I Kings 14-15  Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, ruled Judah.  Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, ruled Israel.  Both failed to live in whole-hearted devotion to Adonai.  

Jeroboam's son fell sick and he sent his wife, in disguise to ask a prophet of God if the son would die.  The prophet knew instantly who the woman was and told her the bad news- that not only would the child die, but the whole of Jeroboam's line would be wiped out and Israel would eventually be exiled from the promised land. After Jeroboam died, his son Nadab became king. 

Rehoboam reigned 17 years in Jerusalem, provoking the Lord with his evil idolatry.  When he died, his son, Abijam became king and reigned for only 3 years.  He also did evil.  After he died his son Asa became king.  Asa reigned for 41 years.. " and Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father."  Finally!

Asa got rid of the idols, the cult prostitutes,  and even deposed his grandmother, Maacah, because of her horrid idols.   He restored what he could in the temple, renewed a treaty with the king of Aram, and fought against Israel's attempt to take Ramah. 

After Asa, Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. 

Meanwhile, Jeroboam's son Nadab only reigned 2 years over Israel, continuing the evil of his father.  He was killed by Baasha from the tribe of Issachar.  He wiped out all the line of Jeroboam, fulfilling the prophecy.  But, Baasha also did evil, just like Jeroboam. 

I think the thing that amazes me the most in these passages is that Asa turned away from the idolatry of his father, his grandfather and his grandmother.   II Chronicles gives a more detailed account of Asa's rule.  When Judah came under attack from Ethiopia, Asa called out to the Lord in prayer and "the Lord routed the Ethiopians before Asa".   

In 11 Chronicles 15:2 the Lord says to Asa through the prophet Azariah, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." 

This truth is powerful, wonderful, and vital.. for everyone individual and every nation.  The Lord, Almighty God is with us when we are with Him!  If we seek Him we will find Him! He wants our whole-hearted devotion.  Anything less will not do. 

Unfortunately Asa's treaty with the king of Aram was a wrong decision that resulted in a rebuke from the prophet Hanani.  Instead of repenting, Asa put Hanani in prison. When Asa became severely diseased in his feet, he refused to ask the Lord for healing... and he never recovered. 

Father in heaven, You have given us the ability to choose how we will live. When we choose what is right in Your sight, You are honored and we are blessed.  But, when we choose what is evil in Your sight we must also realize that we are choosing the consequences.. spiritual alienation and eternal death.  We pray for Your grace and mercy, to help us choose life.. to choose Jesus Christ.. to choose redemption and obedience and surrender.. all the days of our lives.  Help us to have whole-hearted devotion to You- for when we seek You we find You!  Hallelujah !  Bring our country back to You, Lord. Bring us leaders who will lead us to You and not away from You.  We need You more than ever.  Thank You for hearing our cries and bringing us hope in our eternal King Jesus.  In his name we pray. Amen.