, but the temple had cherubim engraved in gold all over the walls in the holy place, along with engravings of palm trees and open flowers. There was only one menorah in the tabernacle but the temple housed ten. The crowning design were two ten-cubit tall (almost 16 ft.) golden cherubim standing in the holy of holies overshadowing the ark. B. Solomon’s temple. Once the priests had placed the ark in the holy of holies, the presence of the Lord descended and filled the temple. Solomon and the people offered thousands of animals in sacrifice and Solomon dedicated the temple with a prayer acknowledging that God’s true dwelling is in heaven and asking for God’s care for all who would call upon the name of the Lord. Solomon has now provided a preliminary fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. But just as Solomon’s temple displayed a greater permanence and glory than the tabernacle, so his temple will give way to one with a permanence and glory that are everlasting, built by the greater Son of David. It is to that king that all nations and rulers will submit and to His temple that all peoples shall come to know His wisdom and be supremely blessed in Him.

III. Solomon’s Folly and Fall A. Solomon’s idolatry. In spite of the many blessings that God had given him, Solomon allows his heart to be turned away from the Lord. Solomon disregarded the word of the Lord particularly given to kings that they are not to amass for themselves horses (military might), riches, or wives (Deut. 17:14-17; cf. 1 Ki. 10:26-11:8). In particular, his marriages to foreign women who worshipped other gods drew Solomon’s heart away from the Lord. Solomon became the builder not only of the temple of the Lord but also of temples to the gods of all his wives. Though Solomon started well, he turned from the Lord and brought terrible consequences on his people. The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 3

B. The division of the kingdom. The Lord had warned Solomon in his law and personally of the judgment that would come if he turned from Him to worship idols (1 Ki. 9:3-9). It is for this reason that He determines to strip the kingdom from the line of David (1 Ki. 11:29-39). Ten of the twelve tribes of Israel break off from the house of David and retain the name of Israel for their new nation in the north, while only two remain in the southern . This breach between the tribes of Israel will never be mended in the history of the Hebrew people. C. Responding to the split. It is clear that the Lord wills the split between the two kingdoms as a judgment against the Solomon (1 Ki. 12:23-24). This does not mean, however, that it was good and right for the people of Israel to remain separated from the people of Judah. The Psalms and prophetic books state that Jerusalem is the true place of worship and that the Davidic line is the one that God has chosen to rule His people (Ps. 78:67-72; 122; 132; Hos. 3; Amos 9:9-11; Ezek. 37:15-28; Is. 9:1-7). The right response by both the Davidic kings and the people of Israel and Judah was repentant faith that God may reunite the nations again. Sadly, these kingdoms are often at war with each other and rarely exhibit faith and repentance. The split is only healed in Christ (John 4:39-42; Acts 8:4-25).

The reach of Israel under David and Solomon (left) vs. the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah (right). The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 4

The Rise of the Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 12-16) I. A Kingdom Founded on Idolatry (1 Kings 12) God set over the new nation of Israel, commanding him to be faithful where Solomon failed. Yet, Jeroboam does not take to heart that the Lord Himself has established his throne. He fears that the fact that the temple is in the Judah’s capital of Jerusalem will cause some of the people to want to return to Judah. To combat this, Jeroboam reintroduces the cult of the golden calf. Just as in the Exodus, he declares that the golden calves represent the Lord (1 Ki. 12:26-33; cf. Ex. 32:1-6). He also sets up a priesthood for this new cult that was not made up of and institutes a new feast day for the people to observe. These are all serious transgressions against the holiness of the Lord. He has declared the way, the place, by whom, and when He will be worshiped. Jeroboam’s actions are a public declaration that the nation that he leads will make the worship of God serve them rather than serve God in true and holy worship.

