The document summarizes stories from the Bible about kings of Israel. It discusses how King Solomon disobeyed God and his kingdom was divided. It then focuses on the stories of prophets Elijah and a widow during the rule of the evil King Ahab. Elijah predicted a drought and was fed by ravens and a widow, showing God provides for those who obey him, even in hardship. The document praises the one true God who created all and takes care of his people.

1. Part I May 28 2009

2. The Kings of Israel David was a good King who followed the commandments of the Lord Solomon was his son who was given wisdom and riches God told him to marry from the daughters of Israel only!! Solomon disobeyed and married women from other nations who did not worship God These women made Solomon’s heart turn against the lord He burned incense and sacrificed to their idols.

3. Our Lord is Jealous “ So the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart turned from the Lord God of Israel, who appeared to him twice,” (3 Kingdoms 11: 8) “ Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, ‘Because you did this and did not keep My covenant and the statutes I commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from your hand and give it to your servant.’ (3 Kingdoms 11:10)

5. Ahab King of Israel So the kingdom was divided: Solomon had 2 tribes “the Southern Kingdoms” Judah Benjamin Jeroboam had 10 tribes Years later = Ahab became king of Israel (10 tribes in Samaria)

6. Ahab was Evil (3 Kingdoms 16: 37-42) He did so much evil  more than all the kings of Israel before him!! He served Baal and worshipped him He build a house of idols in Samaria and an altar for Baal.

7. Elijah the Tishbite A prophet = a man of God Elijah Warns Ahab of a Drought: “ As the Lord God of Hosts lives, the God of all Israel before whom I stand, there shall not be any dew or rain during these years except at my word” (3 Kingdoms 17: 1)

8. God takes care of Elijah The Word of God came to Elijah: “ Depart and go eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordon.” “ You shall drink water from the brook, and I shall command the ravens to feed you there.” (3 Kingdoms 17: 3-4)

9. Elijah obeys The ravens brought him bread in the morning and meat in the evening He drank water from the brook

10. But after a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land!!!

11. God takes care of Elijah AGAIN The word of the Lord came to Elijah: “ Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon and live there.” “ Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

12. Elijah obeys AGAIN He goes the gate of the city and saw a widow gathering firewood He called to her and said: “ Please bring me a little water in a cup so I can drink” The widow got him a cup of water to drink

13. Elijah asks for food Elijah: “ Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand” Widow: “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have any bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar.” “You see I was gathering a couple of sticks, so I can go in and prepare it for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die”

15. A test of faith Elijah: “Don’t be afraid, and do as you say, but make me a small cake from it first and bring it to me. Afterward make some for yourself and your son. For the Lord says: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, and the jar of oil shall not run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’” (3 Kingdoms 17: 13-14)

17. The Lord is faithful The widow did what Elijah said and made him a small cake to eat FIRST!! Was the bin of flour used up?? NO Was the jar of oil run dry?? NO How ??? Because GOD said SOO!!! He promised her this!

19. The faith of the widow Death threatened both her life and her son’s life Her faith was strong in the Lord She gave what little she had; not out of her abundance. God blessed her with a miracle Remember Mathew 14;15: the miracle of the fish and loaves

20. Conclusion We believe in ONE GOD!!!! The true God, Who created heaven and earth, Our Father who is in heaven, the Word, the Son of God = Jesus Christ! God is angry if we worship anyone or anything but HIM! God takes care of his children = HIS PEOPLE God uses times of hardship to bless us. Remember nothing is bigger than OUR GOD not even death.