Part THREE: Kingdom Rule in Israel Chapter 12: Saul The BIG Picture Not content with the invisible rule of God, the Israelites grumble to Samuel that they want a visible king like the other nations around them. God permits the foolishness of His people, warning them that a king will also demand obligations they may not be willing to fulfill. Nonetheless, the people are willing to walk in the folly of their own counsel, so God chooses Saul as Israel s first king. Saul is a tragic figure: having great initial success under the hand of God, he soon disobeys and is rejected by God. His life becomes such a downward spiral that by the end of his reign he is consulting a witch for spiritual guidance. Saul Chosen of God Tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 10 21 22) Saul is given great success in uniting the nation by defeating the Ammonites at Jabesh Gilead (1 Sam. 10:25 27; 11:1 3, 8, 11 15). Saul s Disobedience 4. Disobedience #1: Samuel commands Saul to wait for him at Gilgal, but Saul disobeys (1 Sam. 10:8; 13:5 14). Disobedience #2: Amalekites: Saul lies (1 Sam. 15:1 3, 8, 13 15) God removes His Holy Spirit from Saul (1 Sam. 16:14). Saul seeks counsel from a witch (1 Sam. 28:5 7). Chapter 13: David David is like no other Old Testament hero packing more living into his life than scores of other men. But, in many ways he is a paradox a curious contradiction of terms. We know him as the little shepherd boy, but giant killer. As a minstrel, he brings peace to King Saul, but is also the despised successor to the same. He is a mighty warrior who writes poetry a man after God s own heart, but a murderer and adulterer. It was David, who through military conquest, finally brought peace to Israel. He subdued Israel s enemies, and with capital in Jerusalem, firmly established the nation in the land. God s covenant with him would guarantee that his royal line would be established over Israel Page 39
forever. The Messiah would come from his line his house and would reign not simply over Israel, but all creation. This complex character was also a literary giant, penning many Psalms under the Holy Spirit s inspiration. This poet king, the man after God s own heart, experienced both life s greatest joys and deepest sorrows. The same heart that in faith was tender to the Lord, was also capable of adultery and murder. He fearlessly fought the lion and the bear, but was emotionally crushed by a rebellious son who sought to steal his kingdom. Man after God s Own Heart (1 Sam. 13:14) David s sin (1 Sam. 11:1 6; 2 Sam. 11:26 27) a. Murder Uriah the Hittite b. Adultery Bathsheba c. Deception d. Unfaithfulness e. Regal irresponsibility Still, David was a man after God s own heart because of his great faith, his willing confession of sin, and his sensitivity toward righteousness and justice. Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:11 16) Davidic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. a. It promises an eternal throne (7:16). b. The covenant is ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 22:42 46) God makes promises concerning Solomon. a. He will build God s temple. b. He will receive discipline of a son. c. God s love will not be taken away. Snapshot of Messiah David is a SNAPSHOT of Jesus a. Born in Bethlehem b. Tribe of Judah c. King of Israel d. Davidic Covenant and Rule e. Establishes Jerusalem as capital city (2 Sam. 5:6 7) David s Psalms predict Christ (Psalm 22:1, 14 18) Page 40
Chapter 14: Solomon Solomon s reign was the glory days for Israel. While the nation remained at peace, Solomon diverted his attention to great building projects, not the least of which was the building of the Lord s temple in Jerusalem. The whole world heard of the wisdom that God had granted Solomon, and the whole world began to see the Lord s glory shining among His people. Yet, for all Solomon s wisdom and achievements, his heart was pulled astray into idolatry. As promised, God disciplined David s son by the rod of men, and He would soon discipline the wayward nation by splitting the kingdom in half. Changing of the Guard Sleeping with the fishes The transfer of power to Solomon was anything but routine Solomon then had to clean up David s old business (1 Kings 2:5 10) Solomon s Wisdom 4. 