Over the past several months, I’ve been studying 1 & 2 King, and I realized how much I can learn and apply to my own life. Studying these books has offered so much insight that will impact as Youth and Family Involvement Minister. I look forward to walking our teenagers and their families through these books. I can see how understanding the history of Israel and their kings will offer wisdom and guidance that applies to everyone. Have you read through these books lately?
One area to focus on is understanding the blend of strengths and weaknesses in leadership. Each king of Israel and Judah offers an example either to follow or reject. Some wise kings are prosperous, like Solomon, and then there are terrible kings full of wicked idolatry, like Ahab. Some did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and some did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. From these events recorded in the books of Kings we can learn about integrity, devotion, and accountability. We can learn about the consequences of wicked actions and how they affect the guilty and the innocent.
Another area to focus on is understanding the importance of faithfulness versus idolatry, as this is a recurring theme in these texts. What a great reminder for the church today. Israel and Judah’s apostasy was marked by their turning away from God and their embrace of idol worship. Today’s church should be urged to recognize and resist the allurement of modern-day idols that threaten to impose on our authentic worship and evangelistic efforts.
Practically, we can apply 1 and 2 Kings by emphasizing the importance of training good, godly men to lead and nurture the body of Christ. We should hope to find virtues of humility, wisdom, and servant leadership. There are times when the events in 1 and 2 Kings can provide us with what not to do and what to do, and we would be wise to take note of each.
These books tell a compelling story of how God is faithful to his people, even if just a few are not bowing their knees to idols. We can see how good leadership has the influence to ground us in obedience to God’s word.
Let me encourage you to read and study these books. I think they are so good for us.
For the Lord,
Alex Mills