Message To Kings - A Biblical History Of Man

To consider the complexity of the history the 9th Century BC, we need to cover the leading characters of this generation. In this episode, we discuss the leading characters of this generation: Ben-Hadad, Shalmanesor III, King Ahab, Queen Jezebel, Jehoshaphat and the Prophet Elijah. 1 Corinthians 1:27Isaiah 54:13Romans 5:20www.messagetokings.com

In this podcast episode, we cover the four kings of Israel from King Baasha to Omri and we end this episode with the beginning of the reign of King Ahab and a preview of the next generation.1 Kings 16 www.messagetokings.com

In response to a listener question, we discuss the tragedy of Fort McMurray and the concept of God's judgment and our responsibility today. Special thanks to listener Dan from Northern Alberta on his great question and assistance with this episode. Ezekiel 22:30Luke 19:41-44www.messagetokings.com

Upon the death of Abijah, Asa becomes king of Judah. He begins his reign with spectacular fashion and sends a huge Egyptian army back to the Nile. He reigns in Jerusalem in peace and prosperity, but the end of his reign is filled with fear and bad decisions. 2 Chronicles 14-161 Kings 15:9-34www.messagetokings.com

As Pharaoh Shishak lords over his vast empire, including Isreal, judgment comes to the house of Jeroboam. His son dies from an illness and he receives a judgment word of prophecy. Soon after Rehoboam and apparently Shishak dies leaving power vacuums. Abijah, Rehoboam's son, becomes king of Judah and fields a huge army as Jeroboam invades Judah in what comes to be known as the Battle of Mount Zemaraim. 1 Kings 14 - 15:82 Chronicles 13www.messagetokings.com

After appearing to truly repent, Rehoboam led Judah in a brief moment of walking back to God. As Israel's restoration appeared to be within grasp by default alone, darkness took ahold of Rehoboam and he led Judah into horrible sin. Instead of leading Israel in revival, he led them away from God. The consequence was foreign invasion and disaster for Judah. In this episode, we discuss the rise of Egypt and the legacy of Rehoboam. Proverbs 14:342 Chronicles 11:18-12:161 Kings 14:21-31www.messagetokings.com

In this episode, we cover the crazy story of the prophet Jadon and his confrontation with Jeroboam at the grand opening of the Bethel idol worship center. At the time of the sacrifice, Jadon declares who the instrument of God's judgment will be and God gives a sign as the alter splits in two, Jeroboam's hand shrivels, Jeroboam receives a healing and just to add more we add an unnatural event and a false prophet to the mix. Strange and unusual, but full of incredible spiritual truths that prophecy the judgment of Israel for their idol worship and show God is above time and space. 1 Kings 132 Kings 23:15-18www.messagetokings.com

Welcome to the Time Period of the Two KingdomsKing Rehoboam, of Judah, welcomes all who come to worship God in Jerusalem and appears to have an encounter with God. This creates a political disaster for King Jeroboam, in the North, because he is losing his people, treasure and prestige. King Jeroboam makes a demonic political decision. He makes two golden calves and sets them up for worship in Dan and Bethel. His state sponsored idol worship solidified his kingdom, but invited spiritual judgment on his kingdom and house. 1 Kings 12:25-332 Chronicles 11:11-17www.messagetokings.com

Taking a break from our normal episodes, we've created a political parody looking at the division of the two kingdoms from the vantage of our modern American political perspective. Special Thanks to Brant Frost for his assistance on this episode. www.messagetokings.com

Upon Solomon's death, Rehoboam was given the kingship. The spoiled billionaire playboy was immediately confronted by the people asking for lighter treatment during Israel's economic crisis. Rehoboam's response set in motion the division of the two kingdoms. In this episode, we discuss the division of the two kingdoms, Rehoboam's failure and compare this time to the American Civil War. 1 Kings 12:1-24www.messagetokings.com

