Dave's Diary

Daliy readings: 1 Kings 15 and Psalm 115

The chapters of 1 Kings that deal with successive kings can be confusing. Remember that at this point the histories of the two kingdoms are being recorded in parallel. In chapter 15 we cover 44 years and read about the kingdom of Judah (in the south) being ruled over by Kings Abijah and Asa, while during the same period the northern kingdom of Israel was ruled over by Kings Jeroboam, Nadab and Baasha.

The two Judean kings Abijah and Asa were very different. Abija’s reign was very brief. He did not experience God’s blessing on his reign. Asa, on the other hand, was a comparatively good king and reigned for a longer period. Although he made a military alliance with Ben Haddad which showed a lack of trust in God (according to the parallel in 2 Chronicles) he was blessed by God and Judah enjoyed a relatively rare period of peace.

The important insight for us as disciples is the quality that distinguished the wicked Abijah from his righteous son, Asa. The difference was revealed outwardly when Asa tore down the idolatrous altars of his father and his grandmother, and got rid of the male shrine prostitutes; but it was actually first and foremost a matter of the heart. Abijah’s heart was “not fully devoted to the LORD his God” (v.3), while Asa’s heart was “fully committed to the LORD all his life” (v.14). The state of their hearts made all the difference to the outward qualities of their reigns.

LORD, my God and Father, I long to have a heart that is fully committed to you all my days. The world around me is filled with other distractions and temptations. Please move within me by Your Holy Spirit to purify me, and to grant me a fully devoted heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.