Bible: Beginning to End - 1 Kings 1-11: The Reign of Solomon

Episode Date: November 3, 2023

1 Kings 1-11 (Read NLT)⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Important Links for the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Click Here for our YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Discuss each episode on Reddit⁠⁠⁠ Contact Us ⁠⁠⁠Visit our Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠On Instagram @biblebeginningtoend⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠On Twitter: @biblebeginning1⁠⁠⁠ Via email: [e-mail] Supporting the Show Financial contributions are never required, but if you'd like to support the show, here are a couple of ways: Be a listener and share the show with your friends! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to become a monthly supporter via Spotify.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠* ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to make a one-time contribution via Paypal⁠⁠⁠.* *Note that the Bible Beginning to End podcast is not a registered 501(c)3 or charitable organization. Therefore, any monetary support provided is not tax deductible. 10% of any profits made from this podcast via ad revenues or listener support will be donated to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Asha's Refuge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a Christ-centered nonprofit that "exists to assist the most disadvantaged refugees/asylees in achieving a successful resettlement in the Memphis, TN area.". Episode Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 2:52 - Ad Break 2:53 - 1 Kings 1 16:35 -   1 Kings 2 31:08 -  1 Kings 3 39:14 -  1 Kings 4 47:29 -  1 Kings 5 52:39 -  1 Kings 6 1:01:44 -  1 Kings 7 1:13:28 -  1 Kings 8 1:30:34 -  1 Kings 9 1:38:15 -  1 Kings 10 1:45:39 -  1 Kings 11 1:56:29 - Outro Bible Verse Copyright Statement Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. To purchase an NLT, please visit ⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3wUpUef

Hello friends and welcome back to Bible beginning to end. I am so glad that you're here and you are ready to read the scriptures with us. Here on Bible beginning to end, we are reading through the scriptures one book at a time, all the way from Genesis to Revelation. It's a long process, I know, but it's good to really take your time with Scripture. Take your time to think on it, to meditate on it, and to hear what God says. saying to you through his own words. So I'm glad you've decided to take the step today to read God's word and meditate on what it's saying. As always, we will be reading through the scriptures today,

and I won't be offering commentary, but I will be asking some critical thinking questions along the way so that you can really grapple with what do you think the scriptures are saying? What is God telling to you and revealing to you through his word? Because it's, It's vital that we take the scriptures and think on them for ourselves. It's great to hear what other people have to say and what scholars and theologians say about the scriptures, but it's always important to take time on your own to read them, you and God together, and reveal what is true. So last time we were in 2 Samuel. We just finished up first and 2nd Samuel, which covered King David's reign in Israel.

This is a very important part of the Old Testament. David is a very famous and important figure in the Old Testament and throughout Scripture. But now David's reign is coming to an end, and it's time for a new king to take over. And so we are starting a new book, and this is another book that spans two books. So we have First and Second Kings. And we are going to be starting with First Kings. And this tells the story of King Solomon, the king who reigned immediately after David was king. So we will go through his life and how he ruled over Israel and the things that happened to the people of Israel during the time of Solomon.

In this episode, we're going to cover chapters 1 through 11, and that section is called the reign of Solomon. So it will cover Solomon's reign as king over Israel. So take a deep breath, maybe close your eyes at the beginning, just to center yourself and make sure that you're really in the moment and thinking about what God is saying. Take a moment to pray and give thanks for this time together as we're reading through God's own words that he's given us. And we will start first Kings chapter one, David in his old age. King David was now very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm.

So his advisors told him, let us find a young virgin to wait on you and look after you, my lord. She will lie in your arms and keep you warm. So they searched throughout the land of Israel for a beautiful girl and they found Abashag from Shunum and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful and she looked after the king and took care of him, but the king had no sexual relations with her. Okay, so pause there. What do you think about this? Why do you think they went and found this virgin girl to take care of the king? Why didn't they find a doctor or a nurse or someone in the medical field who could take care of him. Why do you think it was noted that she was beautiful? Also, why do you think it notes that they did not have sexual relations? This is an interesting

insight into a world we may not be familiar with because these things happened so long ago. So how does this differ from the world we live in now? The next section is Adonija claims the throne. About that time, David's son Adonija, whose mother was Haggith began boasting, I will make myself king. So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers, and recruited 50 men to run in front of him. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, why are you doing that? Adonija had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome. Adonijah took Joab, son of Zaruya, and Abithar, the priest, into his confidence and they agreed to help him become king.

But Zadik, the priest, Beniah, son of Jehota, Nathan, the prophet, Shemai, Ray, and David's personal bodyguard refused to support Adinija. Okay, so pause there. Who is Adonija? Why do you think some people are supporting him? Why do you think some people are not supporting him? Why do you think David isn't saying anything? Isn't really making a statement about Adinja.

Verse 9. Adenicia went to the stone of Zaheleth, near the spring of Enrogal, where he sacrificed sheep, cattle, and fattened calves. He invited all his brothers, the other sons of King David, and all the royal officials of Judah. But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, or Benaya, or the king's bodyguard, or his brother, Solomon. Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and asked her, haven't you heard that Haggath's son, Adinija, has made himself king?

And our Lord David doesn't even know about it? If you want to save your own life and the life of your son, Solomon, follow my advice, go at once to King David and say to him, My Lord the king, didn't you make a vow and say to me, your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne? Why then, has Adonidja become king? And while you're still talking to him, I will come and confirm everything you have said. Okay, so pause there. Do you remember when David promised that Solomon would become king? Or is Nathan making this up because he knows that Solomon is supposed to be king, and they're

trying to devise a plan to make him the next king. Some scriptures that might help you with this question are 2. Samuel 12, 24 to 25, and 1st Chronicles 28. So take a look at those and see what you can find out. And who was Nathan? What kind of person was he? Was he a priest? Was he a prophet?

Was he just one of David's men? Who was he? And what authority does he have to say he? knows who the next king should be. Okay, verse 15. So Bathsheba went into the king's bedroom. He was very old now, and Abishag was taking care of him. Bathsheba bowed down before the king. What can I do for you? he asked her. She replied, My lord, you made a vow before the Lord, your God, when you said to me, your son Solomon will surely be the next king, and will sit on my throne.

But instead, Adinica has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it. He has sacrificed many cattle, fatten calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king's sons to attend the celebration. He also invited Abithar, the priest, and Joab, the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant, Solomon. And now, my lord, the king, all Israel is waiting for you to. announce who will become king after you. If you do not act, my son Solomon and I will be treated as criminals as soon as my lord the king has died. While she was speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. The king's officials told him, Nathan the prophet is here to see you. Nathan

went in and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. Nathan asked, my lord the king. Have you decided that Adanija will be the next king and that he will sit on your throne? Today he has sacrificed many cattle, fatten calves, and sheep, and he has invited all the king's sons to attend the celebration. He also invited the commanders of the army and Abithar, the priest. They are having feasts and drinking with him and shouting long-lived king Adanija. but he did not invite me or Zadik the priest or Benaya or your servant Solomon. Has my Lord the king really done this without letting any of his officials know who should be the next king? Okay, so pause there. Why did I keep mentioning the people Adinija didn't invite to this celebration?

He didn't invite Zadik or Benaya or Solomon or Nathan? then, why do you think Adinija left them off the invite list? What does that tell us about Adonija? How is he behaving? The next section is David makes Solomon King. Verse 28. King David responded, call Bathsheba. So she came back in and stood before the king, and the king repeated his vow.

As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, your son, Scyba. Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the Lord, the God of Israel. Then Bathsheba bowed down with her face to the ground before the king and exclaimed, May the Lord King David live forever. Okay, so pause there. Now Solomon has been named king by David. How did this come to be? why did David name Solomon King?

