BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

1 Kings 16 focuses on Israel’s kings, covering five rulers over roughly fifteen to twenty-five years. It recounts the fall of Israel’s second dynasty (Baasha and his son, Elah), the rise and fall of the third (Zimri), and the establishment of the fourth (Omri and his son, Ahab). Israel experienced great upheaval during this time.
The idolatry Jeroboam introduced in God’s name quickly escalated into full pagan worship of Baal by Ahab’s reign. Baasha repeated Jeroboam’s sins for twenty-four years and destroyed his predecessor’s family. In just seven days, Zimri wiped out Baasha’s male descendants, relatives, and friends—fulfilling the prophet Jehu’s words. Omri ruled for twelve years, though Tibni disputed his reign for five. He purchased a hilltop and built Samaria, a defensible city near a key trade route. Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, influenced Ahab to construct an altar and temple for Baal. In verse 33, “grove” refers to an idol. Ahab stands out as Israel’s most wicked king. He may have encouraged Hiel of Bethel to rebuild and fortify Jericho (v. 34), leading to the fulfillment of Joshua’s curse (Joshua 6:26), which cost Hiel two sons by divine judgment.
Israel, the Northern Kingdom, had no faithful kings. God sent prophets to counter the corruption of both rulers and priests. Elijah the Tishbite, one of the first major prophets to Israel and Judah, bore a name meaning “The Lord (Jehovah) is my God”—fitting for a man calling the people back to true worship. Baal-worshipers believed he controlled rain and harvests, but Elijah declared a drought would last “these years.” Despite Ahab’s strong military, he had no defense against it. His Baal priests tried to summon rain but failed, proving Baal powerless.
At the brook Cherith, Elijah found refuge and provision. Ravens—listed as unclean and detestable in Mosaic law (Leviticus 11:13-15; Deuteronomy 14:14)—brought him food as directed by God. He drank from the brook until it dried up, waiting for divine guidance on where to go next. Scholars suggest he remained there for a year. Verses 17-24 mark the first recorded resurrection of a dead person in Scripture.

A TESTIMONY FROM OUR DAY

Our pastor and his wife are quite adventurous. Shortly after moving to our town, they set out on an evening drive but didn’t return in time for a planned birthday celebration, leaving their four teenage children increasingly anxious. By late evening, with no word from their parents, the children called members of our church family to pray. Midnight came, and concern deepened.
The couple had driven into the mountains and, while turning back, got stuck in a snowdrift. Thinking they hadn’t travelled far, they attempted to walk to the highway and find a ride home, only to realize they had gone much farther than expected. When our pastor’s wife, wearing high heels, could walk no more, they sat beside a tree, trying to keep warm until morning. Just then, our pastor spotted a light—a house! They stumbled to the porch and knocked.
An elderly woman, whose husband was in the hospital, answered. Unable to sleep, she had just started making tea when she heard the knock. She wrapped our pastor’s wife in warm blankets, gave them tea and toast, and offered her home for the night.
When we heard this story, we had no doubt that God had prepared this woman to help, just as He had provided for the widow who sustained Elijah. God knows our needs before we do, and He makes a way—even before we pray.

A CLOSER LOOK

Question 1
Why did Abijah’s death differ from the rest of the descendants of Jeroboam? How does this show God’s mercy and grace? I Kings 14:13
What reason did the prophet give Baasha for God’s judgment upon him? (I Kings 16:1-7) What was that judgment? Why did Israel go through so many kings during this time?
Question 2
While many people today do not worship wooden images or make temples for their gods, what do they worship?
Question 3
Referring back to 1 Kings 16:33, why do you think God sent Elijah to King Ahab?
Question 4
There was no king in Israel who would stand up and stop the idol worship the country had fallen into; as a result, wickedness increased and Israel degenerated into gross sin (see 1 Kings 16:25-33). Wicked King Ahab “did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). Give three examples of times when you have seen the effects of unrestrained disobedience and sin sustained and magnified in a life, a family, or a nation.
Question 5
How did Elijah respond to God’s instructions? (1 Kings 17:1-5, 8-10) What can we learn from this example?
Question 6
What do you suppose the widow woman thought as she went to make the cake for Elijah? What was God’s plan in caring for Elijah during the drought? (1 Kings 17:2-16) How should this example encourage us today?

TAKE HOME

Israel had a long line of evil kings, and their actions are recorded for us to read and to learn from. Let us purpose in our hearts to follow the Lord and walk in His paths, that our life stories would bring honour to His name. Just as surely as God prepared the widow woman who sustained Elijah, God knows our needs before we do, and He will prepare ahead for us.