5. Solomon asks God for wisdom (1 Kings 3:7 14) God gives Solomon wisdom (1 Kings 4:29 34) His wisdom is seen in the case of the two babies (1 Kings 3:16 28). The Queen of Sheba seeks out Solomon s wisdom (1 Kings 10:1 10). Solomon makes a wise observation about God (1 Kings 8:27). Solomon s Buildings Solomon was one of the most prolific builders in the Ancient Near East. Solomon s wisdom is seen in his buildings projects: Temple & Palace (1 Kings 5:5; 6:37 38; 7:1). Snapshot of the Kingdom Solomon s rule is a SNAPSHOT of God s Kingdom. His territory was vast (1 Kings 4:20, 24 25). He reigned in peace (1 Chr. 22:7 10; Isaiah 9:6 7; 11:6 10). Page 41
Idolatry and Failure Solomon s problem 1,000 wives and concubines (1 Kings 11:1 3) They turn his heart after other gods (1 Kings 11:4 8) God s disciplines Solomon with the rod of men (1 Kings 11:9 14) Chapter 15: Divided Kingdom and Captivity Solomon s disobedience led to the tearing apart of his kingdom. Only God s covenant with David prevented Him from taking such action while Solomon himself was still alive. Following Solomon s death, however, his son Rehoboam watched as one of Solomon s officials, Jeroboam, assumed control over the ten northern tribes. Where before there was one kingdom united, now there were two. The history of these northern tribes records continual sin and rebellion. None of her kings sought the Lord. Finally, God s judgment results in Israel s captivity to Assyria in 722 BC. Judah in the south had some good kings who feared the Lord, and some wicked ones who practiced idolatry, leading the people away from God. In three waves of deportation, (605 BC, 597 BC and 586 BC), God allowed His people to be torn from the land and brought to Babylon the heart of Satan s kingdom. There, as the Psalmist remembers: By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion (Psalm 137:1). Rehoboam and Jeroboam Solomon s kingdom is ripped in half after his death, when his son Rehoboam receives, and acts on, bad advice (2 Chr. 10:4 11). One of Solomon s officials, Jeroboam, rebelled against the king and took the ten northern tribes under control, as had been prophesied during Solomon s reign (1 Kings 11:26 37, 40; 2 Chr. 10:19). Northern Kingdom of Israel Sometimes is can be confusing reading the history of the nation after the kingdom splits. The northern ten tribes are called, Israel, and the southern tribe is Judah. Sometimes, however, Israel still refers to the entire nation. Context determines the reference. Bad Kings Israel had no good kings; they all rejected God. According to the stipulations of the Mosaic Covenant, God promised to bless Israel for her obedience, but to curse her for her disobedience. Consequently, this continual disobedience caused God to discipline His people by bringing war and famine on the nation. Some of Israel s most notable wicked include: Zimri the murderer, who killed the drunken king Elah and then proceeded to kill former king Baasha s entire family (1 Kings 16:8 13); Omri, his successor, who did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all Page 42
those before him (1 Kings 16:23 26); and perhaps the worst Ahab, the husband of Jezebel and arch enemy of Elijah the prophet of God (1 Kings 16:28 33). Assyrian Captivity Continual rebellion by Israel brought about the invasion of Assyrian forces in 722 BC. While many of the Israelites were actually removed from the land and transported to other parts of the Assyrian empire, many others were intentionally left behind. As part of its conquest strategy, Assyria would relocate other peoples from within its territory to resettle and intermarry with those newly conquered. The philosophy was to create a more homogeneous empire, less willing or able to rebel. Intermarriage for the nation of Israel, however, was strictly forbidden by God. The Abrahamic Covenant would go to Israel, not the offspring of on intermarried people. Nonetheless, Assyria forcibly relocated peoples from the areas of Babylon and Syria and brought them into Israel. The