AHAZIAH KING OF JUDAH.

Ahajiah got to the throne at the age of 22. He reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother was Alhajiah, daughter of Omri, king of Israel. He was also son in-law of Ahab’s family and he followed the example of the wicked family by doing evil. He joined Joram son of Ahab and king of Israel to fight against the Syrians. Joram was wounded and Jehoroam went to visit him in Jezriel where he was convalescing, Jehu attacked both of them and Ahaziah was wounded. He fled to Megiddo and died there.

LESSONS

1)    Leaders are not to associate with the enemies of God so that they will not be partakers of their sins and the repercussions. Ahaziah died because of his associations with Joram and Ahab’s family.

AHAZIAH, AND OTHER KINGS.

AHAZIAH, KING OF ISRAEL

Ahaziah, the son of Ahab became king after his father. He reigned over Israel for 17 years. He did evil in the sight of God by serving Baal. When he sustained injury after a falling in his house, he sent to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Efron instead of enquiring from God. He was unrepentant even after a rebuke from Elijah. He sent soldiers to arrest Elijah, at the third attempt and the loss o 100 soldiers, Elijah visited him and prophesied his death. He never recovered from the injury, he died as prophesied.

LESSONS

a)     Leaders who practice evil with impunity shall not go unpunished. We shall reap what we sow.

JEHOROAM, KING OF ISRAEL

Jehoraom, son of Ahab reigned over Israel for 12 years. Even though he put away the image of baal, he still continued in some of the evil. He was probably controlling the priesthood and taking up the responsibility of the priests.

JEHOROAM, KING  OF JUDAH

Jehoraom, son  of Jehoshaphat reigned in Judah for 8 years. He married the daughter of Ahab and he did evil in the sight of the Lord. Edom revolted and liberated themselves from Judah during his reign.

LESSONS

a)     Jehoroam’s marriage to Ahab’s daughter might have influenced him to do evil just like his father in-law. Wives complement and influence their husbands, leaders should therefore avoid being unequally yoked with unbelievers.

b)     God is always faithful to his promises. Inspite of Jehoram’s unfaithfulness. The Lord did not destroy Judah at this time because he remembered his promise to david that he will always be with his descendants and make sure they occupy the throne perpetually.

KINGS OF ISREAL; ELAH, ZIMRI AND OMRI. WHAT TO LEARN?

ELAH, KING OF ISRAEL

Elah the son of Baasha reigned for 2 years in Israel. He was assassinated by his servant Zimri after he got drunk.

LESSON

a)     It is not for kings to get drunk.

b)    What goes round will come around. Baasha, Elah’s father assassinated nadab to become king, Elah his son was also assassinated.

ZIMRI KIGN OF ISRAEL

Zimri not only assassinated Elah, he also destroyed every member of Baasha’s family as prophesied by Jehu the prophet. Zimri also did evil in the sight of God and he reigned for 7 days in Turzah. The people what he did , they therefore reacted by making Omri captain of the host king over Israel. Zimri committed suicide by burning the palace over himself before the people could get him.

LESSON

a)     Every leader will reap whatever he sows and sometimes the reaping may be quite fast.

OMRI KING OF ISRAEL

Omri reigned for 12 years after the kingdom ere bect divided was consolidated under him. He also did evil in the sight of the Lord and was worse than the kings before him. He brought and built Samaria, he promoted vanity among his people.

LESSON

a)     Just like David reign became a reference point for good and God fearing leadership, Jeroboam also became a reference point for bad leadership.

KING NADAB AND KING BAASHA. LESSONS TO LEARN.

NADAB, KING OF ISREAL

Nadab the son of Jeroboam became king after his father’s death. He walked in the way of his father and did evil. He reigned for 2 years and was assassinated by Baasha.

LESSON

a)     Whatever you sow as a leader, you shall reap Nadab sowed evil and he did not last long on the throne. Judgment is sometimes fast and sometimes delayed but it will surely come, every leader should fear God and do his will.   

BAASHA KING OF ISRAEL

Baasha destroyed every member of Jeroboam’s family. He spared no one. He also did evil and walked in the way of Jeroboam. He reigned for 24years. Because of his evil ways, the Lord pronounced on him the same judgement passed on Jeroboam and his generation. God brought him from obscurity to the palace but he abused the opportunity.

LESSON

a)     Every leader must remember where he is coming from. It is an opportunity and a priviledge not a right to serve. It is God that sets up kings and also removes them.  If we administer leadership with the fear of God, it shall be well with us, if not, we shall reap what we sow.

LESSONS FROM JEROBOAM (KING OF ISRAEL)

JEROBOAM

Jeroboam was the son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon and Zerisah . He was a mighty man of Joseph. Because of Solomon’s Idolatry, God prophesied through Ahijah the prophet that Jeroboam was going to be king over 10 tribes of Israel. God was going to give 10 out of the 12 tribes of Israel to Jeroboam. This came to pass during the reign of Jerobaom. To secure his kingdom, Jeroboam prevented the 10 tribes from going to worship in Jerusalem by making idols for them which he placed in Bethal and in Dan. He designed and established his own form of worship by appointing priests other than the Levites and feasts. He also offered offerings on the strange alters by himself. He attempted to destroy the prophet who cried against the altar at Bethel. He continued in his evil ways and died after 22 years in Israel.

LESSONS

a)     Jeroboam forgot that God gave him the special privilege of serving. He was conscious of the power given to him and as a result tried to secure it by himself. Many once they get to leadership positions forget who has placed them there. They result to establishing themselves through worldly wisdom and politicking. As a result of his sins, jeroboam lost his don and earned a generational curse on himself and his offspring.

b)    Leaders set the direction for the followers, Jeroboam set the direction and tone of idolatry thereby making Israel to sin. Only godly leaders can lead their people to prosperity. 

c)     Every leader shall account for his stewardship and also face the consequence of his action.

LESSONS FROM ASA

KING ASA

Asa reigned for 41years in Judah. He chose to walk in the path of David, even though his father Abijam was evil, he did what was right in the sight of God he took away the sodomites and idols made by his father. He removed his own mother from being queen because she was involved in idolatry. He however resorted to using human wisdom and flesh to fight Baasha king of Israel. He appealed to Benhadad (King of Syria) to help him. He should have depended on God.

LESSONS

a)     Our genealogy is no excuse for choosing to do evil. Asa’s father was not right with God but Asa chose to do what was right and to walk with God.

b)    Integrity, justice and an uncompromising attitude is expected of a leader. It earns him respect and alignment on the part of his subject. Asa diminished discipline and justice by not sparing his own mother who was involved in idolatry. With that others would learn their loved ones, fall in line. Even when it concerns their loved ones, good leaders will carry out justice.

c)     Asa however failed by resorting to assistance from human beings, depending on arm of flesh to face Baasha, king of Israel, he should have cried to God.