Prophets, Kings, and Consequences: Lessons in Obedience and Rebellion

Welcome to Day 91 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are continuing the book of 1 Kings. In 1 Kings 13-15, highlight the dangers of disobedience, the consequences of idolatry, and the shifting power dynamics in Israel and Judah. In chapter 13, a prophet delivers a warning to King Jeroboam but faces his own downfall due to disobedience. Chapter 14 unveils God's judgment on Jeroboam’s dynasty and a glimpse into the decline of Rehoboam’s reign in Judah. Chapter 15 continues with a series of kings who struggle with faithfulness, leading to political instability and spiritual decay. Through these narratives, we see God’s sovereignty at work, demonstrating that obedience leads to blessing while rebellion results in destruction.

1 Kings 13: Chapter 13 tells the story of a prophet from Judah sent to confront King Jeroboam about his idolatry. He prophesies the future destruction of Jeroboam’s false altar, and a miraculous sign confirms his words. When Jeroboam attempts to seize the prophet, his hand withers but is later healed. Despite being instructed by God not to eat or drink in Bethel, the prophet is deceived by an old prophet and disobeys. As a result, he is killed by a lion, illustrating the serious consequences of not following God's command. Jeroboam, however, refuses to repent, further sealing his kingdom’s fate.

1 Kings 14: This chapter records the downfall of Jeroboam’s house and the decline of Rehoboam’s reign in Judah. Jeroboam sends his wife to the prophet Ahijah to inquire about their sick son, but she receives a devastating prophecy: the child will die, and Jeroboam’s lineage will be cut off. Meanwhile, Judah under Rehoboam turns to idolatry, provoking God’s anger. Egypt invades and plunders the temple’s treasures, leaving Judah weakened. This chapter illustrates how both Israel and Judah suffer when they abandon God’s commandments.

1 Kings 15: This chapter chronicles the reigns of several kings, showing the ongoing struggle between faithfulness and rebellion. In Judah, Abijah follows in his father Rehoboam’s sinful ways but experiences God’s mercy due to David’s legacy. His son Asa, however, brings significant religious reforms, removing idols and seeking the Lord. Meanwhile, in Israel, Nadab continues Jeroboam’s wickedness but is assassinated by Baasha, who establishes a new dynasty. These events demonstrate how leadership choices shape a nation's spiritual and political destiny.

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 13, God’s character is revealed as sovereign, just, and uncompromising in His commands. He demonstrates His power through signs and wonders, such as the splitting of the altar and the withering of Jeroboam’s hand. His justice is evident in the punishment of the disobedient prophet, showing that even those called by God must remain faithful to His word. Yet, God also displays His mercy by healing Jeroboam’s hand, though the king refuses to repent. This passage highlights God’s authority over kings and prophets alike, emphasizing the importance of obedience.

The Hebrew name of God referenced in this chapter is "Elohim", meaning "God" or "Mighty One," which reflects His supreme authority over all creation. Another significant title is "YHWH", the covenant name of God, used in the prophecy against Jeroboam. Through these names, God teaches that His word must be followed precisely, and partial obedience is still disobedience. The lesson here is that divine instructions are not open to human alteration—true faith requires unwavering trust and adherence to God’s commands.

In 1 Kings 14, God is shown as omniscient, righteous, and unchanging. He knows the thoughts and actions of Jeroboam’s wife before she even arrives at Ahijah’s house, proving that nothing is hidden from Him. His righteousness is evident in His judgment against Jeroboam’s dynasty, showing that He does not tolerate rebellion and idolatry. Yet, in His justice, there is also mercy—though Jeroboam’s son dies, he is the only one given a peaceful death because he was found to have some goodness in him. This chapter reminds us that God is patient but will not withhold judgment forever.

One of the Hebrew names of God referenced in this chapter is "YHWH Elohim", meaning "The LORD God," emphasizing both His covenant relationship with Israel and His authority over all nations. Another title reflected in the prophecy is "El Roi", meaning "The God Who Sees," as God sees both the deception of Jeroboam’s wife and the sins of Judah under Rehoboam. The lesson here is that God knows the hearts of all people, and while He offers grace, persistent disobedience leads to judgment.

In 1 Kings 15, God’s faithfulness, justice, and patience are on display. Despite the sinfulness of the kings of Israel and Judah, God remains faithful to His covenant with David, allowing his lineage to continue. His justice is seen in the downfall of Jeroboam’s and Baasha’s dynasties, showing that no ruler is above His judgment. However, His patience is evident in Asa’s reign, as God blesses Judah when Asa removes idolatry and seeks Him. This chapter reveals that God honors those who follow Him, even amid widespread rebellion.

The Hebrew name of God seen in this chapter is "YHWH Tsidkenu", meaning "The LORD Our Righteousness," as Asa’s reforms bring Judah back toward righteousness. Another name reflected in God's actions is "El Shaddai", meaning "God Almighty," showcasing His power to remove wicked kings and establish righteous ones. The lesson here is that while God punishes sin, He also rewards faithfulness. Those who seek Him and remove sin from their lives will experience His favor and strength.

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:

What does 1 Kings 13 teach us about God’s justice and the consequences of disobedience?
How does God’s omniscience in 1 Kings 14 reveal His ability to see beyond outward appearances?
In what ways does God show both judgment and mercy throughout 1 Kings 13-15?
How does God’s faithfulness to His covenant with David (1 Kings 15) demonstrate His unchanging nature?
What do the different Hebrew names of God in these chapters reveal about His authority and power?
How does the story of the disobedient prophet in 1 Kings 13 highlight the importance of obeying God’s instructions fully?
What can we learn about God’s patience and justice in how He deals with the kings of Israel and Judah?

Questions About Themes:

How does 1 Kings 13 illustrate the dangers of false teachings and deception?
What does Jeroboam’s refusal to repent (1 Kings 13-14) teach us about the consequences of a hardened heart?
How do these chapters show the impact of leadership on a nation’s spiritual condition?
In what ways does God’s judgment on Jeroboam’s family (1 Kings 14) fulfill His warnings against idolatry?
How does Asa’s reign in 1 Kings 15 contrast with the disobedience of other kings?
What role does obedience play in experiencing God’s blessings and favor in these chapters?
How do these chapters emphasize that political success without spiritual obedience is ultimately meaningless?

Reflective Application Questions:

Have you ever faced a situation where partial obedience felt easier than full obedience? How did it turn out?
How can you guard yourself against spiritual deception like the man of God in 1 Kings 13?
What steps can you take to remove idolatry or distractions from your life, as Asa did in 1 Kings 15?
Are there areas in your life where you are ignoring God’s warnings, like Jeroboam? What changes do you need to make?
How does knowing that God sees everything (1 Kings 14) affect the way you live daily?
What does Asa’s example in 1 Kings 15 teach you about making bold decisions to follow God, even when it’s difficult?
In what ways can you lead others toward faithfulness to God, whether in your family, church, or workplace?

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