Chapter Summary

Evil reigns of Baasha, Elah, Zlmri, Omri, Ahab — kings of Israel.

Discussion Questions for 1 Kings, Chapter 16

1. What does verse 2 teach us about where governmental power truly comes from? How is this relevant today?
2. Does it trouble you that the king's family is also punished in verse 4? Why or why not? How might you explain this passage to an unbeliever who is troubled by it?
3. Why do you think God might have allowed evil kings like those in this chapter to rule as long as they did? What do we learn about God?
4. What do we learn about God from verse 7 where he sends prophets to rebuke kings. Are there modern examples of people of God who call out sin? Do they do it well or not? Explain why.
5. In verse 13, what is it about idols that cause anger in God? How can God be both loving and angry? What do you think are things in our own community that anger God?
6. How do worldly leaders react when they are exalted today? How does this relate to this passage and what lesson can we learn?
7. How do leaders in the church react when they are exalted today? How does this relate to this passage and what lesson can we learn?
8. In verse 5, we read that there were other acts of might that the king did, but they aren't included in this book. Why might the author ignore these mighty acts? What parts of your own life are you proud of and how does this passage shape your thinking of those events?
9. What do we learn about the fulfillment of God's word in verses 11-12? How have you seen God be faithful to his word in your own life?
10. Throughout this chapter the author mentions that the original readers can confirm that these events are true by checking the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. How does this shape our faith in the reliability of the Bible?

Key Words/Phrase

God provoked, v. 2.

Characters

God, Baasha, Jehu, Elah, Zlmri, Omri, Ahab, Jezebel, Tibni, Hiel, Segub.

Strong Verse(s)