The Slippery Slopes of Idolatry
Northwest Bible Church – May 21, 2006 – Worship Service – 1&2 Kings Series - Alan Conner
1 Kings 16:8-28
The Slippery Slopes of Idolatry
Review:
Kings of Judah Kings of Israel
Rehoboam (930-913) –17 yrs. Jeroboam (930-909 ) – 22 yrs.
Abijam (913-910) – 3 yrs. Nadab (909-908) – 2 yrs.
Asa (910-869) – 41 yrs. Baasha (908-886) – 24 yrs.
Elah )886-885) – 2 yrs.
Zimri (885) – 7 days
Omri /Tibni (885-880) – 5 yrs.
Omri (880-874) – 12 total yrs.
- ELAH – The drunken king.
1) He was a sot (v. 9).
2) He was a sinful idolater (v. 13).
3) He died “according to the word of the Lord” (vv. 10-13, cf. v. 3).
Main lesson: curb the flesh!
- ZIMRI – The week king.
1) The commander of half the chariots with only half a brain (v. 9).
2) He reigns for only seven days (v. 15).
3) He commits suicide (v. 18).
4) Zimri’s death is due to Zimri’s sin (v. 19).
Main Lesson: redeem the time!
- OMRI – The shrewd king
1) The divided kingdom of Israel (v. 21).
2) Omni’s achievements:
- a) Solidified the kingdom under his rule (v. 22).
- b) Built Samaria as the new capital of Israel (v. 24).
- c) Other accomplishments from secular sources:
Moabite Stone
Assyrians’ opinion
Alliance with Phoenicians/Sidonians
3) God’s assessment (vv. 25-26).
Main lesson: evaluate your life!
- HISTORY: THE WORK OF A SOVEREIGN GOD
- 12-13, 18-19.
Prov. 21:1; Eph. 1:11. Dan. 2:21 “And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; Dan. 4:25 the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes.
- TRUTHS TO PONDER FROM THE LIVES OF EVIL KINGS
1) The progression of evil.
2) How to avoid the slippery slope of idolatry and its judgments.
#1 Be _______________________.
#2 Be _______________________.
3) Your relationship to Christ is the most important part of your life.