1 Kings
Judgment on The House of Jeroboam
Jeroboam was the most idolatrous king in Israel’s history, the worst of the lot because of his powerful influence. Jeroboam’s son Abijah became sick. We are not told what ailed the lad. Prompted by this sickness, Jeroboam told his wife to disguise herself and go to Shiloh and v …
Rehoboam’s Folly
Rehoboam was installed as king in Shechem after his father died (v. 1). Shechem was a very fitting spot for the coronation of a king of Israel as it was the first place God appeared to Abraham (Gen. 12:6-7), Jacob settled there and (Gen. 33:18-20) and Joseph was buried there (J …
David’s Instructions to Solomon
David knew that he would soon die so he made plans to counsel his successor. His instructions to Solomon were two fold: 1. Solomon’s relationship to God (vv. 1-4) – His two main exhortations were: “Be strong… and show yourself a man” and “Keep the charge o …
Solomon Turns From The Lord
Solomon’s life ends in disaster. It seems that as he grew older, he got farther away from God. Riding the crest of power and prestige he apparently thought he was above reproach. The Law had clearly forbidden foreign marriages (Deut. 7:1-5). In addition to this, a king was als …
Elijah’s Message to Ahab
Soon after Elijah’s experience with the widow at Zarephath, the Word of the Lord came again to him. About three years into the famine God directs Elijah to present himself to King Ahab. There was a great famine in the land. Down in Samaria where the king lived the famine was v …
Solomon is Confirmed King
When Nathan had entered the room, Bathsheba had evidently left the room as was customary in that oriental culture. David called for her to return and repeated the promise that Solomon, Bathsheba’s son, would succeed him as king and sit on the throne that God had promised to bl …
Solomon Prepares to Build The Temple
Hiram, King of Tyre, located on the Mediterranean Sea north of Israel, sent his envoys to pay his respects to Solomon the new King. Hiram had been an ally and friend of King David and had supplied materials and laborers to build David’s palace (II Sam. 5:11). Now Solomo …
A Man of God Goes to Bethel
Just as Jeroboam was about to burn incense at the altar at Bethel a prophet of God from Judah appeared. He pronounced one of the most remarkable prophecies in all of Scripture as he predicted the name and actions of a king who would not appear on the scene for almost 300 years. …
Solomon Executes Adonijah
In the closing verses of chapter one Solomon, as the new King, forgave his brother Adonijah for his attempted takeover of the kingdom and told him to go his way and behave himself. Now in this passage we have a new and strange turn of events. Adonijah comes to Bathsheba (the Quee …
Ahab Covets Naboth’s Vineyard
A period of peace followed the battle of Aphek (20:26–34). Some time after the battle the events recorded in chapter 21 took place. Naboth was a neighbor of Ahab in Jezreel. Ahab wanted to buy Naboth’s vineyard to use for a vegetable garden. He offered to pay him in cash …