ISRAEL’S EVIL KINGS
(1 Kings 14–15; 2 Chronicles 12–13)
February 15, 2026
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
When we hear the word idolatry, we might think about the golden calf in Exodus 32. While today’s story includes King Jeroboam crafting two physical golden calves, it points to the invisible idolatry of the heart. What is idolatry? Idolatry is a sin in which we love and value something above God.
Rehoboam had been cruel to God’s people, and because of his harsh treatment, ten tribes rejected him as king and sought out Jeroboam to be king of Israel. Rehoboam’s domain in Judah was smaller but held an important status because it was the location of the temple.
Jeroboam feared the people would eventually abandon him and return to Jerusalem to worship at the temple. Taking matters into his own hands, Jeroboam led the people to break the law of Moses and worship two golden calves. God was angry with Jeroboam and sent the prophet Ahijah to tell Jeroboam that he had behaved wickedly, that God was going to bring disaster upon his house, and that there would be a new king over Israel.
After Jeroboam, Israel had other evil kings––Nadab and Baasha. Like Jeroboam, they led Israel to turn away from God and worship idols. All three of these kings were eventually judged for their sin.
The first three kings of Israel led the people to disobey God. We all sin by disobeying God. Like Israel's kings, we may turn to other things above the Lord.
Is there anything that has become an idol in your heart? Remember that the gift of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection paid the price of our sin. Likewise, remind kids that Jesus died and rose again to pay for our sinful idolatry and bring us back to God. Pray for the children in your care to grasp the weight of our sinful choices to worship other things and the depth of Christ’s love to provide salvation.
** Next week: Elijah Confronted Ahab (1 Kings 18–19)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read 1 Kings 14–15; 2 Chronicles 12–13 from the Bible.
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Did you know there are thousands of different types of road signs around the world? These signs—like stop signs, speed limit signs, and road hazard signs—are all designed to keep people safe. There’s even a llama crossing sign in the country of Bolivia! Can you imagine the chaos if these signs weren’t there? Or even worse, think about what would happen if the signs were giving the wrong instructions—like telling you to “Go” instead of “Stop”!
Over and over, God instructed His people to remember His power and faithfulness. Instead of pointing the Israelites to the one true God, Jeroboam pointed the people away from God. Jeroboam led the people to worship false gods. Even after God sent a prophet to confront Jeroboam about his sin, Jeroboam continued to sin against God. Ultimately, his disobedience would lead to the destruction of his kingdom.
Like a bad road sign that leads to chaos, our sin leads us away from God and breaks our relationship with Him. Ultimately, our disobedience leads to eternal separation from God. Thankfully, God loved us—even while we were sinners—enough to send Jesus as the one to rescue us and lead us back to God.
The first kings of Israel led the people to disobey God and to worship idols. Israel’s kings suffered the consequences of their sin. We all sin when we disobey God and worship other things. Jesus died and rose again to pay for our sin and bring us back to God.
Pray: Jesus, thank You for being the true King whose kingdom lasts forever. Your life, death, and resurrection have made the way for sin to be forgiven and brings salvation to all who believe in You. Help us to turn away from sin and to follow You. Amen.
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Preschool:
"May all people know the Lord is God. There is no other!”
1 Kings 8:60
1st-5th:
”Then all the nations on earth will know that the Lord is God. They’ll know that there isn’t any other god.”
1 Kings 8:60 (NIRV) -
Mornings
Praise God for giving the Bible to show us His power, His goodness, and His faithfulness. Ask God to give you a passion for reading His Word every day. How does reading the Bible help us know God and trust Him more?
Evenings
Thank God for the leaders in your life who help you grow closer to Jesus. Praise Him for parents, teachers, pastors, and others who share about Jesus and remind you of how much He loves you.
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For Fun
Take the family for a drive to get ice cream or a special treat. On the way, ask kids to point out various road signs as you pass them. Discuss the message each sign gives to drivers and how that message keeps us safe. Remind kids that God’s Word points us toward worship of the One True God, and ultimately it points us to Jesus as the Savior we all need.
To Serve
Choose a stretch of road in your community and spend an afternoon collecting trash and litter along the roadside. Be sure that young kids are a safe distance from the road. Talk about how the trash reminds us of sin and how sin ruins the relationship we were created to have with God. Remind kids that Jesus is the sacrifice who brings forgiveness to all who believe in Him.