Sermon Notes + 5.11.2025
SERMON NOTES
His Mother’s Name Was Naamah
1 Kings 14:21-31
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: The account of Rehoboam’s reign begins with what will become a standard formula for the author of 1-2 Kings. The formula includes the age of the king when he began to reign, the country in which he reigns, the length of his reign, a summary of his reign, and a record of his death. Rehoboam’s reign is characterized by continued disobedience on the part of Judah, which is presented in graphic detail, followed by a reference to the invasion of Shishak, king of Egypt, who robs the Temple and the king’s palace of its treasures. Notably, the author also mentions the name of Rehoboam’s mother, Naamah, the Ammonite. While this pattern will also become standard for kings of Judah, the fact that her name is mentioned twice indicates that she deserves further attention on this Mother’s Day.
01. Naamah was a woman living in a man’s world; she was an Ammonite living in Jerusalem; she experienced the highs and lows of being a queen mother; and though she lived during turbulent times, the Lord was always near.
02. Women are uniquely gifted by God to live complementarily with men; they are called by God to repent from sin and have faith in Jesus; mothers in particular are faced with challenges unique to motherhood; and women can have assurance that during turbulent times, the Lord is always near.
03. Men can serve women best by valuing and promoting their God-given gifts; by modeling Christ-like living in the home and society; fathers should share in the joys and bearing the burdens of parenthood; and men can entrust women in their lives to the care of the Lord, who is always near.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. Based on the text, what do we know about Rehoboam? What lessons could he have learned from his father, Solomon? How does this reflect a rejection of the parental wisdom that was available to him?
2. What clues from 1 Kings tell us about the world in which Naamah lived? How do Bathsheba’s actions in 1 Kings 1 demonstrate the constructive power of a woman in the ancient world? How do Jezebel’s actions in 1 Kings 21 demonstrate the destructive power of a woman in the ancient world? What examples can you think of that young girls and women ought to follow today?
3. What highs and lows did Naamah experience as the queen mother? How would she have reacted at the coronation of her son? How would she have reacted when the Temple and palace were robbed under his watch? How have you managed the ups and downs of parenthood? What advice would you give to younger parents?
4. Note the reference to God’s name in verse 21. Why is the Lord’s name mentioned in reference to Jerusalem? What does Jerusalem stand for? How was life in Jerusalem supposed to be different than life among the Ammonites? What responsibility do men and women have to honor the name of God in the church today?
5. How can we strengthen families at Northpoint? In what ways do our current ministries like MOW, WOW, and Iron Sharpens Iron help us to address the unique factors that come with being a man or a woman? What other opportunities should Northpoint provide for people to grow in the Lord?
For Further Reading: Ellen Vaughn, Becoming Elizabeth Elliot (B&H, 2020); Being Elizabeth Elliot (B&H, 2023).