1 Kings – Old Testament Survey

1 Kings 13-14

1 Kings 13-14
This post is meant to cause each of us to think. The young prophet obeyed God in all things, except one. He was given the punishment of death for disobedience in one area of his otherwise stellar life. What does this tell us of disobedience to God? What does this tell us of God’s character and concern over doing His will? Does this cause you to think less of God, more of yourself, more of God, less of yourself? What thinking does this hold for you? As you ponder this chapter, listen to the sermon below, and take every thought captive.

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Sermon by David Hegg (not Pastor David):The Young Prophet Standing for God’s Truth

1 Kings 12

1 Kings 12 (cf. 2 Chronicles 10 and 11)

This chapter presents the fulfillment of God’s discipline on Solomon for his idolatry (1 Kings 11). After the death of Solomon, they make his son Rehoboam king over all the tribes. They give him the opportunity to keep the kingdom as a whole and fails due to lack of godly counsel. The people, tired from corvée, ask Rehoboam to lessen the taxation on finances and bodies. If this is done, the people say they will stay as a united kingdom. He asks Solomon’s advisors who counsel him to do as the people desire for Solomon was wrong in doing this to them. He then asks his friends for advice and they tell him to become even more demanding to show the people who is truly in charge. He takes the advice of his friends over the wisdom of age and experience. The northern ten nations separate from the kingdom and for the nation of Israel. From this stage forward, Israel does not represent the entire nation, but it represents the northern ten. When Judah is mentioned, it refers to the Benjamin and Judah, the southern kingdom.

It was Jeroboam, the man to whom God would give the northern tribes and who revolted against King Solomon because of corvée, who sought a unified kingdom giving Rehoboam opportunity to maintain the entire kingdom. The representatives walked away proclaiming they have nothing to do with the house of David, which is the southern kingdom of Judah. Rehoboam decided to go to war with the northern kingdom, but God intervened and stopped him from starting the war.

Jeroboam begins to make altars for the people to make sacrifices so they would not go to Jerusalem to make them. His logic is good, but his outcome is bad. He knows if the people go to Jerusalem to worship and make sacrifices that they will want to reunite the kingdom. If he could get them to seek an easier form of worship, he could capture their hearts. He sets an altar in Bethel, which is at the southern border of the northern kingdom just above Jerusalem. He sets an altar in Dan, which is at the northern border of the kingdom. He makes it easier for them to worship. They do not have to travel as far to perform the rituals. He offers them what they desire mixed in with God’s requirements. This is syncretism. If you think about it, it is also the very thing Satan offers us as he tempts us. He did the same with Jesus in Matthew 4. His methods remain the same because they work, unless our eyes are on something greater.

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Map: Dan and Bethel

1 Kings 11

Verses 1-13 describe the core of Solomon’s downfall. It was not evident when he began marrying foreign wives (read this as not of the same faith). However, God warned that being unequally yoked will lead to failure (Deuteronomy 7.1-5 and 2 Corinthians 6.14-18). When we allow others into our life that do not influence us toward God, we will be influenced toward their god. In this case Molech/Milcom or Chemosh, a god of fire, to whom children/babies were sacrificed.

His failure to obey resulted in three ever-present enemies. In the verses to follow, we will see Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam rise against Solomon.

Verses 14-25-Hadad is the first enemy we encounter. He is from the east. The text tells us he survived being killed by David when he fled to Egypt (2 Samuel 8 and 10). The second adversary is Rezin. He was causing trouble in Israel throughout Solomon’s reign.

Verses 26-40-The third enemy is Jeroboam. He flees to Egypt as he escapes the hand of Solomon. Solomon knew that Jeroboam would rule the northern territory upon Solomon’s death. So, Jeroboam, knowing this as well, stayed in Egypt until he heard of Solomon’s death.

Verses 41-42-Solomon dies.

When you die, what will be your legacy? You see for all the good Solomon did, his last years marred what he did. Think of Joe Paterno and the cases of child molestation at Penn State. Although he was not involved, he overlooked the incidents and his legacy is forever tarnished.

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1 Kings 10

1 Kings 10 (Cf. 2 Chronicles 9)

Verses 1-13 parallels 2 Chronicles 9.1-12. The Queen of Sheba’s visit is presented. Many believe Sheba to be a country north or east of modern day Yemen, bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. However, it was also a dual kingdom, which crossed the Red Sea into Ethiopian territory. From whatever side she came, the Queen and her entourage traveled more than 1,400 miles to visit Solomon. Hers was a strong kingdom, gaining power and wealth from Arab traders.

