Day 222: Turbulent Reigns and Prophecies Fulfilled in Ancient Israel

In today's episode of Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience, we cover the 222nd day of our journey through the Bible. The episode begins with Nadab, son of Jeroboam, ascending to the throne of Israel during the second year of King Asa’s reign in Judah. However, his short rule of two years is marked by evil actions and the continuation of sins initiated by his father. His reign ends abruptly when Baasha son of Ahijah assassinates him during a siege at Gibeon. Baasha eliminates the entire family of Jeroboam, fulfilling a prophecy due to Jeroboam’s sins. Baasha then reigns for 24 years but similarly angers the Lord by following in Jeroboam’s sinful footsteps. Another prophecy predicts the downfall of Baasha’s family. His son Elah inherits the throne but reigns for only two years before being assassinated by Zimri, one of his commanders. Zimri's reign lasts just seven days as Omri emerges as the new king after a brief civil conflict. Omri's rule includes significant events like the founding of the city of Samaria. However, he too does what is evil, surpassing previous kings in wickedness. The episode concludes with Omri’s death and the succession of his son Ahab, closing the day's reading.

00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:04 Nadab's Short Reign and Assassination
01:24 Baasha's Rule and Prophecy Against Him
03:05 Elah's Brief Reign and Zimri's Conspiracy
04:26 Zimri's Seven-Day Reign and Omri's Rise
05:52 Omri's Reign and Establishment of Samaria
06:54 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Buy Immerse: Kingdoms Now!

Volume 3 — Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel–Kings

Kingdoms

Immerse: Kingdoms is the third of six volumes in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Kingdoms presents a new and unique journey through the story of Israel from the time of its conquest of Canaan (Joshua) through its struggle to settle the land (Judges, Ruth) and the establishment of Israel’s kingdom, which ends in a forced exile (Samuel–Kings). The nation of Israel, commissioned to be God’s light to the nations, falls to division and then foreign conquest for rejecting God’s rule.

4 Questions to get your conversations started:
1. What stood out to you this week?
2. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
3. Did anything make you think differently about God?
4. How might this change the way we live?

QUICK START GUIDE
3 ways to get the most out of your experience

1. Use Immerse: Beginnings instead of your regular chapter and verse Bible. This special reader’s edition restores the Bible to its natural simplicity and beauty by removing chapter and verse numbers and other historical additions. Letters look like letters, songs look like songs, and the original literary structures are visible in each book.
2. Commit to making this a community experience. Immerse is designed for groups to encounter large portions of the Bible together
   for 8 weeks–more like a book club, less like a Bible study. By meeting every week in small groups and discussing what you read in open,
   honest conversations, you and your community can come together to be transformed through an authentic experience with the Scriptures.
3. Aim to understand the big story. Read through “The Stories and the Story” (p. 483) to see how the books of the Bible work together to tell God’s story of his creation’s restoration. As you read through Immerse: Beginnings, rather than ask, “How do I fit God into my busy life?” begin asking, “How can I join in God’s great plan by living out my part in his story?”