Nadab's Reign in Israel
[ READ ] 1 Kings 15:25–34
Nadab Reigns in Israel
25 Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. 26 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin which he made Israel to sin.
27 Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him. And Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. 28 So Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah and reigned in his place. 29 And as soon as he was king, he killed all the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed, until he had destroyed it, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. 30 It was for the sins of Jeroboam that he sinned and that he made Israel to sin, and because of the anger to which he provoked the Lord, the God of Israel.
31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
Baasha Reigns in Israel
33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel at Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years. 34 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he made Israel to sin.
25 Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. 26 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin which he made Israel to sin.
27 Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him. And Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. 28 So Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah and reigned in his place. 29 And as soon as he was king, he killed all the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed, until he had destroyed it, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. 30 It was for the sins of Jeroboam that he sinned and that he made Israel to sin, and because of the anger to which he provoked the Lord, the God of Israel.
31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
Baasha Reigns in Israel
33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel at Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years. 34 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he made Israel to sin.
A passage such as this one has to make you think two things.
1. Huh?
2. Why is everybody doing evil in the sight of the Lord?
While I wish I had more profound knowledge and thought on a section like this, I will shyly admit that I reread and even listened to this passage 3 times and googled "1 Kings lineage" to get a visual, because stuff like this is where I start to get lost. As I read and reread, my mind starts to wander…
What are all these names…? Is there a way for me to understand this better without all the lineage knowledge…? I don’t really get it… Seems like all these guys just have beef with each other and their solution is to kill each other…
You probably get it.
I think what I find myself thinking about most as I read this is how verse 26 and verse 34 are almost word for word the same thing about two different kings: “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of [his father/Jeroboam], and in his sin which he made Israel to sin.”
Talk about generational curses! Why are they like this? Why don’t they see the error of their ways? What could be so worth it about sin that they keep choosing it? Don’t they know their choices will lead to the corruption of their families, their nations, or the world?
Beat.
Why do we do this, too? What could be so worth it? Why do I choose my comforts and my sin, the very same burdens that Jesus already nailed to the cross, so I could lay it all down and not go back to pick it up? I can hear the Lord asking, “Aren’t you weary of the same patterns?” I bet the kings of Israel were. I bet they wondered why their plans kept going wrong. To answer, the Lord has given much, but I will leave just these:
“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:1-3
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”
Psalm 119:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Isaiah 40:28
- Danielle Parker
1. Huh?
2. Why is everybody doing evil in the sight of the Lord?
While I wish I had more profound knowledge and thought on a section like this, I will shyly admit that I reread and even listened to this passage 3 times and googled "1 Kings lineage" to get a visual, because stuff like this is where I start to get lost. As I read and reread, my mind starts to wander…
What are all these names…? Is there a way for me to understand this better without all the lineage knowledge…? I don’t really get it… Seems like all these guys just have beef with each other and their solution is to kill each other…
You probably get it.
I think what I find myself thinking about most as I read this is how verse 26 and verse 34 are almost word for word the same thing about two different kings: “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of [his father/Jeroboam], and in his sin which he made Israel to sin.”
Talk about generational curses! Why are they like this? Why don’t they see the error of their ways? What could be so worth it about sin that they keep choosing it? Don’t they know their choices will lead to the corruption of their families, their nations, or the world?
Beat.
Why do we do this, too? What could be so worth it? Why do I choose my comforts and my sin, the very same burdens that Jesus already nailed to the cross, so I could lay it all down and not go back to pick it up? I can hear the Lord asking, “Aren’t you weary of the same patterns?” I bet the kings of Israel were. I bet they wondered why their plans kept going wrong. To answer, the Lord has given much, but I will leave just these:
“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:1-3
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”
Psalm 119:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Isaiah 40:28
- Danielle Parker
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ In verse 29, is King Baasha taking vengeance on the house of Jeroboam on behalf of the Lord Almighty, or on behalf of his own desires? Why might this matter?
+ Reread verse 30– what does it mean that “he made Israel to sin”?
+ In verse 29, is King Baasha taking vengeance on the house of Jeroboam on behalf of the Lord Almighty, or on behalf of his own desires? Why might this matter?