Verse 32. Then King David ordered, call Zadak the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Beniah son of Jehoda. When they came into the king's presence, the king said to them, take Solomon and my officials down to Gaihan Spring. Solomon is to ride on my own mule.

There, Zadik the priest, and Nathan, the prophet, are to anoint him king over his, Israel. Blow the ram's horn and shout, long live King Solomon. Then escort him back here, and he will sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah. Amen, Benaya son of Jehota replied. May the Lord, the God of my Lord the king, decree that it happened, and may the Lord be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon's reign even greater than yours. So Zadik the priest, Nathan the prophet, Beniah son of Jehota, and the king's bodyguard, took Solomon down to Guy

Hunspring, with Solomon writing on King David's own mule. There, Zadik the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram's horn and all the people shouted, long live King Solomon. And all the people followed Solomon into Jerusalem playing flutes and shouting for joy. The celebration was so joyous and noisy that the earth shook with the sound. Okay, so pause there. How does Israel feel about Solomon being named king? How do you think Adonidja is going to respond to this?

How do we know that God approves of Solomon being king? Verse 41. Adonijan, his guests heard the celebrating and shouting just as they were finishing their banquet. When Joab heard the sound of the ramshorn, he asked, What's going on? Why is the city in such an uproar? And while he was still speaking, Jonathan's son of Abitha, the priest, arrived. Come in.

Adonijah said to him, for you are a good man. man, you must have good news. Not at all, Jonathan replied. Our Lord King David has just declared Solomon, King. The king sent him down to Guyon's spring with Zadik the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaya's son of Jehota. Protected by the king's bodyguard. They had him ride on the king's own mule, and Zadik and Nathan have anointed him at Guyon's spring as the new king. They have just returned in the whole city is celebrating and rejoicing. That's what all the noise is about. What's more, Solomon is now sitting on the royal throne as king. And all the royal officials have gone to King David and congratulated him saying, may your God make Solomon's fame even greater than your own and may Solomon's

reign be even greater than yours. Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed. And he said, praise the Lord the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it. Then all of Adanija's guests jumped up in panic from the banquet table and quickly scattered. Adonija was afraid of Solomon, so he rushed to the sacred tent and grabbed on the horns of the altar. Word soon reached Solomon that Adanija had seized the horns of the altar in fear. fear and that he was pleading, let King Solomon swear today that he will not kill me. Solomon replied, If he proves himself to be loyal, not a hair on his head will be touched, but if he makes trouble, he will die. So King Solomon summoned Adinija, and they brought him

down from the altar. He came and bowed respectfully before King Solomon, who dismissed him, saying, go on home. Okay, so pause there. Why was Adinja afraid? What was he afraid that Solomon would do? And as soon as they all found out that Solomon had been named king, what did all of Adanija's people do immediately? What was their first reaction?

And what does this reaction of them scattering tell us about Adanija and the people who were following him? And then Adanija approaches Solomon, and Solomon does what? Does he punish him or does he let him go? And what do we learn about Solomon from that decision that he made? Okay, so now we can start in on chapter two, and this starts with a section called David's final instructions to Solomon. Chapter 2, verse 1. As the time of King David's death approached, he gave this charge to his son, Solomon. I am going, where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the

Lord your God and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel. And there's something else. You know what Joab, son of Zeruya, did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner, son of Nur, and Amasa son of Jethar.

He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace. staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood. Do with him what you think is best, but don't let him grow old and go to his grave in peace. Be kind to the sons of Barzali of Gilead. Make them permanent guests at your table, for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom. And remember Shemai, son of Gera,

the man from Bahurim and Benjamin. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahaniam. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him. But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him. Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. David had reigned over Israel for 40 years, seven of them in Hebron and 33 in Jerusalem.

Solomon became king and sat on the throne of David, his father, and his kingdom was firmly established. Okay, so let's pause there. I want you to reflect on David's final words to Solomon. What past events did David bring up when he was giving his final speech? to Solomon. Why do you think David gave such harsh advice about his enemies? And then what advice did David give Solomon about following God's law? What did he say to him about the law? Why do you think it was important that David remind Solomon of the law? And David also gives Solomon some advice on who to be kind to, who to show kindness to. Who did he tell him to

show kindness to, and why do you think these specific people were to be embraced? And then overall, what do you think about David's advice? What do you think about his final words here to Solomon? Do you think he gave strong, godly advice? Do you disagree with some of the things that David said? Do you think he was too harsh or too kind? What do you think about David's final words here to Solomon? The next section is Solomon establishes his rule. verse 13. One day, Adonija, whose mother was Haggit, came to see Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. Have you come with peaceful intentions? she asked him. Yes, he said. I come in peace. In fact, I have a favor to ask of you. What is it? She asked. He replied, as you know, the kingdom was

rightfully mine. All Israel wanted me to be the next king. but the tables were turned and the kingdom went to my brother instead, for that is the way the Lord wanted it. So now I have just one favor to ask of you. Please don't turn me down. What is it? She asked. Okay, so pause there. Do you think that Adonija is telling the truth here? Do you think he's being honest that the kingdom was rightfully his? Verse 17. He replied, Speak to King Solomon on my behalf, for I know he will do anything you request. Ask him to let me marry Abyshag, the girl from Shunem. All right, Beth Sheba replied.

I will speak to the king for you. Okay, so pause there. Why do you think Adinija is asking to marry this woman? Do you think he's scheming? Do you think he has some bigger plan in mind? And then what about Bathsheba here? why do you think she so quickly says, yes, I'll talk to Solomon for you. Why does she agree to what Adonija is asking?

Verse 19. So Beth Sheba went to King Solomon to speak on Adinja's behalf. The king rose from his throne to meet her, and he bowed down before her. When he sat down on his throne again, the king ordered that a throne be brought for his mother, and she sat at his right hand. I have one small request to make of you. she said. I hope you won't turn me down. What is it, my mother? he asked. You know I won't refuse you. Then let your brother Adonija marry Abysheg, the girl from Shunem, she replied.

How can you possibly ask me to give Abishchak to Adonija? King Solomon demanded. You might as well ask me to give him the kingdom. You know that he is my older brother and that he has Abitherto. the priest and Joab's son of Zaruya on his side. Okay, so pause there. How does Solomon treat his mother when she arrives in his presence? What does that tell us about Solomon, Beth Sheba, and their relationship? And then we have Solomon telling Beth Sheba he does not want to give at Anija this woman in marriage. What is Solomon worried about?

Why do you think he's so against this? verse 23. Then King Solomon made a vow before the Lord, may God strike me, and even kill me if Adinija has not sealed his fate with this request. The Lord has confirmed me and placed me on the throne of my father, David. He has established my dynasty as he promised. So as surely as the Lord lives, Adonijah will die this very day. So King Solomon ordered Benaya son of Jehoiada, to execute him, and Adonija was put to death. Okay, so pause there. Why do you think Solomon's reaction was to execute Adonijah?

Do you think that was the right decision? Or was it too extreme? Verse 26. Then the king said to Abithar, the priest, Go back to your home in Anathathath. You deserve to die, but I will not kill you now because you carried the Ark of the sovereign Lord for David, my father, and you shared all his hardships. So Solomon deposed Abithar from his position as priest of the Lord, thereby fulfilling

the prophecy the Lord had given at Shiloh concerning the descendants of Eli. Okay, so pause there. Why did Solomon decide to dismiss Abithar his position rather than execute him like he did at anija. And then what is this prophecy that they're talking about? It says that when Abithar was let go from his position, it fulfilled a prophecy concerning the descendants of Eli. Take a look at 1st Samuel 20, 30 to 35 to help you with this answer. So do we think that Solomon made the right decision here?

