1 KINGS BIBLE SURVEY

Transcription

1 1 KINGS BIBLE SURVEY Background on Book: After the death of his father King David, Solomon becomes king. Solomon ruled the United Kingdom for forty years. However, Solomon s zeal for God diminished in his later years; as pagan wives turned his heart away from God (1 Kings 11:1-8). Because of this, God told Solomon that he would tear the kingdom away from him, leaving Solomon with one tribe. (1 Kings 11:11-13). First Kings traces the twin histories of two sets of kings and nations (Israel and Judah). The Book of First Kings clearly divides into two main sections: the United Kingdom under Solomon (chapters 1-11) and the divided kingdom (chapters 12-22). God also raises up prophets like Elijah to confront idolatry and the evil king Ahab (1 Kings 16:29-22:37). The ministry of Elijah takes up Chapters and continues into 2 Kings 2:11. Jeroboam I and Rehoboam: Jeroboam I: We first run across Jeroboam I in 1 Kings 11: Jeroboam had worked for Solomon when the King built the supporting terraces and filled in the wall of the City of David. As a result of his good work, Solomon promoted him over the whole labor force. Before Jeroboam became King, the prophet Ahijah took off his new coat and tore it into twelve pieces. Then he said to Jeroboam, take ten pieces of for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon s hand and give you ten tribes. (1 Kings 11:29-31). Jeroboam I was the first king of the Northern Kingdom, Israel ( B.C.). Jeroboam was afraid to have his ten tribe s journey to Jerusalem to worship God, so he made two golden calves and placed them in convenient places. One he put in the southern part, Bethel, and the other in the northern end of his kingdom in Dan. He did this, so the people would not have to go to Jerusalem. Jeroboam also built shrines, and appointed priests from all sorts of people (! Kings 12:28-32). Jeroboam wanted to make religion easy for the people. In so doing he forfeited the promise given to him by the prophet Ahijah in 1 Kings 11:38. Also, the kings reforms went against the Word of God in Exodus 20:1-4. Preachers and teachers today also want to make religion easy, popular and

2 convenient. The name it and claim it gospel, the you don t have to do nothing gospel, God will do it for you, the prosperity gospel, where many prosperity teachers have turned it in the gospel of greed, and the I ll tell you what you want to hear gospel. Much of it does not line up with the Word of God. Much of what they teach is taken out of context. These teachers do not rightly divide God s Word. Rehoboam: After Solomon s death, his son Rehoboam was to be the next successor to the throne. But the people wanted the heavy tax burden lifted, that was imposed on them by his father Solomon. When Rehoboam threatened to levy heavier taxes and burdens on the people, the revolt of ten tribes immediately followed; though the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:1-21). The Division of the Kingdom: For the divided kingdom read 1 Kings 12:1-21. The date when Israel passed from a United Kingdom to a divided kingdom was 931 B.C. The book of Kings records the histories of two nations. Action shifts back and forth between Israel in the north and Judah in the south. This book does not attempt to give a full history of both nations. Rather, it focuses on their Kings and Queens. Usually, as the Kings went, so went the nation. Each ruler gets a capsule summary and usually a one sentence rating. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, by following the sins of Jeroboam; or he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. Outline of First Kings: The reign of Solomon (1 Kings chapter 1-11) A. Solomon reigned from B.C. B. Solomon s downfall: 1 Kings 11:1-8 Many foreign wives and idolatry C. God s judgment on Solomon: 1 Kings 11:11-13 God would tear the kingdom away from his son and leave him one tribe. The Divided Kingdom (1 Kings chapters 12-22) A. Israel divides into two different nations Israel (ten tribes in the north) and Judah (two tribes, Judah and Benjamin in the south)