Before we transition away from the deep character development of David and Solomon, we take a break and discuss the upcoming two kingdoms, some podcast extras, personal reflections and just speak to the audience of Message to Kings. www.messagetokings.com

At the end of King Solomon's life, most scholars believe he wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes. Though Solomon still had the gift of wisdom, he suffered from the effects of excessive idol worship. In this episode, we cover the death of Solomon, his legacy and his final words in the Book of Ecclesiastes. 1 Kings 11:41Ecclesiastes 1-12Romans 11:291 Chronicles 12:32Nehemiah 13:26www.messagetokings.com

As Solomon bows his knees to every god around, his economy begins to decline and enemies arise up to challenge Israel. Three distinct enemies arise to challenge Israel. Two of them directly and the other indirectly are funded and supported Egypt. In this episode, we discuss the birth of Israel's future enemies and the prophecy of Ahijah. 1 Kings 11:14-36www.messagetokings.com

At the height of Solomon's power, it stated every man owned his own fig tree or vine. By the end of his reign and after his death, Rehoboam, Solomon's son, is confronted with these words “your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” In this episode, we discuss how this could have happened, the economic aspects, Solomon's failures and practical applications of economic downturns. 1 Kings 12:4Proverbs 14:34John 15:1-2www.messagetokings.com

Once Solomon completes his palace, something triggers inside of him and over the course of time and through persistent disobedience and foreign marriages to idol worshipping women, his heart is turned away from God. While King David stayed home in the Spring when the kings go to war, Solomon loved many foreign women. In this episode, we cover Solomon's fall from grace and his disastrous marriages and sins. 1 Kings 11:1-13Proverbs 4:231 Kings 18:212 Chronicles 9:13www.messagetokings.com

The Bible is full of type and shadows of things to come. At the height of King Solomon's power, he is a picture of the Lord's Reign at the end of the age. In this episode, we discuss King Solomon at his greatest, we cover basic eschatology, the mountain of God and the last two chapters of the Bible. Micah 4:1-4Revelation 21:1 - 22:5www.messagetokings.com

After thirteen years of construction, King Solomon has completed his palace. The palace was a magnificent structure with three rows of fifteen cedar columns. It housed the king's quarters, his throne and outside colonnade. One of the first scenes after the completion of the palace was the visitation by a foreign queen - the Queen of Sheba. In this episode, we cover Solomon's palace, the visitation of the Queen of Sheba and we discuss her potential identity and conclude with her incredible new testament reference by Jesus. 1 Kings 10:1-9Matthew 12:38-42www.messagetokings.com

While King Solomon's palace was being built, he continued to strengthen the walls of Jerusalem, trade horses, accumulate treasure, exchange riddles with foreign kings and establish new cities. One of these cities was at the extent of his kingdom in the heart of Syria called Palmyra. In this episode, we discuss the significance of Palmyra and its impact on the world and speak to the current Syrian refuge crisis. 1 Kings 10:26-29www.messagetokings.com

In addition to his assistance with craftsmen and timber for the Temple of Jerusalem, King Hiram of Tyre partnered with Solomon to build ocean going fleets for both the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans. The Bible recounts three year trading fleets returning with Baboons, Apes, Monkeys, Peacocks and Gold from foreign lands and Josephus confirms India as one of the destinations. In this episode, we cover the trading fleets of Solomon and the importance of a gentile ruler such as Hiram, King of Tyre. 1 Kings 9:26-282 Chronicles 9:21www.messagetokings.com

In Matthew 22:34, an expert in the law asked Jesus a question. He asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment. Jesus responded "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." How is this commandment possible? The only way for us to truly love God is for us to have to intimacy with him and have his love and to give it away to others. In this episode, we discuss the Song of Solomon and the concept of intimacy and the love with God, Biblical marriages and how to love others like Jesus commanded. Song of Solomon 1-8Matthew 22:34-40Luke 10:25-37www.messagetokings.com