Verse 28, Joab had not joined Absalom's earlier rebellion, but he had joined Adinija's rebellion. So when Joab heard about Adinja's death, he ran to the sacred tent of the Lord and grabbed on to the horns of the altar. When this was reported to King Solomon, he sent Beniah son of Jehoiada to execute him.

Benaya went to the sacred tent of the Lord and said to Joab, the king orders you to come out. But Joab answered, No, I will die here. So Beniah returned to the king and told him what Joab had said. Do as he said, the king replied, kill him there beside the altar and bury him. This will remove the guilt of Joab's senseless murder from me and from my father's family.

The Lord will repay him for the murders of two men who were more righteous and better than he. For my father knew nothing about the death of Abner, son of Nair, commander of the army of Israel and of Amasa, son of Jethar, commander of the army of Judah. May their blood be on Joab and his descendants forever, and may the Lord grant peace forever to David, his descendants, his dynasty, and his throne. So Beniah, son of Jehoiada, returned to the sacred tent and killed Joab, and he was buried at his home in the wilderness. Then the king appointed Beniah to command the army in place of Joab, and he installed Zadik,

the priest, to take the place of Abithar. So pause there. Why do you think Joab ran to this sacred place and decided that he wanted to die there? And why do you think, or what do you think, of Solomon's decision to let him die there in the sacred place? And then what are these crimes that Solomon is talking about? He's saying that Joab caused the death of these certain people. Was that true? Do you remember those things from the past in the scriptures?

This might be a good time to look up Joab and remind yourself what happened in the past and see was Solomon being honest here, and was he just in punishing Joab in this way? Verse 36. The king then sent for Shemai and told him, build a house here in Jerusalem and live there. But don't step outside the city to go anywhere else. On the day you so much as cross the Kidron Valley, you will surely die and your blood will be on your own head.

Shemai replied, Your sentence is fair. I will do whatever my lord the king commands. So Shemai lived in Jerusalem for a long time. Okay, so pause there. What did Shemai do to deserve this punishment? Why is he being confined to Jerusalem like this? Verse 39.

But three years later, two of Shemai's slaves ran away to King Akish, son of Maka of Gath. When Shemai learned where they were, he saddled his donkey and went to Gath to search for them. When he found them, he brought them back to Jerusalem. Solomon heard that Shemai had left Jerusalem and had gone to Gath and returned. So the king sent for Shemai in demand. ended, didn't I make you swear by the Lord and warn you not to go anywhere else or you would surely die? And you replied, the sentence is fair, I will do as you say.

Then why haven't you kept your oath to the Lord and obeyed my command? The king also said to Shemai, You certainly remember all the wicked things you did to my father, David. May the Lord now bring that evil on your own head. But may I, King Solomon, receive the Lord's blessing, and may one of David. David's descendants always sit on this throne in the presence of the Lord. Then at the king's command, Beniah son of Jehoiada, took Shemai outside and killed him. So the kingdom was now firmly in Solomon's grip.

Okay, so pause there. What was really important that happened in this chapter? It's kind of summed up in that last sentence. Why was it so important for Solomon's enemies? and David's former enemies to be defeated. And then Solomon keeps talking about the need for one of David's descendants to always be on the throne in Israel. Why is that significant?

Why do you think that's so important? Can you think of anything that might happen in the future of Christianity that connects to this idea that a descendant of David must always sit on God's throne, on the throne of Israel. Okay, so now we can start first Kings, chapter three, which starts with a section called Solomon asks for wisdom. Chapter 3, verse 1, Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt,

and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the city of David until he could finish building his palace and the temple of the Lord and the wall around the city. At that time, the people of Israel sacrificed, their offerings at local places of worship. For a temple honoring the name of the Lord had not yet been built. Okay, so let's pause there.

First question I want to ask is, is this Pharaoh the same Pharaoh from Exodus when they were sent out of Egypt? Why do you think Solomon is making an alliance with Pharaoh and Egypt? What purpose do you think that's serving? Do you think this is a good idea, or do you think this is going to cause issues among the Israelites? Do you think this is going to become a problem for Solomon? Ramin, what do you make of this section that says they were sacrificing their offerings at local places of worship

because they hadn't built a temple yet? Are they following the law by doing this? Or is this going against what God has asked of the Israelites? Why do you think they haven't built a temple yet? Verse 3. Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father David, except that Solomon 2 offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship. The most important of these places of worship was at Gibbon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings. That night, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, What do you want? Ask. and I will give it to you. Solomon replied, You showed great and faithful love

to your servant, my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne. Now, O Lord, my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around, and here I am, in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous that they cannot be counted. Give me an understanding heart, so that I can govern your people well, and know the difference between right and wrong, for who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours. The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom, so God replied,

Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice, and have not asked for a long life, or wealth, or the death of your enemies, I will give you what you asked for, I will give you a wise and understanding hearts such as no one else has ever had or will ever have. and I will always give you what you ask for, riches and fame. No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life, and if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father David did, I will give you a long life. Okay, so pause there. What's going on in this situation?

What's happening between God and Solomon right now? Does this feel like Solomon is being put through a test? Solomon was given the opportunity to ask for anything in the world that he wanted. But what did he ask for? And why was God so honored and pleased with what Solomon asked for? What did you learn about Solomon in this section? And we have an instance here of actually hearing from God. And so what was revealed to you about God in this section?

How should we talk to God? How should our desires be aligned with God's desires? What does it teach you about communicating with God and asking God for things in our lives? Verse 15. Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord's covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet.

Okay, the next section is Solomon, judges, wisely. Sometime later, two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled. Please, my lord, one of them began. This woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house. Three days later, this woman also had a baby. We were alone. there were only two of us in the house.

But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it. Then she got up in the night and took my son from beside me while I was asleep. She laid her dead child in my arms and took mine to sleep beside her. And in the morning, when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead. But when I looked more closely in the morning light,

I saw that it wasn't my son at all. Then the other woman interrupted. It certainly was your son, and the living child is mine. No, the first woman said. The living child is mine and the dead one is yours, and so they argued back and forth before the king. Then the king said, let's get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours,

and each says that the dead one belongs to the other. All right, bring me a sword. So a sword was brought to the king. Then he said, cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other. Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried, I don't know, my lord, give her the child, please do not kill him.

But the other woman said, all right, he will be neither yours nor mine, divide him between us. And the king said, do not kill the child. But give him to the woman who wants him to live. for she is his mother. When all Israel heard the king's decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice. Okay, so pause there.

Why does this section come right after the dream he had where the Lord spoke to him? This story may seem very strange, but how is it revealing Solomon's wisdom? How are we seeing God keep his promises to Solomon? And why is it important that Israel see Solomon's wisdom and be witness to this wisdom that God has given him? Okay, so now we can start 1st Kings chapter 4, which is titled Solomon's officials and governors. Chapter 4, verse 1. King Solomon now ruled over all Israel, and these were his high officials. Azariah, son of Zadik was the priest.

Eliharov, and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were court secretaries. Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was the royal historian. But Naya, son of Jehoiada, was commander of the army. Zadik and Abithar were priests. Azariah, son of Nathan, was in charge of the district governors. Zabud, son of Nathan, a priest, was a trusted advisor to the king. Abyshire was manager of the palace property. Adinirum, son of Abda, was in charge of forced labor. Solomon also had 12 district governors who were all over Israel.