The Queen of Sheba had opportunity to watch Solomon deal with his people and with his God. This was a great witness to her. As the end of verse five presents, she was speechless. Yet it comes after Solomon’s worship, and not his wealth. The Queen went back to give testimony of Solomon’s greatness. Nevertheless, it appears, she also testified of the greatness of Solomon’s God too. It is possible that many converts were made due to this encounter. We read of the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts (Acts 8.25-40). After this encounter we also read of countless numbers of Ethiopians helping God’s people.

Are people going home to tell their family and friends about you or about your God?

Verses 14-29 presents Solomon’s wealth and parallels 2 Chronicles 9.13-28. He received more than twenty-five tons a year in gold as an income. When you read the passage it appears as though gold was running down the streets it was so common. It appears he also had a zoo.

Solomon disregarded God’s commands about horses and trading with Egypt (Deuteronomy 17.16). In one phrase he did both for he was a horse trader with Egypt. These verses, 26-29, lead into chapter 11 and Solomon’s downfall.

What will lead to your downfall? What one area in your life are you overlooking or disregarding from God’s Word that you know you should follow but you are walking away from (James 4.17)?

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Possible location of Sheba

1 Kings 9

1 Kings 9 (Cf. 2 Chronicles 7.12-22)

Verses 1-9 parallel 2 Chronicles 7.12-22 except for the addition by the writer of the Chronicles of verses 12-18. Second Chronicles does provide an explanation of verses one in the chapter. All that Solomon desired is defined as the two buildings that he built (the Temple and his compound 2 Chronicles 7.11).

God offers two types of promises or covenants in these verses, as was explained in 2 Chronicles 7.12-22. These are conditional and unconditional. For an explanation of these see our discussion in 2 Samuel 7 and Psalm 27.

God appears to Solomon for the second time (see 1 Kings 3.4-15). There are no details, merely the statement. It seems as though God spoke to him through a dream; in other words, there was no audible voice of God. God gives Solomon assurance that He has heard Solomon’s prayers. His answer is the unconditional covenant of a ruler on the throne. God then informs Solomon of the conditional covenant He has made with those He has chosen and created from the beginning of time (i.e., Deuteronomy 28.36–37 and29.24ff.). You obey and God will bless. You disobey and God will chastise. It is interesting in what we see in Israel today. We do not see the Temple. What we see is the Mosque of Omar, which is really the Dome of the Rock. Is this God’s promises fulfilled in judgment?

Verses 10-28 parallel 2 Chronicles 8. What is found in these verses are the buildings and other activities in which Solomon was involved. A reference to corvée is presented again (see our explanation of this in 1 Kings 5). This chapter details cities and strategies of Solomon.

Will God be blessing you today or disciplining you today?

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Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer Map-1

Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer Map-2

1 Kings 8

1 Kings 8 (Cf. 2 Chronicles 5.1-7.11)

1-13-The Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Temple as are the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. Verses 10-12 present the glory of God coming into the Temple. The glory of God has been with the Israelites since God called them in Exodus. He went before them in the Wilderness, visited them at Sinai, and would dwell with them until Ezekiel 10.18-19. He will pay a brief visit in the flesh (John 1.14), dwell within man (John 14.16-17), and will come again in the Kingdom (Revelation 21.2-3).

14-21-Solomon reminds the people of God’s faithfulness to His promise, covenant, with David and with all Israel.

22-53-Solomon constantly reminds Israel through this prayer that God dwells in Heaven, though He dwells in the Temple. He is also reminding Israel that all they have is still God’s and they are merely stewards or managers of what He has given. These two principles are necessary for our understanding of accomplishing God’s task. God is greater than we can imagine (Ephesians 3.20-21, cf. with verse 56). Although He indwells us through the Holy Spirit, we should never make Him commonplace as much of the current theology attempts to do when they describe Him as a friend who is hugging and kissing us. If you would like further discussion on this topic, please respond to this post. We are the managers of what God has given us. He owns it all, we are to take care of it and do as He would with it. When we get this mentality, our perspective on giving and life changes dramatically.

Verse 46 is a great reminder that we all sin and that we all need God to help us overcome our sin. What is your sin that causes you to stumble and fall (Galatians 6.1-3 and Hebrews 12.1-2)?

