1 Kings 15 “Asa Chose Well”

 “So in the twentieth year of Jeroboam the king of Israel, Asa began to reign as king of Judah. He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father.” (vv.9-11)

Since Solomon's fall, the royal line had been in sin. Now in Asa, there is a ray of light in Judah's line of kings! 

Asa's story here in chapter 15 is an encouraging example for two reasons. First, we see how each of us can choose our spiritual path. Even though our descendants may not have walked with God, we can by His grace. 

Second, God does not give up on His people. No matter how often the royal line had turned their back on Him, God remained steadfast in His promise to His servant David, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel’ (1 Kings 2:4).

Asa, like David his father, chose well and did what was right in the sight of the Lord. May our hearts desire be the same.

The Truth

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

1 Kings 14 “God’s Judgment Against Jeroboam”

“You have made for yourself other gods . . . you have provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back.” (v.9)

The root of God’s judgment against Jeroboam is in His declaration against idolatry. As a result, Jeroboam's fate is disastrous: his child will die, all male descendants will be cut off, his dynasty will be destroyed, his house utterly burned, and all of Israel will be taken into exile (vv. 6-16). Although God had shown Jeroboam great grace in raising him up and giving him a kingdom, his failure was this: “You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods . . . you have provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back” (v.9). 

Jeroboam may have had lots of military and political accomplishments (v.19), but Scripture's assessment is clear: Jeroboam was an utter failure where it counted most. His early choice of idolatry ruined everything. Jeroboam ruled twenty-two years trying to make something of himself and his kingdom (v.20), but in the end it was all misguided. What truly mattered, his walk with God, was neglected.

Today's passage highlights the importance of a heart committed to the Lord, what Scripture sometimes calls a pure heart. None of us is without sin; even David failed miserably but, he was a man after God’s own heart. May we be the same.

The Truth

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

1 Kings 13 "Jerobam's Demise"

By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. By the word of the Lord he cried out against the altar: “Altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.’” (vv.1-3)

Jeroboam never got the picture, spiritually speaking. As we learned earlier, God brought the king face-to-face with some incredible promises. But evidently, Jeroboam did not consider God's promises worth the necessary obedience on his part. He looked the other way, plunging the northern kingdom into idolatry and false worship that would cling to them for several centuries.

Since Jeroboam rejected God's goodness, God confronted the king with the truth of His judgment through the prophecy of 1 Kings 13. But ""even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways"" (13:33). He rejected God's word and warning. All that was left was for the sentence of judgment to be carried out.

Although the king reigned for twenty-two years in Israel, nothing else he did is recorded. Jeroboam's apostasy, his departure from the truth, brought disaster on his entire family and even on the nation (1 Kings 14:15). His descendants would not even get a decent burial, and Israel itself would one day be uprooted from its land.

Jeroboam's demise, and the damage he left behind, is a graphic example of poor leadership and his refusal to follow God's word or head His warnings. Nations, like people, can be either blessed by God or allowed to suffer the consequences of their own folly. Whether you agree with the governing leadership of our country or not, pray continually for those in authority. For their success or failure will be shared by us all.

The Truth: “I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

1 Kings 12 "Refusing Sound Advise"

And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was still in Egypt, for he had fled from the presence of King Solomon and had been dwelling in Egypt), that they sent and called him. Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” (vv.1-4)

Rehoboam was the only son of Solomon that we know by name. Solomon had 1,000 wives and concubines, yet we read of one son he had to bear up his name, and he was a fool. This demonstrates that sin is a bad way of building up a family. 

Solomon was a great king, but he took a lot from the people. The people of Israel wanted relief from the heavy taxation and forced service of Solomon’s reign, and they offered allegiance to Rehoboam if he agreed to this. When Solomon's son, Rehoboam, was to be crowned king, the people asked him to please lighten the burden Solomon had placed on them. God warned Israel about this in 1 Samuel 8:10-19, when through Samuel He spoke of what a king would take from Israel. After the warning, the people still wanted a king, and now they knew what it was like to be ruled by a taking king.

First he went to the elders that had advised his father. They had been a part of the success of his father and had a track record of giving good advice. They advised Rehoboam to be a servant leader. They told him that if he would indeed lighten their load, they would keep their word and serve him faithfully all their life.

Rehoboam didn't like that advise. He wanted what his father had. Why should he tighten his belt and do with less? He then sought out the advice of the young men he grew up with. They told him what he wanted to hear. He answered the people that he would be harsher than his father. The ten northern tribes drew away with Jeroboam as their leader, fulfilling the word of God (1 Kings 11:31). From this point on in the history of Israel, the name “Israel” referred to the ten northern tribes and the name “Judah” referred to the southern tribes of Benjamin and Judah.

