So, King Baasha was wicked but competent, ruling for 24 years. Unlike most of the other kings before and after him, he died of natural causes.
However, his son Elah ruled only two. Here’s why.
See, Elah and Arza grew up together. After high school, they’d go to Arza’s house to drink. Once Elah became king, he made Arza his personal administrator. Now he and Arza could drink their fill on the taxpayers’ dime.
Meanwhile, Elah’s 4-star general Zimri was campaigning for regime change with the backing of the military.
Instead of meeting daily with his cabinet, Elah continued to kick it with Arza. Note y’all, Elah’s the king, but he goes to Arza’s house to drink. Arza aint bringing the Jack to his.
With war clouds gathering, Elah was nodding off during intelligence meetings while Zimri was gathering it.
One day, Zimri’s surveillance showed that Elah was at Arza’s house longer than usual, meaning they were getting good and drunk.
Zimri and his SWAT Team burst in and blasted Elah. Arza, though, survived. Out of a job and in need of a new drinking buddy, still, he survived.
But for King Elah, flags weren’t lowered at half-mast. Nothing was done in his honor since he dishonored his position, never realizing it’s never a question of not trying to act better than, but operating at the level God has called you to.
Sadly, King Elah died of dumbing down to fit in instead of having the faith to stand out. Home will never suffocate you with nostalgia of who you used to be and/or do. No, home is a place; it’s people who give you room to breathe as you grow and go to new levels of success. It’s a place void of jealousy and fear; instead it overflows with pride…in you.
References – 1 Kings 15:27-33, 16:1-9
