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Session 22: The Northern Kingdom

Updated: May 17, 2020

1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 8, 2 Kings 17


The kingdom of Israel was now split in 2, due to Solomon's failure to keep the Covenant and Rehoboam's bad decision. The Northern Kingdom of Israel comprised of 10 tribes and was ruled by Jeroboam, while the Southern Kingdom of Judah comprised of 2 tribes and was ruled by Solomon's son, Rehoboam. This division caused the 2 kingdoms to be at war with each other for many years.


In this session, we'll focus on the Northern Kingdom.

Jeroboam establishes Samaria as the capital of the Northern Kingdom. He also sets up new false temples in the cities of Dan and Bethel and places golden calves in the temples, appoints priests and establishes new festivals. Over the next two centuries, about 20 kings would rule the Northern Kingdom. None of the kings were good - they all worshiped other idols, and did not keep their covenant with God.


Here's a quick rundown of some of the kings in the Northern Kingdom:


Video 1: Kings of Israel

Source: What's in the Bible? on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHWt07LrXko


During this time, God sent many prophets to remind the people to repent and turn towards God, reminding them that God still loved them. We will learn about some of the prophets in today's session.


Prophet Elijah


Many years after Israel was split, King Ahab came to the throne in the Northern Kingdom. He married a woman named Jezebel who worshiped idols of Ba'al and Asherah. At this time, there was a great prophet named Elijah. Read a story on Elijah (1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 2) or watch a video:


Video 1: The Prophet Elijah

Source: Crossroad Kids on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T5gAXoerjw


What's Elijah's main message to the Northern Kingdom? How did he convey his message?


Elijah's message to the Northern Kingdom was to stop worshiping the false gods of Ba'al and Asherai, and to turn back to God. He told King Ahab that there had been no rain because Ahab had left God and worshiped the false gods. He challenged the king to bring his false prophets to the Mount of Carmel and offer sacrifices to their respective gods. The sacrifice which burned without lighting a fire would be the god that they would follow.

During the challenge, the prophets of Ba'al and Asherai did all sorts of things to entreat their gods to burn the sacrifice, but nothing happened. Elijah then prepared this altar for the sacrifice, poured water all over it, and called upon the Lord. Immediately God responded and sent fire down from heaven that burned up the sacrifice. When the people saw this, they all knelt down and proclaimed that the Lord was God. It began to rain and the drought was over.


Elijah was beloved by God and he did not die - instead, he was taken up into heaven by a chariot on fire. He was succeeded by his prophet Elisha. Read a story on Elisha (2 Kings 2,4-8) or watch the following videos:


Prophet Elisha


Video 2: Prophet Elisha

Source: The Holy Tales from Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX34Um0yoLM


When Elisha succeeded Elijah, he asked to inherit double share of Elijah's spirit. He goes on to perform twice the miracles which Elijah did.


What miracles did God perform through Elisha?


Elisha prays to God and brings the people of Israel relief from famine and danger. He cleanses water and food which is poisonous. He multiplies oil for a widow, and loaves so that they can feed a hundred. He heals Naman from leprosy. He prays for a barren woman to be able to have a child, and later brings the child back to life when he dies.

Elisha also warns the king of Israel of an impending attack from Syria (Aram), and to avoid travelling to the place of attack. When the King of Syria (Aram) sends his soldiers to capture Elisha, the Syrian soldiers were blinded and they were led to Samaria, where Elisha asked the King of Israel to feed them and set them free.


Despite the many prophets which God sent, the Northern Kingdom of Israel continued to sin and turn away from God. Eventually, the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom and the 10 tribes were exiled into Assyria. People from other nations (e.g. Babylon, Avva etc) also settled in Samaria. In this way, the 10 tribes were scattered, resulting in the 10 lost tribes of Israel.


In the next session, we will see how the Southern nation of Judah fared.


Alternative video for older kids: for Sessions 22-23, a good resource to use is the Bible Project, which gives a great overview of the period of the Kings

Optional: Other prophets who preached to the Northern Kingdom


There are many other prophets who preached to the Northern Kingdom during this time. These include Amos and Hosea:



During this time, there was another prophet, Jonah, who God asked to preach to Assyria:


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