They were responsible for providing food for the king's household. Each of them arranged provisions for one month of the year. These are the names of the 12 governors. Ben-Hur in the hill country of Ephraim, Ben-Dekker in Makas, Shalbeam, Beth Shamesh, and Elon Bethanon. Ben Hesed and Arubath, including Suko and all the land of Heifer. Ben Abinadab, in all of Nefathdor, he was married to Tofeth, one of Solomon's daughters. Baana, son of a helud, in Tonic. and Megadou, all of Bethshan near Zarethan, below Jesreal, and all the territory from Beth

Sean, to Abel Mahula, and over to Jokmiam. Ben Geber, in Ramath, Gilead, including the towns of Jair, named for Jair of the tribe of Manasseh, in Gilead, and in Arigab, region of Bashan, including 60 large fortified towns with bronze bars on their gates. Ahinidad, son of Edo, in Mahaniam. Ahimaaz in Naftali, he was married to Basmouth, another of Solomon's daughters. Baana, son of Hushai, in Asher and in Alath. Jehoshaphat, son of Perua, and Issaqar. Shame, son of Elah and Benjamin.

Geber, son of Yuri, in the land of Gilead. including the territories of King Syhon of the Amarites and King Ag of Bashan. There was also one governor over the land of Judah. Okay, so pause there. That was a very long list of names that were very difficult to pronounce, but I tried my best. But a long list of names of Solomon's officials and governors. Why do you think it's important that we have that list of names here? Do you recognize any of the names? Are you curious about any of these people?

Why does it mention some people's wives, but not others? What can we learn about Solomon and how he is ruling over Israel by hearing this list of names and how all the work and leadership is divided among his men? The next section is Solomon's prosperity and wisdom. Verse 20. The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as, the sand on the seashore. They were very contented with plenty to eat and drink. Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River in the north to the land of the Philistines and the

border of Egypt in the south. The conquered peoples of those lands sent tribute money to Solomon and continued to serve him throughout his lifetime. The daily food requirements for Solomon's palace were 150 bushels of choice flour and 300 bushels of meal, also 10 oxen from the fattening pens, 20 pasture-fed cattle, 100 sheep or goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roe deer, and choice poultry. Solomon's dominion extended over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River, from Tifsa to Gaza, and there was peace on all his borders. During the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety. And from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, each family had its own home and garden.

Okay, so pause there. What did we just learn about how the people of Israel lived during Solomon's reign? Was Solomon's reign a time of peace or a time of war? verse 26 Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his chariot horses, and he had 12,000 horses. The district governors faithfully provided food for King Solomon and his court. Each made sure nothing was lacking during the month assigned to him. They also brought the necessary barley and straw for the royal horses in the stables. God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding and knowledge as vast as the

sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan, the Ezraite, and the sons of Mahal, Heman, Kalkal, and Darda. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed some 3,000 proverbs, and wrote 1,000 5. songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon. Okay, so pause there.

did God give Solomon this gift of wisdom? What were the fruits of his wisdom that were listed here? Because Solomon was wise, what did he do? What did he create? Because Solomon was wise, how did he help his people? What kind of impact did he have on those around him? What did you learn about Solomon in this passage? What kind of person was he? What kind of person was he? What was he interested in? What did he like to do? What was he knowledgeable about? Why is it important for us to know that he was knowledgeable about animals and birds and fish and small creatures and could talk about the plants and could write songs and proverbs? Why do we need to know these things? What are you knowledgeable about? What is important to you in your life? What are the giftings that you have that

God has given you. And how can you use them as Solomon did to make the people around you better and closer to God? Okay, so now we can start Chapter 5. Preparations for Building the Temple. King Hiram of Tyre had always been a loyal friend of David. When Hiram learned that David's son, Solomon, was the new king of Israel, he sent ambassadors to congratulate him. Then Solomon and sent this message back to Hiram. You know that my father, David, was not able to build a temple to honor the name of the Lord His God because of the many wars waged against him by surrounding nations. He could not build until the Lord gave him victory over all his enemies. But now, the Lord, my God, has given me peace on every side. I have no enemies, and all as well. So, I am

planning to build a temple to honor the name of the Lord my God, just as he had instructed my Father David. For the Lord told him, your son, whom I will place on your throne, will build the temple to honor my name. Therefore, please command that cedars from Lebanon be cut for me. Let my men work alongside yours, and I will pay your men whatever wages you ask. As you know, There is no one among us who can cut timber like you, Sedonians. Okay, so pause there. Why wasn't David allowed to build a temple to God in the past? Check in with 2 Samuel 7 1 to 17 if you want to be reminded.

Why is Solomon building a temple? Why is he able to build this temple? Why is it now the right time? What purpose does the temple serve within the Iseresey? community. Why do you think Solomon is building this temple and how do you think he plans to use it? Verse 7. When Hiram received Solomon's message, he was very pleased and said, praise the Lord today for giving David a wise son to be king of the great nation of Israel. Then he sent this reply to Solomon. I have received your message and I will supply all the cedar and cypress timber you need.

My servants will bring the logs from the Lebanon Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea and make them into rafts, and float them along the coast to whatever place you choose. Then we will break the rafts apart, so you can carry the logs away. You can pay me by supplying me with food for my household. So Hiram supplied as much cedar and cypress timber as Solomon desired. In return, Solomon sent him an annual payment, of 100,000 bushels of wheat for his household and 110,000 gallons of pure olive oil. So the Lord gave wisdom to Solomon just as he had promised, and Hiram and Solomon made a formal

alliance of peace. Okay, so pause there. We have another mention of the word peace. That's sort of the theme of Solomon and his reign. So I really want you to think about that word. peace. What does peace mean? What does it look like? What does it feel like? How should peace play into our identity in Christ? Why is peace important to God? And why should it be important to us? Verse 13. Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel. He sent them to Lebanon in shifts, 10,000 every month. so that each man would be one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adonairam was in charge of this labor force.

Solomon also had 70,000 common laborers, 80,000 quarry workers in the hill country, and 3,600 foremen to supervise the work. At the king's command, they quarry large blocks of high-quality stone and shaped them to make the foundation of the temple. Men from the city of Gebel helped Solomon's and Hiram's builders prepare the timber and stone for the temple. Okay, so pause there at the end of chapter 5. How did Solomon divide up the labor among the Israelite men?

Why do you think he divided the labor this way? And why do you think it took so many men to build and prepare for this temple? Okay, so now we can start First King's, Chapter 6. Solomon builds the temple. Chapter 6, verse 1. It was in mid-spring, in the month of Ziv, during the fourth year of Solomon's reign, that he began to construct the temple of the Lord. This was 480 years after the people of Israel were rescued from their slavery in the land of Egypt.

The temple that King Solomon built for the Lord was 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high. The entry room at the front of the temple was 30 feet wide, running across the entire width of the temple. It projected outward 15 feet from the front of the temple. Solomon also made narrow recessed windows throughout the temple. He built a complex of rooms against the outer walls of the temple all the way around the sides and rear of the building. The complex was three stories high, the bottom floor being seven and a half feet wide, the second floor nine feet wide, and the top floor, ten and a half feet wide. The rooms were connected to the walls of the temple by beams resting on ledges built out from the wall, so the beams were not inserted into the walls

themselves. The stones used in the construction of the temple were finished at the quarry, so there was no sound of hammer, axe, or any other iron tool at the building site. The entrance to the bottom floor was on the south side of the temple. There were winding stairs going up to the second floor, and another flight of stairs between the second and third floors. After completing the temple structure, Solomon put in a ceiling made of cedar beams and planks. As already stated, he built a complex of rooms along, the sides of the building attached to the temple walls by cedar timbers. Each story of the complex

was seven and a half feet high. Then the Lord gave this message to Solomon. Concerning this temple you are building, if you keep all my decrees and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father, David. I will live among the Israelites and will never abandon my people Israel. Okay, so pause there. How long has it been since the Israelites were rescued out of Egypt? What do you remember about the big structure that the Israelites built for God after they were rescued from Egypt? Is that the same kind of structure that Solomon is building? So what is the difference between a tabernacle and a temple? What are their similarities? What do you notice here about the temple and how it's being built? For instance, why do they make the point of saying that they built it with no sound of hammer, axe, or any other iron tool at the building site? Why was that important? And then God says that he is going to fulfill the promise he made to David through Solomon. If Solomon,

keeps all his decrees and obeys his commands. What promise is he talking about here? What promise is God going to fulfill that he promised David? Okay, so the next section is the temple's interior. Verse 14. So Solomon finished building the temple. The entire inside from floor to ceiling was paneled with wood. He paneled the walls and ceilings with cedar,

and he used planks of cypress for the floors. He partitioned off an inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, at the far end of the temple. It was 30 feet deep and was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling. The main room of the temple, outside the most holy place, was 60 feet long. Cedar paneling completely covered the stone walls throughout the temple, and the paneling was decorated with carvings of gourds and open flowers. Okay, so pause there. Do you see any similarities between the temple and the tabernacle in this section, specifically talking about the most holy place?

