Week 14: 1 Kings 4-2 Kings 3

Reflection: Originally a single book, Kings was divided into two parts in the Jewish tradition with the printing of the Bomberg Rabbinic Bible (Venice, 1517) (Cogan Mordechai, 1 Kings, pg. 84). Together with Samuel, Kings chronicles the entire period of Israel's monarchy. The reigns of David and Solomon initially offer hope, showing the fulfillment of God’s promises, as their leadership marks a stark contrast to the chaotic times of the judges. However, this era of peace and prosperity is short-lived. After Solomon's death, the kingdom divides, and a downward spiral begins. Despite the ministries of prophets like Elijah and Elisha, Israel’s heart continues to turn toward idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal. As we journey through Kings, we witness the relentless depravity of man, but we are also reminded of God’s unshakable promise to David—that He would raise up a son to sit on the throne and establish an everlasting kingdom. This promise keeps us looking forward, not just to the rise and fall of earthly kings, but to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan in Jesus Christ, the true King whose kingdom will have no end.

1 Kings 4-6: Plenty, Preparation, Temple. Solomon’s wisdom is on full display as he leads Israel in an era of peace and prosperity, fulfilling God’s promises to David. His wisdom, described as surpassing all others, is not merely intellectual but practical, particularly in his commitment to obeying the Lord’s commands in the construction of the temple (5:5). True wisdom, as Psalm 111 teaches, begins with the fear of the Lord, and Solomon’s devotion to building the temple shows how wisdom leads to humble obedience and a desire for God’s presence. This serves as a reminder that no matter how great one’s intellect, true wisdom is found in reverence for God and seeking His dwelling, as ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is the true temple where God and man are reconciled (John 2:19-21).

1 Kings 7-10: God's Dwelling Place. Solomon completes the magnificent temple, and in his dedicatory prayer (8:27), he marvels at the paradox of God’s presence: while the heavens cannot contain Him, He desires to dwell among His people. This moment emphasizes the incomparable greatness of God, who is not confined by physical space like idols, yet graciously chooses to be near His people. Throughout Scripture, we see a consistent theme of God’s desire to dwell with His people—beginning in the garden, continuing through the tabernacle, the temple, and culminating in the incarnation of Christ, where the Word became flesh and "dwelt among us" (John 1:14). This passage points to Christ, the true temple, where God's presence is fully realized and where believers now experience communion with God, not through a physical building, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

1 Kings 11-14: Fools.  Israel’s history takes a tragic turn as the kingdom is divided due to Rehoboam’s foolish rejection of wise counsel, leading to civil strife. His decision sets the stage for Jeroboam’s own folly, as he prioritizes his own power over faithfulness to God. Fearing the people would return to Jerusalem to worship, Jeroboam leads Israel into idolatry by setting up two golden calves and proclaiming, “Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (12:28), mimicking the sin of the golden calf at Sinai. He appoints unauthorized priests, and the people follow him into sin, forsaking the Lord's commands. This passage highlights the destructive nature of idolatry, showing that when leaders and people forsake God’s ways, they inevitably bring about spiritual ruin. Jeroboam’s actions serve as a tragic foreshadowing of the ultimate consequences of sin, which Christ came to deliver us from, by being the perfect King who brings true salvation, unlike the false gods of this world.

1 Kings 15-18: Birds. In Alfred Hitchcock's horror movie, "The Birds", people are attacked by...you guessed it, birds. Clearly, Elijah had not seen that movie. When the Lord brings a drought to the land, Elijah is not afraid when the "ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening" (17:6). his is not some random event but a clear display of God’s control over creation, as even the birds obey His command. While we might wonder how the ravens gathered the food or if they stole it from others, the text emphasizes that God is the one orchestrating every detail. This miraculous provision stands in stark contrast to the chaos of Israel's idolatry and reminds us that no matter how dire the circumstances, God’s sovereignty never wavers. Just as the ravens obey God’s command, so too should we trust in His provision and His timing, finding comfort in the fact that He who commands the birds of the air also provides for His people, ultimately seen in the provision of Christ for our deepest need.May we look to the birds and learn from them.

1 Kings 19-21: Mercy. There are many "bad guys" that we can think of from the Scriptures. Goliath, Herod, Satan. In our reading, we catch a glimpse of the wickedness of Ahab. He is described this way in chapter 21, verse 25 "There was non who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab". His actions, especially in oppressing Naboth and coveting his vineyard, are a stark display of evil. However, when Ahab hears the Lord’s judgment and humbles himself in repentance, God responds with surprising mercy. In 21:29, the Lord says, “Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days.” This moment highlights not only Ahab’s wickedness but also the overwhelming mercy of God. While God’s justice will not be overlooked, His mercy is evident in His willingness to forgive even the most wicked when they genuinely repent. This passage points to the ultimate mercy found in Christ, who offers forgiveness to all who turn to Him, regardless of their past sins. It reminds us that God’s grace is greater than our sin, and in Christ, we find the mercy that Ahab glimpsed, but that is fully realized in the Gospel.

1 Kings 22-2 Kings 3: Go Up Baldhead. At the end of chapter 2, we read a very unusual story about the prophet of God, Elisha, being mocked by a group of youths. As a result, he curses the them, leading to two she-bears coming out of the woods and mauling 42 of them. This story, though unusual, serves a significant purpose in the context of Israel's spiritual state. The mocking takes place in Bethel, a city notorious for its idolatry, where Jeroboam had set up golden calves for worship (1 Kings 12:28). It was a place where God was mocked by the people regularly. Their jeering, particularly the phrase "Go up, baldhead!" was a taunt against Elisha’s prophetic authority, and was meant to also ridicule Elijah's ascent into heaven. Though this may seem severe, it highlights the reverence due to God and His appointed servants, pointing to the greater revelation of God's holiness and the importance of respecting His authority, which is perfectly fulfilled in Christ, the ultimate prophet, who is to be honored and obeyed.

Family Discussion Questions

• How do the actions of leaders like Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, and Ahab demonstrate the importance of humility and obedience to God?

• What does it look like to honor God’s presence in our daily lives? How can we prepare our hearts as a dwelling place for God through our thoughts, words, and actions?

• Elijah experienced God’s provision through ravens (1 Kings 17:6) and God showed mercy to Ahab when he repented (1 Kings 21:29). How do these stories reveal God's sovereignty and mercy, and how should they shape our trust in His provision and forgiveness?