The Daily: Thursday July 3rd, 2025

Read 1 Kings 21 (NRSV, The Message)


No Kings!

Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you. Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord... 1 Kings 21:20


Scipture is anti-empire. When we understand this, the stories hit differently.

The sin of David wasn't adultery (as we learned in Sunday School). It is hard to imagine his encounter with Bathsheba, king to female subject in a patriarchal society, even approached consensual. The power differential made it sesxual assault. The sin of David was the abuse of power. And the prophet Nathan clearly called him out on it.

The sin of King Ahab wasn't just stealing land, it was his use of his empirical authority to have a subject killed so he could steal the land.

To equate a people, their beliefs, and their values with a government entity is an error, a missing of the mark, even for "gold chip" empires like the United States of America and Israel.

Hear the words of the prophets. Hear the words of Jesus.

Reflection Question
Where have you seen growth in your journey as a Kin-dom citizen, and what's one area where you'd like to grow further?


Prayer
God, help us see ourselves as citizens of kin-dom first. Give us the insight and courage of Elijah and Nathan in holding our leaders accountable for how they use the power of their office.