Weekly Guide：Week 59
March 10, 2019
Forward
We continue to read the book of First Kings this week.
The kings of both the northern and southern kingdoms in the Book of Kings often did things against God’s will. As Christians, we must be careful not to fall into sins but act according to the value set forth by God. But we should also understand that it is not easy to abide to that value completely due to man’s deceit and social pressure.
For example, we may be swallowed up by our desire for wealth and comfort as they become the only goal of our works. It is hard to maintain a perfect relationship with God under the pressure of our peers and daily life. We are bound to be in some kind of worldly culture which inevitably is the environment we live in. In order to communicate we must understand the culture but at the same time we must ensure that our faith is not skewed by the culture. Politics and culture have tremendous influences and hinder us to live a Godly life. It is just like how Jeroboam easily lured Israelites into sin for political reason. When Jesus prayed for the disciples, He did not ask God to detach us from the world but asked to turn us away from evils and keep our hearts in God.
May you all be renewed in God’s word every day!
Question
How did Elijah defeat the false prophets of Baal?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the third year, the Lord told Elijah to present himself to Ahab to rebuke him for abandoning the Lord’s commands to follow Baals.
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Elijah battled the Baal’s false prophets on Mount Carmel. The false prophets were defeated and slaughtered.
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Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah. Elijah escaped to Beersheba in Judah. The Lord whispered gently to Elijah told him to go to the Desert of Damascus to anoint Hazael king over Aram, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed Elijah as prophet.
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God had reserved seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal.
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Elijah called Elisha to follow him.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - What attributes did God display when he gently whispered to Elijah? How am I hearing God’s voice today?
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Identity - Elijah rebuked the people for wavering between two opinions: “If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” Am I wavering between two opinions and not following God completely?
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Fidelity - How did Elijah respond when called by God? How am I responding and submitting to God’s will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Naaman healed?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Naaman, the army commander of Israel archrival Aram, had leprosy. The girl servant he captured from Israel saw his illness and told his wife about prophet Elisha. Naaman went to Elisha and obeyed the words of the prophet after being persuaded by his servant. He washed himself seven times in Jordan and was cleansed of leprosy. Naaman vowed to worship only the Lord from then on.
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Gehazi, Elisha’s greedy servant, deceived Naaman of silver and cloths. Elisha rebuked him for profiting when he shouldn’t. Gehazi contracted leprosy as result.
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Elisha performed miracle to float a sunken iron ax for a man in the company of prophets.
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The Aramean king sent men to capture Elisha during the war with Israel. Elisha performed miracle to lead them to Samaria and caused the Aramean to stop raiding Israel.
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Aramean besieged Samaria. The famine in the city cause people to feed on each other’s children. The king of Israel blamed Elisha and attributed it the Lord.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - God protects His people. Elisha opened his servant’s eyes so he could see God’s protection. Have I thought about God’s protection when faced with seemingly great challenges? How is scene the servant saw helping me in my current circumstance?
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Fidelity - Naaman would not have gotten to know the Lord and healed if the Israelite girl servant did not put down her hatred to love the enemy. Naaman would not have gone to the next step in knowing God if not for his persuasive servant. God put us next to the unbelievers so that we may be the outlet of their blessings and bring them to God every chance we have. Are there unbelievers around me? How may I learn to love and be faithful like the Israelite girl servant to help those unbelievers to know God and receive blessings?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How much did Ahab know God and how much faith did he have?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Arameans besieged Israel capital Samaria. A prophet came to Ahab and brought along God’s help. Ahab followed God’s command and defeated the Arameans to show them that God is a true God beyond all limits.
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Ahab’s pretentious use of mercy set free of the enemy whom God had determined to destroy and made Arameans a long-term threat to Israel. God sent one of the company of the prophets to rebuke Ahab and foretold him the consequence of his action. Ahab became sullen and angry.
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Ahab was obsessed with Naboth’s vineyard. Naboth feared the Lord and would not give away the inheritance from God. Ahab’s wife Jezebel who worshiped Baal devised an evil plan to frame Naboth and killed him. Ahab took possession of the vineyard.
