OVERVIEW OF 1 KINGS
Overview of 1 Kings
The book of 1 Kings gives us the height of glory as well as the depth of tragedy in Hebrew history. It is in this book. We learn of the splendors of Solomon and his reign (“the half has never yet been told”). We also learn of the faithful work of Elijah and Elisha, the godly reigns of Hezekiah and Josiah and also the ungodly domination of Kings Jeroboam, Ahab and Manasseh.
The book opens with the ascension of Solomon (970 BC) and closes with the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The two books of Kings together cover about 400 years, we see the temple built and burnt. 1st Kings covers only about 100 years of this 400. (970-850).
The purpose of 1st Kings is not so much to provide a record of national events during Solomon’s reign and the divided kingdom as it is to convey a huge message- GOD’S PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. THERE IS BLESSING IN DOING SO AND CONSEQUENCES IN FAILURE.
Each king is not judged on political, economic or social grounds but on spiritual grounds. Note Omri (16:21-28). He was of great importance politically, but his reign is dismissed with 8 verses and summarized in one statement- “he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and acted more wickedly than all who were before him” 16:25. First kings proves that as the leadership (king) goes, so goes the nation. As the king would bear the consequences of sin, so would the nation (14:16).
FIRST KINGS AND THE BIBLE MESSAGE- The Bible theme is the salvation of man through Christ and the establishment of the kingdom through the seed of Abraham, the tribe of Judah and the family of David. Nowhere is the preservation of David’s family seen more clearly than in 1st Kings. God punished the descendants of Judah when they sinned, but because of God’s faithfulness to His promise, David’s seed was preserved (11:13,39). God’s providential hand is working in the affairs of men and David’s seed will be preserved until Christ will come. All of this without taking over the free will of anyone. We serve a great and powerful God.
LESSON LEARNED in 1 KINGS. The Value of Righteousness. The book opens with an aging father giving advice to his young son (2:2-4). Righteousness is the dominant theme of David’s message. Yet, UNRIGHTEOUSNESS becomes the dominant theme in most of the characters in Israel’s remaining history.
First the sins of Solomon who multiplied: horses (10:26); wives (11:1-8); and gold (10:14-22) and finally he fell headlong into idolatry. Then the rebellion of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat who, “caused Israel to sin”, by bringing in calf-worship. In the years to follow we find that Israel had a brief history of 213 years in which 19 kings reigned (all of them evil). Because of her unrighteousness, the Northern kingdom of Israel came to an end in 722 BC with the overthrow of Samaria by king Sargon III. The kingdom of Judah was only slightly better. The southern kingdom maintained a history of 349 years with 19 kings reigning. Of these, only Hezekiah (2 Kings 18-20) and Josiah (2 Kings 22-23) are given unqualified commendation by God. Because Judah failed to learn the lessons of Israels fall, Judah also came to an end as a force in 586 BC when the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.
So, we see the value of righteousness as well as the folly of evil. As Americans we must learn that being the richest, most powerful, best armed, best fed, and most influential or advanced nation in the end, does not matter. God’s determination of greatness among men is in Prov. 14:34- “righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people” Psalm 9:17- “the wicked will return to the grave, even all nations will forget God.” Psalm 33:12- “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
Judah had sone what Israel did. It worshipped the created instead of the Creator. We must respect and honor God’s supreme authority and submit to it. Only then can we call ourselves a righteous nation.
Believing LIES. In 1 Kings 13 it tells of a disobedient prophet and of what believing a lie will lead to. Here was a man who was courageous (vs. 1-3). He was free from personal ambition in refusing a personal invitation from the king vs. 7. He refused to be rewarded for simply doing his job. BUT he believed a lie- disobeyed God and had to suffer the consequences (vs 20-22). Notice two lessons: It does matter what we believe- sincerity is not equivalent with acceptance (Pr. 16:25; Acts 26:29). It is possible to believe a lie. To believe a lie that leads us to disobey is sin, this we find with the disobedient prophet.
