1 Reis 15

1 Reis 15

Vernon McGee - There is something quite interesting that you will find all through this section: every time a king is mentioned his mother is also mentioned. That is unusual. We are generally told who a man's father was and whom he succeeded, but in this portion the mother's name is given again and again. Why? It is because each mother had a great deal to do with influencing the life of her son. My position here is that the reason God recorded the name of the mother along with each king's name (and these are bad kings) is because she is partially responsible for the way he turned out. Also when the king was a good king, the mother was partially responsible. She must accept responsibility for him....I have taken some extra time on this subject because, candidly, it will occur again and again. Every time we have a bad king, his mamma's name is given -- I think God is trying to tell us something. If he was a good king, his mother's name is also given; she will get credit for that. I just would not want to be the mother of some of the rascals we are going to find here in Scripture. It would disturb me a great deal to have a son like most of these kings. (See Thru the Bible: History of Israel 1 and 2 Kings) ISBE on MAACAH - The daughter of Absalom, the favorite wife of Rehoboam, and mother of Abijah (1 Ki 15:2; 2 Ch 11:20, etc.). Evidently "daughter" must here be understood as "granddaughter," according to a common oriental usage. Tamar was the only daughter of Absalom. If Tamar married Uriel of Gibeah (2 Ch 13:2), then Maacah was her daughter. In that case the name Micaiah in this passage would be either a copyist's error or a variant of Maacah. She must have been a woman of strong personality. Unfortunately, her influence was cast upon the side of idolatry. She maintained her position in the palace, however, till the reign of her grandson Asa. Possibly she acted as regent during his minority. Ultimately, she was degraded by him for an act of peculiar infamy (1 Ki 15:13; 2 Ch 15:16). 1 Kings 15:3 He walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father David. NET 1 Kings 15:3 He followed all the sinful practices of his father before him. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his ancestor David had been. CSB 1 Kings 15:3 Abijam walked in all the sins his father before him had committed, and he was not completely devoted to the LORD his God as his ancestor David had been. ESV 1 Kings 15:3 And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. NIV 1 Kings 15:3 He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been. NLT 1 Kings 15:3 He committed the same sins as his father before him, and he was not faithful to the LORD his God, as his ancestor David had been. NRS 1 Kings 15:3 He committed all the sins that his father did before him; his heart was not true to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father David. NJB 1 Kings 15:3 In everything he followed the sinful example of his father before him; his heart was not wholly with Yahweh his God, as the heart of David his ancestor had been. NAB 1 Kings 15:3 He imitated all the sins his father had committed before him, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, like the heart of his grandfather David. YLT 1 Kings 15:3 and he walketh in all the sins of his father, that he did before him, and his heart hath not been perfect with Jehovah his God, as the heart of David his father; all the sins: 1Ki 14:21-22 and his heart: 1Ki 3:14 1Ki 11:4,33 2Ki 20:3 2Ch 25:2 31:20,21 Ps 119:80 1 Kings 15 Resources - multiple sermons and commentaries Related Passages: 1 Kings 14:21-22+ (REHOBOAM'S EVIL EXAMPLE BEFORE HIS SON ABIJAM) Now Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel to put His name there. And his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. 22 Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked Him to jealousy more than all that their fathers had done, with the sins which they committed. 1 Kings 8:61+ (SOLOMON TO THE PEOPLE) “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted (shalem) to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” (ED: It is ironic and tragic that the truth of this prayer Solomon prayed for the people was one he himself failed to realize as described in the verse below.) 1 Kings 11:4+ For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted (shalem) to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 1 Kings 15:14 But the high places were not taken away; nevertheless the heart of Asa was wholly devoted (shalem) to the LORD all his days. 2 Kings 20:3 “Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole (shalem) heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Chronicles 16:9+ “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely (shalem) His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” 1 Chronicles 12:38 All these, being men of war who could draw up in battle formation, came to Hebron with a perfect (shalem) heart to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind to make David king. 1 Chronicles 28:9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole (shalem; Lxx = teleios - - see word study) heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. LIKE FATHER LIKE SON ABIJAM LIKE REHOBOAM He walked (conducted himself) in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him - Walked is a metaphor for one's lifestyle or general conduct and reflects obedience to God's Word or in Abijam's case, the converse (disobedience)! Rehoboam, Abijam's father, "did evil because (term of explanation) he did not set his heart to seek the LORD." (2 Chronicles 12:14) Rehoboam had a "cardiac condition," and his son Abijam inherited that same condition! This verse emphasizes the impact father's can have on the lives of their sons, either for good or for evil. In this case the effect was for evil. See the chart of kings above and note Abijam (Abijah) is not listed in bold font indicating a godly king. In fact there were only 8 godly kings out of a total of 20 kings of Judah (counting Queen Athaliah). The chart fails to put Uzziah and Hezekiah in bold but they did have godly elements in their reigns. and his heart was not wholly devoted (shalem; Lxx - teleios = having attained the end or purpose) to the LORD his God - This is an interesting verse because from 2Ch 13:14-15 it does appear he at least knew who to cry out to in distress. So there must have been some elements of his heart that sought the LORD, but clearly the general direction of his life was away from God. Wholly is an adjective which is often used of complete devotion to God and His covenant (i.e., 1 Kgs. 8:61; 11:4; 15:3,14; 2 Kgs. 20:3; 1 Chr. 28:9; 29:19; 2 Chr. 15:17; 16:9; 19:9; 25:2; Isa. 38:3). Here we see the heart of the problem of Abijam's sinful lifestyle was the problem with his heart. The heart is the control center of our being, much like an air traffic controller functions to see that planes land safely and avoid catastrophes. Proverbs 4:23 commands us to "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." The heart of man will not "default" to good if left unattended but will default to evil! A heart that is not wholly devoted to the LORD indicates a heart that is at best only partially obedient (See Geisler below) Abijam stands as a warning against compromise and half-heartedness. THOUGHT - Beloved all of us are at risk of our heart "wandering" from God because our "heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick." (Jer 17:9). Therefore, a great prayer to consider making make part of your daily devotional time are the words of David in Psalm 86:11NIV "Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name." Note the spiritual dynamic that an undivided heart fosters a godly fear which in turn energizes turning away from evil, for Proverbs 3:7b says "Fear the LORD and turn away from evil." (read Pr 8:13, Pr 16:6, Job 1:1, Eccl 12:13-14, 2Cor 7:1+). Like the heart of his father David - This is an important term of comparison (simile), for here the Holy Spirit holds up the life of David as the model to be imitated. And as Iain Provan says "all subsequent Judean kings...are measured in terms of whether they have been “like David” or not."" (See note) David was clearly a sinner, but his heart was broken and contrite when he sinned against God (Ps 51:17) and he confessed and repented (Ps 32:5). God knows that fallen men will invariably fall short of perfection, but He does call us to live life in a certain direction (a heavenly direction) and for believers this is a walk that can only attained by learning to daily depend on the Spirit's supernatural power (Gal 5:16+). What was the character of David's heart? See Acts 13:22 noting especially what a devoted heart looks like = "who will do all my will", cp 1Sa 13:14 = Samuel's verdict to disobedient Saul, cp Caleb in Nu 14:24 where "different spirit" parallels "wholehearted devotion", 2Ki 23:25 - Josiah = "turned to Yahweh with all [Hebrew word "kol" speaks of the totality of] his HEART and with all [kol] his soul and will all [kol] his might" see also NT parallels of how important Jesus considers this teaching regarding our hearts! = Mt 22:36, 37, Mk 12:28, 29, 30). Wholly devoted (complete, whole, full) (08003) shalem is an adjective which describes something that is full, whole, made ready, perfected, complete. Shalem is occasionally used to mean safe or unharmed (Ge 33:18). As noted above in the discussion of Shalom, the Hebrew root sh-l-m implies completion, fulfillment, an entering into a state of wholeness and unity. Shalem describes iniquity which was not full or complete (Ge 15:16), stones which were whole (uncut) (Dt 27:6, Josh 8:31), stones that were whole or finished (for the Temple 1Ki 6:7), a weight that is full (Dt 25:15, Pr 11:1), wages that were full (abounding) (Ru 2:12), a heart that was whole (wholly devoted, complete, perfect - 1Ki 8:61, the antithesis = 1Ki 11:4), an army at full strength (Nah 1:12), a population, as entire or whole (taken captive) (Amos 1:6, 9), of hearts that were whole or undivided, wholly centered on the Lord Beloved, considering that there are 14 uses (>50%) of the adjective shalem in passages dealing with the heart (the "control center" of a our being - see kardia) it would