1 Kings 15:16-34

< Back to 1 Kings Index


TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Judah’s King Asa; Israel’s kings Nadab and Baasha

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God’s gifts are not to be used to gain support of the enemy.

  2. God can use evil to accomplish His purposes.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t let success go to your head.

  2. Don’t lead people into sin.

QUESTIONS

  1. Who was Ben-Hadad? Why was he important in this story?

  2. Who were Nadab and Baasha?

  3. How did Asa try to secure Ben-Hadad’s help and alliance?

  4. How are God’s gifts to be used?

  5. Can God use evil to accomplish His purposes?

ANSWERS

  1. Ben-Hadad was a pagan king of Syria. King Asa asked for his help to counter King Baasha’s fortification and control of trade routes and migration of godly people to the temple in the south.

  2. Nadab and Baasha were the second and third kings of Israel, respectively. They followed Jeroboam 1, and were both evil kings.

  3. He used moneys from the treasury of the temple, and he reminded him of a former treaty between Judah and Syria.

  4. To honor Him, not in soliciting help from the enemy as Asa did with Ben-Hadad.

  5. Yes. “God makes the wrath of man to praise Him” Psalm 76:10. King Baasha’s acts of assassination and murder were evil, but God used them to accomplish His purposes. The greatest demonstration of this truth was the cross.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. List some of the gifts that you have received from God. Are you using them to honor Him, or to accomplish your own agenda?

  2. Jeroboam not only sinned, but he opened doors for others to sin in Israel. Is it possible that you could be leading people into sin? If so, how? Some of the common ways of leading people into sin are through complaining and gossiping, but there are other ways as well.

CHALLENGE

  1. Perhaps because of his former successes, King Asa turned to the enemy for help instead of turning to God. Is there a warning here for you?

KEY VERSES

  • “Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the Lord …and sent them to Ben-Hadad, saying ‘ See, I have sent you a present of silver and gold.” 1 Kings 15:18-19

  • “So Asa rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David his father.” 1 Kings 15:24

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 15:16-34