"Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria. For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead" (2 KINGS 15:13, 14).
Sometimes, life is like a movie. Movies tell us stories of men or events that keep us on the edge of our seats and make us think, smile or even cry. One uniqueness of movies is the ability to compress a whole lifetime into hours or even minutes. Movies give a picture of how life can be.
Our passage today is like a movie clip of the story of the northern kingdom of Israel. While the southern kingdom of Judah was relatively stable during the reign of Uzziah, Israel was changing kings like garments. First was Shallum, the conspirator who assassinated Zachariah. He lasted only one month on the throne before he was killed by Menahem who replaced him as king. Menahem reigned for ten years and after his death, his son, Pekahiah took over. Even though these kings differ in their tenure, some things are common about them all.
Firstly, they did evil in the sight of the Lord. Though at variance with one another, yet they all agreed to keep up idolatry. Secondly, with the exception of Pekahiah, his two predecessors were traitors who violently killed their Lords. While it is true that change is inevitable in life, it is important that we watch out for the kind of change that takes place.
Crass ambition blinded the vision of these kings such that they created instability in the kingdom and without any specific goals and pursuit, they drove the nation into idolatry the more. The believer must watch against unbridled ambition.
Each life is a movie being shot at different locations. Generations unborn will eventually see and praise God or condemn you for your actions.