May 18, 2026 - 1 Kings 16:29-34, 17

Week 21

• 1 Kings 16:29-34, 17

• 1 Kings 18-19

• 1 Kings 21-22

• 2 Kings 2

• 2 Kings 5, 6:1-23

After the division of the kingdoms, 1 Kings catalogs a long list of kings of Israel and Judah. The evils of the kings of the divided kingdom seem to get progressively worse, climaxing with the rule of King Ahab. Verse 31 of chapter 16 tells us that the sins of previous kings were trivial in comparison to the sins of Ahab, which included his blatant worship of Baal, the building of temples and altars to Baal, and his marriage to Jezebel, a priestess of Baal. As great as Ahab’s sins were, the worst part was that he committed these sins while leading a nation, which means he inevitably led all of Israel, the chosen people of God, down the same evil path. No wonder God’s anger was provoked. As chapter 17 documents, it was into this perverse national state that the Lord sent His prophet Elijah to proclaim the truth and judgment of God upon His people in a call for their repentance. Even amid some of Israel’s darkest days, the Lord sent a light to His people and offered them a way out of the darkness. He has done the same for us today through the light of the gospel.

First Kings 17:6 narrates how God used ravens to bring bread and meat to Elijah, which symbolized how God would use Elijah to take His spiritual food to the people. What has God used in your life recently to remind you of His faithfulness to provide what you need for daily strength and sustenance? Have you thanked Him for His provisions? How might thanking Him change your own heart posture and lifestyle in response?