II. Warnings unheeded (1 Kings 13-14) A. The prophecy. The Lord sent a from Judah to be present even at this first feast and sacrifice of Jeroboam. This prophet cried out against the sin and prophesied the destruction of the idolatrous altar by a Davidic king yet to be born who would be named . The Lord vindicates his prophecy with immediate signs. This prophecy tells us two things. First, it communicates to us that, despite this warning and the signs given, Jeroboam and Israel will not turn from this false worship (1 Ki. 13:33-34). Second, it helps set our expectations for the books of Kings. We are to look for this Davidic king who will put an end to idolatrous worship. B. The prophets. The prophet from Judah was commanded not to eat or drink in Israel but to return to Judah. This is in accordance with the principle that the true worshipers of God are not to have fellowship with idolators (Deut. 13; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:3-11). However, another prophet from Israel hears of this prophet from Judah and lies to him, telling him that he has revelation that contradicts what the Lord said. The prophet from Judah listens to the one from Israel and falls under the Lord’s judgment, leading to his death. C. The judgments. God brings severe judgment for those who do not regard His word. He declares and exemplifies judgment on the false worship of Jeroboam, He brings judgment on the prophet who does not listen to His word, and He brings judgment on the . This last judgment is the most severe. It is not only a repudiation of the blessing God would have given if Jeroboam had honored the Lord, but robs Israel of a king who would have walked in faithfulness to give Israel over to its sins (1 Ki. 14:16; Ps. 81:11-12). D. Lessons. This chapter serves as a microcosm of the books of Kings and the relationship between Israel and Judah. The prophet from Judah brought the word of the Lord to Israel, speaking against their idolatrous practices. Yet, the prophet himself disregards the word already given and testified to by God in favor of a new and competing word allegedly from the Lord. In doing this, he sins and commits idolatry and God bring judgment upon him. This pattern is writ large throughout the books of Kings. True worship and revelation from God reside in Judah and Judah is to call Israel to worship God accordingly. However, rather than standing fast as an example to Israel, Judah follows Israel in idolatry and disregard of God’s word (Jer. 3:6-10; Ezek. 23). Because of this, the Lord brings supernatural judgment to show without a doubt that He is the one who will bring calamity upon His people for their unfaithfulness.

The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 5

III. The Contrast Between the Two Kingdoms (1 Kings 15-16) This section begins the alternating back and forth that happens between the two kingdoms but has more of an emphasis on Israel, leading us to the wicked kingship of . Israel’s history is one of constant sin against the Lord. Not a single king in its history as a nation separate from Judah was faithful. Judah has its share of wicked kings but also has kings who follow the Lord. Israel suffers from political instability as judgment for its sins. No dynasty stays on the throne for very long because there is a regular stream of revolution and war. By way of contrast, though the are often threatened, God preserves a son of David on the throne throughout its history (1 Ki. 15:3-5). During these first 60 years of the divided kingdom, Israel has seven kings from four dynasties and three different capital cities while Judah has only three kings, all from the line of David who reign in Jerusalem. The Ministry of Elijah (1 Kings 17-2 Kings 2) I. The Contrast Between the Lord and Baal (1 Kings 17-18) A. A contrast of worshipers. Ahab is the 7th king of Israel and exceedingly wicked (1 Ki. 16:29-33). Worse than the worship of the golden calves, he established Baal worship in Israel under the guidance of his wife, Jezebel, the princess of Sidon. It is at this time that Elijah appears on the scene and declares God’s judgment by means of a drought. God tells Elijah to flee for safety to Sidon. There, Elijah meets a widow and her son and through him, God provides supernaturally for this family. The difference between those who worship Baal and those who worship God could not be starker. The king and queen are prosperous but sold to sin and under the curse of the drought. Elijah and the widow are poor but God provides. Christ uses this widow as an example to the people in His day of God’s preference for faithful Gentiles to faithless (Luke 4:25-26). The Lord will take the lowly and forgotten show grace to them because they listen to His word (Is. 57:15; 66:2). B. A contrast of power. In Canaanite worship, Baal was the storm god, who gave rain as a blessing and cast down lightning at his whim. For this reason, God makes the ministry of Elijah to be an open repudiation of the power of Baal. At the word of the Lord through His prophet, rain ceases from the land for three and a half years, showing that Baal had no power to bestow rain. After these years, Elijah calls for a showdown between himself and the prophets of Baal. Though Baal is the supposed lord of lightning, he can’t provide any no matter how much his priests call for it. On the other hand, the Lord answers from heaven with a conflagration that incinerates even a drenched offering. With this demonstration, the Lord has again made clear that He is the true God and Elijah is able to get the people to put the false prophets to death. Even Ahab listens to Elijah’s instructions after the Lord’s victory. One would think that this would herald a decisive turn away from idolatry and toward the Lord.

