Thurs.’s Devo - The First Seven Kings of Israel

Read: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:24-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11 Today we have a quick run-down of the first 7 kings of Israel. They start with Jeroboam who led Israel into idolatry. He was succeeded by his son, Nadab who only reigned 2 years. He was killed by Baasha who was not of his family. He killed all of Jeroboams descendants thus taking the dynasty of Jeroboam away just like was prophesied. Baasha ruled Israel for 24 years. God sent his prophet, Jehu to tell him that God was going to destroy him and his family also because of his idolatry and because he murdered all of Jeroboam’s family. He died and his son, Elah became king for two years. He was murdered by Zimri who killed all the descendants of Elah’s family. His reign only lasted 7 days before he was killed. When the army learned that Zimri had killed the king, the army commander, Omri attacked the city that Zimri was in and when he saw the city had been taken, Zimri went into the palace and burned it down with himself in it. Half of Israel wanted to make Tibni the king but the other half wanted to make Omri the king. Omri’s supporters killed Tibne and Omri became the king. He reigned for 12 years and his son, Ahab became Israel’s seventh king. All of these kings were evil in the Lord’s sight and worshipped idols, but none more than Ahab who married Jezebel. Jezebel led Israel into the worship of Baal and Asherah. God raised up prophets all through Israel’s history who tried to call Israel back into righteousness. One of God’s leading prophets was Elijah. God sent him to tell Ahab that He was closing up the heavens so that it would not rain until Elijah spoke the word. Then God told Elijah to hide so Ahab couldn’t find him. Elijah went to the Kerith Brook where God sent ravens to bring him bread and meat every morning and evening. When the brook dried up, the Lord sent him to the village of Zarephath where a widow was to feed him. He met her by the city gate where she was picking up sticks to prepare her last meal, then she was going to die. Elijah told her to give him her last meal and she would have enough to last till the famine was over. She obeyed and his word came true. She fed Elijah and her family till the famine ended. One day, her son became deathly ill. she took him to Elijah and blamed him for her son’s illness. (How much like us to blame God for every bad thing that happens to us.) Elijah took the boy and carried him up to his room and laid him on his own bed. Then Elijah prayed. He stretched his body over the son’s body three times. God heard Elijah’s prayer and gave the boy back his life. When he presented the son to his mother, she knew for certain that Elijah was a man of God who spoke his words. Just as Elijah laid on this son three times, God’s son laid in the grave for three days then they both resurrected to new life. In Acts, Peter and Cornelius finally have their divine appointment. Cornelius had invited his family members and good friends to hear what Peter had to say. Peter told them the good news about Jesus and the Holy Spirit came and fell on them. They praised God and spoke in tongues. Peter was amazed that the Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles. He ordered for them to be baptized in Jesus name and then stayed with them for several days. Lord, may we remember the good things you have done for us and not blame you for things we can not understand.