1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 17

Common Theme
God honors faithfulness and judges wickedness. While Israel’s kings continue to follow destructive, idolatrous paths, Judah’s King Jehoshaphat seeks the Lord and leads with integrity.

Questions

• What distinguishes Jehoshaphat’s reign from the kings of Israel?
• How does God respond to the choices of leaders who reject Him versus those who seek Him?

God Shot
God is just—He brings down corrupt kings like Baasha, Elah, and Ahab who lead Israel into sin. But He is also a rewarder of those who seek Him, as seen in His blessing and establishing of Jehoshaphat’s kingdom because Jehoshaphat delighted in the ways of the Lord.

1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13-16

Common Theme:
God honors wholehearted devotion and trust in Him, even in times of conflict or uncertainty. When leaders rely on the Lord, He grants peace and victory, but when they turn to human solutions, even good beginnings can falter.

Questions:

• What does it look like to fully rely on the Lord in both personal and national crises?
• How does past faithfulness impact our future trust in God?

God Shot:
God reveals Himself as a defender of those who trust in Him wholeheartedly, as seen in His deliverance of Judah under King Asa and King Abijah. He loves to strengthen those who are fully committed to Him and actively seeks such hearts (2 Chronicles 16:9).

2 Chronicles 10–12

Common Theme:
Rebellion and humility both lead to consequences, but God’s mercy is present in both judgment and restoration. Israel’s division reveals human pride, while Judah’s partial repentance shows God’s grace amid discipline.

Reflection Questions:
– What does Rehoboam’s response to correction teach us about pride and humility?
– How does God’s response to Judah’s partial repentance shape your understanding of His justice and mercy?

God Shot:
God is just—He allows division, defeat, and discipline when His people reject His ways. But He is also merciful—when Judah humbled themselves, He relented from total destruction, showing that He desires repentance more than punishment.

1 Kings 12–14

Common Theme
These chapters show how quickly God’s people turn from His ways when leadership is driven by fear, pride, or convenience. Both Jeroboam and Rehoboam lead their kingdoms into sin, and God responds with warnings and judgment.

Questions

• What does this passage reveal about the danger of self-protective leadership?
• How does God confront idolatry among His people?

God Shot
God is the sovereign King who sees the heart and responds with both justice and mercy. He sends prophets, gives warnings, and remains holy even when His people are unfaithful.

Proverbs 30–31

Common Theme
Both chapters contrast the limits of human understanding with the enduring value of godly wisdom. Agur humbly acknowledges his lack of knowledge apart from God, while Lemuel’s mother teaches that wisdom is shown in upright leadership and virtuous living.

Questions
– How does Proverbs 30 challenge self-reliance in favor of dependence on God’s revelation?
– What qualities in Proverbs 31 define true strength and honor from God’s perspective?

God Shot
God is the source of all wisdom and the one who defines what is truly noble and praiseworthy. He exalts humility, justice, and faithful stewardship, and He delights in those who fear Him above all else.

1 Kings 10–11; 2 Chronicles 9

Common Theme:
Solomon’s reign displayed extraordinary wealth and wisdom, but his heart strayed as he pursued foreign alliances and idolatry. God’s blessings are not a substitute for obedience—true faithfulness requires an undivided heart.

Questions:

• Why did Solomon’s wisdom not prevent his downfall?
• What does this reveal about the danger of compromise in our spiritual lives?

God Shot:
God is generous with wisdom and favor, yet He remains holy and just. He will not allow divided devotion to go unchecked—His heart desires love that is loyal, not distracted by power or pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 7–12

Common Theme
Life under the sun is fleeting and full of paradoxes, but fearing God and keeping His commandments is the only true foundation for wisdom and meaning. The Teacher concludes that while much in life is uncertain and beyond control, God remains the ultimate judge and source of purpose.

Questions

• What does it look like to fear God when life feels futile or unclear?
• How do you reconcile the call to rejoice in life with the reality of death’s certainty?

God Shot
God is the righteous Judge who sees every deed and will bring all things into judgment, both good and evil. He desires reverence and obedience, not because life is simple or fair, but because He alone gives life meaning beyond the vanities of the world.

Ecclesiastes 1–6

Common Theme:
Life under the sun appears fleeting, repetitive, and ultimately unsatisfying when pursued apart from God. The Teacher exposes the vanity of wealth, wisdom, toil, and pleasure, pressing readers to fear God amid life’s apparent meaninglessness.

Questions:

• What do I pursue that promises meaning but ultimately proves empty?
• How does the fear of God reshape my perspective on life’s limitations?

God Shot:
God is the sovereign giver of time, toil, and enjoyment, placing boundaries on human understanding to humble us. He alone grants satisfaction, showing that even joy is a gift, not a guarantee. It is rooted in His sovereign purpose, not our striving.

Proverbs 27–29

Common Theme
These chapters contrast the wise and the foolish, emphasizing the value of discipline, humility, integrity, and listening to correction. They highlight the blessings of righteous leadership and the dangers of pride, flattery, and injustice.

Questions

• How do I respond to correction—defensively or with humility?
• What kind of influence does my integrity have on those around me?

God Shot
God is a God of justice who delights in uprightness and hates wickedness (Prov. 29:27). He exalts leaders who govern with righteousness and brings down those who exploit or oppress—His rule favors the humble and correctable over the arrogant and self-willed.

Proverbs 25–26

Common Theme

These chapters contrast wise and foolish behavior, with a strong emphasis on the power of words. Proverbs 25 highlights the benefits of self-control, humility, and timely speech, while Proverbs 26 warns against engaging with fools and exposes the destructive nature of deceit and laziness.

Questions

How do my words reflect either wisdom or folly in daily conversations?

Am I honoring or undermining others by how I handle conflict, correction, and truth?

God Shot

God reveals Himself as a God of order, discernment, and truth. He delights in wise speech, hates deception, and governs with righteousness that both conceals glory and reveals justice in perfect measure.