1 Kings - Chapters 15-16 with Psalm 14 and 53

The Amazing Bible. Book Club

The kingdom of Israel is divided with 10 tribes in the north called Israel, and 2 tribes in the south, Judah and Benjamin. Solomon's son, Rehoboam, reigned for 17 years in Jerusalem, and when he died, his son, Abijah became king. Jeroboam was still the king of Israel. Abijah was committed sins like his father, and his reign was only for three years, and his son Asa became king of Judah. Jeroboam was still king of Israel. Asa did right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father king David had done. His heart was fully committed to the Lord, even though he did not remove the high places. He reigned for 41 years. During his second year, Jeroboam died and Nadab became king of Israel. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and caused Israel to sin. He reigned 2 years. Baasha plotted against him, and killed him and became king. His first act was to kill everyone from Jeroboam's family. All during this time, there was war between the northern and southern tribe. One of those times, Baasha was fortifying the city of Ramah, to keep people from entering or leaving the land of Judah, so Asa the king of Judah, made a pact with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram (the northern side of Israel), that Asa would give Ben-Hadad the treasury in the temple if they would attack Baasha from the north. They did, which made Baasha leave his work of fortification to defend his land from Aram. King Asa of Judah took the materials Baasha left, and fortified two of his own cities, Geba in Benjamin and Mizpah. Baasha was king of Israel for 24 years, and then his son, Elah became king for two years. Zimri, one of Israel's officers killed him and became king, which lasted a full 7 days. When the Israelites learned what had happened, they made Omri, who was the commander of the army, king. They surrounded Zimri in the capital city of Tirzah, and when he realized he had no chance to escape, he set the city on fire and died. Not everyone like Omri as king, some wanted Tibni, but Omri was stronger and Tibni was killed. Omri reigned for 12 years. He bought and made Samaria the capital of Israel, and when he died, his son Ahab became king. All of these kings in Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord, but it said of Ahab, "(He) did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him."