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Prophet Elijah rebuked Ahab and announced God’s judgment on him. Ahab humbled himself before God, therefore, God delayed the disaster on his house to the days of his son.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - From the Aramean wars and Naboth’s vineyard, what can I tell about Ahab’s faith and his relationship with God? How was Ahab’s being sullen, angry, and humble after being rebuked by prophets different from David’s remorseful repentance? How have I repented? When have I just pretended to repent or when have I repented from my heart? How did either change my soul and my relationship with God?
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Integrity - From Ahab’s mercy of no principle for the Aramean king to his backboneless submission to Jezebel, what life’s integrity did he lack? Have I offended God to please others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was Ahab’s attitude toward God’s discipline for him?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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By his own will, Ahab solicited Judah king Jehoshephat’s help to go to war against the Aramean. Ahab loved to hear the good prophecies but never listened to bad prophecies from the true prophet of the Lord and even put him into prison.
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The Lord made true the prophecy He put into the mouth of His prophet. Ahab died on battle field, his chariot was washed at a pool, and the dogs licked his blood, as the word of the Lord had declared.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - It might sound uncomfortable and piercing to the ears when God reminds us but the voice of Satan is always sweet like honey. How have I, in my experiences, distinguished the voice of God through circumstances and those around me from the sweet voice of Satan?
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Fidelity - Judah king Jehoshaphat repeatedly suggested Ahab to ask Micaiah of God’s will even though Ahab did no like him. However, Jehoshaphat did not attempt to persuade Ahab to submit to God’s will and continue to join Ahab in war. How may I faithfully serve God by the unbelievers and not just perform lip services?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Elisha succeed Elijah as prophet?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Ahaziah king of Israel had fallen and injured himself. He sent messenger to consult the Ekron god Baal-Zebub instead of God. God sent Elijah to tell the messenger what God had told him about Ahaziah.
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When his time came, God took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha refused to leave Elijah and filled by his spirit, Elisha succeeded Elijah as prophet.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - Why did Ahaziah consulted Baal-Zebub instead of God? Have I gone after the rumor that something is effective but without inquiring God first?
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Fidelity - Elisha followed Elijah faithfully and asked for his spirit so that he may succeed him just like a son asking for inheritance. God fulfilled him. God gives works to His faithful servants. How does Elisha’s faithfulness remind me? How may I pray to God persistently to serve Him by His calling?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was the faith of the Shunammite woman?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Elisha helped the army of Israel, Judah, and Edom to receive drinking water from God and to defeat Moabites with God’s help.
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Elisha performed miracles. He helped the widow of a man from the company of prophets to pay back her debt, prevented her sons to become slaves, and left them with abundance to sustain their livelihood.
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A Shunammite wife often received and supported Elisha. Elisha predicted a son for the couple, saw the couple had no child. The child suddenly died so Elisha prayed and brought the child back to life.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - They must first dig out ditches before the army could receive water from God; She must go around and ask for empty jars before the widow receive the oil. When I ask God for something, did I first follow His command?
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Walking with God - The Shunammite wife received Elisha and was given a share in the prophet’s work. She did not seek to benefit from the authorities nor did she seek to have a child and yet God gave her everything. When her son died, she said to everyone that “everything is all right” but only to show her sadness to the prophet. This was because she knew the one who gave life to her son controls his life. Let me think about her faith.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Elisha succeed Elijah as prophet?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Ahaziah king of Israel had fallen and injured himself. He sent messenger to consult the Ekron god Baal-Zebub instead of God. God sent Elijah to tell the messenger what God had told him about Ahaziah.
+ When his time came, God took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha refused to leave Elijah and filled by his spirit, Elisha succeeded Elijah as prophet.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Why did Ahaziah consulted Baal-Zebub instead of God? Have I gone after the rumor that something is effective but without inquiring God first?
+ **Fidelity** - Elisha followed Elijah faithfully and asked for his spirit so that he may succeed him just like a son asking for inheritance. God fulfilled him. God gives works to His faithful servants. How does Elisha's faithfulness remind me? How may I pray to God persistently to serve Him by His calling?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the faith of the Shunammite woman?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Elisha helped the army of Israel, Judah, and Edom to receive drinking water from God and to defeat Moabites with God's help.
+ Elisha performed miracles. He helped the widow of a man from the company of prophets to pay back her debt, prevented her sons to become slaves, and left them with abundance to sustain their livelihood.
+ A Shunammite wife often received and supported Elisha. Elisha predicted a son for the couple, saw the couple had no child. The child suddenly died so Elisha prayed and brought the child back to life.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - They must first dig out ditches before the army could receive water from God; She must go around and ask for empty jars before the widow receive the oil. When I ask God for something, did I first follow His command?
