1 Kings 22:41-53 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Kings 22:41-53. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
1 Kings 22:41-53 (NIV)
41 Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.
42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.
43 In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
44 Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.
45 As for the other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?
46 He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa.
47 There was then no king in Edom; a deputy ruled.
48 Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail–they were wrecked at Ezion Geber.
49 At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my men sail with your men,” but Jehoshaphat refused.
50 Then Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son succeeded him.
51 Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years.
52 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, because he walked in the ways of his father and mother and in the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.
53 He served and worshiped Baal and provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done.
On verses 41-53: In these verses we see two kings — King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahaziah of Israel. These two kings were polar opposites. Jehoshaphat loved God, did what was right in God’s eyes and would go onto a long 25 year reign, becoming one of Judah’s greatest kings. In contrast, Ahaziah worshiped idols, provoked the Lord to anger, and had only 2 years to reign as king in Israel. However, Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah both had one thing in common: each followed in his father’s footsteps. Notice what it says about Jehoshaphat:
“In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them” (v43)
and about Ahaziah:
“…he walked in the ways of his father and mother…He served and worshiped Baal and provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done.
For better or for worse, both Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah followed in their fathers’ footsteps!
What can we learn from this? Parents, do not underestimate the impact you have on the spiritual lives of your children. Whether you want it or not, and whether your children want it or not, your children will inevitably learn and pick up things just by watching you, living with you, and being under your influence. The way you relate to God will affect how they relate to God. The way you treat others will affect how they treat others. So make it a point to pass on a legacy that is worth following. Set a great example for the next generation, so that by following you they’re doing something good and right.
Father, I realize today that, whether for good or for bad, my children and those in my care WILL watch what I do and learn from my example. So I pray that I would be an example worth following for my children and the generation coming after me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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