Lesson 1: Introduction - Part One

It is a time of great prophets and great miracles. We are not covering the prophets nor the prophecies though at times we will mention them as well as the miracles as they involve the kings.

Understanding the Books and Divisions of the Kingdoms

I. The Pertinent Books

I want to take a moment to teach you about the division of the books of history that we segment the Bible into. The Segmenting of the Bible is not inspired. But I’m thankful for them. There is nothing wrong with grouping books in the Bible to help us with our understanding and comprehension. The chapters and verses as well, are not inspired. Sometimes, as I read through the Bible, I find a passage not segmented the way I would have, but nevertheless is very helpful to have it segmented because then we can all look at Scriptures quickly and efficiently.

By the way, the same goes for commentaries - they are a good tool, they are made to help us understand the Bible – but again, they are not inspired, and every commentator is wrong sometimes. Then there are some commentators I will read after that are very detailed in their perfect outlining of the books, but their outlines are often applications – trying to summarize what is there in a way that they think will help it to be clearer, but that isn’t necessary.

There are a multitude of ways to segment these books, even by one preacher compared to another. But God can use it as long as willing to receive what God has for us.

A. The Book of Samuel

While we would call the book this section historical, the Hebrew Bible classifies them as The “Early Prophets” comprising of the Books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings, and all these works were most probably written for the use of the prophetic schools, and certainly were the result of the mental activity awakened in Israel by Samuel, and maintained by those who after his decease presided over the colleges which he had called into existence.[1]

1. 1 Samuel – Preparation of the Great King

This book is also called the first book of the Kings.

a) The Ministry of Samuel

I think it is important to realize that the these first four books along with going over the history of the kings of Israel – they also Chroncile of the live and ministries of four particular prophets, 3 to a great degree and 1 to a lesser to degree.

4 Important Prophets

(1) Samuel

(2) Elijah

(3) Elisha

(4) Nathan

b) The Reign of Saul

We are going to dissect his life a little bit, see what is good and what was very lacking in his life. One the things we need to

c) The Saga of king David

Certainly it was as saga. It was one of faith and of honor, because David, though discouraged at times, kept trusting in God through difficult times when it seemed by the human perception that maybe God wasn’t helping him.

1 Samuel 16:7 AV

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

2. 2 Samuel – The Reign of the Great King

1 Samuel 13:14 AV

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

Acts 13:22 AV

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

a) Dealing with Ishbosheth

b) The Kingdom under David

c) Why He was the Great King

There are several factors to this, the two main ones being that:

He had the same birthplace of David.

Jesus’ genealogies on both his mother and father sides that lead all the way back to David.

B. The Kings

Once again, 1 & 2 Kings actually form the book the Kings in Hebrew Text orginally.

1. 1 Kings

The Third book of the Kings.

a) The reign of Solomon

b) The Kingdom Divides

It begins with a serious warning concerning listening to the young crowd, rather than the aged.

The formation of two kingdoms – Judah & Israel

This time frame covers a time frame of 930 BC to 586 BC.

There are two different capitals at this time, and two emerging kingdoms as well.

c) Judah – The Southern Kingdom under Rehoboam

d) Israel – The Northern Kingdom under Jeroboam

2. 2 Kings

This is the fourth book of the kings.

This book continues the history of the two kingdoms and their ultimate captivity and exile.

C. The Chronicles

Again, these books were once called the Chronicles.

This is another account in Scripture that again show the history of king David, Solomon and then of the kingly line in Judah. It is primarily focused on the Judah, the Southern Kingdom because God had already rent most of Israel away under Rehoboam but reserved to tribes because of his covenant and promise to David. That he would preserve king David’s kingly seed line.

Someone once said early in my Christian life that 1 Samuel through 2 Kings were man’s account of Israel and that 1 and 2 Chronicles were God’s account. Once again, preachers give there take, it is our job to check it out to see that is so. I don’t find that to be true at all.

Now Chronicles is a true historical document. As a matter of fact within it, it says what some of its own resrources were – it is unknown if it is an exhaustive list or not.

Four sources that were used in compiling First Chronicles:

a) The court records of King David

1 Chronicles 27:24 AV

Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

b) The records of Samuel the seer

1 Chronicles 29:29 AV

Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

c) The records of Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer

1 Chronicles 29:29 AV

Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,

[2]

1. 1 Chronicles

a) The first 9 chapter are genealogies

b) Brief overview of reign and death of Saul

c) The reign of David through his death

2. 2 Chronicles

a) The reign and death of Solomon – with emphasis on the construction and dedication of the temple

b) The chronicles of the rest of the kings of Judah and their fall into apostasy with brief time’s reformation

c) Its ending – sad and hopeful

(1) He had a heart for God

(2) The lineage of Christ would be through his kingly line

(3) The Babylonian captivity

(4) The decree of Cyrus

2 Chronicles 36:22–23 AV

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

D. Isaiah

You can read through Isaiah 1-5, we looked at it last week to see how far they were away from God.

We will see some passages therein that are historical, especially during the reign of Hezekiah.

E. Jeremiah

Along with many of his negative prophecies of what was to come, he Chronicled the final days of Judah before their captivity.

II. The List of Kings

A. The Kingdom United

Saul, David, Solomon

B. The Kingdom Divided

1. The Kings of Judah

Rehoboam

Abijam

Asa – Had a Revival

Jehoshaphat – Brought reformations

Jehoram

Ahaziah

Athalaiah

Joash – led them into revival

Amaziah

Uzziah

Jotham

Ahaz

Hezekiah

one of the greatest kings of Judah ever.

2 Kings 18:5–6 AV

He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.

Manneseh

Amon

Josiah -

Jehoahaz

Jehoiakim

Jehoiachin

Zedekiah

2. The Kings of Israel

Jeroboam

Nadab

Baasha

Elah

Zimri

Omri

Ahab

Ahaziah

Joram

Jeru

Jehoahaz

Jehoash

Jeroboam II

Zachariah

Shallum

Menahem

Pekahiah

Pekah

Hoshea

Next week:

The Subject & Precursors to the need of a King Israel

[1]Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). 1 Samuel(pp. xii–xiii). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company. [2]Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2003). 1 Samuel(p. 2). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

The Kings of Israel & Judah

Lesson 1: Introduction - Part One

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