September 13, 2026

UNIT 1 History of Israel and Judah

LESSON: 2

Study Text: 1 kings 12:25-33; 16:29-33; 21:1-24; 2 kings 9:1 through 10:36

Central Truth: Ungodly rulers influence people to sin.

KEY Verse-- 1 kings 16:30 Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him (KJV).

Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the LORD'S sight, even more than any of the kings before him (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

We love stories of second chances. What's more uplifting than seeing someone face their mistakes, move on, and redeem themselves? Everyone deserves another shot at success.

DISCUSSION STARTER--Second Chances

What's your favorite book or movie that follows the familiar second-chance storyline formula? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We can get discouraged--or even infuriated--when someone throws away a second chance, especially when they don't seem to change their attitudes or actions at all. Israel's kings after the northern kingdom of Israel split from the southern kingdom of Judah essentially threw away every second chance God gave to them. Instead of changing course and renewing their commitment to God, Israel's kings completely abandoned Him and followed their own selfish desires, just like Solomon.

                                                          PART 1--Jeroboam: First King of the North

          Insecure Leadership                                    1Kings 12:25-27

God was willing to "establish an enduring dynasty" for Jeroboam, just as He did for David (1 Kings 11:38). If Jeroboam would simply listen to God and do what He said, this would truly be a fresh start. However, Jeroboam began his reign by fortifying the politically strategic cities of Shechem and Peniel (12:25). Why? He was already worried about losing the kingdom and being killed by the people (vv. 26-27). Although he just prophetically and miraculously received the throne, he believed it was up to him to keep it. He even selfishly assumed that temple worship in Jerusalem would lead to his downfall. Consider the irony of Jeroboam's reasoning. If the people obeyed God's command regarding temple worship (Deut. 12:13-14) --the same God who had given Jeroboam the kingdom--then Jeroboam would lose the kingdom. What foolishness and insecure leadership!

? It was not necessarily wrong for Jeroboam to fortify certain cities in Israel. Nor is it wrong for us to prudently and wisely plan for the future. What's the balance between personal planning and placing our trust in God?

Setting Up Idols                       1 kings 12:28-33

Instead of obeying God, Jeroboam listened to his counselors (1 Kings 12:28). On their advice, he took several drastic actions that were designed to help him stay in power.

(1). Jeroboam placed golden idols in Dan (northern Israel) and Bethel (southern Israel). The connection to the golden calf of Exodus 32 is crystal clear. (2). By setting up idols at either end of the kingdom, Jeroboam intended to limit the people's travel and worship to the Northern Kingdom, which would keep them from going to worship in Jerusalem. (3). Jeroboam built the "house of high places" for worship (1 Kings 12:31). (4). Jeroboam anointed priests from tribes other than Levi, breaking God's command (Exodus 28:41). He even acted as a priest himself by offering sacrifices and burning incense on the altar at Bethel (1 Kings 12:32-33). (5). Jeroboam instituted a fest (v.32) meant to imitate the festival of Shelters. Jeroboam was providing an alternate religious observance to keep his subjects from leaving the Northern Kingdom to journey to Jerusalem. Because of Jeroboam's leadership, the entire nation fell into a pattern of worship that was idolatrous, meaningless, and grievous to God.

? What are some ways syncretism creeps into Christians' lives today? 

PART 2--Ahab: Israel's Worst King

Ahab's Depravity                      1 Kings 16:29-33

Extrabiblical evidence shows that Omri and Ahab were highly successful kings by worldly standards. Omri founded the city of Samaria, which, due to its strategic location, remained Israel's capital until the kingdom fell. Omri and Ahab repelled foreign armies, made political alliances through marriage, and stopped Israel's constant fighting with Judah. Notably, Assyrian documents refer to Israel's constant fighting with Judah. Notably, Assyrian documents refer to Israel as the "land of Omri" for a hundred years after his reign. Yet the biblical account highlights almost none of Omri's or Ahab's successes. Scripture offers no praise for Omri or Ahab. God's kingdom does not operate by worldly standards. Ahab appears as the seventh king of Israel (not counting the short-lived double kingship in 1 King 16:21-22). Ahab's primary sin was idolatry. He followed Solomon's path and married an idolatrous queen who engaged in worship of Baal and Asherah. The biblical author concludes, "He did more to provoke the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, than any other kings of Israel before him. The evil that sprouted during Jeroboam's reign reached its full measure in Ahab.