II. Back to Sinai (1 Kings 19) A. Elijah’s despair. However, the king and the people do not show a new allegiance to the Lord, rather Jezebel declares her intentions to put Elijah to death. In response, Elijah flees south to Mt. Sinai. His journey has him figuratively reversed the steps of Israel. He leaves the promised land to go into the wilderness where he is supernaturally fed by God as he travels for forty days. Like Moses, he goes up the mountain where the Lord passes before him. However, unlike Moses, who pleads for the people, Elijah pleads for his death because no one else in Israel served the Lord. The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 6

B. The Lord’s response. The Lord’s response is twofold. First, He will bring judgment in the forms of future kings of Syria and Israel and a prophet who carries on his work to bring judgment against Israel and Ahab. Second, He comforts Elijah that His cause is not lost, but that in the midst of a godless generation, the Lord has yet preserved a remnant who remains faithful to Him. The Lord will vindicate His covenant and those who are zealous for Him.

III. God’s Grace and Wrath Upon Ahab (1 Kings 20-22) A. Ahab’s wickedness. We are given a glimpse of God’s enduring faithfulness to His covenants through his dealings with Ahab. Though Ahab has sold himself to do evil by leading the nation in great idolatry, the Lord gives opportunities for repentance and even defends Ahab and his kingdom. When Syria comes with an overwhelming force to destroy Ahab and Israel, the Lord sends a prophet to instruct Ahab that He will defend him. By the word of the Lord, Ahab gains victory over the forces of Ben-hadad. However, against God’s command, Ahab refuses to kill Ben- hadad. Ahab also incites his wife to murder a just man—by means of blasphemy and false witness no less—that he may gain his vineyard. B. The Lord’s pronouncements. On account of these sins, the Lord declares that He will destroy Ahab, Jezebel, and their line. In response to this judgment, Ahab actually humbles himself before God and obtains a reprieve. However, this is not true repentance but merely a desire to avoid judgment; Ahab will again show that he does not regard the word of the Lord. Therefore, it is according to the word of the Lord that Ahab meets his end. During his ongoing war with Syria, God sends His prophet to declare to Ahab that He will die. Despite all his efforts to conceal and protect himself, Ahab is providentially struck down by an archer’s arrow drawn “at random.”

IV. Elijah’s Departure (2 Kings 1-2) A. One last contest. 2 Kings opens with Elijah’s encounter with Ahab’s son, Ahaziah. Throughout the encounter, Elijah’s words ring as a challenge to Ahaziah and all Israel, “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?” As Elijah demonstrates again, the God of Israel has actual power and being and is the God with whom Israel is in covenant, yet the people continually seek after other gods. The sentence on Ahaziah for his idolatry is death and the warning is given to Israel that if they persist in idolatry, the same will fall upon them as well. B. Elijah’s assumption. In contrast to the death that is decreed for idolators, God gives life to those who worship Him in truth. This is illustrated numerous times throughout the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, from the miraculous provision of food to times when they raise the dead, but this is the preeminent example. Elijah does not taste death but is taken bodily up into heaven. This display of God’s grace and glory demonstrates once again what it truly at stake when it comes to God’s covenant. Faithfulness to God’s covenant results in life, even life beyond the grave, whereas idolatry results in death, even everlasting death (Deut. 30:11-20). C. Elijah’s inheritors. Though Elijah passes from the scene, it does not mean that the Lord has withdrawn his presence from Israel. In the sons of the prophets, the Lord has shown Himself faithful to His word in saying that He has preserved those who have not bowed the knee to Baal. The Lord has also provided Elisha, who is given a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, to take up the mantle of Elijah’s ministry. He will perform the same miracles as Elijah and will bring to completion the ministry directives that God gave to Elijah (1 Ki. 19:15-17; 2 Ki. 8:8-15; 9:1-10). The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 7

