Introduction The first eleven chapters of the book of 1 Kings were all about Solomon and how he succeeded his father as king and how he established his reign and how he built a palace for himself and a temple for the Lord and how the Lord blessed him and his kingdom, so that Solomon … Continue reading 1 Kings 14(21)–15(24) →

Introduction Because of Solomon's sin and the sin of the people, God divided the kingdom into two with Israel in the north and Judah in the south. And God gave the northern kingdom to Jeroboam; and he promised to bless Jeroboam's kingdom, so long as Jeroboam did what God commanded and walked in his ways … Continue reading 1 Kings 13(01)–14(20) →

Introduction In the previous passage we read of the time when Solomon's son, Rehoboam, went to Shechem, where the people had gathered in order to make him king. However, this coronation service did not go as smoothly as Rehoboam might have hoped, because the people had a condition for him. They said that they would … Continue reading 1 Kings 12(25–33) →

Introduction We saw last week that things did not end well for Solomon. Though he was the wisest man in the world and the whole world sought audience with him to hear his wisdom, he very foolishly married foreign women, who did not worship the true God and who worshipped idols instead. And as Solomon … Continue reading 1 Kings 12(01–24) →

Introduction For ten chapters we've been reading about Solomon's reign. In chapter 1 we read of how David gave instructions for Solomon to be crowned king in his place. And in chapter 2 we had David's charge to Solomon and we read how David instructed the new king to be strong and to walk in … Continue reading 1 Kings 11 →

Introduction Solomon has finished building the temple and the palace complex in Jerusalem, where he lived and did his work. When he dedicated the temple to the Lord, the Lord's glory-cloud came and filled the temple to signify that the Lord had moved into his new home which Solomon had built for him; and that … Continue reading 1 Kings 09(10)–10(29) →

Introduction Since chapter 5 we've been reading about the construction of the temple, this house for the Lord where God would dwell among his people. In chapter 5 we read about the preparations which Solomon made for temple: how he arranged with Hiram king of Tyre for timber to be sent to Jerusalem; and how … Continue reading 1 Kings 09(01–09) →

Introduction Since chapter 5 we've been reading about the house which Solomon built for the Lord. In chapter 5 we read about the preparations he made, arranging with Hiram king of Tyre for timber from Lebanon to be sent to Jerusalem. And we read about all the labourers who were conscripted to work alongside Hiram's … Continue reading 1 Kings 08 →

Introduction Today's chapter is really a continuation of the previous two chapters, where we read about the preparations Solomon made and the work he did to build the temple in Jerusalem. Hiram king of Tyre agreed to provide him with all the timber he needed to build the temple. And Solomon conscripted men from Israel … Continue reading 1 Kings 07 →

Introduction Everything in chapter 4 helped us to see how God had blessed his people, enabling them to live in peace and rest in a well-ordered and prosperous kingdom, where they were ruled by a wise and discerning king, who foreshadowed God's true Anointed King who is Jesus Christ our Saviour, who gave up his … Continue reading 1 Kings 05+06 →