When seeking advise we all have a tendency to look to those who will tell us what we want to hear, and we reject the advice of those who tell us what we would rather not hear. Though age does not always bring wisdom, seek those who demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit. Then go before the LORD and ask for His direction. 

The Truth: “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2) 

1 Kings 11 "Solomon's Heart Turns"

"But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.” (vv.1-4)

After all the praise, admiration, and grandeur of the first ten chapters, today's reading begins with Solomon breaking a solemn command of God (vv.1-2). By explicitly disobeying God's commands about taking wives from the surrounding pagan regions (Deut.7:3-4), a slow change begins to occur in Solomon’s heart - it was no longer wholly devoted to the LORD and was turned “after other gods.”

Our text says, "When Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods." Age did not make Solomon wiser. He seemed to be wiser in his youth, and old age hardened the sinful tendencies that were present in his younger days. Age and experience should make us more godly and wise, but they do not automatically do so.

This turning away did not happen overnight but rather his singular love for God was slowly replaced with other loves. A heart once devoted to the Lord had become a divided heart. Solomon's failure to heed God's explicit commands not only resulted in this divided heart but, eventually, a divided kingdom (vv. 10-11).

This is a tragic example of the power of the lust of the flesh. Because of lust, Solomon found himself in a place where he never thought he would find himself. He found himself burning incense at the altars of depraved pagan gods. He found himself at the altar of child sacrifice unto the god Molech. This is the power of lust – it can capture us in a spell, in a fog of spiritual confusion until we do things we never thought we would do.

The difference between David and Solomon was not that one was holier that the other, for they both were sinners, it was the status of the heart. David’s heart was always toward the LORD but, Solomon’s heart turned after others gods.

Today's passage reminds us that, when an earthly love replaces our love for God and we find ourselves “clinging” to other things for our full satisfaction, we need to change our priorities.

The Truth:  “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30) 

1 Kings 10 "Solomon's Wealth"

"King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings.” (v.23)

Today’s passage catalogs Solomon’s vast accumulation of material wealth, political success, and military strength. He had thriving revenue streams, a luxurious palace, and incomparable wisdom, 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses—imported from Egypt (vv. 28-29). Everything any ruler could possibly want, King Solomon had. All his blessings came from God. 

Sheba (also known as Sabea) was where modern-day Yemen is today (Southern Arabia). We know from geography this was a wealthy kingdom with much gold, spices, and precious woods. History also tells us that they were known to have queens as well as kings. This was a long trip – up to about 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers). She (The Queen of Sheba) probably came as part of a trade delegation (1 Kings 10:2-5), but there is no doubt that she was highly motivated to see Solomon and his kingdom. She came to Solomon and Israel at their material zenith. The great prosperity, splendor, and wisdom of Solomon’s kingdom were internationally famous.

Verse 1 implies that Solomon's fame was only in connection with “the name of the Lord.” However, Solomon forgot this. Because of his great wealth, Solomon had reached a point where he no longer had to depend on his God for anything, which ultimately led to his downfall. 

Solomon, with all his great wisdom, should have heeded his father’s words: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).

And come what may, so should we.

The Truth: “He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.” (Proverbs 11:28)

1 Kings 9 "Solomon's Prayer Heard"

And the Lord said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” (v.3)

Here in chapter 9 the LORD acknowledges to Solomon that He has heard his prayers and supplications. We could stop right there and get tremendous encouragement out of this passage concerning God’s ear to our prayers. However, the main focus of this passage is God’s response to Solomon’s prayers. The LORD promised to establish Solomon’s kingdom if, “he walked before Him as his father David walked in integrity of heart” (v.4).

What does this mean? Well, it certainly doesn’t mean Solomon must be perfect because David was far from it. He sinned over and over again. What it does mean is that Solomon must have a heart for the LORD and His Word, follow Him and no other, then the promise given by God to his father David would be continued through him (v.5).

This should be very encouraging to us. First of all, God hears our prayers. We may not receive an answer to our liking or in our timing but, He hears us. Secondly, we don’t have to be perfect, Jesus covered that base for us with His blood on Calvary. Finally, if our hearts are toward Him and His Word, and we do not leave Him to serve other Gods, He will be faithful to His promises toward us as well.

The Truth: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

1 Kings 8 "Solomon's Prayer"

"Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. (vv.22-23)

Solomon did not dedicate the temple from within the temple. It would be inappropriate for him to do so, because he was a king and not a priest. The Holy Place and Most Holy Place were only for chosen descendants of the High Priest. Therefore, he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. This was the most common posture of prayer in the Old Testament. Many modern people close their eyes, bow their head, and fold their hands as they pray; but the Old Testament tradition was to spread out the hands toward heaven in a gesture of surrender, openness, and ready reception.

