1 Kings 14:1-18

At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick.

A good boy and a bad family

One beautiful flower in a desert; one lovely rose amongst thorns; one fruitful branch on a corrupt tree. We are going to speak of a boy who was like that flower, rose, or branch.

I. This boy’s father was very wicked. God had been kind to this man. Instead of remembering God’s kindness and obeying Him, he tried to put away all thoughts of God from his mind, and disobeyed Him. He caused two calves of gold to be made. One he placed in Dan and the other in Bethel These he worshipped himself. Sin is like descending a hill, a river in its course, a tree in its progress. This was seen in his life. Some of the kings who preceded him were wicked, but he was the worst.

II. This boy’s mother was a deceiver.

III. Although this boy had a wicked father and a deceiving mother, he was good. We are told that in him there was found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel.

1. This good thing was religion. It is called good for four reasons:

(1) It comes from the good God.

(2) It makes those good who truly receive it.

(3) It leads them to do good to others.

(4) It prepares them for the good place, heaven.

2. Religion was in this boy:

(1) In his mind.

(2) In his heart.

(3) In all his words and actions.

Religion was found in this boy.

(1) It was found by God, for He sees all things.

(2) It was found by the boy himself. It made him happy, strong and hopeful.

(3) It was found by all who knew him. To them he was a shining light, or as a city on a hill.

3. How could he be so unlike his father and mother?

(1) He believed what was written in the sacred Scriptures.

(2) He prayed to God.

(3) His win was the king of his circumstance.

Imitate him in these three things. If some of you have ungodly homes, you will then learn, as he did, that you can be godly there.

IV. This boy died. (A. McAuslane, D. D.)