Verse 19. He prepared the inner sanctuary at the far end of the temple where the ark of the Lord's covenant would be placed. This inner sanctuary was 30 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 30 feet high. He overlaid the inside with solid gold. He also overlaid the altar made of cedar. Then Solomon overlaid the rest of the temple's interior with solid gold, and he made gold chains to protect the entrance to the most holy place. So he finished overlaying the entire temple with gold, including the altar that belonged to the most holy place.

Okay, so pause here. Here's another artifact. that we find in the tabernacle, the Ark of the Lord's Covenant. What was that? Do you guys remember what that was? Verse 23. He made two cherubim of wild olive wood, each 15 feet tall, and placed them in the inner sanctuary. The wingspan of each of the cherubim was 15 feet, each wing being seven and a half feet long.

The two cherubim were identical in shape and size. Each was 15 feet tall. He placed them side by side in the inner sanctuary of the temple. Their outspread wings reached from wall to wall, while their inner wings touched at the center of the room. He overlaid the two cherubim with gold. He decorated all the walls of the inner sanctuary and the main room with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers.

He overlaid the floor in both rooms with gold. For the entrance to the inner sanctuary, he made double doors of wild olive wood with five-sided doorposts. These double doors were decorated with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. The doors, including the decorations of cherubim and palm trees, were overlaid with gold. Then he made four-sided doorposts of wild olive wood for the entrance. to the temple. There were two folding doors of cypress wood, and each door was hinged to fold back upon itself. These doors were decorated with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, all overlaid evenly with gold. The walls of the inner courtyard were built so that there was

one layer of cedar beams between every three layers of finished stone. The foundation of the Lord's temple was laid in mid-spring in the month of Ziv during the fourth year of Solomon's reign. The entire building was completed in every detail by mid-autom in the month of bull during the 11th year of his reign. So it took seven years to build the temple. Okay, so pause there. Think about the elements that went in to building this temple. What type of decorations were in the temple? What types of metals were used? And why are these things significant? What type of wood was used? Why was everything so specific and formulaic in how it was built? And then I want you to think back to the tabernacle that the Israelites built. Let's continue thinking about the similarities and the

differences. Did they serve the same purpose? Is this an updated version of the tabernacle? Or did they still use the tabernacle? Or did they sort of combine the tabernacle in a place of worship and build a temple? Okay, so now we can start chapter 7, which is called Solomon Build. his palace. Chapter 7 verse 1. Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him 13 years to complete the construction. One of Solomon's buildings was called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. It was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. There were four rows of cedar pillars, and great cedar beams rested on the pillars. The hall had a cedar roof. Above the beams on the pillars were 45 side rooms, arranged in three tiers of 15 each.

On each end of the long hall were three rows of windows facing each other. All the doorways and doorposts had regular frames and were arranged in sets of three facing each other. Solomon also built the hall of pillars, which was 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. There was a porch in front along with a canopy supported by pillars. Solomon also built the throne room known as the Hall of Justice, where he sat to hear legal matters. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling. Solomon's living quarters surrounded a courtyard behind this hall, and they were constructed the same way. He also built similar living quarters for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had married.

From foundation to eaves, all buildings were built from huge blocks of high-quality stone, cut with saws and trimmed to exact measure on all sides. Some of the huge foundation stones were 15 feet long, and some were 12 feet long. The blocks of high-quality stone used in the walls were also cut to measure, and cedar beams were also used. The walls of the great courtyard were built. so that there was one layer of cedar beams between every three layers of finished stone, just like the walls of the inner courtyard of the Lord's temple with its entry room. Okay, so pause there.

Why is Solomon building this palace? What do you notice about how it's constructed? Okay, the next section is furnishings for the temple. Verse 13. King Solomon then asked for a man named Huram to come from Tyre. He was half-Israelite since his mother was a widow from the tribe of Noftali, and his father had been a craftsman in bronze from Tyre. Huram was extremely skillful and talented in any work in bronze, and he came to do all the metalwork for King Solomon. Huram cast two bronze

pillars, each 27 feet tall and 18 feet in circumference. For the tops of the pillars, he cast bronze capitals, each seven and a half feet tall. Each capitol was decorated with seven sets of latticework and interwoven chains. He also encircled the latticework with two rows of pomegranates to decorate the capitals over the pillars. The capitals on the columns inside the entry room were shaped like water lilies, and they were six feet tall. The capitals on the two pillars had 200 pomegranates in two rows around them, beside the round surface next to the latticework. Hurum set the pillars at the entrance of the temple, one toward the south and one toward the north. He named the one on the south, Jokkin, and the one on

the north, Boaz. The capitals on the pillars were shaped like water lilies, and so the work on the pillars was finished. Okay, so pause there. Solomon brings this person in, who is known for his bronze work, to do this work. on the temple. What does that teach us about using our gifts and finding people within our community who have gifts and giving them opportunities to use them? And then why do you think he named the pillars Joccan and Boaz? Who are those people? What do you remember about them? Verse 23. Then Hiram cast a great round basin, 15 feet across from rim to rim, called the sea. It was seven and a half feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference. It was encircled

just below its rim by two rows of decorated gourds. There were about six gourds per foot, all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin. The sea was placed on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward, three-faced north, three-faced west, three-faced, south, and three faced east, and the sea rested on them. The walls of the sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water-lily blossom. It could hold about 11,000 gallons of water. Okay, so pause there. We have these 12 bronze oxen. Why are there 12 of them, and why are they facing in those directions? Verse 27.

Huram also made ten bronze water carts, each six feet long, six feet wide, and four and a half feet tall. They were constructed with side panels braced with crossbars. Both the panels and the crossbars were decorated with carved lions, oxen, and cherubim. Above and below the lions and the oxen were wreath, decorations. Each of these carts had four bronze wheels and bronze axles. There were supporting posts for the bronze basins at the corners of the carts. These supports were decorated on each side with carvings of wreaths. The top of each cart had a rounded frame for the basin. It projected one and a half feet above the cart's top like a round pedestal, and its opening was two and a half feet across. It was decorated on the

outside with carvings of wreaths. The panels of the carts were square, not round. Under the panels were four wheels that were connected to axles that had been cast as one unit with the cart. The wheels were two and a fourth feet in diameter, and were similar to chariot wheels. The axles, spokes, rims, and hubs were all cast from molten bronze. There were handles at each of the the four corners of the carts, and these two were cast as one unit with the cart. Around the top of each cart was a rim nine inches wide. The corner supports and side panels were cast as one unit with the cart. Carvings of cherubim, lions, and palm trees decorated the panels and corner supports wherever there was room, and there were wreaths

all around. All ten water carts were the same size. and were made alike, for each was cast from the same mold. Okay, so pause there. We keep hearing them use this imagery of cherubims, lions, palm trees, and wreaths. Why do you think they use these specific items and images to decorate these pieces of bronze? Verse 38. Huram also made ten smaller bronze basins, one for each cart. Each basin was six feet across and could hold.