54-61-Solomon then blesses Israel with a reminder that God is with them.

62-66-The dedication ends with a joyful celebration; dare I say party?

When you read this long chapter, do you see elements of this in your personal daily worship and weekly corporate worship? If so, celebrate; if not, try to incorporate aspects of it this week.

A thought to ponder: though Solomon’s Temple was magnificent and beautiful, it was merely another building until God came. Our lives are just another life, our churches are just another church, until God comes in. It is at this point when these ordinary things become super-ordinary not because of what they are but because of Who chose them.

Another thought: Trace “heart” through this chapter and you will notice that we know what is in our heart (38), though we attempt to conceal it from others. God knows our heart (39), we cannot conceal anything from Him. In order to come to Him, it must be with all our heart (48). When we do, God gives us the ability to obey His Word (58). All this because this is a goal of God for our lives (61).

An example of prayer from Solomon

Praise and worship (22-25)
Revelation of self in God’s presence (26-30)
Requests for forgiveness sins (31-40)
Requests for the Lord to be merciful to those who seek Him (41-43)
Prays for victory (44-45)
Restoration when they sin (46-53)

1 Kings 7

The dimensions of the compound Solomon built (7.2) is comparable to that of the Temple (1 Kings 6) although a bit larger. It was not merely his house but included the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, the Hall fo the Throne, the Hall of Judgment, his own house, and the house for Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3.1). The remainder of the chapter, 7.13-51, is a description of what Hiram contributed to the effort from the largest detail to the smallest, in order of size.

A point of interest is the naming of the two pillars in 7.21. Jachin means “God will establish” and Boaz means “in it is strength.” Placing these in the Temple presents us with the truth that what God establishes will not fail. Apply this to your salvation. It is established in Christ and He will not fail.

1 Kings 6

Verse one, if taken literally, which I do, tells us the Exodus from Egypt began in 1447 B.C. Doing the math, this verse states in the four-hundred eightieth year after the Israelites left Egypt, which is the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, the Temple was started. Dating the split of the kingdom as 931 B.C., we go back forty years to the beginning of Solomon’s reign (2 Kings 11.42), we have 971 B.C. Since this was in the fourth year, it would be 967 B.C. Adding the 480 years to 967 B.C. we have 1447 B.C. as the date for the Exodus.

Matthew Henry adds:

The time when it began to be built is exactly set down. 1. It was just 480 years after the bringing of the children of Israel out of Egypt. Allowing forty years to Moses, seventeen to Joshua, 299 to the Judges, forty to Eli, forty to Samuel and Saul, forty to David, and four to Solomon before he began the work, we have just the sum of 480.

When evaluating the dimensions given for the Temple, we surmise it is twice the size of the Tabernacle. The Temple was ninety feet long, thirty feet wide, and forty-five feet tall. It was divided into two rooms, the sanctuary (the Holy Place) and the inner sanctuary (the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies). The first was two-thirds of the Temple and the latter was the remaining one-third. Built into the Temple on the north, west, and south were threes stories specifically for the priests to use.

The entire purpose of the building of the Temple is explained in verse 13, and it is so God could dwell among His people. John 1 explains this concept in regard to Jesus. Jesus dwelt among us. The word is tabernacled. Later, Jesus would identify His body as being the Temple (John 2.13-21).

The details of this chapter are amazing and would explain why the building of it took such a long time. The Temple was completed, according to verse 38, in the fall of 959 B.C.

If God indwells His Temple so His presence can be with people, what does it mean that we are the Temple of God?

1 Kings 5

Do you see the plans God has made for you and the direction He is taking you by the experiences you have had and the preparation others have made for you?

1 Kings 5

This chapter introduces one of the main reasons for the dividing of the kingdom after Solomon’s death. The reason is found in verse thirteen. It is corvée, which is the mandatory service of Israelites to build the great architectural wonders Solomon developed during his reign. It is the forced enslavement of citizens not outsiders that make this act more heinous than slavery as was found in Egypt or the United States. More on this concept below.

We see ancient near eastern customs in sending delegates to show support for a new regime after the passing of the previous leader in verse one. David did this earlier in 2 Samuel 10. Solomon used this alliance with Hiram to enable him to build the Temple and other buildings. God had this planned before Solomon was even born. Without Hiram of Lebanon there would be no wood to build what God had designed. God will provide what we need to complete the task to which He has called. When we live life with this faith we begin to understand why with God nothing is impossible (Mark 10.27).

