Listen "#204 | The Fall of Rehoboam: Asherah, Water Walking, and Hope in the Darkness"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, we explore the fall of Rehoboam as recorded in 1 Kings 14:21–31 and the unique way the writer of Kings presents God's response to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. While Northern Israel’s rebellion often led to swift judgment, Judah’s kings were disciplined differently—not because they were better, but because of the Davidic covenant. God had pledged that every person sitting on the throne in Jerusalem would be a descendant of David. That promise shaped how He dealt with David's line: not with ultimate destruction, but with fatherly discipline.We unpack why Rehoboam’s reign—though under David’s shadow—was deeply compromised. The writer twice mentions Rehoboam’s mother as an Ammonitess, likely highlighting the spiritual influence of Molech/Milcom, the Ammonite god on his life and leadership. The text also points to Judah's descent into worshiping Asherah, a deity known for gender confusion and even called the “walker on water.” This religious influence may trace back to Solomon’s alliance with Hiram of Tyre, whose Phoenician religous culture likely shaped Israel during the Temple’s construction.We examine how this spiritual corruption showed up: idolatry, sexual perversion, and idolatrous worship on high places—all of which distorted Israel’s calling to be a light to the nations. Instead of standing apart, they became just like the peoples around them—part of the problem instead of the solution.But then, we pivot to Mark 6:45–46, where Jesus, Israel’s true King, retreats to a high place—not for idolatry, but to pray. From there, He walks on water—not as a divine stunt, but as a fulfillment of Israel’s longings. Where Israel's kings failed, Jesus succeeds. Where Asherah was wrongly worshiped as a "god who walks on water," Jesus actually does—revealing not a false god, but the true Son of God, come to complete the journey Israel had left undone.This episode offers a striking contrast between Rehoboam’s failure and Jesus’ faithful kingship, inviting us to see God’s light breaking into Israel’s darkness—a thread of hope woven towards the end of the most tragic chapters of the Old Testament.Key Passages: 1 Kings 14:21-31Mark 6:45-46Entry for Asherah in Dictionary of Deities and DemonsExplainer Video on how to use www.biblehub.com and www.blueletterbible.orgLeave us a question or comment at our website podcast page.* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music