1 Kings 16

I’ve always thought of the word “infectious” in relation to someone’s laugh or smile, generally in the positive sense. As I studied this chapter, however, I was reminded that infection, whether positive or negative, spreads and grows unless it is stopped.

Infectious devotion to God is desirable and should be encouraged. Any other devotion permeating our lives requires our fervent opposition.

Therefore our first questions are: what are we “infected” with and how are we “infecting” others?

Infectious devotion manifests itself through God’s Word, Imitation, Leadership and Sin as seen in 1 Kings 16.

GOD’S WORD (Read 1 Kings 16:1-7)
Here God introduces us to another of His faithful prophets, a man named Jehu. Jehu was infected with God’s Word! Verse 1 tells us that God’s Word came to him and Jehu faithfully shared with those for whom it was intended. History records that Jehu continued to bring forth God’s Word for more than forty years. What an amazing legacy of devotion!

Throughout the book of Kings we have seen many others who were filled with God’s Word as well. It is a privilege and a blessing to know the God of the universe, hear His voice, and co-labor with Him on this earth. Our relationship with Him should definitely be “infectious”. He may not ask each one of us to speak His Word to kings, but He will use any of us to draw others to Himself.

How “infected” are you with God’s Word? How willing are you to share it with others whether verbally, through an act of kindness, or some other idea God may have?

Each morning I write on an index card the “main” Bible verses from my quiet time with the Lord. When situations arise, whether it’s a phone call from someone or decisions needed at home, I often pull that card out as a first step toward clarity, direction, and/or encouragement from the Lord. I am not surprised when God leads me to share those verses with others too.

People anywhere can be changed and blessed through God’s Word. Who can you share Him with today?

Baasha represents those who fight the infection of God’s Word with all of their might. Though Baasha was used by God to fulfill His Word in the destruction of Jeroboam’s house, Baasha never entered in to the fullness of a relationship with the Lord, but rather chose a life apart from God.

Verses 1-4 resound as a final warning, a final attempt by God to draw Baasha to the Kingdom, but Baasha responded with evil, provocation, and the same sin as Jeroboam (see verse 7). He resisted God’s Word and infected others with this same type of rebellion.

We each have a choice, every day. How much will we allow ourselves to be “infected” with God’s Word and how much will we resist? How diligent will we be to share God’s Word with others or will we encourage resistance?

IMITATION (Read 1 Kings 16:7 again)
“Imitation is the highest form of flattery,” is a well-known platitude. The question, however, is who are you imitating? And even more compelling may be, who is imitating you?

Verse 7 describes Baasha as “becoming like the house of Jeroboam.” Baasha’s role model was a wicked, evil, godless king. Though he had the example of Jehu and other godly people to consider, his lifelong choice was to imitate those who rebelled against God.

What about you? Who has molded the pattern of your life, your habits, your ambitions, or your personality? Once again, God stands ready to lead, guide, counsel, and embrace you. He has set before all of us plenty of godly role models from the apostle Paul who said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1) to faithful spiritual leaders of our day. Whom will we choose to imitate daily?

Baasha’s devotion to life without God brought great destruction, death, and despair to his family and his country. Who will you follow today?

LEADERSHIP (Read 1 Kings 16:8-14)
Elah and Zimri are the next two leaders of Israel mentioned here. One was a drunkard, one a murderer, and both idolaters. They had unusually short reigns which serves as a reminder that God alone knows the number of years we have on this earth. How sad that their time here was full of evil and wickedness. And they were leaders! God allowed them a place of authority and used them to fulfill his plan, yet they both turned deaf ears and blind eyes to the One who is truly sovereign over all.

America faces major elections this year. Who will you support to lead our country? What does their relationship with God look like? How will they lead?

I pray often that God will not give America over to godless leaders. Our country has godly foundations, but many seem determined to remove or destroy them. Remember when God allowed Shishak to invade Israel? God allowed it so the people would “learn the difference between serving Me and serving the kings of other lands.” (see 2 Chronicles 12). I pray America will continue to choose God’s leadership above all, and I pray that we as individuals will choose Him as well!

Elah and Zimri were two more in a long line of leaders who led Israel away from God. Where are your leaders taking you?  What leaders are “infecting” you and with what?

Each one of us is a leader in one way or another as well. Where are you leading others?

Leadership is infectious. What is your leadership spreading?

SIN (Read 1 Kings 16:15-34)
When we have a physical infection, for example, a sinus infection or infected wound, we are usually quick to seek a remedy. What about our spiritual infections called sin?

Various sins seen in these verses begin with Zimri. Though his reign was incredibly short, a mere seven days, his legacy speaks of rebellion, evil, and influencing others to sin. I have no idea why God gave him only one week in leadership, but I do know repentance and forgiveness were equally available to him. Unfortunately, he chose “the ways of Jeroboam” (verse 19).

Omri’s life likewise carries the descriptions of evil, sinful, provocative, and idolatrous. However, he is written about in extra-biblical accounts as an effective and influential leader. As God explains in these verses, he bought and built up Samaria as the capital of the northern kingdom. Assyrians even called the area “the land of Omri.”

Beware of charismatic and productive leaders who have no regard for God. They may accomplish much in the worldly realm, but their investment in eternity is void. God is looking for leaders and followers who will fix their hearts and ambitions on Him.

Omri reigned for twelve years, but as far as we know, never repented of his sin or gave his heart to the Lord. Sin is deceptive and destructive in this way. How has sin cloaked itself through something “effective” in your life? If you are breathing, there is still time to renounce it and turn back to the Lord.

Ahab is the next king to exemplify sin in this chapter, and in the weeks to come we will delve into many more details of his life. These verses are clear as they proclaim Ahab, “did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him” (verse 30).

Ahab not only had an infectious devotion to evil, he had an extremely intimate devotion to evil. He viewed Jeroboam’s sins as “trivial”, married the daughter of a priest of Baal, and began to serve and worship Baal diligently (verse 31). With his wife, Jezebel, he led Israel to provoke and anger God more than any king before him (verse 33). This type of intimacy with the enemy would prove more disastrous than any before him.

My friends, what sin has invaded your life? Learn from the mistakes of these lost kings and turn to the living God. He is able and eager to forgive and cleanse you (1 John 1:9).

The last verse mentions Hiel, a man who deliberately disobeyed God’s command to leave Jericho desolate. When Joshua defeated Jericho, God specifically told them if anyone ever tried to rebuild that city, it would cost them the lives of their youngest and oldest sons and that they would be cursed (Joshua 6:26).

Yet, Hiel rebuilt Jericho anyway. Both his sons died. There is speculation that perhaps he even sacrificed his sons willingly as a part of Baal worship. Do we really want to live lives of death and destruction? No! Jesus died to bring us freedom and joy! We simply must choose Him.

The battle for our devotion is daily.  The choice is ours daily.  What will you choose today?