1 Kings 16:1-14

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Baasha and Elah, Kings of Israel

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. There is no impunity for God’s instruments of judgments.

  2. To ignore God’s prophets and proverbs is stupid.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t commit the same sins as your predecessors.

  2. Let’s not provoke the Lord’s anger with our idols.

QUESTIONS

  1. Who assassinated King Nadab and why did God allow it?

  2. Who was King Elah? What was he like?

  3. Define impunity. What does it mean, “There is no impunity for God’s instruments of judgments?”

  4. Can God teach us through prophecy and proverbs?

  5. Why did judgment come upon Baasha?

ANSWERS

  1. God allowed Baasha to assassinate King Nadab because of his wickedness.

  2. Elah was the fourth king of Israel, son of King Baasha. Both were wicked kings. Elah reigned for two years in the capital city of Tirzah, then he was assassinated by his servant Zimri.

  3. “Impunity” means exemption or immunity from punishment when a law is broken (seen today with diplomats, for example). King Baasha was an instrument of God’s judgment to remove the evil dynasty of Jeroboam 1. Baasha, however, committed the same sins as the house of Jeroboam and killed all of those of the dynasty. Even though God had raised him up and used him, yet Baasha was held responsible. He was not in this for God’s glory; he wanted the throne. He was a calculating conspirator, and he was held responsible for his actions.

  4. Yes. Elah ignored God’s word to his own demise. We should learn from God’s lessons. Elah not only was a wicked king, but he ignored God’s prophets and proverbs, continuing in the evil ways of his forefathers. He was assassinated when he was drunk. There is a clear directive to kings that they were not to drink (Proverbs 31:4-5).

  5. Judgment came upon Baasha because he was like those of the house of Jeroboam, committing the same sins. He did not learn any lessons from history.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Elah ignored God’s word, and Baasha committed the same sins as Jeroboam. One failed to learn from God’s prophecies and proverbs, and the other failed to learn from the example of his predecessors. What are you learning from God’s word and by observing others who have gone before you? Be specific.

  2. Is God number one in your life? Does He come before anything and anyone? Remember, you are accountable to Him for all of your actions. There is no impunity for God’s instruments.

CHALLENGE

  1. An idol is anything that takes the place of God. List some of the idols in your life. Now get rid of them.

KEY VERSES

  • “You have made My people sin…” 1 Kings 16:2

  • “They provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger with their idols.” 1 Kings 16:13

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 16:1-14