told 220 gallons of water. He set five water carts on the south side of the temple, and five on the north side. The great bronze basin called the sea was placed near the southeast corner of the temple. He also made the necessary wash basins, shovels, and bowls. So at last, hearing completed everything King Solomon had assigned him to make for the temple of the Lord, the two pillars, the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars, the two networks of interwoven chains that decorated the capitals, the 400 pomegranates that hung from the chain on the capitals, two rows of pomegranates for each of the chain networks that decorated the capitals on top of the pillars, the tin water carts holding the ten basins, the sea and the twelve oxen under it, the ash bucket,

the shovels, and the bowls. Huron made all these things of burnished bronze for the temple of the Lord, just as King Solomon had directed. The king had them cast in clay molds in the Jordan Valley between Suketh and Xerethan. Solomon did not weigh all these things because there were so many. The weight of bronze could not be measured. Okay, so pause there. Why do you think Solomon had Huron make these specific items? for the temple. And then I want you to think about how long ago this was, the types of tools they

had then. And I want you to think about all the work Huron had to do to create these pieces of bronze and everything that went into it. What does that tell us about how important this temple was to the people of Israel. Verse 48. Solomon also made all the furnishings of the temple of the Lord. The gold altar, the gold table for the bread of the presents, the lamp stands of solid gold, five on the south and five on the north, in front of the most holy place, the flower decorations, lamps and tongs, all of gold. The small bowls, lamp snuffers, bowls, bowls, lans, bowls, and incense burners all of solid gold. The doors for the entrance to the most holy place

and the main room of the temple with their fronts overlaid with gold. So King Solomon finished all his work on the temple of the Lord. Then he brought all the gifts his father David had dedicated the silver, the gold, and the various articles,

and he stored them in the treasuries of the Lord's temple. So pause there at the end of chapter 7. How do we see Solomon's love for God and his reverence for God through his actions? What did this temple mean for Solomon? Was he taking, building this temple seriously? Or was it meaningless to him? And how do you know that through his actions and the words that he said?

Okay, so now we can start chapter 8, which starts. with a section called the Ark brought to the temple. Chapter 8 verse 1. Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the ancestral families of the Israelites. They were to bring the Ark of the Lord's covenant to the temple from its location in the city of David, also known as Zion. So all the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the annual festival of Shelton, which is held in early autumn in the month of Ethanem. When all the elders of Israel arrived, the priests picked up the ark.

The priests and Levites brought up the Ark of the Lord along with the special tent and all the sacred items that had been in it. There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count. Okay, so pause there. Why do you think that they are sacrificing so many sheep, goats, and cattle before the ark? Verse 6. Then the priests carried the ark of the Lord's covenant into the sanctuary of the temple, the most holy place, and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim. The cherubim spread their wings over the ark, forming a canopy over the ark and its carrying poles.

These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the holy place which is in front of the most holy place but not from the outside. They are still there to the stay. Nothing was in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it, at Mount Sinai where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left the land of Egypt. When the priests came out of the holy place, a thick cloud filled the temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the temple. Okay, so pause there. What was the cloud that filled the temple? Why do you think the presence of the Lord is seen as a cloud? Do you remember another time in Scripture where God appears as a cloud?

The next section is Solomon praises the Lord. Verse 12. Then Solomon prayed, O Lord, you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness. Now I have built a glorious temple for you, a place where you can live forever. Then the king turned around to the entire community of Israel standing before him and gave this blessing. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise he made to my father, David, for he told my father, from the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have never

chosen a city among any of the tribes of Israel as the place where a temple should be built to honor my name, but I have chosen David to be king over my people. Then Solomon said, My father David wanted to build this temple to honor the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord told him, you wanted to build the temple to honor my name. Your intention is good, but you are not the one to do it. One of your own sons will build the temple to honor me. Okay, so pause there.

What was the purpose of this temple? And it says that David wanted to build the temple. temple, but God said, even though your intention is good, you're not going to do it. One of your sons will. Why do you think God wanted Solomon to build this temple instead of David? Verse 20, And now the Lord has fulfilled the promise he made, for I have become king in my father's place, and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised. I have built this temple to honor the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. And I have prepared a place there for the ark,

which contains the covenant that the Lord made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt. The next section is Solomon's Prayer of Dedication, Verse 22. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven, and he prayed, O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below.

You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. You have kept your promise to your servant, David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today. And now, O Lord, God of Israel, carry out the additional promise you made to your servant, David, my father. For you said to him, if your descendants guard their behavior and faithfully follow me as you have done, one of them will sit on the throne of Israel. Now, O God of Israel, fulfill this promise to your servant, David, my father. But will God really live on earth?

Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you? How much less this temple I have built? Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you today. May you watch over this temple night and day, this place where you have said, my name will be there. May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people, Israel, when we pray toward this place. Yes,

hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive. If someone wrongs another person and is required to take an oath of innocence in front of your altar in this temple, then hear from heaven and judge between your servants, the accuser and the accused. Punish the guilty as they deserve. Acquit the innocent because of their innocence. If your people Israel are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you, and if they turn to you and acknowledge, your name and pray to you here in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people,

Israel, and return them to this land you gave their ancestors. If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession. If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people's enemies are in the land besieging their towns, whatever disaster

or disease there is, and if your people Israel pray about their troubles, raising their hands toward this temple, then hear from heaven where you live and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. Then they will fear you as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors. In the future, foreigners who do not. Forerneres who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of earth will come to know and fear you just as your own people Israel do.

They too will know that this temple I have built honors your name. If your people go out where you send them to fight their enemies, and if they pray to the Lord by turning toward this city you have chosen and toward this temple I have built to honor your name, then hear their prayers from heaven and uphold their cause. If they sin against you and who has never sinned, you might become angry with them and let their enemies conquer them and take them captive to their land far away or near. But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray. We have sinned, done evil and acted wickedly. If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their enemies and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors,

toward this city you have chosen, and toward this temple I have built to honor your name, then hear their prayers and their petition from heaven where you live and uphold their cause. Forgive your people who have sinned against you. Forgive all the offenses they have committed against you. Make their captors merciful to them. For they are your people, your special possession, whom you brought out of the iron smelting furnace of Egypt. May your eyes be open to my requests,

and to the requests of your people, Israel. May you hear and answer them whenever they cry out to you, for when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, O sovereign Lord, you told your servant Moses that you had set Israel apart from all the nations of the earth to be your own special possession. Okay, so pause there because it was a very long section and a very long prayer from Solomon. So I want you to just sit for a second and digest everything that he said in this prayer.

How did Solomon format his prayer? How did he start it? what happened in the middle and then how did he end this prayer? What did he ask of God throughout his prayer? What do you learn about Solomon and what is important to him throughout his prayer? How does he talk to God? What does he say about God? Does he demand things of God or does he request things of God?

What can we learn by hearing this prayer, by reading this prayer, about how we should be praying to God? The next section is the dedication of the temple. Verse 54. When Solomon finished making these prayers and petitions to the Lord, he stood up in front of the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands raised toward heaven. He stood in a loud voice blessed the entire congregation of Israel. Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. No one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant, Moses.

May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave or abandon us. May he give us the desire to do his will and everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors. ancestors. And may these words that I have prayed in the presence of the Lord be before him constantly, day and night, so that the Lord our God may give justice to me and to the people of Israel according to each day's needs. Then people all over the earth will know that the Lord alone is God and there is no other. And may you be completely faithful to the Lord our God.

May you always obey his decrees and commands just as you are doing today. Okay, so pause there. Solomon says that God has fulfilled and kept all the promises he made through Moses. What promises is he talking about? And how have we seen God answer those promises? If you were an Israelite at this time hearing this speech from your king, Solomon, How would you feel? Would you be encouraged or discouraged?

