Kin

gs

&

Pro

phets

The Beginning of a Long EndThe Beginning of a Long End• Solomon: the best of times?

– 1 Kings 10:1 - When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, which brought honor to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions.

– 1 Kings 11:3 – He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.

• Kingdom is divided: Israel in north, Judah in south

• Solomon: the best of times?– 1 Kings 10:1 - When the queen of Sheba heard of

Solomon’s fame, which brought honor to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions.

– 1 Kings 11:3 – He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.

• Kingdom is divided: Israel in north, Judah in south

Kings & Prophets: A 350 Year TragedyKings & Prophets: A 350 Year Tragedy

Prophets – the Voice of GodProphets – the Voice of God• Amos 4:1-6 (p.694)

• Micah 6:8 (p.706)

• The Message: But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

• Amos 4:1-6 (p.694)

• Micah 6:8 (p.706)

• The Message: But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

The Fall of IsraelThe Fall of Israel• 2 Kings 17:5-7 (p.297)

• In Judah – Hezekiah turns the nation back to God. 2 Kings 18:1-8.

• Manasseah leads the nation the farthest away from God – 2 Kings 21:1-9.

• 2 Kings 17:5-7 (p.297)

• In Judah – Hezekiah turns the nation back to God. 2 Kings 18:1-8.

• Manasseah leads the nation the farthest away from God – 2 Kings 21:1-9.

Key Prophets in Late JudahKey Prophets in Late Judah• Isaiah 5:1-8, 13 (p.520)

• Jeremiah 7:1-11 (p.577)

• Ezekiel

• Isaiah 5:1-8, 13 (p.520)

• Jeremiah 7:1-11 (p.577)

• Ezekiel

The Fall of JerusalemThe Fall of Jerusalem• Josiah (640 BC) – incredible reform back to God• But his sons returned to evil. (2 Kings 24)• Jerusalem destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC,

remnant taken into exile. (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36)

• Lamentations 1:1-4; 3:19-27; 5:15-22 (p.621)

• Josiah (640 BC) – incredible reform back to God• But his sons returned to evil. (2 Kings 24)• Jerusalem destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC,

remnant taken into exile. (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36)

• Lamentations 1:1-4; 3:19-27; 5:15-22 (p.621)

Lessons from the Kings & ProphetsLessons from the Kings & Prophets1. Spiritual leadership is vitally important.2. Yahweh demands absolute priority in our lives. 3. God wants more than ritual religion – He wants our

love and work for justice.4. The Lord is unbelievably patient. 5. God is holy, and will punish His people for their

sins.

1. Spiritual leadership is vitally important.2. Yahweh demands absolute priority in our lives. 3. God wants more than ritual religion – He wants our

love and work for justice.4. The Lord is unbelievably patient. 5. God is holy, and will punish His people for their

sins.

Suffering, Discipline, PunishmentSuffering, Discipline, Punishment• God does not tempt us to sin. (James 1:13)• Jesus understands our suffering. (Hebrews 4:7; 12:2)• God always works for our good. (Romans 8:28)• You may be suffering because of BAD CHOICES by you or

others. (Genesis 29:25-30; Proverbs 24:23)• You may be TESTED by God. (1 Peter 1:6-7; cf. Psalm 66:10)• Your suffering might be part of God’s bigger PLAN. (John 9:1-

3)

• You may be PUNISHED by God for sin, for you to repent. (1 Corinthians 11:31-32)

Kin

gs

&

Pro

phets