From Despair to Dominion: God’s Power and Justice in Israel’s Leadership

Welcome to Day 93 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are continuing the book of 1 Kings. In 1 Kings 19-22, these chapters highlight God’s power, justice, and prophetic intervention in Israel’s history. Elijah, after a great victory over Baal’s prophets, falls into deep despair, but God restores him and gives him a new mission. Ahab, the king of Israel, experiences multiple divine interventions, including victories against Syria, but repeatedly disobeys God’s commands. Jezebel’s wickedness is exposed in her scheme to seize Naboth’s vineyard, bringing judgment upon her and Ahab. Finally, the narrative concludes with Ahab’s downfall as he disregards a true prophetic warning and perishes in battle. These chapters emphasize God’s sovereignty over nations and individuals, showing that disobedience leads to judgment while faithfulness to God’s word brings strength and purpose.

1 Kings 19: Elijah, fleeing Jezebel’s wrath, travels into the wilderness and, feeling utterly discouraged, asks God to end his life. Instead of condemning him, God provides miraculous sustenance, allowing Elijah to travel to Mount Horeb. There, Elijah expects God to reveal Himself in a mighty display, but instead, God speaks through a gentle whisper, teaching Elijah about His unexpected ways. God then commissions Elijah with new tasks, including the anointing of Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha. This moment marks a transition in Elijah’s ministry as he learns that God’s plan is greater than his fears. The chapter concludes with Elisha’s calling, symbolizing continuity in God’s prophetic work.

1 Kings 20: Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, threatens Israel and demands Ahab’s wealth, wives, and children. Initially, Ahab submits, but when Ben-Hadad demands even more, he resists. A prophet assures Ahab of God’s help, and Israel miraculously defeats Aram’s vast army. Aram regroups, but God grants Israel another victory, proving that He is sovereign over all lands. However, Ahab disobeys by sparing Ben-Hadad after making a treaty with him. A prophet condemns Ahab’s actions, declaring that his failure to execute divine justice will bring destruction upon him. This chapter highlights God’s mercy and justice, revealing the consequences of compromise.

1 Kings 21: Ahab covets Naboth’s vineyard, but Naboth refuses to sell it due to ancestral inheritance laws. Jezebel, undeterred, schemes to falsely accuse Naboth of blasphemy, leading to his execution. Ahab takes possession of the vineyard, but Elijah delivers a severe prophecy: dogs will lick Ahab’s blood, and Jezebel will be devoured by dogs. Shocked by this pronouncement, Ahab humbles himself in repentance. In response, God postpones the judgment on Ahab’s lineage until after his death. This chapter highlights the abuse of power, divine justice, and God’s mercy when true repentance is shown.

1 Kings 22: Ahab persuades Jehoshaphat to join him in war against Aram. Seeking divine guidance, Jehoshaphat insists on consulting a prophet of the Lord. Micaiah, despite pressure to conform, prophesies Ahab’s death. Ahab, in defiance, disguises himself in battle, but a random arrow mortally wounds him. He bleeds to death in his chariot, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy. Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat returns safely to Judah, and Ahab’s son, Ahaziah, inherits a spiritually corrupt kingdom. The chapter emphasizes that God’s word always comes to pass, and no human strategy can overturn divine judgment.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The book of 1 Kings derives its name from its content, as it records the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. The title originates from the Hebrew name "Melekhim" meaning "Kings." In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it was included as part of the larger "Books of the Kingdoms" (Βασιλειῶν), later divided into 1 & 2 Kings.

Purpose of the Book:

1 Kings serves to document the history of Israel’s monarchy, beginning with Solomon's reign and leading to the division of the kingdom into Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom). The book emphasizes how the kings' faithfulness—or lack thereof—to God's covenant determined the nation's prosperity or downfall. It highlights God's sovereignty over history, the consequences of disobedience, and the role of prophets in guiding and warning the people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

Jewish tradition attributes the authorship of 1 Kings to the prophet Jeremiah, though there is no explicit biblical confirmation of this. The Talmud (Baba Bathra 15a) suggests that Jeremiah compiled Kings based on prophetic records and royal chronicles. Some scholars argue that it was written by an anonymous compiler, often referred to as the Deuteronomist, who drew from earlier sources such as:

The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:29)

Outside the Bible, ancient historians such as Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 8) acknowledge that Jewish records documented the events of Kings, reinforcing its historical credibility.

Key People:

Solomon – Son of David and Bathsheba, known for his wisdom, the building of the temple, and his eventual downfall due to idolatry.
Rehoboam – Solomon’s son, whose harsh leadership led to the division of the kingdom.
Jeroboam – The first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who established idol worship in Bethel and Dan.
Elijah – A major prophet who confronted Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
Ahab – A wicked king of Israel, married to Jezebel, and infamous for promoting Baal worship.
Jezebel – A Phoenician princess and wife of Ahab who persecuted God’s prophets.
Asa and Jehoshaphat – Kings of Judah known for their faithfulness to God compared to Israel’s kings.

Conclusion

1 Kings sets the stage for the spiritual decline of Israel, leading to its eventual exile, while also reminding readers of God's enduring faithfulness despite human failure.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 1 Kings 19, God reveals His deep compassion and patience in 1 Kings 19. When Elijah is exhausted, fearful, and discouraged, God does not rebuke him harshly but instead provides physical nourishment and rest. He then speaks to Elijah not in a mighty wind, earthquake, or fire but in a gentle whisper, showing that His presence is not always revealed through grand displays of power but also through intimate moments of reassurance. God is both sovereign and personal, meeting His servant in his time of need and redirecting him with renewed purpose.

