Daily Reading Week 44
Sunday
1 Kings 18
DISCOVER
How does Elijah’s boldness in facing Ahab inspire your own faith journey?
Why do you think Elijah drenched his sacrifice in water before praying to God?
In times of spiritual drought or crisis, what can we learn from Elijah’s faith and obedience?
What lessons can we take from the differences in how Elijah and the prophets of Baal approached their respective gods?
How can we apply the lessons from this chapter in handling the pressures of conformity in society today?
RESPOND
The movie Hoosiers features an undersized basketball team from a small town in Indiana competing for a state championship. The competition looks to be taller and more talented. Yet, the movie is a classic story of the underdog gaining the victory.
The Bible also contains showdowns, and in many cases an underdog triumphs. For example, Moses, a sheepherder, goes up against the mighty Pharaoh and walks away victorious. Joshua faced a huge wall surrounding the city of Jericho and with God’s power demonstrated the wall came crashing down. David, as a young shepherd, stood and defeated the massive Goliath. Perhaps the greatest underdog story is of Gideon, who with an army of 300 wins a battle over the Midianites. In each of these stories, God raised up a leader who was willing to face any challenge and do so in the power of the Lord.
In 1 Kings we see another story of a mediator-leader that God raised up to combat evil: Elijah. After an initial meeting with King Ahab, Elijah went away and was preserved by God’s miraculous supply of daily bread during a famine. Now after three years he appears before Ahab again. In this meeting Elijah arranges one of the greatest showdowns of all time. It’s a firefight on Mount Carmel between Elijah and the false prophets to prove once and for all who the real God is. Elijah is outnumbered, but he is confident because he is the prophet of the living God. God showed up in a mighty way to prove to everyone watching that He is the only One worthy of our worship.
Monday
1 Kings 7
DISCOVER
As you read through the chapter you see a lot of detail of the temple’s construction. How does all the detail/specifics reflect Solomon’s dedication to God?
When you read about the meticulous planning that went into the temple planning and execution, what lessons can we learn about our own spiritual journey?
In 1 Kings, Hiram used his skills in ways that glorified the Lord. How can you use your skills to glorify God?
As you look at the whole construction process, what part really inspires you the most in your walk with the Lord? What part really challenges you?
RESPOND
Solomon’s home takes about twice as long to finish as the temple. It consisted of five parts, the “house of the Forest of Lebanon,” the “hall of pillars,” the “hall of judgment,” and a palace for him and one for Pharaoh’s daughter. Verses 9-12 describe the expensive material used.
The writer doesn’t tell us how to interpret this section. Do we take it positively? Was this an example of God’s blessing and a sign of God’s splendor like the temple? Or was this an example of Solomon’s self-indulgence and divided heart? Were Solomon’s priorities out of line? Positively, it seems like a good thing that he lived near the temple. He was close to God’s presence, and he used the palace to render justice. Negatively, one could call this extravagant. The language of 1 Kings 6:38 and 1 Kings 7:1 highlights an emphatic contrast, perhaps suggesting that his priorities were out of order. We are probably safe in saying he was a man with mixed motives at best.
However you resolve the issue, we should remember that we must submit to God’s Word concerning wealth, home, and worship buildings. As Christians we need to seek God’s Word for counsel regarding these things and seek to use them wisely. In addition, we’re left with the challenge of making sure that our portion of time and possessions is not devoted primarily to our own ease and comfort, but rather to living on mission for the Lord in all areas of our lives.
Tuesday
1 Kings 8
DISCOVER
Why was it significant that the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the temple?
Compare Solomon’s dedication to the temple with the way that you have dedicated your own life to God. How are they similar or different?
How can Solomon’s prayer of dedication serve as a model for our prayers today, especially when asking for forgiveness?
In the midst of this dedicatory prayer there’s joy, gratitude, and gladness. How does this prayer of dedication challenge us to make sure that we too are expressing our joy and gratitude to God?