Would you be excited about the future? Or would you be nervous about the future? How would hearing this speech make you feel? Verse 62. Then the king in all Israel with him offered sacrifices to the Lord. Solomon offered to the Lord a peace offering of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. And so the king and all the people of Israel

dedicated the temple of the Lord. That same day, the king consecrated the central area of the courtyard in front of the Lord's temple. He offered burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of peace offerings there. Because the bronze altar in the Lord's presence

was too small to hold all the the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings. Then Solomon and Israel celebrated the festival of shelters in the presence of the Lord our God. A large congregation had gathered from as far away as Libo Hamath in the north and the brook of Egypt in the south. The celebration went on for 14 days in all, seven days for the dedication of the altar, and seven days for the festival of shelters. After the festival was over, Solomon sent the people home. They blessed the king and went to their homes joyfully and glad

because the Lord had been good to his servant, David, and to his people, Israel. Okay, so pause there at the end of chapter 8. So they've built this temple and they've consecrated it to the Lord. What does this symbolize? What is the importance of this temple being built? What does this temple mean for the people of Israel? What does this temple mean for their relationship with God? Why did they celebrate the temple for seven days?

And then do you remember what the festival of shelters was? And why was that celebrated for another seven days? What was the importance of the festival of shelters? Okay, so now we can start chapter 9, starts of the section called the Lord's response to Solomon. Chapter 9, verse 1. So Solomon finished building the temple of the Lord as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do.

Then the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had done before at Gibbean. The Lord said to him, I have heard your prayer and your petition. I have set this temple apart to be holy. This place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart. As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever.

For I have made this promise to your father, David. One of your descendants will always sit on the throne of Israel. But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. And though this temple is impressive now, all who pass by, will be appalled and will gasp in horror.

They will ask, why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this temple? And the answer will be because his people abandoned the Lord their God who brought their ancestors out of Egypt, and they worshipped other gods instead and bowed down to them. This is why the Lord has brought all these disasters on them. Okay, so pause there. What did God promise Israel when he was speaking? and what did God warn Israel of when he was speaking?

Do you think that Israel will keep their promise to God, or do you think they will fall away and worship false gods? And God says if they do fall away, he will punish them. And what punishment awaits them if they fall away from God? And then we have the temple. God says that he is setting it apart as a holy place. why is God setting this space apart as holy? But then he says that if they fall away, people will look on the temple in horror.

Why will they look on it in horror? What is going to happen to the temple if Israel falls away? The next section is Solomon's agreement with Hiram. Verse 10. It took Solomon 20 years to build the Lord's temple in his own royal palace. At the end of that time, he gave 20 towns in the land of Galilee to King Hiram of Tyre. Hiram had previously provided all the cedar and cypress timber and gold that Solomon had requested. But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the towns Solomon had given him, he was not at all pleased with them.

What kind of towns are these, my brother? he asked. So Hiram called that area Kabul, which means worthless, as it is still known today. Nevertheless, Hiram paid Solomon 9,000 pounds of gold. Okay, so pause there. I think Hiram was so displeased with these towns. And if he was so displeased, why did he still pay for them? The next section is Solomon's many achievements. Verse 15.

This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon conscripted to build the Lord's Temple, the royal palace, the supporting terraces, the Wall of Jerusalem, and the cities of Hazore, Megadou, and Gezer. Pharaoh, the King of Egypt, had attacked and captured Gezer, killing the Canaanite population and burning it down.

He gave the city to his daughter as a wedding gift when she married Solomon. So Solomon rebuilt the city of Gezer. He also built up the towns of Lower Beth Haran, Baaleth and Tamar in the wilderness within his land. He built towns as supply centers and constructed towns where his chariots and horses could be stationed. He built everything he desired in Jerusalem and Lebanon and throughout his entire realm. There were still some people living in the land who were not Israelites, including Amarites, Hittites, Parasites, Hivites, and Jebysites. These were descendants of the nations whom the people

of Israel had not completely destroyed. So Solomon conscripted them as slaves, and they served as forced laborers to this day. But Solomon did not conscript any of the Israelites for forced labor. Instead, he assigned them to serve as fighting men, government officials, officers, and captains in his army, commanders of his chariots and charioteers. Solomon appointed 550 of them to supervise the people working on his various projects. Okay, so pause there. What do you think about this section where we hear about Solomon conscripting people as slaves and making them serve as forced laborers. Why do you think Solomon did this?

Do you think this is something that God approves of? Something that God disapproved of? Or something that is simply recorded as it actually happened historically? And then why were none of the Israelites conscripted as forced labor? Verse 24. Solomon moved his wife, Pharaoh's daughter, from the city of David to the new palace, had built for her. Then he constructed the supporting terraces. Three times each year Solomon presented

burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the Lord. He also burned incense to the Lord, and so he finished the work of building the temple. King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezzion Geber, a port near Elath in the land of Edom, along the shore of the Red Sea. Hiram sent experienced crews of sailors to sail the ships with Solomon's men. They sailed at offer and brought back to Solomon some 16 tons of gold. Okay, so pause there. Reflect on the things that Solomon accomplished during his time as king, his many achievements, as they called it.

How would you evaluate what he's done so far? did he make a lot of progress? Do you think he didn't do much of anything? What do you think of Solomon so far? Okay, so now we can start chapter 10, which starts with a section called Visit of the Queen of Sheba. Chapter 10, verse 1. When the Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, which brought honor to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a large group of attendance and a great caravan of camels, loaded with spices, large quantities of gold and precious jewels. When she met with Solomon, she talked with him about everything she had on her mind. Okay, so pause there.

Who is this queen? Who is the queen of Sheba? Why do you think that she's coming here to test Solomon? How do you think she's going to test him? And how do you think he's going to do? Will he pass or will he fail? Verse 3. Solomon had answers for all her questions.

Nothing was too hard for the king to explain. explained to her. When the Queen of Sheba realized how very wise Solomon was, and when she saw the palace he had built, she was overwhelmed. She was also amazed at the food on his tables, the organization of his officials, and their splendid clothing, the cup-bearers, and the burnt offerings Solomon made at the Temple of the Lord. She exclaimed to the king, everything I heard in my country about your achievements and wisdom is true. I didn't mind. believe what was said until I arrived here and saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I had not heard half of it. Your wisdom and prosperity are far beyond what I was told. How happy your people must be.

What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom. Praise the Lord your God who delights in you and has placed you on the throne of Israel. because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, so you can rule with justice and righteousness. Then she gave the king a gift of 9,000 pounds of gold, great quantities of spices, and precious jewels. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. Okay, so pause there. Now we've kind of understood why she came and tested him. What did she find out about Solomon after she tested him?

What kind of person was Solomon? What kind of evidence do we have that show us what kind of king he was, how he treated his people, how the people around him felt about who he was? Verse 11. In addition, Hiram's ships brought gold from offer, and they also brought rich cargoes of red sandalwood and precious jewels. The king used the sandalwood to make railings for the temple of, the Lord and the Royal Palace and to construct liars and harps for the musicians.

Never before or since has there been such a supply of sandalwood. King Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba whatever she asked for, besides all the customary gifts he had so generously given. Then she, in all her attendants, returned to their own land. Okay, so pause there. What does this tell us about Solomon that other rulers are coming from all over the area just to find out if the rumors are true. They're hearing things about him and they're traveling to find out for themselves. What does that tell us about what's going on here and who Solomon is?

The next section is Solomon's wealth and splendor. Verse 14. Each year Solomon received about 25 tons of gold. This did not include the additional revenue he received from merchants and traders, all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land. King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold, each weighing more than 15 pounds. He also made 300 smaller shields of hammered gold, each weighing nearly four pounds. The king placed these shields in the palace of the forest of Lebanon. Then the king made a huge throne decorated with ivory and overlaid with fine gold. The throne had six steps and a rounded back.