The Ministry of Elisha (2 Kings 3-13) I. A Rare Prophet A. A prophet like Moses and . The ministry of Elisha is perhaps the greatest Scriptural parallel there is to the ministry of Christ. Elisha becomes an oracle of God’s will and a doer of miracles that causes people from the whole region to seek him out. He miraculously provides for food, heals leprosy, raises the dead, and delivers the poor from crushing economic situations. Elisha is just a humble man of God, serving God’s people in the countryside and yet he is the greatest worker of miracles since Moses. B. God’s favor shown through Elijah. Through Elisha’s ministry, the Lord displays the favor that He is pleased to show His people. While on the one hand, Elisha would not bother to speak to the idolatrous king of Israel were it not for the king of Judah, he freely gives of His time and concern and works wonders for common people who fear the Lord. At the same time Elisha predicts and orchestrates victories for Israel over its enemies to show God’s covenant faithfulness even to rebellious Israel.

II. The Brutality of the Throne A. Upheaval in Israel. A huge shift in both Israel and Judah comes with the anointing of Hazael over Syria, over Israel, and the passing of from Judah. Hazael and Jehu will wage bloody campaigns in Israel according to God’s prophetic word (1 Ki. 19:15-17; 2 Ki. 8:12; 9:7- 10). Hazael wounds Joram, Ahab’s son. Jehu brings an end to Joram and all the line of Ahab and to Jezebel. Most importantly, he forever puts an end to the worship of the Baals that Ahab had introduced in Israel. He gathers all the worshipers and priests of Baal in the land and executes them in one fell swoop. B. Upheaval in Judah. While the sin of Ahab is eradicated from Israel, it spread to Judah. Jehoram (sometimes called Joram), the son of Jehoshaphat, married , a daughter of Ahab, and he and his son Ahaziah brought similar idolatry to Judah (2 Ki. 8:18, 27). Ahaziah dies at the hand of Jehu, together with Joram, king of Israel. Athaliah takes advantage of Ahaziah’s death by seizing power in Judah and seeking to kill all the . However, Ahaziah’s infant son, Jehoash (sometimes called Joash), was hidden away and protected by faithful men in the temple until the time was right to remove Athaliah from the throne. Athaliah is executed for her crimes and Judah is given a faithful ruler in Jehoash. C. Judgment on idolatry. During this time, Hazael made regular war against Israel and Judah, Jehu was responsible for the deaths of over 70 members of Ahab’s family, 40 members of Ahaziah’s family, and every worshiper of Baal in all of Israel, and Athaliah killed every male of the royal family except for one. This bloodshed was God’s judgment upon the worship of Baal in Israel and Judah. With this judgment, the ministries of Elijah and Elisha come to an end. They began during the reign of Ahab and his introduction of Baal worship and come to an end when every last vestige of Ahab and his idolatry has been cleansed from Israel and Judah.

The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 8

The Fall of the Northern Kingdom (2 Kings 14-17) I. Israel’s Old Idolatry Although Jehu brought an end to Baal worship in Israel, he did not follow the Lord, but reinstituted the worship of the golden calves and the high places (2 Ki. 10:28-31).1 This would be the pattern of Israel’s worship from this point on; every king will follow this pattern. This lesser form of false worship is not any more acceptable to the Lord simply because it is not the worship of Baal. God’s judgment is coming upon Israel for these sins (2 Ki. 17:21-23).

II. Judah Squanders God’s Blessing Starting with the reign of Jehoash, God gives Judah 100 years of faithful kings to rule over them. This is the longest period in the and Judah in which God’s people have rulers who are genuinely following the Lord. This, coupled with the unfaithfulness of Israel should have strengthened Judah’s resolve to walk faithfully before God, but rather than increased fidelity, we find hints of corruption. These righteous kings do not remove the high places, some commit foolish and faithless acts, and two of them are killed by conspirators. At the end of these 100 years, ascends the throne and proves to be the most wicked king thus far in Judah’s history. He did not depend on the Lord for deliverance from his enemies, but depended on a foreign king, he removed the sacrificial altar in the temple so that he could replace it with an altar in the likeness of a pagan altar (with the help of a priest), and he sacrificed his son to a false god. Sadly, right when God is about to send Israel into exile, Judah is walking in the very same sins (2 Ki. 17:19).

