So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace. He entrusted it to his servants and sent them with this message to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 15:18? 2. How does 1 Kings 15:18 demonstrate reliance on human alliances over God? 3. What can we learn about faith from Asa's actions in 1 Kings 15:18? 4. How does 1 Kings 15:18 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trust? 5. How can we avoid Asa's mistake in our own decision-making processes? 6. What does Asa's choice in 1 Kings 15:18 teach about seeking God's guidance first? 7. Why did Asa use temple treasures to bribe Ben-hadad in 1 Kings 15:18? 8. Does 1 Kings 15:18 justify using sacred resources for political alliances? 9. How does 1 Kings 15:18 reflect on Asa's faith in God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 15? 11. Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? 12. Does any historical evidence support or contradict Asa’s treaty with Ben-hadad of Syria in 1 Kings 15:18–20? 13. What is the historical significance of the Arameans? 14. In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them? Discussion Questions 1. What motivated Asa to seek an alliance with Ben-hadad, and how does this reflect on his faith at that time?2. How does Asa's use of the temple treasures illustrate the potential conflict between spiritual priorities and political strategies? 3. In what ways can we be tempted to rely on human solutions rather than trusting in God's provision and guidance? 4. How does Asa's account encourage us to evaluate the long-term consequences of our decisions, especially when they involve compromise? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision between trusting God and relying on human resources. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it apply to your current walk with God?1. How do the different kings in this chapter compare in their adherence to God's commandments? 2. In what ways did Abijam and Asa's reigns differ? How does this reflect on their individual relationship with God? 3. How do Asa's actions reflect the struggle between political and religious duties? 4. What does the continuous war between Asa and Baasha tell us about the effects of disobedience to God's commandments? 5. What could Baasha have done differently after hearing Jehu's prophecy? 6. How does Asa's foot disease symbolize his spiritual state? 7. How do you relate Asa's reliance on Ben-Hadad to today's reliance on alliances rather than on God? 8. What are the consequences of Nadab and Baasha's reign in Israel? How do these consequences reflect in our lives when we choose to turn away from God? 9. In what ways does God show mercy to David's lineage despite their sins? 10. How does 1 Kings 15 relate to your understanding of God's sovereignty? 11. How does the story of these kings challenge you in your spiritual journey? 12. If you were in Asa's position, how would you have responded to Baasha's threat? 13. What lessons can modern leaders learn from the reigns of the kings in 1 Kings 15? 14. How can we apply the lessons from Asa's reign in our personal lives? 15. How does the downfall of Baasha highlight the consequences of straying away from God's commandments? 16. In today's context, what could be considered "high places" that may hinder our full commitment to God? 17. If you were Asa, how would you have handled the pressure from Baasha's blockade? 18. How can we guard against the idolatries and sins that the kings of Judah and Israel fell into? 19. How does the continuous cycle of sin and repentance in 1 Kings 15 relate to our own spiritual cycles? 20. How can we discern when to rely on God versus forging human alliances in challenging times? Links 1 Kings 15:18 NIV1 Kings 15:18 NLT 1 Kings 15:18 ESV 1 Kings 15:18 NASB 1 Kings 15:18 KJV 1 Kings 15:18 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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