? What does idolatry look like today? How might the things that capture our attention end up enslaving us? 

  Prophecy of Judgment             1 Kings 21:17-29

God sent the prophet Elijah to confront Ahab and deliver the message of judgment. there are several layers to the punishment Elijah describes. Because Ahab and Jezebel killed and robbed Naboth, the dogs would lick up Ahab's blood in the same place where Naboth died (1 Kings 21:19). God would bring disaster on Ahab's family, completely destroying both descendants and dynasty (vv. 21-22). Dogs would eat Jezebel, while dogs and vultures would consume her and Ahab's descendants (VV. 23-24).). The severity of God's judgment matched the atrocity of Ahab's sin. Under Jezebel's influence, the king's sin multiplied until "no one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the LORD'S sight. Worst of all? He led the people in worshipping the idols that Amorites had worshipped in the land before them.

 ? Why do you think Ahab reacted so dramatically when Naboth refused to sell his vineyard?

PART 3-Jehu: God's Avenger

      God Chooses Jehu as king              2 Kings 9:1-10

God originally told Elijah to anoint Jehu as king of Israel back in 1 Kings 19:16. Instead of carrying out the task himself, Elisha sent a younger prophet to deliver the message (2 Kings 9:1-4). Maybe Elisha didn't want to draw attention to himself, or maybe he wanted someone younger and faster who could outrun any danger posed by Jehu's military company--some of whom may have been loyal to Ahab's family. Notice that the prophecy (9:7-10) includes details not found in Elisha's original message. Did the young prophet add this extra content? Or was it implied in Elisha's command? The text does not comment on this, although in 2 Kings 10:30 God commends Jehu for following His instructions to destroy Ahab's family.

? What does God's  judgment on Ahab and his family line teach us about God's desire for righteous leaders?

Vengeance Belong to God                  2 Kings 10:11, 17-31

Second kings10 graphically describes the violence and intimidation inflicted on anyone associated with Ahab. Verse 11 sums it up well: "Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab's relatives." Verse 18-28 describe how Jehu deceived all the followers of Baal, persuading them to gather in Baal's temple so Jehu and his men could slaughter them. Then Jehu's men destroyed the temple, "converting it into a public toilet" (V. 27). According to the author of kings, "in this way, Jehu destroyed every trace of Baal worship from Israel" (v. 28). Consider Hosea 1:4-5, where God told the prophet Hosea, "Name the child Jezreel, for I am about to punish king Jehu's dynasty to avenge the murders he committed at Jezreel. Jehu killed all who were left of Ahab's relatives living in Jezreel and all his important officials, his personal friends, and his priests." Due to his cruelty and bloodlust, Jehu seems to have gone beyond what God had anointed and sanctioned him to do. Though Jehu is commended in verse 30 for carrying out vengeance against Ahab's family, verse 31 makes it clear that his heart was not set on God. Just because God gifted and commissioned someone doesn't mean they are automatically righteous in His eyes.

? In what ways might people today abuse their God-given abilities or authority?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Our selfish motives can direct people away from God, which can eventually lead to sin, which ends with judgment from God if we fail to repent. With the Spirit's help, we should aim for righteousness, live contentedly inside the boundaries God has set, and faithfully use the authority He's given us to advance

the Kingdom.

LIVING IT OUT

Find a way to encourage your pastor, reminding her or him that, in God's kingdom, success is defined by a person's obedience to God. 

             DAILY BIBLE READINGS

                        Monday: Zimri, king for One Week. 1 kings 16:15-20

                                  Tuesday: Zachariah, king for Six Months. 2 Kings 15:8-12

                                       Wednesday: Shallum, King for One Month. 2 kings 15:13-15

                     Thursday: King Herod the Great. Matthew 2:7-16

                   Friday: King Herod Agrippa. Acts 12:1-4, 20-24

                             Saturday: King Herod Agrippa 11. Acts 26:1-3, 24-32

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2026

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