Extra, extra, read all about it! Politics and Punishment!

More history...


Rhoboam - was suppose to become King after his father Solomon, however when the working class came to him and asked for less work he refused and said he would make them work harder!  (bad politics) and they overthrew him.  it is said then that all of Isreal will reject the house of David... (forshadowing!)  
But because Jeroboam (the leader) who became King strayed from God and built temples for other God's and the like, God killed his son and made Rhoboam king again.  
***This is when Israel splits in 2, the northern half Israel and the southern half Judah.  Jeroboam continues to be the King, but of Israel while Rhoboam is the King of Judah, and he reigned for 17 years. (but was always at war with Jeroboam) 
Abijad - Ruled Judah after his father, did the same sins as his father, only reigned for 3 years, lots of war with Jerobaom.  : ( 
Asa - took over after his fathers short rule.  Ruled a long time!  Worshiped God and didn't put up with pagan worshipers (even outted his grandmother!)  Hurrah a good king!  During his reign there was war with Israel.  
Jehoshaphat -  good King, followed God, was a peace with Israel! reigned for a good 20 some years 
Jehoram - he married a girl from the royal house of Israel (who weren't following God laws well) only reigned for 8 years and didn't follow God (did evil in the eyes of the Lord) 
Azziah (Uzziah? Ahaziah?)same? - (says the book of Kings... ) ruled after his father, but again did evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Got along with Ahab King of Israel (they were family), but God spoke to a man named Jehu and he killed both the kings and their entire families!  
After some rocky years with Jehu leading, Ahaziah sister got away and hid her son Joash- who began his reign at age 7.  Both Israel and Judah (I think... 2 Kings 12) - But in the 27 year of his reign Jehu's son became King of Isreal.  


So lots of bad kings, corrupt officials I guess, doing what they please instead of God.  Which in turn lead to the splitting of the country into Israel and Judah and everyone kinda getting looser on their morals.  God spoke through Elijah and Elisha at this time, but the kings didn't really care.  


Thoughts and questions to take away:  fascinating stories by humans that are relevant today, how were they relevant to Jesus?  Why are their names remembered and listed in the first chapter of the gospel?  What can we learn from them?  


More soon!  


God Bless, 
stay warm!!  
~your sister in Christ, Erin