behoove each of us to read over these Scriptures (see list below) prayerfully pondering (meditating) in our own heart (doing a spiritual checkup as to our "heart condition") how we are relating to the LORD God Almighty. Is the condition of our heart one of "shalem" toward God? If the Spirit convicts us of sin (missing the mark of God's will for our life), then may He also strengthen us in our inner man with the will ("want to") and the power (Php 2:13-note) so that we may be enabled to repent and return to Jehovah and experience the times of refreshing found only in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. NOTE THE CONCENTRATION OF SHALEM IN TIME OF THE KINGS - STUDY THE PASSAGES AND NOTE THE FREQUENT ASSOCIATION WITH THE HEART - 27 V - blameless(1), complete(1), completed(1), completely(1), entire(2), friendly(1), full(4), just(1), perfect(2), prepared(1), safely(1), uncut(2), whole(5), wholeheartedly*(1), wholly devoted(4). Gen. 15:16; Gen. 33:18; Gen. 34:21; Deut. 25:15; Deut. 27:6; Jos. 8:31; Ruth 2:12; 1 Ki. 6:7; 1 Ki. 8:61; 1 Ki. 11:4; 1 Ki. 15:3; 1 Ki. 15:14; 2 Ki. 20:3; 1 Chr. 12:38; 1 Chr. 28:9; 1 Chr. 29:9; 1 Chr. 29:19; 2 Chr. 8:16; 2 Chr. 15:17; 2 Chr. 16:9; 2 Chr. 19:9; 2 Chr. 25:2; Prov. 11:1; Isa. 38:3; Amos 1:6; Amos 1:9; Nah. 1:12 ILLUSTRATION OF A HEART WHOLLY DEVOTED TO THE LORD - J. Wilbur Chapman, a popular Presbyterian evangelist at the turn of the twentieth century, once had the opportunity to meet Methodist preacher and founder of the Salvation Army, General William Booth, while in London. By this time, the old humanitarian was past eighty years of age and somewhat reflective. Chapman’s most memorable inquiry during their exchange was direct but sincere: “What has been the secret of your tremendous success? How have you managed to make such impact and influence on this world?” The question moved the aged minister. General Booth hesitated for a moment, and then, as tears came into his eyes and rolled down his cheeks, he answered, “I will tell you the secret. God has had all there is of me. There have been men with greater brains than me, men with greater opportunities, but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do with these men, I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was. If there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.” Chapman left the meeting that day with a single truth burning in his heart: “The greatness of a man’s power is in the measure of his surrender” (King’s Business, 511; emphasis added). Indeed. Total surrender to God is more powerful than any human planning or scheming. The principle, while easy to understand, is just as difficult to live by today as it was in the years after the Babylonian oppression of Judah ended. (Source: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Chronicles) God is in the business of idol removal. He has the power to break down the gods our families have worshiped, freeing us to offer our lives in service to him. A good example of this kind of freedom comes from the life of Mary Bosanquet. Mary came from a wealthy English family. She was born in a beautiful house and grew up wearing fine clothing and sparkling jewels. When she was still a young woman, Mary gave her heart to Jesus. Her father was so incensed that he disinherited her. But by the grace of God, the bondage of greed had now been broken in Mary’s life. She took what little she had and moved into a two-room house with borrowed furniture. It is said that Mary’s story inspired Henry Lyte to write this famous hymn: Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee. Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be. Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known. Yet how rich is my condition! God and Heaven are still mine own. (Philip Ryken - 1 Kings) Here are some ways to describe a heart not wholly devoted to the LORD... Biblical Descriptions Divided heart – Torn between God and worldly desires (Hosea 10:2). Lukewarm heart – Neither fully committed nor fully rejecting (Revelation 3:16). Wavering heart – Unstable in faith and obedience (James 1:8). Half-hearted devotion – Serving God outwardly but lacking true commitment (Isaiah 29:13). Adulterous heart – Spiritually unfaithful, chasing after other "loves" (Ezekiel 6:9). Metaphorical Descriptions A ship with two rudders – Pulled in different directions, unable to stay on course. A flickering candle – The flame of devotion is weak and inconsistent. A foot in two worlds – Trying to serve both God and personal desires. A tree with shallow roots – Easily swayed by the winds of life, not deeply grounded in faith. Practical Descriptions Inconsistent in faith – Sometimes trusting God, other times relying on self or the world. (ED: THIS ONE REALLY CONVICTS ME!) Distracted by idols – Devoted to other priorities (money, success, relationships) more than God. (cf 1Ki 18:21) Reluctant obedience – Following God’s commands out of duty rather than love. (ED: I CALL THAT LEGALISM NOT LOVE!) Compromised loyalty – Allowing sin or worldly influences to take precedence over God. (cf Mt 6:24+) Norman Geisler - 2 CHRONICLES 13:4–22—Was Abijah