+ **Walking with God** - The Shunammite wife received Elisha and was given a share in the prophet's work. She did not seek to benefit from the authorities nor did she seek to have a child and yet God gave her everything. When her son died, she said to everyone that "everything is all right" but only to show her sadness to the prophet. This was because she knew the one who gave life to her son controls his life. What do I think about her faith?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Naaman healed?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Naaman, the army commander of Israel archrival Aram, had leprosy. The girl servant he captured from Israel saw his illness and told his wife about prophet Elisha. Naaman went to Elisha and obeyed the words of the prophet after being persuaded by his servant. He washed himself seven times in Jordan and was cleansed of leprosy. Naaman vowed to worship only the Lord from then on.
+ Gehazi, Elisha's greedy servant, deceived Naaman of silver and cloths. Elisha rebuked him for profiting when he shouldn't. Gehazi contracted leprosy as result.
+ Elisha performed miracle to float a sunken iron ax for a man in the company of prophets.
+ The Aramean king sent men to capture Elisha during the war with Israel. Elisha performed miracle to lead them to Samaria and caused the Aramean to stop raiding Israel.
+ Aramean besieged Samaria. The famine in the city cause people to feed on each other's children. The king of Israel blamed Elisha and attributed it the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God protects His people. Elisha opened his servant's eyes so he could see God's protection. Have I thought about God's protection when faced with seemingly great challenges? How is scene the servant saw helping me in my current circumstance?
+ **Fidelity** - Naaman would not have gotten to know the Lord and healed if the Israelite girl servant did not put down her hatred to love the enemy. Naaman would not have gone to the next step in knowing God if not for his persuasive servant. God put us next to the unbelievers so that we may be the outlet of their blessings and bring them to God every chance we have. Are there unbelievers around me? How may I learn to love and be faithful like the Israelite girl servant to help those unbelievers to know God and receive blessings?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God help the Samarians to break out the siege?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Four men with Leprosy saw the Arameans had left their camp. They went back and reported the news.
+ Ben-Hadad the Aramean king was ill. Hazel murdered Ben-Hadad and succeeded him as king.
+ Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah. He reigned for eight years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Ahaziah son of Jehoram began his reign as king of Judah. He reigned for one year and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - How did the Lord help the Israelites to break out the siege? How has God helped me and protected me behind the scene?
+ **Integrity** - The four men with leprosy (v. 9-10) realized what they did was not right and repented immediately. What can I learn from this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jehu clean off the families of the Israelite king and Judah king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Prophet Elisha sent a man from the company of prophets to anoint Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi.
+ Jehu killed Joram king of Israel, Ahaziah king of Judah, and Jezebel.
+ The officials of Jezreel obeyed Jehu's command and killed Ahab's seventy sons.
+ Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab and the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah.
+ Jehu destroyed Baal in Israel but did not turn away from the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
+ Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-eight years.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Ahab's son Joram and grandson Ahaziah were both killed. Were they innocent or guilty? (2 Kings 3:2-3,13-14; 8:25-27) How shall I look at the fairness of God's judgment?
+ **Fidelity** - If God elected Jehu as His judge, why was Jehu later judged by God? Of my service to God, what are pleasing to Him and what are not?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Joash become king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Joash son of Ahaziah hid in the temple of the Lord for six years. Athaliah usurped the throne.
+ Jehoiada the priest anointed Joash. Athaliah was slain. In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years.
+ Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, smashed the temple of Baal. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Joash repaired whatever damage was found in the temple.
+ Joash took all the sacred objects dedicated by his predecessors and the gifts he himself had dedicated and all the gold found in the treasuries of the temple of the Lord and of the royal palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem.
+ Joash's officials assassinated him at Beth Millo, on the road down to Silla. Amaziah his son succeeded him as king.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Even though Joash did what was right in the Lord's eyes since an early age, he still stumbled. What were the reasons he strayed away from the Lord's path? How is this reminding me and what expectations shall I set for my own spiritual life?
+ **Fidelity** - Jehoiada's teaching and influence on Joash demonstrated the importance of proper education. How am I educating my children?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did David inquire of God to release Israel from Saul's past sin?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ There was a three-year famine during David's reign. David inquired of God and was told that Saul put the Gibeonites to death by breaking the oath Israelites had made to them.