III. Israel is No More In 722 BC, the Lord brings an end to Israel and its idolatry. For 210 years, Israel has defied the Lord, refusing to worship Him as He has commanded in His covenant. Finally, the Lord brings the nation of Assyria to wipe Israel off the map. Israel’s capital, Samaria, and all its major cities are captured and most of its people are forcefully removed from the land. Only the poor are left to be subjugated under the pagan peoples that are planted in the land. The new peoples engage in syncretistic worship, offering worship to the Lord and to other gods (2 Ki. 17:24-41). These are the people who will become the . Israel’s judgment is a warning to Judah. God has shown Himself to be longsuffering but will not allow His covenant to be defiled forever. He has brought the curses of the covenant upon Israel (Deut. 28) and Judah will face the same fate if they do not turn from evil to walk in the truth. The Fall of Jerusalem and the Destruction of the Temple (2 Kings 18-25) I. God Defeats Assyria A. The Assyrian threat. Assyria was not just a threat to Israel but also brought its power to bear against Judah during the reign of . Assyria was the major military power in the region at

1 Worship in the high places was common in both Israel and Judah. The high places were not necessarily used for pagan worship—though they often were (1 Ki. 14:22-24; 2 Ki. 17:9-12, 29)—but were places where the people would sacrifice to the god they were worshiping. The high places may have originally been early synagogues, where the people would gather in their various places every week to worship God according to His command (Lev. 23:1-3). However, sacrificing was prohibited at these high places because God had commanded that sacrifice was only to occur at the tabernacle or temple (Deut. 12:1-14; Lev. 17:1-9). There were valid sacrifices to the Lord at the high places when the tabernacle was there (2 Chr. 1:3-13; 1 Sam. 9:12-26). The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 9

that time and had previously brought Israel and Judah under its control (2 Ki. 16:5-9; 17:3). As such, when the kings of these nations rebelled against Assyria, the empire responded (2 Ki. 17:3- 5; 18:13-16). In the case of Israel, this became God’s instrument of judgment to bring the nation to an end for their idolatry. In coming against Judah, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria and his servants exalt themselves against God and promise to bring an end to Jerusalem (2 Ki. 18:17-35). B. God’s display of power. However, God will not bring the same fate upon Judah that He did on Israel. Though Hezekiah displays his own shortcomings in these chapters, unlike the kings of Israel he truly follows and seeks the Lord when in need (1 Ki. 18:3-6; 19:1-7, 14-20). In response to the boasts of Assyria and the faith of Hezekiah, the Lord acts to bring an end to Sennacherib. God sends his angel to strike down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers and Sennacherib returns home, where he is assassinated. This account is a further demonstration that Israel did not fall because of God’s inability to defend them. God can and will defend His people from terrible threats, but shows his favor upon those who worship Him in truth.

II. Faithful and Unfaithful Kings A. Manasseh’s idolatry brings God’s judgment. The Judean king who was most wicked in his rebellion against God was Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh. He brought back all manner of idolatry but went even further in remodeling the temple for the worship of other gods. He also sacrificed his son and sought the power of the occult to guide and protect him. His wickedness was greater than even that of the Canaanites (2 Ki. 21:10-11). Though Chronicles relates his repentance (2 Chr. 33:10-20), Kings focuses on the fact that it is the grave idolatry that he introduced to the people that is the reason that God will destroy Jerusalem and send Judah into exile (2 Ki. 21:10-16; 23:26-27; 24:3-4). B. Hezekiah and Josiah’s faithfulness not enough to stave off judgment. Though this section is the lead up to the destruction and exile of Judah, the bulk of these chapters focuses on the two most faithful kings in Judah’s history. Hezekiah and Josiah take more action against idolatry than any of the kings before them and show great zeal for following the Lord. Josiah is especially noteworthy in this respect. He shows a great tenderheartedness and zeal for the Lord and His word. He leads the people in making a covenant to follow the Lord, leads the nation in observing the first Passover since the time of , and eradicates idolatry everywhere he finds it, even to the point of going into the territory of what was Israel and destroying the idolatrous altars there as was prophesied by the prophet at the beginning of the divided kingdom (1 Ki. 13:2). Yet, in spite of all of this, it is not enough to stave off God’s judgment (2 Ki. 23:25-27).

