1 Kings 21

Introduction I want to begin today, not in 1 Kings, but in the book of Deuteronomy. In that book of the Bible we have the word of the Lord to his people, who were preparing to enter the Promised Land for the very first time. And the Lord gave them various instructions and laws and … Continue reading 1 Kings 21 →

1 Kings 20

Introduction The last three chapters of 1 Kings focussed on Elijah the prophet. So, we were introduced to him in chapter 17 where he announced to King Ahab that there would be no rain in the next few years except at God's command. And then Elijah went away and hid, first in the Kerith Ravine, … Continue reading 1 Kings 20 →

1 Kings 19

Introduction Before I went on holiday we studied 1 Kings 18 together and the story of the trial at Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, when they set up two altars and Elijah invited the prophets of Baal to go first and to call on Baal to send fire on their altar. … Continue reading 1 Kings 19 →

1 Kings 18

Introduction We were introduced to Elijah in chapter 17, which we studied last week. However, it wasn't much of an introduction, because Elijah appeared suddenly, unexpectedly, out of the blue. We weren't told very much at all about his background and we don’t have an origin story for him, the way we do for other … Continue reading 1 Kings 18 →

Philippians 2(19)–3(11)

2:19--30 Today's passage begins with Paul referring to Timothy and Epaphroditus. Timothy was one of Paul's co-workers who used to accompany him on his missionary journeys; and he's mentioned in the book of Acts and in most of Paul's letters. And then, at some point, Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the work there. … Continue reading Philippians 2(19)–3(11) →

1 Kings 17

Introduction The books of 1 and 2 Kings tell us about the lives of various kings. There was David and then there was Solomon. Both of them ruled over the one kingdom of Israel. Then the one kingdom of Israel was divided into two, with the smaller kingdom of Judah in the south; and the … Continue reading 1 Kings 17 →

1 Kings 15(25)–16(34)

Introduction The passage we studied last week was about three of the kings in the southern kingdom of Judah. There was Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, and he reigned for 17 years. And then there was Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, and he reigned for three years. And then there was Asa, the son of … Continue reading 1 Kings 15(25)–16(34) →

1 Kings 14(21)–15(24)

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) →

1 Kings 13(01)–14(20)

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) →

Psalm 061

Introduction Psalms 54 to 60 were similar to one another because each of them was a lamentation written by David when he was faced with enemies. And some of those psalms made clear in their title that they were inspired by the time when David was hiding from Saul who wanted to take his life: … Continue reading Psalm 061 →