DCLM Daily Manna 7 October 2026: Throne of Pride
KEY VERSE: “Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins…” (1 Kings 16:2).
TEXT: I Kings 16:1-7
Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanani, against Baasha, saying: 2 “Inasmuch as I lifted you out of the dust and made you ruler over My people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam, and have made My people Israel sin, to provoke Me to anger with their sins, 3 surely I will take away the posterity of Baasha and the posterity of his house, and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 4 The dogs shall eat whoever belongs to Baasha and dies in the city, and the birds of the air shall eat whoever dies in the fields.”
5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 6 So Baasha [b]rested with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah. Then Elah his son reigned in his place.
7 And also the word of the Lord came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord in provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he killed them.
READ OTHER DCLM DAILY DEVOTIONAL HERE
One major problem the nations are grappling with today is the abuse of office, especially by public office holders. Even the post-tenure probe, which has become traditional in many countries, has not deterred many from stealing public funds and indulging in many other abuses. This is only a reflection of the depravity of man.
Baasha ruled Israel for over two decades. Even though he came to power through a coup that saw him kill his predecessor, it was God’s providence that permitted him to stay on. Yet he could not learn from history that “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12). He was not only wicked, but like Jeroboam, he made Israel to sin and to provoke the Holy One to anger with their sins.
God was particularly pained by the fact that He exalted Baasha “out of the dust”. He was most unworthy to be king in Israel and therefore should have been humbled by the significant office he was privileged to occupy. Instead, he became full of himself and waxed gross in wickedness. When the wicked mount the throne, the people are doomed. The throne of unrighteousness can only succeed in multiplying unrighteousness in the land. For this abuse, the Lord passed a fearful judgment upon Baasha and his posterity (verses 3 and 4).
As you reflect on the reign and ruin of Baasha this day, consider also how the Lord has elevated you to some position of influence. How much value have you added? You should glorify Him with the privileges and opportunities given to you. You can avoid ending disastrously like Baasha if you will prayerfully resolve to walk only in the path of righteousness and serve humbly. Always remember the danger of pride.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Pride can destroy in one day what grace built in decades.
The Bible in ONE YEAR:
LUKE 11–12
DCLM Daily Manna 7 October 2026