After the completion of the temple, Solomon had the ark of the LORD brought from the city of David and placed it in, “the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim” (v.7). Scripture goes on to tell us that when the priests came out of the holy place, "the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord” (v.10-11).

Solomon then rightly recognized that which the LORD had told Moses, “I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat” (Leviticus 16:2). This physical manifestation of God’s presence here in chapter 8 not only confirmed that the LORD was with His people but also spoke to His glory and power leaving Solomon to testify, “There is no God in heaven above or on the earth below like YOU.”

As Moses, David, and Solomon all came to realize in their time, there is no God like our God, is just as true today for us in our time.

The Truth: “Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works.” (Psalm 86:8) 

1 Kings 7 "Solomon Sent For Hiram"

“And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyer. He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze; and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill for doing any work in bronze. So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work.” (vv.13-14)

Coming to the completion in the construction of the temple of God, there was only one man Solomon considered for the job, Hiram of Tyer. This man was half Israeli and half Gentile, and he was the best craftsman around. Solomon hired him to do all his work. Our text tells us he was filled with wisdom and understanding, skilled for doing any work in bronze. Therefore, to honor God, His Glory and splendor, Solomon sent for the best.

As we read through verses 17-51, it becomes very clear why Hiram was chosen. His skill and attention to detail, pointed others to God’s majesty through his work. One could not look upon the temple and not see the glory ascribed to it. Similarly, each of us has been given a talent, a skill, a measure of wisdom and understanding, which can be used to point others to His Glory as well.

Ask God to help you use those gifts and abilities to point others to the Glory of His name. 

The Truth: “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.”  (Psalm 29:2)

A Veterans Day Message

 Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m., known as the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Armistice Day was made a legal holiday in 1938, primarily to honor World War I veterans. The honor was extended to all veterans by an Act of Congress in 1954. In 1968, Congress approved the Uniform Holiday Bill so that Veterans Day and several other national holidays would be bumped up to a weekend to create a three-day holiday. The decision angered many veterans and the original date of November 11 was restored in 1975.

Veterans Day, a day to honor those who served in all American wars, is often confused with Memorial Day, a day of remembrance to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This may be due to the fact that, at 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb of the unknown soldier, the nation's tribute to its war dead.

"We must remember that many who served in our military never lived to be called veterans. We must remember many had their lives changed forever by experiences or the injuries of combat. All veterans are examples of service and citizenship for every American to remember and to follow." -- President George W. Bush, Oct. 30, 2001

Thank you to all who made the decision to serve and have placed themselves in harms way to uphold our freedoms. May God continue to bless our soldiers, veterans and our Nation.

Matthew 6 "Seek First God's Kingdom"

 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (v.33)

This choice – to seek first the kingdom of God – is the fundamental choice everyone makes when they first repent and are converted. Yet every day after that, our Christian life will either reinforce that decision or deny it. However, if one must worry, we are told in verse 34 to, "worry only for the things of today." 

Most of our worry is over things that we have absolutely no control over anyway, and is therefore foolish as well as harmful. Jesus reminds us of the importance of living for the present day. It isn’t wrong to remember the past or plan for the future; to some degree both of those are good. Yet it is easy to become too focused on either the past or the future and to let the day and its own trouble be ignored. 

I believe God wants us to remember the past, plan for the future, but live in the present. I pray that he will give us all the strength to do just that. 

The Truth: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

1 Kings 6 “Solomon Began The Work”

 “And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.” (v.1)

The four hundred and eightieth year: This marking point shows just how long Israel lived in the Promised Land without a temple. The tabernacle served the nation well for more than 400 years. The prompting to build the temple was more at the direction and will of God than out of absolute necessity. This was also when the actual construction began. Solomon probably started to organize the work right away. There is some evidence that it took three years to prepare timber from Lebanon for use in building. If Solomon began the construction of the temple in the fourth year of his reign, he probably started organizing the construction in the very first year of his reign.

Yet the work was carefully organized and planned even before Solomon became king. 1 Chronicles 28:11-12 tells us, “Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat; and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, of all the chambers all around, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things.” 

The writer of 1 Kings never tells us exactly where the temple was built, but the writer of 2 Chronicles tells us that it was built on Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1), the same place where Abraham went to sacrifice Isaac and Jesus would be crucified (on another part of the hill).

Back in 1 Kings 5:5, we saw how Solomon purposed to build the temple. Now we see him actually beginning the work. Many people, including myself, at one point or another have said, “I’m going to do this” or “I’m going to get involved in that.” We’ve purposed to do something but have never begun the work. 

As Solomon has rightly shown us, we must both purpose and begin, if we are going to complete the work God has for each of us to do. 

The Truth: “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29)

1 Kings 5 "Jews And Gentiles Build The Temple"

"And Hiram (the Phoenician king of Tyre) sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which you sent to me for: and I will do all you desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.” (v.8)

King Solomon had purposed in his heart to, “build a house unto the name of the LORD his God" (v.5). But he recognized that his people were chiefly employed in husbandry, and in feeding cattle. They were not skilled in mechanic arts, in the cutting down of trees, and the hewing of timber. Therefore, he hired the best woodcutters in the region from king Hiram of  Tyre, a gentile.

Although it is true that king Hiram reached out to king Solomon first (v.1), probably wanting to keep a close political/economic tie with king David’s son, it was Solomon who took advantage of their expertise and abilities. He also created a trade partnership which benifited both parties and lasted for many years.

This speaks to us in a very practical way. While some might say we must stay within the body to “get the job done," wisdom dictates, there is often a time and place to seek expert help outside the body of Christ from nonbelievers. And in so doing, benefit from others knowledge and expertise.

The Truth: “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7) 

1 Kings 4 “God’s Faithfulness”

“Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.” (v.20)

First Kings 4 demonstrates the faithfulness of God to His promises. In the description of Solomon's kingdom, Scripture uses language that echoes the promises God made long ago. 

The people, “as numerous as the sand on the seashore” (v. 20), speak of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 22. The vast borders of the kingdom, echo God's promise of land in Genesis 15. Finally, the abundance, peace, and exaltation of Israel (vv.22-28), match up with God's promises to Israel in Deuteronomy 28. 

Yes, 1 Kings 4 shines as a banner of God's faithfulness and stands as proof to all, that He is faithful.

The Truth: “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

1 Kings 3 "Solomon Given Great Wisdom"

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (vv.5-9)

This remarkable visitation from God happened to Solomon in a dream. This is one of the more significant dreams in the Bible. In it, God asks Solomon, "What shall I give you?" God seemed to offer Solomon whatever he wanted. This wasn’t only because Solomon sacrificed 1,000 animals (v.4); it was because his heart was surrendered to God, and God wanted to work something in Solomon through this offer and his response.

Before responding to God’s offer and asking for something, Solomon remembered God’s faithfulness to both David and now to Solomon himself. He then comes to God in great humility, knowing his inadequacies and the difficult tasks of leadership he faced, he asked God for "an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil" (v.9). Wow! Solomon already understood that a key component of leadership is wise and just discernment. A quality lacking in many leaders today.

Our text goes on to say God was pleased by what Solomon asked for, in that he knew his great need for wisdom, discernment, and understanding. God was also pleased by what Solomon did not ask for, in that he did not ask for riches or fame or power for himself. Therefore God not only answered Solomon’s prayer, He also answered it beyond all expectation. Though Solomon did not ask for riches and honor or a long life, but God gave him those anyway. (vv.10-15). 

Then Solomon awoke: It was a dream, but it was at the same time also a message from God. God answered Solomon’s prayer and made him wise, powerful, rich, and influential. His reign was glorious for Israel. At the same time, his end was tragic. We can fairly say that Solomon wasted these gifts God gave him. Though he accomplished much, he could have done much more – and his heart was led away from God in the end (1 Kings 11:4-11).

The Truth: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14) 

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)

 

1 Kings 2 "David's Charge To Solomon"

Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ (vv.1-4)

David, son of Jesse – Israel’s greatest king, apart from the Messiah – recognized that he was but a man and shared the common destiny of all the earth. Knowing he would soon pass from this life, David gave a final charge to Solomon his son, “Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways.” 

Here David is instructing Solomon to obey God and His Word above all else. Since Solomon was a man of faith, David called him to act upon that faith in obedience. King David also referred Solomon to God’s commands as, “written in the Law of Moses” (v.3). Thus signifying the importance for him to study and know God’s Word.

David had a general reason to exhort Solomon to obedience, but he also had a specific reason, bases on a specific promise of God. God promised David that as long as his sons walked in obedience, they would keep the throne of Israel. This was an amazing promise. No matter what the Assyrians or the Egyptians or the Babylonians did, as long as David’s sons were obedient and followed God with all their heart and with all their soul, God would establish their kingdom. He would take care of the rest.

We may envy the sons of David because they had such a promise, but we have a similar promise from God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things shall be added to us. God promises that if we put Him first, He will take care of the rest in our life as well. 

A wise man will walk in God's ways, study and know His Word, that he may succeed in all that he does and wherever he turns.

The Truth: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)