+ By Gibeonites' demand, David gave them seven descendants of Saul to be killed. David spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth for his oath to Jonathan.
+ David heard that Saul's concubine Rizpah was protecting the remains of the seven so he buried them along with Saul and Jonathan.
+ Four of the worriers among the men who followed David killed four sons of Philistine giants.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - The root cause of the famine was Saul's breaking of the oath Israelites made to Gibeonites in God's name. The famine ended with David breaking the oath he made to Saul and Jonathan in God's name. Reflecting on God's faithfulness and righteousness, how should I fear the name of God?
+ **Integrity** - When Abner was in power after Saul's death, Saul's concubine Rizpah could only let herself to be trampled upon. But, what courage and love did she display after Saul's seven descendants were killed by the Gibeonites in revenge? Her deed touched David and reminded him of his promises to Saul and Jonathan. What danger did Rizpah face? How would Rizpah's courage and love remind me when I face a circumstance where I am innocent and powerless?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Where did David see God's protections and blessings?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ 2 Samuel 22 is David's thanksgiving to the Lord for delivering him from Saul and all his enemies. The same song is also recorded in Psalm 18. In the first part, David depicted how God saved him when he faced death from his enemy (22:5-20). In the second part, David described how God's salvation is based on faith (22:21-30). In the third part, David counted the helps God had given to him (22:31-46)
+ 2 Samuel 23:1-7 is David's praising and thanksgiving to God near the end of his life. He realized it was the spirit of God working in him and looked up to God's everlasting covenant with him and his descendants.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Although David had committed many sins in his life, but God still proclaims that David was pleasing to Him. What can I see in David's heart from his psalms? How did he see God in saving him? How did he see God's response to those who follow Him? Near the end of his life, how did David see God's promise in his own life? What is a heart that is pleasing to God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does God see the warriors who followed David?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The roster of the warriors who followed David and some of their accomplishments.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - David was not a "Lone Ranger" but faced the enemy and went to war with many. Do I have any brother or sister in Christ to go fight the war of our lives with? Is there anyone who can pray for me, to encourage and to lift me up?
+ **Fidelity** - What are the commonalities of the warriors on the roster? What can I learn from them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What sin did David commit in his old age?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David ordered Joab to take a census of Israel and Judah.
+ David knew he committed great sin and was conscience-stricken after the census was completed.
+ David picked plague out of the choice of three disasters. Seventy thousand from Dan to Beersheba died.
+ David built an altar for God, sacrificed burnt offering and fellowship offering. The plague on Israel stopped.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What did David pick out of the three disasters God let him choose from? Why? How do I view God's discipline?
+ **Integrity** - Why did David take census? What similar mistakes have I done in my life? What does this remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Solomon succeed David to become king for he was not David's first born?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David was very old. Adonijah conspired with Joab and Abiathar in attempt to usurp the throne.
+ Nathan the prophet and Solomon's mother Bathsheba went to David to uncover the conspiracy.
+ David took an oath by the Lord to make Solomon king and anointed him in Gihon. David gave a charge to Solomon then died.
+ Solomon made Shimei to promise to stay in Jerusalem. Shimei broke the promise and was struck down.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Adonijah attempted to usurp the throne and David had never rebuked him. David did not fulfill his responsibility as a father. He did not discipline his children and got to taste the consequences. For us who are parents, what can we learn from David's example?
+ **Fidelity** - Right after learning Adonijah's plan, David acted wisely and fulfilled his promise to have Solomon succeed him to the throne. David was decisive under God's witness. Likewise, we may be decisive without any doubt if we act in His Name.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Solomon ask the Lord for?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Solomon married Pharaoh's daughter while the Israelites were still sacrificing at the high places.
+ Solomon asked the Lord for a discerning heart. The Lord was pleased and gave Solomon the wisdom to govern.
+ God gave Solomon a wise and discerning heart, faithful officials and governors, gave prosperity for all people, and peace on all sides.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Why was God pleased with what Solomon asked for? What do I ask for in my prayers? Make a connection to what Jesus taught us in His Sermon on the Mount. What does it remind me of?
+ **Identity** - God's promise to Abraham of kingdom, people, and blessings is now becoming a reality under Solomon's reign. What promise from God have become a reality in my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses