1 Kings 15 & 16: The Heart Of David
Verse of the Day: (15:1-34) And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 

1. Heart (15:1-34)
Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. (15:5)

God used King David as the spiritual standard for all the kings of Israel and Judah as the latter truly repented his sins of adultery and murder. Abijam of Judah succeeded Rehoboam, his father, and he like his father did evil against God. However, when Asa succeeded Abijam, his father, he followed David, his ancestor, and did right before God. In the meantime, there was continual civil war between the kings of Israel and Judah, as Asa of Judah fought with Baasha of Israel. Baasha, the son of Ahijah, of the tribe of Issachar, succeeded Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, by conspiracy and murder of the latter’s family, thus fulfilling God’s prophecy against Jeroboam. Again, Baasha did evil like all his ancestors. Indeed, let us flee from evil and only follow after God’s heart. (Acts13:22)

2. Hand (16:1-7)
And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him. (16:7)

While Asa remained the king of Judah, there were many successions for the kings of Israel because of conspiracy and murder. Baasha killed Prophet Jehu who prophesied against his evil work of his hands. Subsequently God judged Baasha, and he died, and Elah, his son, took over the throne. Indeed, we shall reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7)

3. House (16:8-34)
And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king’s house, and burnt the king’s house over him with fire, and died. (16:18)
 
Elah reigned for 2 years, and while he was drunk, his servant, Zimri, captain of half his chariots, killed him, and reigned Israel. Zimri then killed all the families and friends of Elah. Zimri’s reign was only 7 days, as Israel chose Omri to be their king and besieged Zimri in his city, and the latter went into the palace and burnt himself in his house. Israel was divided as half followed Omri while the rest followed Tibni. Omri then prevailed as Tibni died. Omri did evil and he died, and Ahab, his son, reigned. Ahab was the most evil of all the evil kings of Israel. Indeed, let us repent our sins and turn to God. (1 John 1:9)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to have the heart of David which is after Your heart.