Men's Ministry
Please read I Kings 14:1-18
1. As we have seen in previous chapters, Jeroboam is not the least interested in God. However, since his son is suffering, he sends his wife to consult Ahijah, God’s prophet. Why is he suddenly interested in God? Why didn’t he worship and offer sacrifices at the golden calf that he set up? And why did he send his wife instead of going himself?
2. It’s an interesting turn of events that Jeroboam’s wife disguised herself even though Ahijah was blind. Why do you think Jeroboam instructed his wife to disguise herself? What do you think was her emotional state when Ahijah, though blind, saw through her disguise?
3. Jeroboam turned his back on the God who made him king and now his son is sick. Why would God punish the son with death because of the sins of his father? See verse 13.
4. Ahijah tells Mrs. Jeroboam that Jeroboam was more evil than all who were before him. Who was before Jeroboam? What evil is God talking about?
5. What confusion and dread do you think Mrs. Jeroboam experienced, knowing that her son was going to die when she entered the city? Do you think she considered remaining outside the city so her son would not die? Why do you think she did not remain outside the city?
6. In our study of chapter 13, we discussed the difference between a sign and a prophecy. The fulfillment of a sign was short term and confirmed that the prophesy would be fulfilled, even though it was far in the future. Did Ahijah give Mrs. Jeroboam both a sign and a prophecy? What were they?
2. It’s an interesting turn of events that Jeroboam’s wife disguised herself even though Ahijah was blind. Why do you think Jeroboam instructed his wife to disguise herself? What do you think was her emotional state when Ahijah, though blind, saw through her disguise?
3. Jeroboam turned his back on the God who made him king and now his son is sick. Why would God punish the son with death because of the sins of his father? See verse 13.
4. Ahijah tells Mrs. Jeroboam that Jeroboam was more evil than all who were before him. Who was before Jeroboam? What evil is God talking about?
5. What confusion and dread do you think Mrs. Jeroboam experienced, knowing that her son was going to die when she entered the city? Do you think she considered remaining outside the city so her son would not die? Why do you think she did not remain outside the city?
6. In our study of chapter 13, we discussed the difference between a sign and a prophecy. The fulfillment of a sign was short term and confirmed that the prophesy would be fulfilled, even though it was far in the future. Did Ahijah give Mrs. Jeroboam both a sign and a prophecy? What were they?
Please read I Kings 14:19-20
7. Ahijah prophesied great doom for Jeroboam and his descendants. Verse 20 merely tells us he died and his son, Nadab, reigned in his place. That doesn’t sound very serious. What’s going on here? For the mention of war in verse 19 and Jeroboam’s death in verse 20, see II Chronicles 13:2b-20, especially verses 2b and 19-20.
Please read I Kings 14:21-31
8. Why do you think the people of Judah did what was evil in the sight of the Lord? Review in your mind the reigns of David, Solomon, and now Rehoboam. What similarities are there between these three kings? What are the differences?
9. It’s been only five years since Solomon, the king of peace, died and Rehoboam took over. Why did Shishak, king of Egypt attack Jerusalem? Was this a judgement from God? A warning? Why would God allow him to take all the treasures of the Temple? A more complete account of this attack is found in II Chronicles 12.
10. Solomon’s reign was glorious. Just five years later, the treasures of the Temple are gone and so are the gold shields that he put in the House of the Forest of Lebanon (I Kings 10:16-17). Rehoboam replaced these with bronze shields but, instead of putting them on display like Solomon did, kept them guarded unless needed for a special occasion. Why replace gold shields with bronze shields? What timeless principal does this illustrate in today’s society?
9. It’s been only five years since Solomon, the king of peace, died and Rehoboam took over. Why did Shishak, king of Egypt attack Jerusalem? Was this a judgement from God? A warning? Why would God allow him to take all the treasures of the Temple? A more complete account of this attack is found in II Chronicles 12.
10. Solomon’s reign was glorious. Just five years later, the treasures of the Temple are gone and so are the gold shields that he put in the House of the Forest of Lebanon (I Kings 10:16-17). Rehoboam replaced these with bronze shields but, instead of putting them on display like Solomon did, kept them guarded unless needed for a special occasion. Why replace gold shields with bronze shields? What timeless principal does this illustrate in today’s society?