Introduction Last week we read about the time when Elijah the prophet was taken up alive into heaven; and Elisha succeeded him as the Lord's prophet. From that time on, Elisha would proclaim the word of the Lord to the Lord's people. That chapter was, in a sense, an interlude, because none of the kings … Continue reading 2 Kings 03 →

Introduction Today's passage tells us the true story of how Elijah the prophet was taken up to heaven. The first time we heard of Elijah was back in chapter 17 of 1 Kings, when he burst on the scene without any introduction to announce in the name of the Lord that there would be no … Continue reading 2 Kings 02 →

Introduction We reached the end of 1 Kings at the end of August. Since then I've preached on prayer and on the eldership and there was a one-off sermon on creation to new creation. Then we had our harvest thanksgiving and the BB and GB enrolments and Phil Dunn from EMF was here one Sunday … Continue reading 2 Kings 01 →

Introduction What happened in last week's chapter made clear to us that Ahab was a wicked king and an unfaithful shepherd, because instead of caring for God's people and protecting them from all harm -- as a faithful shepherd and good king should do -- he let his wife take Naboth's life so that he … Continue reading 1 Kings 22 →

Introduction I want to begin today, not in 1 Kings, but in the book of Deuteronomy. In that book of the Bible we have the word of the Lord to his people, who were preparing to enter the Promised Land for the very first time. And the Lord gave them various instructions and laws and … Continue reading 1 Kings 21 →

Introduction The last three chapters of 1 Kings focussed on Elijah the prophet. So, we were introduced to him in chapter 17 where he announced to King Ahab that there would be no rain in the next few years except at God's command. And then Elijah went away and hid, first in the Kerith Ravine, … Continue reading 1 Kings 20 →

Introduction Before I went on holiday we studied 1 Kings 18 together and the story of the trial at Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, when they set up two altars and Elijah invited the prophets of Baal to go first and to call on Baal to send fire on their altar. … Continue reading 1 Kings 19 →

Introduction We were introduced to Elijah in chapter 17, which we studied last week. However, it wasn't much of an introduction, because Elijah appeared suddenly, unexpectedly, out of the blue. We weren't told very much at all about his background and we don’t have an origin story for him, the way we do for other … Continue reading 1 Kings 18 →

Introduction The books of 1 and 2 Kings tell us about the lives of various kings. There was David and then there was Solomon. Both of them ruled over the one kingdom of Israel. Then the one kingdom of Israel was divided into two, with the smaller kingdom of Judah in the south; and the … Continue reading 1 Kings 17 →

Introduction The passage we studied last week was about three of the kings in the southern kingdom of Judah. There was Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, and he reigned for 17 years. And then there was Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, and he reigned for three years. And then there was Asa, the son of … Continue reading 1 Kings 15(25)–16(34) →