This study is just for me today. I have seen this phrase come up over and over in the Old Testament (14 times by my count), and I always wanted to actually study this out.
The book of Chronicles; Judah goes into exile. Also we revisit David.
2 Kings 17. The part of Israel that seceded (see yesterday’s lesson) was conquered by the Assyrian empire.
1 Kings 12. After a whopping 3 kings and 120 years, Israel can’t hold together as a single nation and they split north-south.
Jesse is the father of David, but this is written centuries after their deaths. This is a prophecy of the messiah who will be a descendant of Jesse, and, by implication, will be like David. (Spoiler alert: it’s Jesus.)
ALL 19 kings of Israel* “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD,” but Ahab is legendary for being the worst (1Ki 21:25-26).
Kings of the Jews. Lots of kings. Starting with Solomon and ending with none at all.