I KINGS & II KINGS
Theme: Disruption (I Kings) & Dispersion (II Kings)
Author: Unknown
Time: 560 BC and 539 BC during the exile of Jews to Babylon
End of the whole Kingdom of Israel. Dispersion of Jews everywhere
Key Scripture:
II Kings 17:13-14 ESV
13 Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”
14 But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God.
God is telling the Kingdom of Israel through the prophets he wants to help but they’re stubborn
Priest - Represent the whole worship system
King - Political system. Represent people to God and God to people
Prophet - Represent God to the people. God raises prophets to speak to people and the King
II King 12:2-3 ESV
2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
A king trying to serve the Lord but the people not doing the right thing
Structure:
I Kings 1-11: The Kingdom United
United under Solomon. David’s son. Solomon is greater in glory. Built temple, expanded borders of Israel
I Kings 12-22: The Kingdom Divided
Death of Solomon a division of the Kingdom. Jeroboam, rebel leader, creates the Northern Kingdom of Israel Rayabom, takes the remaining two tribes the southern kingdom of Israel
II Kings 1-10: History of Israel (northern kingdom)
II Kings 11- 17: The history of Israel and Judah (alternating)
II Kings 18 - 25: History of Judah (southern kingdom)
Purpose of the Book:
1. To show the glory of the united Kingdom
2. Disruption of the United Kingdom into 2 broken Kingdom
3. To show the history of the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah
Message of the Book:
1. Leaders succeed or fail by their relationship with God and their response to the Word of God through the prophets
2. If the people reject the word through prophecy they will fall from idolatry to apostasy and the judgment of captivity.
3. Without God we cannot rule ourselves
4. God is a faithful ruler above all earthly rulers