3 B. Jeroboam: First King of Israel ( B.C.) C. Rehoboam: First King of Judah ( B.C.) D. Some of the Kings of Israel and Judah The ministry of Elijah (1 Kings chapters 17-22) Elijah was like a bolt of fire, that God let loose upon wicked Ahab and idolatrous Israel. Elijah s ministry (about B.C.). A. Elijah s message to Ahab, no rain. There would be no rain for three and a half years (17:1) B. Elijah s Flight to Brook Cherith (17:2-7) C. Sustained by the widow of Zarepath (17:8-24) D. Elijah contest with 450 priests of Baal, on Mount Carmel, Elijah prayed for rain, it rained (chapter 18) E. Jezeleel wants to kill Elijah for killing all her prophets; Elijah flees to Beersheba, then into the desert; Elijah eats angel food cake and goes on a forty day hike to Mount Sinai, Elijah calls Elisha to be his successor (chapter 19) F. In Matthew 17:3 we see Elijah s reappearance on the Mount of Transfiguration Spiritual Lesson - A Servant Follows: (1 Kings 19:1-3) The servant here and in 1 Kings 18:43-44 is the same servant. After Elijah had Queen Jezebel s prophets killed (450 Baal and 400 Asherah), she sent a message to Elijah saying, she wanted to kill him for killing her prophets (1 Kings 18:19). Because this servant was with Elijah, he also would be killed. After this message, the servant might have decided that this servant thing to Elijah was a little too much for him. For whatever the reason, he was left behind. Maybe he kind of wanted to be cut loose from Elijah and his ministry. At least

4 he would be alive and safe from Jezebel. Maybe the servant was kind of glad when Elijah told him to stay there. Maybe Elijah felt the servant did not want to go on with him and that s why Elijah said to him stay here. It seems the servant didn t put up much of a fight or argument with Elijah, at least the text doesn t say so. The servant didn t say, wherever you go Elijah, I will follow you. See (2 Kings 2:2, 2:4, 2:6). What s also interesting in 1 Kings 19:19-21, Elijah calls Elisha to be his next helper, attendant of aide. Some of us, only want to follow Jesus when it is easy, Jesus also wants us to follow Him when things are hard (Matthew 4:19). Elijah s Journeys: 1. Elijah went to King Ahab of Israel in Samaria to tell him that it would not rain for three and a half years (1 Kings 16:29, 17:1). 2. Elijah ten went to the Brook Cherith, and was fed by Ravens (1 Kings 17:2-6). 3. When the brook dried up, Elijah went to the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16). 4. Elijah went to Mount Carmel to have a show down with 450 Baal and Asherah prophets (1 Kings 18:19-40) and Elijah prayed for rain and it rained (1 Kings 18:41-46). 5. From Mount Carmel to Jezreel ( 1 Kings 18:46). 6. From Jezreel to Beersheba, about 90 miles south of Jezreel (1 Kings 19:3). 7. Then Elijah went a days journey into the Wilderness (1 Kings 19:5-8). 8. There Elijah ate angel food cake, and went to Mount Horeb or Sinai. Mount Sinai is about 250 miles south of Beersheba. God was with Elijah during the forty days and nights (1 Kings 9:5-8). 9. Go to Abel Meholah and anoint Elisha to succeed you ( Kings 19:16-21)

5 Elijah and Elisha Elijah came from Gilead, a rugged, unsettled region. As a lad he probably did the work of a shepherd. Elijah was courageous, with a fiery zeal, which lived in the wilderness dressed in camel s hair. Elisha was a farmer. He was gentle, gracious, and diplomatic, and lived in cities, and dressed like other people. 1 and 2 Kings are actually one literary work, called in Hebrew tradition simply Kings. When they were translated in to the Greek language, the translators divided them because the Greek required one third more space than the Hebrew, and the scrolls on which they were written were limited in length. The author of 1 and 2 Kings is unknown. Although Jewish tradition ascribes the work to the prophet Jeremiah, all that can be said with certainty is that Kings was compiled from various sources and writings. The author mentions three main sources: the book of the annals of Solomon (11:41) the book of annals of the kings of Israel (14:19) the book of the annals of the kings of Judah (14:29; 15:7) First Kings covers the 120 years from the beginning of Solomon s reign in 970 B.C. through Ahaziah s reign ending in 851 B.C. the key date is 930 B.C. the year the kingdom was divided into the northern nation of Israel, and the Southern nation of Judah. The book of 1 Kings divides clearly into two main sections: the United Kingdom under Solomon (chapters 1-11) and the divided kingdom (chapters 12-22). The Northern Kingdom (Israel) had nineteen kings. The Southern Kingdom (Judah) had twenty kings. There are three key dates to understanding the Kings: 930 B.C., 722 B.C., and 586 B.C. 1) In 930 B.C., the United Kingdom divides Israel (10 tribes) and Judah (2 tribes) into two different nations. 1 Kings 11: ) The Northern Kingdom (Israel) falls to Assyria in 722 B.C. 2 Kings 17:3-5; 18:9-12 3) The Southern Kingdom (Judah) falls to Babylon in 586 B.C. 2 Kings 25:1-21

