Kings & Kingdoms, Part 1: You Have a King!

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

Kings & Kingdoms Bible Reading Plan
Download & Print at ctk.link/kings

If you are an authentic follower of Jesus, you have !

The People of Israel Demand a King

They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
      ⁶ But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. ⁷ And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. ⁸ As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. ⁹ Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” 1 Samuel 8:4–9

The Legacy of Ahab, King of Israel

²⁹ In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. ³⁰ Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. ³¹ He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. ³² He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. ³³ Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the LORD , the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.  1 Kings 16:29–33

The Legacy of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah

³ The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals ⁴ but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. ⁵ The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. ⁶ His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:3–6

The Word of the Lord to Jehoshaphat (and to all of us)

This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15–17

Do not be or

your battle is with

Do not put your trust in princes,
      in human beings, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalm 146:3–5

“‘Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:17

Take up your position

Stand firm

The LORD will be with you

Kings & Kingdoms Bible Reading Plan:
ctk.link/kings

Small Group Questions

1. How do you feel about political seasons? Love ‘em, hate ‘em, don’t care? Why?
2. What do you pray during election cycles?
3. What lessons do you learn from the contrasting legacies of Ahab and Jehoshaphat?
4. Which of these is the most difficult for you: do not be afraid, know who your battle is with, take up your position, or stand firm? How could the Holy Spirit help you in that area?
5. Is there a “high place” that King Jesus is calling you to submit? What kind of help do you need to remove it from your life?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?