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 →

1 Kings 12(25–33)

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) →

1 Kings 12(01–24)

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) →

1 Kings 11

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 →