6 (For greater depth on the Kings read: Understanding the Kings.) 1 Kings 1-2: Before King David died, he chose his son Solomon to be king. David died leavng the Kingdom to Solomon. To keep his throne, Solomon executed his brother, and others who had potted against him. 1 Kings 3-4: Solomon asked God for wisdom and understanding. His request pleased God, who gave him wisdom, riches and fame. People came from all nations to hear the Wisdom of Solomon. 1 Kings 5-7: God had told David that Solomon would build a great temple for the Lord God, and Solomon did. Only the finest materials were used. He spent seven years building the temple and thirteen years building the palace. Then the Ark of the Covenant was brought into it. 1 Kings 8: The king and the people had a celebration that lasted for 14 days. God promised to protect Solomon, as long as he and the people obeyed God. 1 Kings 9-10: Solomon built a fleet of trading ships, and a strong army. The queen of Sheba visited Solomon to hear his wisdom and bring him gifts. Solomon became known as the wisest and richest king on earth. 1 Kings 11: King Solomon married many foreign women. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. All his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart to other gods (11:1-8). God told Solomon that he would tear [or take] the kingdom out of Solomon s hand and give to Jeroboam 10 tribes, and Solomon s son Rehoboam 2 tribes (11:26-36). Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam escaped to Egypt. Jeroboam stayed in Egypt until Solomon died.

7 1 Kings 12-13: After Solomon s death, his son Rehoboam was made king in Judah. But the ten tribes of Israel made Jeroboam I their king. This is called the divided kingdom. This happened in 930 B.C. In Israel Jeroboam had two golden calves set up. One at Bethel and another at Dan. Jeroboam told the people of Israel to offer sacrifices to these golden calves. A prophet came and told Jeroboam, You will have a king named Josiah who will burn the bones of the priests of Bethel on this altar (fulfilled in 2 Kings 23:16-20). Now it became the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah. 1 Kings 14: Israel and Judah: God was angered by the sins of both Jeroboam and Rehoboam. The people of both Israel and Judah worshipped idols (See 1 Kings 12:28-31; 14:22-24). The king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and carried away the treasures of the palace and temple. 1 Kings 15-16: Judah: when Rehoboam died, his sons and his grandsons followed as kings. Some were good kings, but many were not. Israel: It was no better in Israel. Every king it says, he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. All were evil kings. Ahab: See 1 Kings 16: He set up an altar for Baal, built a temple for Baal, and also an Asherah pole. Ahab went a considerable distance in establishing the Baal cult as the state religion of Israel. Baal: Baal was the Canaanite god who governed the dew and rain. Elijah s prediction of a drought and the three and one half years without rain (Luke 4:25) struck directly at their god Baal. 1 Kings 17-19: Israel: the prophet Elijah challenged and defeated the prophets of the false god Baal. Elijah then fled from Ahab and his evil queen, Jezebel. Elijah then ran to the wilderness where God took care of him. Elisha was chosen by God to follow Elijah. Elijah trained Elisha to be ready to take his place as God s prophet when Elijah died.