Elijah and TOTAL COMMITMENT- Chapter 18 speaks of this. Israel had grown weary of worshipping God and sought some variety in idolatry. Elijah appears and preaches a clear sermon that hit the point. Their sin was in trying to serve God and Baal. Read vs. 21-39 to know the whole story. The result is the people, for the moment become totally committed to God. The scriptures are clear that God will not be cheated on with other Gods. He demands exclusiveness in our commitment to only Him. He wants all of our service and all of us or none of it (Matt. 6:24; 12:30; Josh. 24:15; James 4:4 and Rev. 3:15).
We are not the only ones who grow DISCOURAGED. Elijah’s life is chronicled in chapter 17 in raising the Gentile widow’s son; and in stopping the rain miraculously. In chapter 18 the contest and debate at Carmel. All of these are mountain top victories for Elijah and God. Yet Elijah also the knew the agony of defeat as well. Right after the great victory at Carmel, in chapter 19:4- he despairs of even living. Vs. 1-4 we see he was physically exhausted and afraid (vs.3). He thought of himself as a failure see vs. 4 to see that idolatry did not die in Israel. He was thinking – what’s the use. He was depressed. He felt that he was the only one who cared (vs. 10). But God reassures His Prophet that there are still 700 who have not bowed to idolatry. He still has work to do. So, after God lets him have his time without pressure- God tells him – GET UP ELIJAH there is yet work to do for Me (vs. 14-16).
Discouragement and depression are one of the greatest tools of the devil. How many brethren in small works across the world, are being bombarded by Satan with the idea that their efforts do not mean a thing. Their service and devotion count for nothing. What a lie. How underhanded, What A LIAR he is. Many are able to withstand a constant barrage of outside influences to their faith, but it those battles that hit us personally that can open us up for the most effective destruction of our souls, if we allow it. It is no new thing. Satan knows how to take the wind out of our sails and he is relentless in trying to do it. NOT TODAY SATAN must be our attitude. Fight and resist him and he will flee. See Romans 8:31 also.
INFLUENCE- the power of influence is seen in our power to influence others. We all have influence (good or bad). 1 Kings illustrates the power of bad examples in Solomon, Jeroboam and Jezebel among other. But on the other side we read of Hezekiah and Josiah- of Elijah and Elisha and we gain renewed courage that if they can overcome so can I.
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF 1 KINGS: DISCONTINUANCE THROUGH DISOBEDIENCE
The 40 years of Solomon:1-11
1-4- Solomon’s early acts
5-8- temple and palace
9-10- Solomon’s fame and glory
11- Solomon’s decline- disobedience and demist
The FIRST 80 Years of the two kingdoms- Chapter 12-22
12- Rehoboam ascends- the disruption.
13-22-Judah Kings: Rehoboam to Jehoshaphat
13-22-Israel’s kings: Jeroboam to Ahaziah
17-22- Elijah’s life and work.
SOLOMON:
1-2- His rise from teen king to wisest and wealthiest of all. At the beginning there was strife and challenge from the conspiracy of his oldest brother, Adonijah, who tried to seize rule from Solomon. Nathan the prophet and David, Bathsheba and the Lord thwarted this plan.
Chapter 2 is David’s death-bed charge to Solomon. David tells him who to kill and why and tells him he is responsible for maintaining the laws of God. At the end of David’s life, he was aroused to his sense of duty. The kingdom was in peril, it is a delicate time. David was too weak to rule bur he could still pronounce people guilty, and charge his heir to carry out justice on the evil-doer and grace on the righteous. David’s last actions were designed to carry out justice, even though a little tardy.
Solomon’s Wisdom-3:5-15- He humbly asks for wisdom to have discernment and common sense to make the decisions necessary in ruling and working with people. He needed an intellectual grasp along with a common-sense approach to making decision that would affect the greatness of a nation and glorify God. 4:29-34). In 3:16-28 the first evidence of his new found immense insight was seen.
The GLORY of SOLOM- Ch. 5-10- the temple shows this. It was constructed with Lebanese workers and crafters. Cedars overlaid with pure gold with foundation stones from Phoenicia it took 183 thousand workers 7 years to complete. What a dwelling place for God’s Divine Presence. The temple is finished along with Solomon’s palace.
