As I wrote the title of this post, it occurred to me that it was the third time I have used the concept of listening in a title - it is certainly a common theme through scripture.
We are now entering that period in the history books where we overlap with the prophetical books considered earlier. Indeed, that we are entering the time of prophets has been hinted since Samuel, who in a way marked the transition from judge to prophet - their responsibility to warn and correct the people changed little, although the judicial authority was now based on the way the kings ruled, rather than resting with the prophets/judges. Because of the authority of the king, and his responsibility as head of the nation to lead the nation to God, it was towards the king that the majority of prophetic messages were delivered. Occasionally messages regarding battles and war, very frequently they were chastisement for not walking with the Lord and serving false gods.
As usual, there are many themes in covering so much history. Even more if you consider each story individually. Themes of idolatry, rebellion, jealousy, wisdom, and glory are all present.
Early in the book, the glory of God is quite a theme. The building of the Temple, the sermon of Solomon, the wealth and wisdom of Solomon given him by God - all testament to the generous nature and glory of God.
Early on, we see David, Bathsheba, and Nathan all attentive to the word of God concerning Solomon's accession to the throne. In contrast, Adonijah, Joab, and Abiathar never seemed to consult the Lord concerning this, but went their own way, despite every king previously being anointed based on direction from God.
Solomon continues to be attentive to God at the beginning of his reign. Willing to take necessary action to execute justice and establish his rule - he knows when God asks that his greatest need is wisdom. If only later he would listen to his own advice! Alas, the greatest and the least are all able to make excuses for themselves, and knowing wisdom and how to act are still different from stepping out in faith and living it out. In the end, he listened to his (many) wives, and set up worship places to foreign gods. He did not listen to the law of God where it instructed not to collect great armies, horses, or many women. (Unfortunately his father had set him a bad example at least for the many wives, but he went further into that sin). Collecting each of these revealed a lack of trust in God, and a pride for one's own efforts - the army for fighting by numbers rather than God, the horses for having an advanced army rather than relying on God, and the many foreign wives for trusting in brokered alliances rather than relying on God for peace (very common in ancient times to try and create marriage alliances to ensure peace). The culmination of it all was him not listening to the prophets, and the kingdom being torn in two during his son's reign. Whether he repented towards God by the end or not, we don't know. Ecclesiastes may be support the idea that he did, but ultimately only God knows. He was certainly still used much of God, writing and collecting proverbs, and writing both Songs of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. His wisdom was a testament to the ancient world, as the Queen of Sheba relates.
With his son also, we see consequences of listening - he listens to the young men rather than the older, wiser men, and the kingdom is split. He does listen to God a bit later, and turns back from attacking the Northern Kingdom, though.
Shimei listens to his 'bail condition' initially, but later ignores it, leading to his death.
Jeroboam also begins by listening, and then turns and rejects God, turning to idolatry. He also refuses to listen to the prophet. The prophet listens to God enough to deliver the message, but then listens to a lie and is killed as judgement for not following God's direction to the letter.
Many kings do not listen to God - the ones in Israel are overthrown every few generations because of this. In Judah, a few listen to God, but most do not. Nevertheless, for the sake of God's promise to David, the line of kings in Judah is kept. Asa in particular listens to the law of the Lord in many ways, but does not get rid of the worship places for other gods.
Elijah listens to God - and acts in faith, preaching to the king concerning the drought about to come. He trusts God to provide his food. Later, the widow also listens to Elijah and gives up her last meal for him, and God miraculously takes care of both Elijah, and the widow's house during the drought. When her son dies, God listens to Elijah (acting in the will of God), and raises the child back to life. To my knowledge, this is the first resurrection in the Bible - an amazing act of faith on Elijah's part, brought about by his close relationship with God.
At the end of the drought, Elijah suggests a demonstration of the power of God vs. Baal, as a means to cleansing the land of idolatry before the rains return. The glory of God is clearly triumphant. Baal does not listen to the prophets - no matter how loud they call or cut themselves, he cannot hear them for he is the work of man's hands! God on the other hand, listens to Elijah immediately and consumes not only the sacrifice but all the water in the ditch around the sacrifice that was poured over it. After this marvelous demonstration, the people again listen to God for a while, and kill all the prophets of Baal.
Then Elijah gets himself into trouble, by listening to his fears. He has every reason to be confident in God, Who is more powerful than Jezebel, but instead he flees and wallows in self-pity. It is not uncommon to feel alone in this world - even today it can feel like there are few or none others around willing to speak up for God. But God encourages Elijah. He provides physical nourishment, spiritual nourishment, and emotional nourishment - he is not alone, there are many others in the land who refused to bow down to Baal. Sent on his way back to Israel, God gives him a companion as a disciple, and one to share the load.
Elisha listens to Elijah, and immediately forsakes his previous occupation. We have heard of burning boats - this man when called to follow God burnt the means of his current profession as a sacrifice to God straightaway - again, an evidence of faith in God.
Ahab is the classic example of someone who only listens to people when it goes along with his ideas. He listens to the demands of Syria initially, thinking to save his own skin by giving his wives and children away. Only when the demands are increased does he protest. The Lord declares that he will save Israel from Syria, not once, but twice, and yet Ahab still doesn't listen to the will of God but makes peace with Syria. Another man doesn't listen tot he instructions of a prophet to smite him, and is killed by a lion for not listening. The prophet gets someone else to do it, then pronounces the judgement against Ahab, but he it just turns him bitter - he doesn't change anything.
Later we see a tragic scenario played out with Naboth. Ahab seeks evil against him, but doesn't think of actually doing anything, then he listens to his wife and together they plot murder against Naboth. Finally, after another judgement pronounced against Ahab, he listens and humbles himself before God.
In the final chapter we see a common reaction of evil kings to the prophets - they listen to the false prophets that tell them what they want to hear, but ignore the true prophets. In this case Jehoshaphat is insistent on making sure he has heard from all the prophets - perhaps an indication he does not trust the false prophets. Micaiah's response is interesting - Perhaps he deliberately said his first 'prophecy' in a very sarcastic tone to draw such a reaction from the king/s. Anyway, he knows they will not listen to him, but then goes on to give the message of judgement. Ahab ignores him and punishes him for speaking the truth, despite the insistence to speak the truth. Jehoshaphat interestingly also ignores the advice, or at least goes along with Ahab. We see here and in other passages of scripture that Jehoshaphat seems to be a king with a good heart, but far too willing to compromise and tolerate the evil around him, both in the kings of Israel, and in the idolatry in his own country.
So what can we draw from all this?
First, listening to God is wise, but we also need to live it out, not just hear and ignore it.
Secondly, we must be careful to whom we listen. God sends people in our lives to give us good advice, but there are a lot of people that claim to speak His word and either deliberately lie or are self-deceived. Therefore we must check out what we hear, and not do anything that contradicts what we already know that God has told us.
Thirdly, one mark of a false prophet is telling you what you want to hear - be careful around anyone like this.
Fourthly, even when it seems we are the only one listening to God - He knows far more people than we do, and He knows who are His own. We can trust in Him, for He is more powerful than the whole world against us. And He is good in giving us the support we need when we need it.
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