+ Reread verse 30– what does it mean that “he made Israel to sin”?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Is it possible that you are making plans that the Lord did not approve of?
+ How might you turn over your plans and your crown to God this week? Hands that are full by gripping tight to old things are hands that can’t receive new things.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Is it possible that you are making plans that the Lord did not approve of?
+ How might you turn over your plans and your crown to God this week? Hands that are full by gripping tight to old things are hands that can’t receive new things.
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Father, forgive me when I establish my own throne, my own plans, and my own ways. I am weary of carrying what you never intended for me to carry. You say that vengeance is not mine. You say that strength is from You. You say that You establish my ways. I surrender everything I have to You this week, and I believe that You are sovereign and You are good. Wherever I have not allowed You to lead in my life, soften my hardened heart. If I am making my way to destruction by choosing my ways over Your ways, lead me. Isaiah 30:21 tells us "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'". Help me to follow that voice. I love You, O Lord. You are the one my soul loves and trusts in. Thank You for Your grace and Your mercy, Jesus. It’s in Your name that I pray. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Father, forgive me when I establish my own throne, my own plans, and my own ways. I am weary of carrying what you never intended for me to carry. You say that vengeance is not mine. You say that strength is from You. You say that You establish my ways. I surrender everything I have to You this week, and I believe that You are sovereign and You are good. Wherever I have not allowed You to lead in my life, soften my hardened heart. If I am making my way to destruction by choosing my ways over Your ways, lead me. Isaiah 30:21 tells us "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'". Help me to follow that voice. I love You, O Lord. You are the one my soul loves and trusts in. Thank You for Your grace and Your mercy, Jesus. It’s in Your name that I pray. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
Recent
Archive
2026
April
May
Leaders Gone WrongA Coming KingWhat God RequiresThe Fall of NinevehThe Day Draws NearGod Rejoices Over YouHow Long, O Lord?The Righteous Live by FaithYet I Will RejoiceWake Up and ReturnThe Lord Judges But He Also RestoresPride Comes DownConsider Your WaysGreater Glory AheadReturn to Me AgainNot by MightGod Dwells AgainYour King Is ComingLook on HimHalf-Hearted WorshipThe Sun of Righteousness
June
The Promise of the SpiritWaiting and ChoosingWind, Fire and WonderThe Gospel Goes PublicWhat the Church Looked LikeMore Than Silver or GoldRepent and Be RestoredArrested but UnsilencedOne Heart, One MindThe Cost of PretendingRejoicing at Being BeatenWhen the Church Has ProblemsA People Who ForgotThe God Who Keeps ComingBlood and ScatteringA Cast Down SoulLight and TruthOur HelpThe Throne of GodGod Our FortressYou Cannot Buy What God GivesA Road, a Stranger, a Question
July
The Day Everything ChangedA New Man on MissionA Vision That Breaks BarriersThe Spirit Has No FavoritesExplaining the UnexpectedThe Gospel Finds New GroundWhen the Church PraysThe Word Keeps MovingSet Apart and SentThe Story That Leads to JesusRejected Here, Welcome ThereMistaken for Gods, Treated as EnemiesStrengthening What Was StartedBlessed Are the RighteousBlessed Are Those Who Take RefugeBlessed Are His PeopleBlessed Are Those Who Call on HimBlessed Are the ForgivenA Hard Question, A Gathered Church A Letter, A Disagreement, A DecisionOpen Roads and Open HeartsSinging at MidnightNoble Enough to Check
August
An Unknown God, a Known NameStay, I Have Many People HereTeaching the Way More FullyExtraordinary Things in EphesusWhen the Gospel Costs SomethingOn the Road Again - Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, Troas...JerusalemGuard Yourselves and the FlockWarnings on the Way to JerusalemArrested and UnashamedStand Firm, I Am With YouA Plot, a Letter, a ProvidenceOn Trial for HopeAppealing to CaesarAlmost PersuadedUnhinderedBless The Lord Above AllHis Steadfast LoveHow Shall We Sing?Greatly to Be PraisedKnownEquipped for Ministry
No Comments