2 Kings 15: A tiger dies and leaves its skin; a person dies and leaves their name.

Verse 10: Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah and struck him down in front of the people and succeeded him as king.

Verse 14: Then Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria. He attacked Shallum son of Jabesh in Samaria, killed him, and succeeded him as king.

Chapter 15 vividly portrays the bloody history of Northern Israel. Menahem's son Pekahiah was also assassinated by Pekah's conspiracy after just two years on the throne. Pekah himself was later killed due to a conspiracy by Hoshea. It is a relentless history of rebellion and bloodshed.

This history of conspiracy and blood began with one man. There is a name frequently mentioned in Kings: "Jeroboam son of Nebat." He was the first king of Northern Israel. Fearing that the hearts of the people might turn back to him if they continued to go to the temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, he set up a golden calf in Dan to the north and another in Bethel to the south, leading the people into sin. This was the gateway to the path of sin. Jeroboam is remembered not for righteousness, but as the one who led people down the path of sin.

It is said that a tiger leaves behind its skin when it dies, and a person leaves behind their name. The legacy of a person is a reflection of their life. It is an evaluation of how they lived. Scholars are judged by their academic contributions, politicians by the changes they bring to their country. So how should we, as Christians, be judged and what legacy should we leave behind?

Looking at David, we can see how the children of God are to be judged and the legacy they should leave. Will it be a name like Jeroboam's, or a name like David's?

O God, make us those who block the path of sin and forge the way of righteousness! Help us to leave behind a name that is remembered and sets an example like David for future generations! Holy Spirit, lead us!