Chapters 9-11 record the peak period of Israel. The wealth and splendor described need no comment. In chapter 10:27 it says that Solomon hade was as common in Israel as stones, that says volumes. Silver, not gold was the money of the day. The queen of Sheba’s comment speaks Ove the ages- “the half has never yet been told.” Solomon’s generosity was seen in him giving her all she asked and thought and also of the royal bounty. NOTE THIS SAME IDEA IS HOW GOD PROVIDES FOR US in EPH> 3:20- “all we ask- all we think and exceedingly abundantly beyond…” Solomon’s giving corresponds to his riches.
SOLOMON” S FAILURE- Chapter 11- The glory of the Solomonic period was short-lived. Who was to blame? Solomon himself. 11:1-6 tells the story of his failure. The wisest of all men became the greatest of all fools. How could this happen??? He had miraculous wisdom. Simple- miraculous gifts do not keep one from sin. When Solomon began to live in sin, God took the supernatural wisdom away. Solomon disobeyed all three of what Moses said kings should not do in Deut. 17. He multiplied to himself- wealth- wives and horses. Chapter 11 closes with his death.
TWO KINGDOMS: Israel’s Tragedy. The blame for the disruption is laid with Solomon. He ruled with an iron fist at the end of his reign and the people did not like it.
Rehoboam’s folly in listening to the younger advisors. Jeroboam and the people made a reasonable request in 12:4. Rehoboam’s reply showed his inability to measure a situation and acts wisely.
Jeroboam was shrewd and unscrupulous. He became the first king of the Northern 10 tribes. He established two new places of worship 12:28-30. He built high places to worship. He appointed his own priests, ordained new feasts to other gods. Many of he priests and Levites saw how wrong he was in this and stayed in Jerusalem and refused to be a party of Jeroboam’s departures. As Jeroboam went deeper and deeper into sin, the people followed. There was not only political disruption there was spiritual disruption. The 10-tribe nation had a horrible beginning and it only got worse.
The last 6 chapters are occupied with the work of ELIJAH among the kingdom of the North. He is one of the most revered figures in Jewish history. His importance in leading the people back to God, became legend. The NT speaks of him more often than any other OT prophet. See Matt. 17 at the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses represents the Law- Elijah- the prophets,
He appears quickly on the scene and then leaves just as quickly. He has been called the CRISIS PROPHET.
Elijah had physically stamina. He was a country boy. He had moral stamina, he was courageous, faithful and zealous for the Lord. He had jealousy for God to be honored and he became indignant when others did not give God His Proper place. He was uncompromising and passionately loyal to God and His Words. He had a contempt for those who dishonored God and would not repent.
His WORK. As far as we know he wrote nothing. He was a man of action rather than diction, yet the Holy Spirit had a use for a man like him. His work was one of miracles to reveal and confirm the truth that Jehovah was the only true God. His preaching was that or reformation of a people who had lost their love for the Lord. He tried his best to call men back to the “old paths” wherein is the right way.
HIS SIGNIFICANCE- He demonstrates that always has a man to match the hour of trial. When Israel was wallowing in the mire of idolatry, God’s champion of faith stepped forward to meet the challenge. He was a man who loved God and who was not afraid to preach the truth whether people liked it or not.
SINAL THOUGHT- Historically SOLOMON represents the peak of Israel’s history. He was “Solomon in all his glory…” royally opulent, He was the last king to reign over the United Jewish kingdom. VIEWED PERSONALLY??? A REMARKABLE MAN. Super wisdom, beautiful prayers and books of wisdom. His successful governmental administering. Morally- a reprobate. Lived long enough to undo the great things he had done- what a tragedy. He was fallible and lacking, as great as he was in so many aspects, he comes up short when it comes to looking for a man to be the SEED promised to Abraham.
Viewed TYPICALLY- Like David one of the greatest OT figures of Jesus (Matt. 12:42)