Day 25 of 90 - 1 Kings 11 - 1 Kings 21

Day 25 - COMPLETE!

On Day 25, we completed 1 Kings 11 - 1 Kings 21, and there were so many interesting details that I had never seen before. Firstly, in 1 Kings 11, Solomon’s wives “turned his heart after other gods” and as a result, God tears the kingdom away from him, and now, the kingdom will now go to Jeroboam instead of to one of Solomon’s sons. This angers Solomon so much that he tries to kills Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11:40. But here’s what’s interesting. Solomon was an eye witness to the immutability of God’s word. He, himself, saw how David wanted to build a house and God said no “your son, Solomon will build it,” so how did Solomon think that the word of the Lord would change simply because it didn’t meet his preferences. Secondly, Solomon only succeeded as king because he was able to build during a time where there was no war. Solomon wasn’t a fighter, he was a builder. Nowhere in scripture does it say Solomon fought any battles because it’s impossible to build new temples during moments of war. Yet, Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam because of actions he could’ve controlled. Solomon tried to take on another man’s ability (war), out of season, all because he messed up. Don’t let your mistakes turn you into someone you’re not.

But this isn’t even the key verse for me! The key verse for me is 1 Kings 13:22 when the old prophet, who tricked the new prophet into eating at his table, then turns around and starts prophesying accurately about the new prophet’s demise. He says “You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors.” The crazy thing is, the only reason the new prophet got distracted was because his distraction come in the form of something familiar. And because he listened to the wrong voice, he was killed by a lion and his body was left lying on the road. But his distraction disguised itself in attraction. His distraction shared his background, his burden, and his calling. The warning for all of us is to hold onto what GOD SAID, even if people you like, try to convince you otherwise. Deception is not coming from people who look like deceivers. It’s coming from people who look like a prophet; and when you disobey God, they will be the very ones predicting your demise. Don’t be tricked, and don’t fall to something or someone familiar.