a wicked or a righteous king? PROBLEM: According to 1 Kings 15:3, Abijah was a wicked king who “walked in all the sins of his father.” However, in 2 Chronicles he is represented as giving a speech against idolatry and in defense of God’s appointed priests and temple in Jerusalem. His deeds did not match his words SOLUTION: Abijah is not the first, nor will he be the last, politician on record who could give an occasional pious speech when it served his purposes. The fact is, his deeds did not match his words. That is, in general, whatever occasional exceptions there may have been, he was an evil king, just as 1 Kings 15:3 declares. (When Critics Ask) See also Gleason Archer's discussion in the New Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties (go to page 205) - "In the light of his dealings with Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah, how could David be regarded by the Lord as a servant whose heart was “perfect” before Him?" 1 Kings 15:4 But for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem; NET 1 Kings 15:4 Nevertheless for David's sake the LORD his God maintained his dynasty in Jerusalem by giving him a son to succeed him and by protecting Jerusalem. CSB 1 Kings 15:4 But because of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem. ESV 1 Kings 15:4 Nevertheless, for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem, NIV 1 Kings 15:4 Nevertheless, for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong. NLT 1 Kings 15:4 But for David's sake, the LORD his God allowed his descendants to continue ruling, shining like a lamp, and he gave Abijam a son to rule after him in Jerusalem. NRS 1 Kings 15:4 Nevertheless for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem; NJB 1 Kings 15:4 However, for David's sake, Yahweh his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, with a son to succeed him, so keeping Jerusalem secure; NAB 1 Kings 15:4 Yet for David's sake the LORD, his God, gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, raising up his son after him and permitting Jerusalem to endure; YLT 1 Kings 15:4 but for David's sake hath Jehovah his God given to him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem, for David's: 1Ki 11:12,32 Ge 12:2 19:29 26:5 De 4:37 2Sa 7:12-16 Isa 37:35 Jer 33:20-26 Ro 11:28 gave him: 1Ki 11:36 2Ch 21:7 Ps 132:17 Lu 1:69-79 2:32 Joh 8:12 Rev 22:16 lamp: Ps 18:28 establish: Ps 87:5 Isa 9:7 14:32 62:7 Jer 33:2 Mic 4:1,2 Mt 16:18 1 Kings 15 Resources - multiple sermons and commentaries Related Passages: 2 Samuel 21:17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall not go out again with us to battle, so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel.” 1 Kings 11:36 But to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may have a lamp always before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen for Myself to put My name. 2 Kings 8:19 However, the LORD was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David His servant, since He had promised him to give a lamp to him through his sons always. 2 Chronicles 21:7 Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant which He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and his sons forever. THE PROMISE OF A LAMP TO DAVID But - Term of contrast, another one filled with divine mercy! For David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem - NET = "Nevertheless for David's sake the LORD his God maintained his dynasty in Jerusalem by giving him a son to succeed him and by protecting Jerusalem."' The key phrase is for David’s sake. Ultimately this speaks of God's faithfulness to the covenant He made with David which would eventually bring forth the Messiah. Note the writer does calls Jehovah "his God," at least implying that Abijam may have been a believer in Yahweh, despite following in the evil footsteps of his father. Heaven will be quite interesting - we will likely be surprised at who is there and who is not there! In context lamp is a metaphorical description that the "light" of the Davidic dynasty would not be extinguished (1Ki 11:36), even when individual kings were unfaithful. God preserved David’s lineage by allowing his descendants to remain on the throne. In context the “lamp” represents God’s covenant promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, where God vowed that David’s dynasty would last forever and from which would come the Messiah. Donald Wiseman: Abijah (‘My father is Yah-[weh]’) continued the war with his contemporary Jeroboam of Israel. He is here censured for his religious corruption and divided loyalty to the Lord God yet, for David’s sake and in response to his faith, he was allowed a spectacular victory over the encircling Israelites whom he had challenged, for being even more apostate than he (2 Chr. 13:3–20). His position and power was increased in Jerusalem (v. 4), and by the annexation of Bethel, Jeshanah and Ephraim (Ophrah) and their environs in the hill-country, he pushed the boundary northwards. This is an instance of God blessing the unworthy for the sake of the worthy. (See 1 and 2 Kings: An Introduction and Commentary - Page 166) William