1. Kings & Prophets

2. The 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

3. Kings & Prophets: A 350 Year Tragedy

4. Prophets – 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.

5. The 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.

6. Key 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

7. The 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)

8. Lessons from the Kings & Prophets 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. 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.

9. Suffering, 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) 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)

10. Kings & Prophets