RESPOND
The Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God to the people of Israel. In 1 Kings 8, having finally finished the temple, Solomon instructs the elders and leaders of Israel to bring up the Ark into the temple. After placing the Ark in the inner sanctuary under the wings of the cherubim, the cloud of the presence of God filled the temple, such that the priest could not minister because of the glory of God.
During this time Solomon recognized that God cannot be contained. He recognized that HE who made all things cannot be marked out by boundaries. He is above all things and contained by nothing. Recognizing this great power, glory, and majesty of the living God, Solomon proceeds to pray on behalf of the people of Israel, knowing that the Lord is the only One they can turn to. He is the source of provision and blessing in the land. His name is the only name that matters in all the earth.
Does the glory of God cause us to respond in the same way? Do we really recognize who God is? As Christians, we belong to the King of the universe, who fulfills His promises and accomplishes His will without fail. Let’s be continually reminded that He is the one we must cling to. He is the one worthy of our devotion and service.
Wednesday
1 Kings 9
DISCOVER
If you look back at verses 4-5, the Lord encouraged Solomon to walk in ways that bring Him (the Lord) glory and honor. What promise does the Lord give to Solomon if he obeys the Lord’s words?
In the context of present day living, how can we apply God’s warning to Solomon about the consequences of disobedience?
How does 1 Kings 9 encourage us to build a strong foundation on God’s commandments in our personal lives?
After reading this chapter, how does the chapter as a whole really challenge us to continually focus on walking in obedience to God’s Word?
RESPOND
This second special appearance of the Lord to Solomon was very significant because it came at a critical time. Solomon had finished all the work prompted by his desires, both godly and self-centered. He had completed the House of God and his own house. It was the hour when the accomplishment of work means the relaxation of effort. That is always a perilous hour, and the greater the work done, the graver the peril. A life that has been full of activity demands some new interest when that activity ceases, and will find it: either high or low, noble or ignoble.
The Lord came at this point in Solomon's life and informed him that He heard and honored Solomon's lengthy prayer at the Temple dedication, but for all to remain well, important conditions needed to be fulfilled day by day. At this moment the king called to a new sense of responsibility for his own life and the administration of his kingdom.
Unfortunately, the sequel is a very sad one. The conditions were not kept, either by the king or people, which eventually led to the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the people from the land.
This reality teaches God's people of all time to heed all those tender and strong methods by which our Lord is always seeking to deliver us from failure. When one task is accomplished, He never leaves as a prey to the perils that follow. For us in Christ, He is always at hand and available, no longer needing to come in special ways. Our duty is to listen to His Word and continue faithfully in His will.
Thursday
1 Kings 10
DISCOVER
How does the acknowledgment of God’s hand in Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity by a foreign queen impact our understanding of God’s glory?
The primary reasons the Queen of Sheba journeyed to see Solomon are because she “heard of Solomon’s fame,” and how he “brought honor to the name of the Lord.” There was something about his life that was drawing her to the Lord. Are you living in such a way that others are “drawn” to the Lord? Are there some possible changes that need to be made?
While it’s super easy to be fascinated by all of the gold Solomon accumulates, this is the beginning of a great demise in his life. While God does not dishonor wealth, He does dishonor wealth becoming a god in our life. What appears to be the pinnacle of his career is in reality the start of his downfall. Solomon failed to give attention to his spiritual life. What are some safeguards that you need to put in your life to protect your daily walk with the Lord?
RESPOND
It’s super important to pay attention to these words, for they reveal the main reason for the visit of the queen of Sheba. She came from over 1,000 miles away because reports reached her that accounted for Solomon's wisdom and greatness by his relationship to God. It was not the story of his magnificence that attracted this Arabian queen, but his fame "concerning the name of the Lord." Her visit revealed to her what the rule of God really meant.
Arriving, when she did, in the time of the nation's peace and prosperity and getting answers to all the hard questions on her heart, she was at a loss for words in expressing how far this visit exceeded her greatest expectations. She did, however, beautifully express to Solomon what she now knew by experience to be the secret behind his kingdom: "How blessed are your people, how blessed are these your officials who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom. Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, He made you king to maintain justice and righteousness" (1 Kings 10:8-9).