III. The Circumstances of Judah’s Fall A. The unfaithfulness of kings and people. The books of Kings emphasize the actions of kings and prophets in the life of the kingdoms. It is the actions of the kings of Israel and Judah that are the focus of why the nation falls. However, it was not just the wickedness of the kings that led to the exile of the nations; indeed, two of the greatest kings in Judah’s history come shortly before its fall. The people not only endured wickedness from their kings but participated in their wickedness themselves. They turned to idols and profaned the covenant of the Lord time and again. The wickedness of the people was so great that the faithfulness of some individuals was not enough to keep God from bringing destruction (Ezek. 14:12-23). God had been faithful and longsuffering toward them, warning them and delivering them time and again, but the nation persevered in sin. The Structure of Salvation: Part 27 – Kings Page | 10

B. Exile to Babylon. The books of Kings end with the dismantling of Judah at the hands of Babylon. Babylon overthrew the Assyrian Empire and became the strongest power in the ancient near east. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquered Judah but allowed it to remain for a time as a nation, so long as the kings of Judah were loyal to him. However, these kings continually sought to rebel against Babylon. Over the course of these years, it led to three separate occasions when the Babylonian armies came and deported some of the people into exile, in 605, 597, and 586 BC. Finally, in 586, the Lord uses Nebuchadnezzar to bring an end to the nation of Judah; destroying the city of Jerusalem and the temple itself. The royal family and most of the people of Judah are killed or carried off in chains to Babylon, though some people are left in what remains of the land. The people are left to wait 70 years until the Lord will restore them to the land. There is one last note of hope given. Even as the people languish in Babylon, there is still a Davidic king who survives and with him survives the hope that God will show favor to them once again. Applications from Kings I. Exclusive Loyalty to the Lord One of the recurring lessons from Kings is that profaning the worship of God, either by introducing idols or by turning to other gods, corrupts individuals and communities and will bring destruction. We need to be on guard against allowing other things to steal away our loyalty to and trust in the Lord. God will not bless His people in compromising with the sinful practices or ideologies of the world, in putting their trust in worldly power, or in giving what belongs to the Lord to others. We must sanctify the Lord alone as God in our hearts and endeavor to live faithfully before Him above all else. In all things we must ask if it is the Lord we are serving or some other master. The Lord loves us jealously and we must be jealous for His glory and kingdom as well.

II. Breaking God’s Covenant The history of the books of Kings is that of the breaking of the Mosaic and Davidic covenants. Both God’s people and God’s kings apostatized from God. Though God had shown them immense grace in choosing them out of all the peoples of the earth to be holy to Him (Deut. 7:6-11), they exchanged the glory of God for idols (Rom. 1:21-25). Though God always remains true to His covenants, we too must beware the love of this world. If we turn from following Christ, it will not simply lead to the destruction of our homes or nation but will be an everlasting ruination to us (Heb. 2:1-4).

III. Hope Under Judgment The books of Kings detail the severe judgment of God upon His people and the culmination of all the covenant curses He threatened when they entered the land. It is easy to think that this means that when God’s judgment comes, there is no hope to be had. But Kings also shows that God is faithful to those who love Him, even in the midst of judgment. So, we are not to lose heart, even if we see God’s judgment coming on the nation or the church. We are not to despair for God uses His judgment to destroy evil and further His purposes. Though we may not be spared from great suffering when God’s judgment comes, there is still every reason to hope in God. He will deliver His people from His judgment, either in this world or the next.