Kings: good, bad and useful
1 Kings Chapters 15-16
During the reign of the righteous Asa in Judah, Israel goes through a series of evil kings.
The chart linked below helps visualize the parallel tracks of the two kingdoms and also helps to keep it straight which kings and prophets served in each of the two kingdoms.
Several times the chart has a parenthetical note of how the new king was related to the previous king (often “son,” but there are other relationships as well). Sometimes there is no relationship.
The term “captain” can also be translated “prince” and doesn’t suggest any particular relation to the previous king. Zimri, listed as a captain, takes power by force, then destroys the whole family of evil King Baasha.
While Zimri is himself not a godly man, it is notable that his destruction of Baasha’s family fulfills a prophecy so he is directly used by God.
Wednesday meditation
Proverbs 23:22-25
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!
Prayer focus
Lord, let me resist the temptation to worship the many gods of this world, and keep my worship where it belongs: only for you.
-Rev. Mark Fleming