APRIL 16

These chapters record the decline of Israel. Six kings are
listed, beginning with Nadab and ending with Ahab, and all of them
were evil. Nadab maintained his father’s wicked idolatry and he was
slain by Baasha during one of the battles with the Philistines.
Baasha reigned for 24 years and fulfilled the prophecy that all of
Jeroboam’s seed would be destroyed. Elah reigned for less than two
years and was killed by Zimri, who led the nation for only one week;
but during that time he killed the entire family of Baasha and
fulfilled the prophecy of Jehu. Zimri committed suicide by perishing
in the blaze that was set to the palace as Omri marched against him.
Omri then ruled over Israel for twelve years and led the people into
further sin. Upon his death Ahab came to the throne and, under his
leadership, the tribes declined further into idolatry and
wickedness.

The tragedy of sin is that our children and grandchildren
pay for our mistakes. Many men will say, “All the harm I do is to
myself.” This is not true. “No man liveth unto himself.” When we
sin, we hurt the Lord; we hurt our families; we hurt our children,
grandchildren, and descendants for years to come. David and Solomon
were responsible for the wickedness of Jeroboam and Rehoboam.