1 Kings Chapters 13 - 15 - Pursue the Heart of God

In Chapter 13, God spoke through two prophets in completely different ways and circumstances.  What can we learn from this?

Prophet #1 (unnamed) came from Judah to the altar at Bethel where Jeroboam was about to make sacrifice.  Uttering the LORD's displeasure, the prophet foretold the birth and leadership of Josiah, a son of the house of David,  Josiah would destroy the altars of the high places as well as the priests there.

This man of God had been instructed to make proclamation, neither eating or drinking in this land and to return home by a different route.

A second prophet from Bethel heard about prophet #1, searched and found him.  He invited prophet #1 to his home for a meal.  Prophet #1 replied that he could not, upon instruction of the LORD.  Prophet #2 told this man of God that he had been visited by an angel and that Prophet #1 actually could come to his home after all.  (This was a lie.)

Prophet #1 went with the prophet from Bethel and soon (and too late) discovered his error.  He had actually disobeyed his instruction by the LORD.  He was killed on his way home, and buried by Prophet #2.

Does the lesson include a prayer for discernment?  As well as testing not only our own motives but those of others... against the will, or instruction, of God?  


Chapter 14:  Israel and Judah were being ruled by two rulers, Jeroboam and Rehoboam respectively, whose actions and deeds were abominable in the sight of the Lord. 

When Jeroboam's son Abijah became ill, he sent his wife to Shiloh to Ahija, the prophet.  Ahija, years earlier, had told Jeroboam he would be king.  Jeroboam wanted to know what would happen to Abijah.

Ahija was advanced in years and could no longer see.  The LORD, however, told him what was to take place.  When she arrived, Ahija spoke the LORD's words:  "Tell Jeroboam . . . I raised him up from among the people and made you leader over my people Israel . . . but you have done more evil that all who lived before you.  You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you hae provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back... I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns dung..."
"As for you, go back home... the boy will die... bury him.  He is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will be buried, because he is the only one in the house of Jeroboam in whom the LORD, the God of Israel has found anything good."
"The LORD will raise up for himself a king over Israel who will cut off the family of Jeroboam... He will uproot Israel from this good land... He will give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboam has committed and caused Israel to commit.

Rehoboam, son of Solomon, was forty-one when he became king and ruled for seventeen years.  When he died, his son Abijah became king.


Chapter 15:

Finally, Asa became king of Judah; reining forty-one years.  He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.   Asa's heart was committed the LORD his whole life. 

Baasha son of Ahijah was the one that destroyed Jeroboam and his reign.  Yet, Baasha did not learn and also did evil in the eyes of the LORD; walking in the ways of Jeroboam.



We humans are capable of so much good... and so much evil.  One can never place any one person "on a pedestal."  We must always be ready and willing to listen to the Lord and discern his ways and will.  And He is the final authority upon whom we stand.  Praise God for his grace.  Praise God for Jesus.
 SG

1 Kings 10 - 12 ... Changes are Imminent

We saw, prior to chapter 9, that King Solomon had accepted the daughter of Pharoah of Egypt as a wife.  This practice, according to my commentary, was common among leaders of countries but not endorsed by God.

It took 20 years for both the temple and Solomon's palace with housing for his wives and concubines to be built.

Chapter 10 emphasizes King Solomon's fame, growing wealth and wisdom became well known.  Kings and kingdoms were represented in visiting and joining the throng of those in awe and admiration, it seems.  The Queen of the country of Sheba (now Yemen) visited, bringing what amounted to 4 1/2 tons of gold, as well as quantities of spices and precious stones as gifts.  Before departing, as a partial quote, she said, "Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard  How happy your men must be... Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel..."


Chapter 11 begins with these words:  "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides the Pharoah's daughter --- Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidnians, and Hittites.  They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must never intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods"  Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.  He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.  As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.... so Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD."

Solomon built temples for the gods of his wives, so they could worship.  He joined them.

The LORD again spoke to Solomon:  "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I wil most certainly tear the kidgom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.  Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime.  I will tear it out of the hand of your son.  Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."

Through the prophet Ahijah, Jeroboam (appointed by Solomon as being in charge of the whole labor force of Joseph) was given the "heads up" as to the state of the union.  Jeroboam was told he would be leader of all of Israel except one clan... if he would follow the LORD's will and ways and do what is right."  etc.

Chapter 12 describes the events following Solomon's death where son Rehoboam is approached by the people who had been conscripted to harsh labor ... asking for an easier time of it.

Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and instead took that given by his peers, threatening to increase the harshness of the labor and to [qwityerbellyachin].

When the dust settled, Rehoboam was left with the tribe of Judah in Jerusalem and Jeroboam was in charge of the others.  Jealousy and fear probably drove Jeroboam to create two golden idols and shrines "in the high places" of Bethel and Dan for the people's worship and offerings.  He reasoned given these sites, they would not eventually venture back to the temple of Jerusalem.  He, himself, made offerings there as well.

Without reading ahead, I'm going to presume you might be able to predict the outcome of these actions.

Thank you for reading with me!
SG

1 Kings 7 - 9

"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below--- you who keep your covenant of love with your servants to continue wholeheartedly in your way."  1 Kings 8:23a

It took seven years to build the Temple of the Lord.  It was beautifully and thoughtfully created.

At the dedication, King Solomon offered prayers, supplication and sacrifices.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, after fourteen days, the LORD replied:

"I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever . . . As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, I wil establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' 
But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands or decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name...." 1 Kings 9:3-7a.

This was the LORD's second visit with Solomon.   It was both a reminder and a warning.

But if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands or decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name...."

We know God generously blessed King Solomon for his desire to rule Israel with wisdom and discernment.   He dealt in large riches and extravagance.

Thank you for reading with me.

SG

1 Kings 4 - 6 Building the Temple begins in Chapter 6

Did you read anything about the care with which the temple of the Lord was constructed?  Did you read that not one sound of a hammer, or any disruptive sounds whatever were heard on site as the temple was constructed?

All stones were hewed miles away and brought to the temple site.  My In honor of God, the temple i footnotes explain it this way, "

It took 7 years to complete the construction of the temple in Jerusalem was built without the sound of a nammer or any other tool at the building sight.  The people's honor and respect for God extended to ever aspect of constructing this house of worship.  This detail is recorded not to teach us how to build a church, but t show us the importance of demonstrating care, concern, honor and respect for God and his sanctuary.

If you take the time to read along with me, you could leave a comment at the foot of this post.  SG

Returning to the Blog while reading 1 Kings

Shamefacedly, I must admit to reading without you... and at a much slower pace.  But I'm excited to be "back at it," beginning here with 1 Kings.

I use the Life Applications Study Bible, New International Version.  I especially enjoy the explanations and commentaries that add to my reading and understanding.

I understand the author of 1 Kings is unknown.  Possibly it might have been Jeremiah and/or a group of prophets.

"Observe what the LORD your God requires:  Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements . . . " 1 Kings 2:3a

Chapters 1 - 3:

Chapter One describes King David's last days.  David had long before declared Solomon to be his successor on the throne.  However, when his son Adonijah heard that his father was failing, he went through many "motions" to declare himself King.

When this news reached the prophet Nathan and his mother Bathsheba, King David gave specific instructions to counter attack the actions by Adonijah and declare Solomon as king.

When David's time to die was near, he gave Solomon his last instructions to act wisely, love the Lord God, and keep his decrees, laws and requirements.  Solomon followed his father's instructions and in time, the kingdom was "firmly established in Solomon's hands."

While praying, Solomon's request was for wisdom and discernment to be able to govern the people fairly and to be able to distinguish right from wrong.  The Lord was pleased that Solomon asked for this instead of long life or wealth... or even death of his enemies.  The LORD then blessed Solomon in ways he had not asked.

Do you remember a first (first recorded) test of discernment and wisdom came from settling a dispute between two women, each of whom had borne a child.  One woman's child died.  She, in turn, substituted her dead child for the other woman's living child in the night, and claimed it as her own.
Solomon's solution was to "divide the child in half and award each mother half the child.

The true mother quickly implored David not to do such a thing and give the child to the other mother.  The other mother agreed to the solution.  David wisely recognize the true mother and awarded her her own child.

Thank you for joining me today.  I will make every effort to add a reading each day.
Your Bible buddy,
SG

Reading the Old Testament

Let's begin at the beginning!

Try to continue your three chapters a day. I've begun a notebook for recording thoughts, observations, etc. as I read. Begin with Genesis, Chapter One.

God looked at his handiwork each day and saw that it was Good (as it should be).

Please begin whenever you are ready. I'll try to get back "into the swing" of posting on, or just prior to, Wednesdays.

Blessings. We will be reading for a long time... all the way through the Old Testament. As always, I may slip up here and there. Bear with me. This will be a wonderful experience!

SG

Ron DeCianni

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Wonderfully inspired artist.