1/16 Ancient Israel’s demise is a story of a covenant people, once redeemed, now tempted by Canaanite gods like Baal (10:18) & lookalike gods in Dan and Bethel (10:28) —”Redeemed-yet-tempted” is a Christian’s experience. #TweetsfromKings

2/16 In Israel, no one abandoned the worship of the one true God only to worship nothing or remain neutral. Idols were often at hand,  Everybody’s a worshipper, we default to Idolatry when we don’t worship. #TweetsfromKings

3/16 God’s word often went out with God’s counsel, among God’s people, the absence of pulpit proclamation often creates a vacuum for human philosophy, good advice and popular opinion insufficient to prepare the man of God “for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:17) #TweetsfromKings

4/16 My ESV Bible commentary highlights how Jezebel’s daughter Athaliah infiltrated the royal line of David, ready to cut it off. (11:1-14) The coming and crucifixion of our Lord Jesus was planned beforehand (2:23), Neither Pilate, Judas, nor Ataliah could thwart the Davidic lineage that brought us, Jesus!  #TweetsfromKings

5/16 Hazael, a foreigner of Syria destroys Israel(10:32) after they have already given in to their own idolatry.(10:29) Threats among Gods people were first internal before they are external. #TweetsfromKings

6/16 “Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him” (12:2) Whether priests or Parents—like in Deut 6:7, Human agents were avenues of Godly instruction, teaching didn’t happen in a vacuum, The great commission includes a call to teach. “…teaching them to obey all I have commanded. (Matt 28: 20) #TweetsfromKings

7/16 “Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings in the high places.” (12:3) Contrary to Deuteronomy, (6:14) God’s people here only tranquillized sin rather than kill it. Paul told another group of God’s people in Colossians “put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” (Colossians 3:5.) #TweetsfromKings

8/16 Jehoash’s Temple repairs (12:4-16) called for order and strategy, godliness did not substitute diligence. #TweetsfromKings

9/16 Upon Elisha’s death, God restored a Moabite to life (13:20) through Jesus death, God brought Gentiles to life. (Acts 14:38)  #TweetsfromKings

10/16 All royal careers were gauged by how they fully obeyed God or turned to idols, King Solomon would later conclude, the whole duty of man is to fear God. (Eccl 12:13) #TweetsfromKings

11/16 “Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away.” In Azariah’s day, Its wasn’t true worship (15:3) – until idolatry was rooted out. Idolatry persistent amidst true worship. #TweetsfromKings

12/16 In between Azariah’s obedience(15:3) and his leprosy (15:5) is the reality that ..”the high places were not taken away, the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places (15:4) #TweetsfromKings

13/16 Those who did right in the eyes of the lord (15:3) also faced the lure of sacrificing on the high places. (15:5) Worship cures but doesn’t immunize against idolatry. #TweetsfromKings

14/16 Jeroboam’s golden calves in 1 Kings 12 became the sin no consequent King could easily shake off. (2 Kings 15:9) “Dear Children..” John writes, “…keep away from idols.” (1 John 5:21)#TweetsfromKings

15/16 God’s negative promise towards Jeroboam (1 Kings 13:3) compared to his positive promises to Jehu (2Kings 10:30) both came to pass. Paul would later write to the Romans (8:13), “if you live according to the flesh you will die, if, by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” #TweetsfromKings