There were armrests on both sides of the seat, and the figure of a lion stood on each side of the throne. There were also twelve other lions, one standing on each end of the six steps. No other throne in the world could be compared with it. All of King Solomon's drinking cups were solid gold, as were all the utensils in the palace of the forest of Lebanon. They were not made of silver, for silver was considered worthless in Solomon's day. The king had a fleet of trading ships of Tarshish,

that sailed with Hiram's fleet. Once every three years, the ships returned loaded with gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. Year after year, everyone who visited him brought gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules. Solomon built up a huge force of chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He stationed some of them in the chariot cities and some near him in Jerusalem. The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stone.

And valuable cedar timber was as common as the sycamore fig trees that grow in the foothills of Judah. Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from some. Silesia. The king's traders acquired them from Silesia at the standard price. At that time, chariots from Egypt could be purchased for 600 pieces of silver and horses for 150 pieces of silver. They were then exported to the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram. Okay, so pause there. I want you to think about Solomon, like we've been doing, and think about all the incredible things he's acquiring, all the incredible things he's acquiring, all the incredible things he's doing, how the people feel, how the Israelites feel.

And think about that time in Israel. And now I want you to think about the kingdom during David's reign. What was David like as a king? What was Israel like during that time? And the same thing for Saul. What was Saul's kingdom like? What were the Israelites like? How was Saul as a king?

And now I want you to think about all. three of them. How are they similar? How are they different? How are Solomon, Saul, and David, different leaders of Israel? Okay, so now we can start the final chapter for this section, first Kings 11, which starts with a section called Solomon's many wives. Chapter 11, verse 1. Now, King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh's daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel. You must not marry them because they will turn your hearts to their gods.

Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines, and in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. Okay, so pause there. think about Solomon having this many wives and concubines? Is this something that God approved of? Is this something that God wanted for Solomon? Knowing what you know about Solomon, think about his character, who he is, who he's shown us that he is, does this surprise you about him? What effect did all these women and all these wives have on Solomon? It says that in fact they did turn his heart away from

the Lord. But who's responsible for Solomon's heart? Is it these women, or is it Solomon? Verse 4. In Solomon's old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods, instead of being completely faithful to the Lord, his God, as his father David had been. Solomon worshipped Oshterath, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molluk, the detestable God of the Ammonites. In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord's sight. He refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done. Okay, so pause there. In the previous chapter, God gave a warning to Solomon about what would happen if they turned away from God.

So what do you think is going to happen to Solomon now that he's turned away and is starting to worship other gods? Verse 7. On the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem, he east of Jerusalem, he east, He even built a pagan shrine for Camas, the detestable god of Moab, and another from Alec, the detestable god of the Ammonites. Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods. The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the

God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord's command. So now the Lord said to him, since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom. I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant, David. and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.

Okay, so pause there. How did God punish Solomon? And he wasn't as harsh on Solomon as he could have been. He said, for the sake of my servant, David, I will spare you these couple of things. Why do you think that is? What was so important about David that caused God to show some leniency? The next section is Solomon's adversaries, verse 14. Then the Lord raised up Haddad the Edomite, a member of Edom's royal family to be Solomon's adversary.

Years before, David had defeated Edom. Joab, his army commander, had stayed to bury some of the Israelite soldiers who had died in battle. While there, they killed every male in Edom. Joab and the army of Israel had stayed there for six months, killing them. But Haddad and a few people. of his father's royal officials escaped and headed for Egypt. Haddad was just a boy at the time. They set out from Midian and went to Peron, where others joined them. Then they traveled to Egypt, and went to Pharaoh, who gave them a home, food, and some land. Pharaoh grew very fond of Haddad,

and he gave him his wife's sister in marriage, the sister of Queen Tapanes. She bore him a son named Ginnabath. Tappanese raised him in Pharaoh's palace among Pharaoh's own sons. When the news reached Haddad in Egypt that David and his commander, Joab, were both dead, he said to Pharaoh, let me return to my own country. Why, Pharaoh asked him, what do you lack here that makes you want to go home? Nothing, he replied, but even so, please let me return home. God also raised up Reason, son of Eliotta, as Solomon's adversary. Reason had fled from his master, King Hadezer, of Zobah, and had become the leader of a gang of rebels. After David conquered Hada Deezer, Rezen and his men fled to Damascus, where he became king.

Okay, so pause there. It's saying here a couple of times that God raised up these adversaries. Why do you think God is raising up people to go against Solomon? What do you think that means when they say that? Verse 25. Reason was Israel's bitter adversary for the rest of Solomon's reign and he made trouble, just as Haddad did. Reason hated Israel intensely and continued to reign in Rahm. Okay, the next section is is Jeroboam rebels against Solomon. Another rebel leader was Jeroboam, son of Nabat, one of Solomon's own officials. He came from the town of Zaradaa in Ephraim, and his mother was Zeruya, a widow.

This is the story behind his rebellion. Solomon was rebuilding the supporting terraces and repairing the walls of the city of his father, David. Jeroboam was a very capable young man, and when Solomon saw how industrious he was, he put him in charge of the labor force from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph. One day, Jeroboam was leaving Jerusalem. The prophet Ahijah from Shiloh met him along the way. Ahijah was wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone in a field, and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was.

wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. Then he said to Jeroboam, take ten of these pieces, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says. I'm about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and I will give ten of the tribes to you. But I will leave him one tribe for the sake of my servant, David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. for Solomon has abandoned me and worshipped Oshtereth, the goddess of the Sedonians, Camas, the god of Moab, and Malek, the god of the Ammonites. He has not followed my ways and done what is pleasing in my sight. He has not obeyed my decrees and regulations as David, his father did.

Okay, so pause there. Here we have someone delivering a message from God. Is he telling the truth? is what's happening right now exactly what God said would happen. Verse 34, But I will not take the entire kingdom from Solomon at this time. For the sake of my servant David, the one whom I chose, and who obeyed my commands and decrees,

I will keep Solomon as leader for the rest of his life. But I will take the kingdom away from his son and give ten of the tribes to you. His son will have one tribe so that the descendant, of David, my servant, will continue to rain, shining like a lamp in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen to be the place for my name. And I will place you on the throne of Israel, and you will rule over all that your heart desires. If you listen to what I tell you, and follow my ways and do whatever I consider to be right, and if you obey my decrees and commands as my servant David did,

then I will always be with you. I will establish an indebted. Dynasty for you as I did for David, and I will give Israel to you. Because of Solomon's sin, I will punish the descendants of David, though not forever. Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to King Shishak of Egypt, and stayed there until Solomon died. Okay, so pause there. Why do you think God chose this person Jeroboam? to take over as the next ruler of Israel.

And then why do you think it was so important that David's lineage continue? Who is ultimately going to be born through David's lineage? The last little section is summary of Solomon's reign. Verse 41. The rest of the events in Solomon's reign, including all his deeds and his wisdom, are recorded in the book of the Acts of Solomon. Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel, for 40 years. When he died, he was buried in the city of David, named for his father. Then his son,

Rohoboam, became the next king. Okay, so there we are at the end of this section of first kings, the end of Solomon's reign. And we have a lot more to get through and a lot more to look forward to, a lot more to unpack in the coming weeks, in the coming chapters. So thank you so much for listening. I pray that you continue reflecting on God's word and staying tuned for the next episodes. I know right now it takes me a very long time to put one together, but I appreciate your patience. And I try to still answer some emails here and there, but I get a lot more emails than I did at the beginning, and so it's become a little more difficult, so I apologize, but I do see them, and I do appreciate all of them.

but thank you so much for everything and I'm very fortunate and grateful for this community. So I will talk to you in the next one.