From Start to Finish

Northwest Bible Church – May 7, 2006 – Worship Service – Alan Conner

1 Kings 14:21–15:24

From Start to Finish

 

INTRO

The author of 1 Kings now turns his focus from the northern kingdom of Israel to the southern kingdom of Judah and we shall get an overview of the reigns of the first 3 kings of Judah: Rehoboam, Abijam and Asa. The time period for these three kings total is about 60 years, from 931-870 BC. None of them start well and end well.

 

 

1. REHOBOAM – Bad start, humble end (14:21-31).

 

Notice how his reign is attached to his mother: Naamah the Ammonitess, both in vv. 21 and v. 31.

That Rehoboam had a pagan mother does not bode well for his spiritual inclinations.

 

1) Rehoboam’s spiritual influence.

 

1. a) Spiritual darkness (14:22-24).

 

1. b) Strife with brothers (14:30).

 

2) God’s judgment (vv. 25-26).

 

Along comes Shishak the king of Egypt on a treasure hunt.

 

1. a) The response of Rehoboam and the princes of Israel (2 Chron. 12:6-8,12).

 

The great value of humility. Is. 66:2; James 4:6

 

1. b) Shields of bronze (14:26-28).

 

 

 

1. ABIJAM - Religious start, bad end (15:1-7):

 

1) Sins of idolatry (15:3-5).

 

2) Given a lamp in Jerusalem in his son (v. 4).

 

3) War with Jeroboam (15:7).

 

 

 

1. ASA – Good start, bad end (15:8-24).

 

1) The good that he did (vv. 11-14).

 

2) The faith that he showed ( 2 Chron. 14:8-12).

 

3) The warning he received (2 Chron. 15:1-2, 7).

 

4) The failure of his faith (15:16-22).   Cf. 2 Chron. 16:7-9.

 

1. a) Looking to a pagan for help.

 

1. b) The bribe to a pagan (v. 19).

 

1. c) The promotion of breaking covenant.

 

1. d) To undermine his brothers.

 

The net result?

 

5) The rebellion of his heart (2 Chron. 16:10-13).

 

6) Assessment of Asa’s life.

 

5. a) Asa could be similar to the 5 foolish virgins in Mt. 25.

 

8. b) Asa could be a believer who grew weary in doing good.   Gal. 6:9; 1 Cor. 15:58.

 

1. c) What about perseverance of the saints?   Phil. 1:6 is true.

 

 

CONCLUSION

Rehoboam – Started bad but ended humble. LEARN HUMILITY.

Abijam – Started religiously good but ended bad. LEARN RELIGION ALONE IS NO GOOD.

Asa – Started spiritually good but ended bad. LEARN TO GUARD OU R HEARTS.

 

God is faithful in causing us to persevere, look to Him.