These were great days in Solomon's reign. True fame for the servant of God is when people are attracted through him, not to him (or her), but to the God whom he (or she) represents. It is an evil hour when, concerning the servants of God, people are attracted by them rather than directed through them to God.
Friday
1 Kings 11
DISCOVER
Solomon had a dramatic fall after a period of subtle compromises. How does this pattern urge you to deal with areas of your life where you have subtly compromised faith in God?
As you work through this chapter and see man’s unfaithfulness, what do we understand about God’s faithfulness?
Are there any aspects of Solmon’s story that really resonate with your life and experiences?
Reflect on the difference between Solomon’s wisdom (we’ve read in previous chapters) and his actions. How can we ensure that our actions align with our wisdom (God’s Word)?
RESPOND
1 Kings 11:9 is one of the most tragic verses in Scripture.! The reason for it is this chapter's account of Solomon's corruption and doom. His commercial enterprises led him into alliances with surrounding nations and, following Middle Eastern customs at the time but disobeying Mosaic law regarding kings, he multiplied wives for himself. As Moses warned, that turned his heart away and he built temples for the false gods of those women that he eventually bowed to in his old age.
Solomon reigned as long as David did, 40 years, but did not live as long because he failed to take God seriously when He said, "If you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as you father David walked, then I will lengthen your days" (1 Kings 3:14). It is a tragedy that the man who had built the Temple, and in priestly dignity had presided over its dedication, crying to God for His abiding presence, would allow himself to be seduced by the lower side of his nature and forsake his first loyalty to God.
The anger of the Lord against Solomon was not merely passive, for we are told He raised up 3 specific adversaries against him: Hadad (verse 14), Rezon (verse 23), and Jeroboam (verse 26). All this was divine judgment, yet it was the natural outworking of the evil heart that came to possess Solomon and then the people through their king's bad example. King Solomon's life was full of promise, but it ended in failure and gloom because his heart turned from loyalty to God in response to the seductions of his sensual nature. The glory days of Israel are over, and a sad division of the kingdom is drawing close.
Saturday
1 Kings 12
DISCOVER
Rehoboam sought advice from elders in his life. However, he chose to reject the advice they gave him. What were the consequences for him ignoring the advice?
How do we guard against creating our own “golden calves” in life, the things that draw our focus and worship away from God?
Even though much seems to go wrong in this chapter, how is it really an example that God is always in control?
Jeroboam came “out of Egypt” to rescue his people from slavery, yet he failed. In Matthew 2, however, we discover the ultimate King who came “out of Egypt” (Matthew 2:15) to rescue His people. How does the passage in Matthew increase your thankfulness for Jesus?
RESPOND
In 1 Kings 12 and the following 4 chapters, we have the appalling story of the breakup and degradation of the nation. It covers a period of about 60 years, from the disruption after the death of Solomon to the corruption under Ahab and the coming of Elijah. The seeds of strife had long been growing. The occasion of the actual division arose with the accession of Solomon's son Rehoboam and the rebellion of Jeroboam. Both men were unworthy, as the folly of the one and the pragmatic idolatry of the other prove.
Jeroboam led a protest movement against the burdens that had been imposed upon the people under the reign of Solomon. Rehoboam was proud and arrogant so he answered the people with what appeared to be conditions worse than the ones from a previous administration. They were foolish and empty. He had no right and no power to rule as a tyrant. The terrible division of the kingdom was the result.
This story remarkably shows that his abuse of power is not hereditary. Solomon had gained such power by the sad end of his reign. Rehoboam's desire was to increase its grip and severity. He could not do so. People will strangely submit to tyranny for a long time if a particular tyrant has managed to gain a personal influence over them, but there are limits. Stooping humanity has the persistent habit of lifting itself up after a time. Then tyrants are swept aside and revolutions result. Such revolutions are often wrong in their methods, but in their assertion of the greatness of humanity, they all contribute to the onward march of God.