The desire of David to build the Temple (2 Samuel 7.13) was finally realized in his son. Although he did not get to see the Temple, much like Moses did not get to walk the Promised Land, like Moses prepared Israel to enter, David did prepare his son to build as he purchased the area (2 Samuel 24) and provided the plans for the Temple and its usage that he received from God (1 Chronicles 28 and 29).

One desire of parents is for their children to claim the God of the Bible as their own. In verses four and five, Solomon does this. He maintains that the God of his father is also his God.

Solomon, in applying the wisdom God gave him (1 Kings 3), agreed to pay Hiram for the material and labor he is supplying for twenty-years (1 Kings 9.10-11). His annual payment is 125,000 bushels of wheat and 115,000 gallons of pure olive oil.

Verse thirteen introduces corvée. Samuel warned the Israelites this would come if they sought a king other than God (1 Samuel 8.11-17) and would become the bane for the northern kingdom (1 Kings 12.4). These workers worked for one month for Solomon in the quarries or in Lebanon and two months at home. This alternated for at least seven years, the amount of time it took to build the Temple. Solomon also had a large group of slave laborers helping with these projects.

For a detailed account on corvée labor, see “Labor Pains: The Relationship between David’s Census and Corvée Labor” by Kyle R. Greenwood.

Do you see the plans God has made for you and the direction He is taking you by the experiences you have had and the preparation others have made for you?

1 Kings 4

Verses 1-6 are a listing of Solomon’s administrators.

A major sin of Solomon is found in verse six. He uses forced labor, not only from conquered countries but from Israel. We will discuss this at length when we cover 1 Kings 5.13-14 (see our study).

The Word in Life Study Bible (1997) created the following chart

Name	Position	Responsibilities
Azariah the son of Zadok	High priest	Oversaw worship and religious rituals, representing the people to God.
Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha	Scribes	Similar to secretaries of state or chancellors (1 Kings 4.22–23; 11.3).
Adoniram the son of Abda	Manager of the labor force	Oversaw Solomon’s numerous construction projects (1 Kings 5.13; 7.1–8; 9.15–19).
Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud	Recorder	Maintained written historical records of the king’s business and decisions.
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (see 1 Kings 2.29)	Military commander	Oversaw the nation’s defenses, including its storage and chariot cities; led the army in military engagements; handled royal police matters (for example, 1 Kings 2.28–35).
Zadok and Abiathar	Priests	Oversaw religious matters and served as custodians of the Law.
Azariah the son of Nathan	General	Carried out the military orders of Solomon and Benaiah.
Zabud the son of Nathan	Personal confidant	Consulted with the king on personal matters.
Ahishar	Manager of Solomon’s household	Oversaw the palace complex and the needs of Solomon’s extensive court (1 Kings 4.22–23; 11.3).
Adoniram the son of Abda	Manager of the labor force	Oversaw Solomon’s numerous construction projects (1 Kings 5.13; 7.1–8; 9.15–19).

Verses 7-19 are a listing of Solomon’s governors.

In both of these, Solomon realized that he was unable to do all things, so he created a leadership team that would support him. The twelve division of governors are displayed in the map of the growth of Israel under Solomon and his reapportioning of Israel.

Verses 20-21 are added to signify the era of peace and prosperity that God introduced through Solomon. It is also given to provide a word of fulfillment of God’s word to Abraham. That word, from Genesis 22.17, states that the descendants of Abraham would be as numerous as the grains of sand on the shore. The borders stretching to Egypt was also a prophecy and a promise given to Abraham in Genesis 15.18.
Verses 22-28 depict his kingdom, wealth, and military. As for his horsemen, read Deuteronomy 17.16. Verse 24 describes the zenith of Solomon’s reign.
Verses 29-34 display the worldwide fame Solomon and wisdom. He wrote most of the Proverbs. His songs are contained in Psalm 72 andPsalm 127 along with the Song of Solomon. He also wrote the lyrical book of Ecclesiastes. His name became synonymous with wisdom (Matthew 12.42).

The four names that appear here are listed as descendants of Judah in 1 Chronicles 2.6, and two of the men, Ethan and Heman, appear in the superscriptions of Psalm 88 and Psalm 89.