Samaritans are the result of this intermarrying. In the New Testament, the most notable passages concerning these people are the parable of Good Samaritan (Luke 10), and the woman at the well (John 4). Assyrian power was centered in Nineveh. a. Jonah : Repent! b. Nahum : Destroy! In 612 BC Nineveh is destroyed by the Chaldeans, Medes & Scythians. Southern Kingdom of Judah Good and Bad Kings David s tribe, Judah, no longer governed the tribes of Israel to the north. The history of the southern tribe is not quite as bad as that of her northern sister, for Judah had some good kings, like Hezekiah, who sought after the Lord. (cf. Hezekiah s revival 2 Kings 18:1 7). Nonetheless, the pattern of rebellion in Judah, under such wicked kings as Ahaz, also led to God s judgment in the form of captivity to Babylon. Page 43
Babylonian Captivity Three Waves of Deportation 605 BC Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem, but must return home to Babylon at news of his father s death. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego are taken to Babylon. 597 BC Ezekiel is taken to Babylon. 586 BC Jerusalem is destroyed. Assyria Babylon Persia Different Philosophies of Conquering intermarry deportation go home Babylon is a SNAPSHOT of kingdoms in conflict. Babylon is Satan s headquarters. God s people are in the wrong place. Chapter 16: Captivity (Daniel) Taken captive in the first wave of deportation to Babylon, Daniel is chosen by God to be a beacon of hope to Israel. He stands in stark contrast to the disobedient, faithless nation in captivity, as he is uncompromising in his faith and obedience to God. God gives Daniel far more than just the interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar s vision. He grants to him an understanding of the future the rise and fall of kingdoms, and the inevitable coming of the kingdom of God. Though the future will be filled with difficulty, God reveals that His kingdom will ultimately triumph. Such is good news for Israel in the despair of Babylonian captivity. Empires Through Nebuchadnezzar s dream in Daniel 2, God reveals the future to Daniel. Page 44
Daniel 2: Statue PART OF STATUE Head of Gold Chest and Arms of Silver Belly & Thighs of Bronze Legs of Iron and Toes Mixed with Clay [Mountain] KINGDOM Babylon Medes and Persians Greece Rome [Kingdom of God] Interpretation Daniel 2:40 44 Daniel records other related kingdom visions. Daniel 7: Four Animals Animal Lion Bear Leopard Beast : 10 horns Kingdom Babylon Media and Persia Greece Rome : 10 kingdoms Interpretation (Daniel 7:17 27) Daniel 8: Ram & Goat Animal Ram Goat Kingdom Medo Persia Greece Interpretation Daniel 8:20 22 Page 45
Alexander s Four Generals Alexander s Four Generals General Ptolemy Seleucus Lysimachus Cassander Kingdom Egypt Syria Thrace & Asia Minor Greece Timetable Tribulation begun by a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27) Daniel s 70 weeks (Daniel 9:24 27) Seven Weeks = 490 years 7 weeks x 7 = 49 years 62 weeks x 7 = 434 years 1 week = 7 years EVENT: rebuilding of Jerusalem under Artixerxes EVENT: covers the period up through Jesus EVENT: Tribulation Longimanus decree Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (444 395 BC) (395 BC 33 Future AD)* Nehemiah 2:1 8 Daniel 9:26 Daniel 9:27 * Calculations are made according to the Jewish calendar of 360 days to a year. Also, adjustments have accounted for the absence of leap years in centennial years, as well as for the fact that there is no year between 1 BC and 1 AD. With such in mind, the total years between 395 BC and 33 AD is 434 years. For more detail see John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, ed., The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), pp. 1362 1364. Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1977. Page 46
Events predicted in 70 weeks prophecy 4. 5. 6. 7. Future kingdoms Tribulation Coming of the Antichrist Coming of the kingdom of God Coming of the Messiah Cutting off of the Messiah Return of Israel to the land People Daniel predicts the coming ANTICHRIST in the snapshot of Antiochus Epiphanes IV (Daniel 11:31 37; 7:8, 24 25). Page 47