Thoughts
Kings 13
A “man of God” came from Judah to Bethel while Jeroboam was standing at the altar offering sacrifices. He prophesied that a future king, Josiah (from the house of David), would defile that altar by burning human bones on it (this will be fulfilled 350 years later).
Jeroboam stretched out his hand to grab him but his hand shriveled so that he couldn’t draw it back.The prophet prayed, and Jeroboam’s hand was restored.
Jeroboam invited him home with a reward, but the man of God refused, saying God had commanded him: “Do not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.”
An old prophet living in Bethel heard about what happened. He rode after the man of God and found him resting under an oak tree. The old prophet invited him home, but the man of God repeated God’s command not to eat or drink there.
The old prophet then lied, saying an angel had told him it was okay. The man of God believed him, went back, and ate and drank. Then, in a twist, the old prophet actually received a genuine word from God, rebuking the man of God for disobeying the LORD’s command.
On his way home, a lion attacked and killed him. Strikingly, the lion did not eat the body or kill the donkey… it just stood beside them.
Despite witnessing these signs, Jeroboam did not repent.He continued appointing priests for the high places and persisted in idolatry.
Kings 14
Jeroboam’s son Abijah is sick. Jeroboam told his wife to disguise herself and go to the prophet Ahijah (a bit confusing) in Shiloh (the same prophet who first told Jeroboam he would rule 10 tribes).
The Lord told Ahijah that Jeroboam’s wife was coming. When she arrived, he gave a harsh prophecy:
- Because Jeroboam had made idols and led Israel into sin, disaster would come on his house.
- Every male in Jeroboam’s family would be cut off.
- Dogs would eat those who die in the city, and birds would eat those who die in the countryside.
- Abijah he would die as soon as his mother returned home, and he alone would have a proper burial because in him something good was found toward the LORD.
- God would raise up another king to cut off Jeroboam’s dynasty.
Abijah died, Israel mourned, and Jeroboam reigned 22 years before dying. His son Nadab then succeeded him.
Meanwhile, Rehoboam ruled in Jerusalem. His mother was Naamah the Ammonite.
Sadly Judah also did evil in God’s sight: they built high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles. There were also male shrine prostitutes (
During Rehoboam’s fifth year, King Shishak of Egypt invaded Jerusalem. He carried off treasures from the temple and the royal palace, including the gold shields Solomon had made. Rehoboam replaced them with bronze ones.
There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Rehoboam ruled 17 years, died, and was succeeded by his son Abijah.
- So there is an Abijah son of Rehoboam and an Abijah son of Jeroboam. Confusing!
Kings 15
Abijah, son of Rehoboam, became king in Jerusalem. He reigned only 3 years. His mother was Maakah, granddaughter of Absalom (also called Abishalom). He was evil.
Yet for David’s sake, God allowed a “lamp” to remain in Jerusalem.
Abijah died and was buried in Jerusalem. His son Asa succeeded him.
Asa reigned 41 years in Jerusalem. His grandmother Maakah still held influence as “queen mother.” Unlike his father and grandfather, Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord
- He expelled the male shrine prostitutes.
- He removed idols his ancestors had made.
- He even removed his grandmother Maakah from her position because she made an Asherah pole.
- He cut down and burned her idol.
During his reign, there was war with Baasha king of Israel.
- Baasha fortified Ramah to block movement into and out of Judah.
- Asa took silver and gold from the temple and palace and gave it to Ben-Hadad of Aram (Damascus) to form an alliance.
- Ben-Hadad attacked Israel’s northern towns, forcing Baasha to withdraw from Ramah.
- Asa then used the materials Baasha had stockpiled to fortify Geba and Mizpah.
Jeroboam’s son Nadab became king of Israel and reigned 2 years. He did evil like his father. While Nadab was besieging the Philistine town of Gibbethon, Baasha son of Ahijah of Issachar assassinated him and became king. Baasha killed Jeroboam’s entire family, fulfilling Ahijah’s earlier prophecy against Jeroboam’s house.
Baasha ruled Israel 24 years from Tirzah.
Questions
Who was the ‘man of God’ from Chapter 13?
Who was the old prophet?
Why were prophets consulted about health issues?
Application
Leadership has ripple effects. Solomon let love for foreign wives turn his heart toward their gods which then introduced idolatry into Israel’s culture and set the stage for the kingdom’s division. Rehoboam listened to arrogant peers instead of the wise elders leading to Israel’s split and creating civil war. Jeroboam’s sin became tradition and Asa’s choice to remove the idols led to reformation in Judah. Leaders rarely “sin alone.” Their choices ripple outward to families, communities, even generations down the road. However, a good leader with bold obedience (like Asa) can be the spark that changes the outcome.
Jo Reads The Bible 
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