1 Kings

1 Kings 16: The LORD rules over kings

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the kings who followed Jeroboam, let us stop and wait on the Lord together. Ask Him to show us that He rules over kings, and to show us the King who humbled Himself and was exalted.

Praise Yah! Praise, you servants of Yahweh, praise Yahweh’s name.

Psalm 113:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You rule over kings and that Your word against sin comes true, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD tells Jehu to say that He raised Baasha out of the dust, but Baasha walked in Jeroboam's way. Baasha dies, and Zimri kills Elah while he is drinking, and destroys all Baasha's house, as the LORD had said. Zimri reigns only seven days, and when the army makes Omri king, Zimri burns the king's house over himself. Omri buys the hill of Samaria and builds a city there, and he does more evil than the kings before him. Ahab marries Jezebel, serves Baal and builds an altar for him in Samaria.

As you read 1 Kings 16, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rules over kings, and His word against their sin comes true.

The LORD sent Jehu to tell Baasha that He had exalted him out of the dust (verses 1 and 2). Baasha walked in Jeroboam's way and made Israel sin, so the LORD said He would sweep away his house (verses 2 to 4). Zimri killed Baasha's son Elah and destroyed all Baasha's house, as the LORD's word by Jehu had said (verses 9 to 12). Zimri reigned only seven days, and he burned the king's house over himself when the army made Omri king (verses 15 to 18). Omri built Samaria, and he did more evil than all before him (verses 24 and 25). His son Ahab did more evil still, for he married Jezebel, served Baal and built an altar for him (verses 30 to 32). Hiel rebuilt Jericho and lost two sons, according to the word Joshua had spoken (verse 34). The LORD raised up kings, and His word against their sin came true. Jesus humbled Himself to death on a cross, and God exalted Him (Philippians 2 verses 8 and 9).

How does 1 Kings 16 show us that the LORD rules over kings, and that His word against their sin comes true?

The LORD rules over kings.

The LORD exalted Baasha out of the dust (verse 2). He then sent Jehu to say that Baasha's house would be swept away (verses 3 and 4). Zimri destroyed Baasha's house, as the LORD had said by Jehu (verses 11 and 12).

Ahab does more evil than all before him.

Ahab walked in the sins of Jeroboam, and he took Jezebel as his wife (verses 30 and 31). He served Baal and built an altar for Baal in Samaria (verse 32). He made the Asherah, and he did more to provoke the LORD than any king before him (verse 33).

Christ humbled Himself, and God exalted Him.

Baasha was lifted from the dust, but he walked in the way of Jeroboam (verses 2 and 19). Paul wrote that Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death on a cross (Philippians 2 verse 8). Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name (Philippians 2 verse 9). His people are raised up with Him (Ephesians 2 verses 5 and 6).

Memorise

I exalted you out of the dust, and made you prince over my people Israel.

1 Kings 16:2

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, am I proud before God, and will I humble myself and trust Jesus?

The LORD lifted Baasha out of the dust and set him over Israel, yet Baasha walked in sin, and his house was swept away. Jesus is the King who came down lower than any king, and the Father lifted Him highest of all.

He humbled Himself to death on a cross, and there He suffered the judgment of God on sin in His people's place. He was raised from the grave and set above every name. Kings rise and fall, but He reigns. He has paid in full.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up. He will not send away the sinner who comes low.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD raises up kings and brings them down, and that Jesus humbled Himself and was exalted. Parents, this chapter is hard, so explain verses 11 to 13 and 29 to 33 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He rules over kings, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Yahweh will reign forever; your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise Yah!

Psalm 146:10

Father, thank You that You rule over kings and that Your word against sin comes true. Thank You for Jesus, who humbled Himself and was lifted up by You. Please turn each of us from sin, and help us to trust Jesus. Keep us humble this week. Amen.