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Psalm 133:1. HINNEH MAH TOV U-MAH NA’IM Behold how good and how pleasant (is) SHEVET AḤIM GAM YAḤAD (the) sitting (of) brothers also together. The Divided Kingdom:. The First 75 Years [Back to History…]. Introductory Review and Question.
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Psalm 133:1 • HINNEH MAH TOV U-MAH NA’IM • Behold how good and how pleasant (is) • SHEVET AḤIM GAM YAḤAD • (the) sitting (of) brothers also together
The Divided Kingdom: The First 75 Years [Back to History…]
Introductory Review and Question • Period of the Judges, transition to monarchy, Samuel, Saul, David • God determined to remove a large part of the kingdom from the house of David because… • A. David’s sin with Bathsheba was unforgivable • B. There were no sons left after the death of Solomon • C. Solomon gave up too much to the Queen of Sheba • D. Solomon built altars to foreign gods to please his wives but it displeased the Lord
And the answer is… • A. David’s sin with Bathsheba was unforgivable • B. There were no sons left after the death of Solomon • C. Solomon gave up too much to the Queen of Sheba • D. Solomon built altars to foreign gods to please his wives but it displeased the Lord
Introduction • Why the division? • Solomon’s apostasy (1 Kings 11:9-12) • The prophecy of Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-32) • Who is in the north? In the south? • Israel, Ephraim, Samaria • Judah • Differences between north and south: • Changing capitals in north; Jerusalem in south • Changing dynasties in north; Davidic dynasty in south • North more open to foreign influence
Geographical Orientation • Northern and southern tribes • Border area • Bethel and Dan • Capitals of north: Shechem, Tirzah, Samaria • Mt. Carmel • Jezreel • Horeb • Ramoth Gilead
International Politics • Syria ruled by Ben-Hadad • “son of Hadad” (another name for Baal) • Assyria – note Shalmaneser III • Annals of Shalmaneser III mention Ahab • Black Obelisk refers to Jehu • Phoenicia – source of Baal worship • Identity of Baal – “king of the gods” ruling over rain and storm and responsible for agricultural fertility • The sin of idolatry – rejection of God’s sovereign rule
Chronology of the Period DateIsraelProphetsJudahForeigners • JeroboamAhijah Rehoboam “Man of God” Egypt Shemaiah (Shishak) Nadab Abijah Baasha Hanani Asa Syria [Elah,Zimri] Omri Jehoshaphat Ahab Elijah
The Kingdom Splits (931 BCE) • Rehoboam’s error in judgment • Jeroboam’s new religion (“seeker-friendly”) • Non-Levite priests • Golden calves in Bethel and Dan; goat idols (blasphemy) • Festival in the eighth month • The faithful headed south • A reminder: It is the truth that sets people free, not feeling good! • The prophecies of the “man of God” from Judah • Josiah • Two signs • The fate of the “man of God” – who was the old prophet and why did he cause the man of God to sin? • The sad conclusion
Apostasy in the south Assassination in the north • Rehoboam’s religious apostasy and the punishment – invasion by Shishak • The end of Jeroboam’s dynasty • Abijah died • Nadab assassinated by Baasha
Ongoing Civil War – Asa (S) and Baasha (N) • Religious reform under Asa • Removed idols • Successful battle against Zerah the Cushite • The border war and alliance with Damascus • A prophetic rebuke
The Omri Dynasty – Baal Worship as the State Religion • The end of Baasha’s dynasty • Elah assassinated • North descended into civil war • Omri moved the capital to Samaria • His son, Ahab, married Jezebel • Rejection of the LORD in favor of the god of rain, thunder, agricultural productivity
The Ministry of Elijah • Famine in the land for three years (James 5:17-18) • Elijah in hiding in Phoenicia • Work of Obadiah • Contest with the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mt. Carmel • Ambivalence of the populace • Prophetic frenzy • Elijah’s preparations and prayer • “The Lord, He is God”
Flight to Horeb: The “Source” of the Covenant • The message from God (“a crushing silence”) • Hazael • Jehu • Elisha • Elijah and John the Baptist • Malachi 4 • Luke 1:17 • II Kings 1:8/Matthew 2:4 – appearance