8 1 Kings 17:1-9) ordered the ravens to feed Elijah there (verse 4). the brook dried up. Go at once to Zarephath supply you with food (verses 7-8). It s important to be at the right place at the right time with God. Location, location, location. Your blessing is connected to being at the right place at the right time. Elijah: Elijah breaks out of the pages of the Bible (17:1) without a word of introduction to his origin, except to name him as Elijah, the tishbite. His name means my God is Jehovah, giving evidence of godly parents who raised him. Elijah came from Gilead, a rugged, unsettled, wooded and hilly area east of the Jordan River. As a lad he probably did the work of a shepherd on the hills of Gilead near the hamlet of Tishbe, where he derived his name. He was a man clothed with a garment of hair, with a leather belt around his waist (2 Kings 1:8). His clothes were probably of sheepskin or camel s hair, tied with a simple leather thong. We get a likeness of him in John the Baptist, the New Testament Elijah (See Matthew 3:1,4; Luke 1:17). 1 Kings 17:1) As the Lord God of Israel lives... No dew nor rain. The drought was not only a divine judgment on a nation that had turned to idolatry, but a challenge to the Canaanite god of Baal. Baal worshippers believed that their god was the god of rain. The drought brought on by God, and later the rain (1 kings 18:45), showed that He, God, controls the weather. Not Baal. 1 Kings 17:2-3) Leave here. Elijah had just given his word to Ahab in Samaria, that there would be no dew or rain (17:1). God then told Elijah to go hide by the brook Cherith. There may be times in our lives that God will lead us to places we would never go. Abram was told by God, to leave his country and family and go to a land, that God would show him (Genesis 12:1). In (Joshua 3:4) the people of Israel were told you have not passed this way before, or in modern English, you have never been there before, it s all new. Perhaps right now, you are anxious about some new and untried pathway on which the Lord is leading you. God s word says, in Psalm 119:105, your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 1 Kings 17: 4-6) I have ordered ravens to feed you. So, Elijah did what the Lord told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine. Elijah obeyed, and the ravens brought him food and he drank from the brook (See Isaiah 1:19-20). What God orders, God pays for; with the vision will come God s provision.

9 1 Kings 17:7) The brook dried up. Spiritual Lesson number one, sometimes God will dry up our brook or watering hole or provision. When He does, many times, its time to move on, or God wants to bring a change in your life, ministry, or circumstances. 1 Kings 17:9) Go to Zarephath of Sidon. Zarephath was a territory ruled by Jezebel s father Ethbaal (16:31). Elijah is commanded to go and reside in the heart of the very land from which Baal worship is being promoted in Israel. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food. Widows were usually poor people; normally they would have run out of food first in a famine. Therefore going to a window for food was a strange directive. Here again, with God s vision, will come the provision. You don t have to beg, borrow, or steal to fulfill what God tells you to do. God will pay the bills. 1 Kings 17:10-16) Elijah obeyed and went to Zarephath. The woman, her son, and Elijah were supernaturally supplied during this time of drought because Elijah obeyed God. The flour and oil was never used up. 1 Kings 18: 1-40) Baal or God. Who is the real God? Baal or the God of Elijah and Israel? The prophet Elijah challenged and defeated the 450 false prophets of the God of Baal at Mount Carmel. 1 Kings 18:41-45) Elijah prayed for the curse to be lifted (17:1). There had been no rain for three and one-half years (Luke 4:25). Elijah told his servant go and look toward the sea. The servant went and looked, then reported back to Elijah, there is nothing. Elijah said go back, and on the seventh time the servant reported to Elijah. I see a cloud as small as a man s head rising from the sea. Elijah didn t give up till it rained (James 5:17-18) 1 Kings 20-22: Ahab battles and defeated the Syrians. Ahab took possession of a vineyard that belonged to a man that Jezebel arranged to have killed. God said He would punish Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab died in a battle that a prophet of God wanted him not to fight. Ahab s son continued to disobey God s laws.