In 1 Kings 19, God is seen as Jehovah-Rapha (The Lord Who Heals) because He restores Elijah’s strength, not just physically but also spiritually and emotionally. He is also El Shaddai (God Almighty) in His sovereign control over the future, appointing new leaders for His divine plan. The lesson God teaches is that even in our weakest moments, He is present to sustain, heal, and guide us. He reminds us that His plans are greater than our fears and that He works in ways we might not expect.

In 1 Kings 20, God’s character is revealed as powerful and just, yet merciful. Despite Ahab’s wickedness, God grants him victories over the Arameans to prove His supremacy. However, when Ahab disobeys by sparing Ben-Hadad, God declares judgment, showing that His mercy is not to be taken for granted. This chapter highlights God’s justice and faithfulness—He gives opportunities to follow His will but holds people accountable for their choices.

One of the Hebrew names of God evident in this chapter is Jehovah-Nissi (The Lord is My Banner) because God fights on Israel’s behalf and secures victory in battle. Another is El Elyon (God Most High), demonstrating that He is supreme over all nations, including the Arameans who falsely believed He was only a “god of the hills.” The lesson here is that God’s power is not limited by human perception, and obedience to His commands is crucial—when we reject His guidance, we face the consequences.

In 1 Kings 21, God’s justice and righteousness are evident in 1 Kings 21 as He condemns Ahab and Jezebel for their wickedness. While Ahab allows his wife to orchestrate Naboth’s murder, God does not ignore the injustice. Through Elijah, He pronounces severe judgment, proving that He is a defender of the oppressed and a righteous judge. However, God’s mercy is also seen when Ahab humbles himself, delaying the full extent of his punishment.

Here, God is revealed as Jehovah-Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) because He upholds justice and condemns sin. He is also El Roi (The God Who Sees), as He takes notice of the evil done in secret and ensures justice prevails. The lesson from this chapter is that God does not tolerate injustice, and no wrongdoing escapes His sight. However, He is also merciful, showing that sincere repentance can delay or lessen judgment.

In 1 Kings 22, God is shown as sovereign and truthful, ensuring that His prophetic word comes to pass despite human resistance. Ahab tries to manipulate circumstances to avoid Micaiah’s prophecy, but God’s will is fulfilled regardless. This chapter demonstrates that ignoring God’s warnings leads to destruction, and no human scheme can override His plans. His justice is seen as Ahab faces the consequences of his disobedience.

God’s Hebrew name in this chapter is El Emeth (God of Truth), as His word spoken through Micaiah comes to pass exactly as prophesied. He is also Jehovah-Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts), overseeing the battle and ensuring His judgment is carried out. The lesson here is that God’s word is always true and trustworthy—those who reject it will face the consequences, but those who listen will find wisdom and safety.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

How does God’s response to Elijah’s despair in 1 Kings 19 reveal His compassion and patience?
What does God’s judgment on Ahab and Jezebel in 1 Kings 21 teach us about His justice and righteousness?
How does God’s provision of victory for Ahab in 1 Kings 20, despite Ahab’s disobedience, demonstrate His mercy and sovereignty?
What does 1 Kings 22 reveal about God’s truthfulness and the certainty of His prophetic word?
How does God’s interaction with Elijah in 1 Kings 19 show that He is not limited to displaying His power in grand ways but also works in quiet moments?
How does God’s justice and mercy work together in His dealings with Ahab throughout these chapters?
What do these chapters teach us about how God sees and responds to injustice?

Questions About Themes:

How does 1 Kings 19 illustrate the theme of God’s faithfulness, even when His servant is discouraged?
What does Ahab’s repeated failure to obey God in 1 Kings 20-22 teach us about the consequences of rejecting God’s guidance?
How does the story of Naboth’s vineyard in 1 Kings 21 highlight the theme of divine justice?
What does Elijah’s experience in 1 Kings 19 teach us about how God speaks and reveals Himself to His people?
How do the battles in 1 Kings 20 demonstrate that God is sovereign over all nations and not just Israel?
What role do the prophets play in these chapters, and how does their role emphasize the importance of listening to God’s word?
How does Ahab’s downfall in 1 Kings 22 serve as a warning against ignoring God’s truth?

Reflective Application Questions:

Have you ever felt like Elijah in 1 Kings 19—discouraged and wanting to give up? How did God strengthen you during that time?
In what ways do you seek to hear God’s voice? How can you be more attentive to His guidance, even in the "gentle whispers"?
How do you respond when God calls you to obey, even when it’s difficult or doesn’t make sense to you?
What can you learn from Ahab’s mistakes about the importance of fully obeying God’s commands?
Are there any areas in your life where you have allowed compromise, like Ahab did with Ben-Hadad? How can you correct them before facing consequences?
How do you handle situations of injustice in your own life or community? How can you trust in God’s justice while also being an advocate for righteousness?
When faced with a choice between listening to God’s truth or following what is convenient, like Ahab in 1 Kings 22, how do you respond? What steps can you take to trust God’s word more fully?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans