David Guzik - Enduring Word

Elijah confronts an idolatrous Israel, forcing them to choose between God and Baal on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. After that dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal, the mighty prophet was mighty depressed.

Focusing on the nothern tribes and the Kingdom of Israel, an amazing man comes to the fore: Elijah the Tishbite, one of God's greatest prophets. This remarkable man challenges the evil King Ahab and the worse Queen Jezebel.

While the southern Kingdom of Judah has some good kings and some bad kings, the northern Kingdom of Israel enters a long period when dynasties are quickly raised up and violently destroyed. This shows the tragic effects of the idolatry and evil that marked the kingdom of the ten northern tribes.

In the days of the divided monarchy, the first king of the northern 10 tribes was named Jeroboam. He is another tragic and interesting picture of wasted potential. Despite it all, God's plan continues and His purposes are fulfilled despite human failure.

Solomon's reign had a tragic end; but what happened afterward was even worse. After Solomon the 12 Tribes of Israel divide into two different, competing kingdoms.

Solomon's reign was, in many ways, a high point for Israel. Yet even in the glory of Solomon's reign, there were disturbing signs of danger that signaled a tragic decline for both Solomon and Israel.

The temple was built and ready for use by the priests and people of ancient Israel in the days of Solomon. Before it could be used it had to be dedicated by a remarkable display of sacrifices, prayers, and most importantly the glory and fire of God.

His father David planned the temple, but Solomon built in. In these chapters of 1 Kings we see ancient Israel in its glory, with the greatness of Solomon's temple.

Solomon prays for wisdom and God gives it to him, making King Solomon the wisest man on the earth in his day.

David, the great king of Israel dies and Solomon - his son through the both notorious and noble Bathsheba - takes the throne of Israel, but not without a fight.

God reveals Himself to Job; Job repents; God restores him in a special way. Without giving Job the answers he once thought he must have, God brings a beautiful conclusion to the story of Job.

After what felt like endless debate between Job and his friends, God finally does what Job had been longing for - He interrupts everything with a dramatic appearance. Yet God doesn't do what Job or his friends expected; He does something far better..

A fourth friend of Job named Elihu tries to settle the debate between Job and his friends. The young man Elihu speaks with a lot of confidence and directness towards Job, but doesn't really settle anything.

Job finally gets around to defending his life before his accusing friends, who thought that all his special calamity was the result of some special sin in his life. Job's defense is eloquent, but doesn't matter as much as he hoped it would.

Job debates back and forth with his friends; many things are said, some of them good - but nothing gets resolved in understanding the calamity that has come upon Job.