(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 4:1-34) Among Solomon’s officials was a priest named Zabud, the son of Nathan. Interestingly, Scripture says that Zabud was “the king’s friend” (1 Kings 4:5). However, “friend of the king” was not merely referring to a personal friendship, but likely an official royal position. This official royal position of “friend of the […]
(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 3:1-28) 3 “Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” Solomon loved the Lord, yet that did not mean his actions were without fault. Yes, he loved the Lord and walked in the statutes of his father […]
(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 2:13-46) All who supported Adonijah in his attempt to seize the throne after David were eventually put to death. Even Adonijah himself, who refused to abandon his pursuit of the kingdom, was put to death. Why? Because he attempted to strengthen his claim to the throne by asking to marry Abishag the […]
(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 2:1-12) Grown up means that we have grown into maturity from childhood. Grown-up means that we are an adult. Being an adult means that we take on the responsibilities of a grown-up. As David’s life ends, he calls Solomon to show yourself a man, to be a grown-up. 2 “I am going […]
(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 1:1-53) As we begin reading 1 Kings, we begin at the end of a great legacy in King David. It is a reminder that no matter how great a person may be, all humanity is still limited by flesh and blood and remains affected by the reality of sin in this world. […]
10–16 June 2018. 1 Kings 21–22 (click to read). When we face temptations, it’s easy to tell ourselves that this temptation is such a little thing and won’t have a big impact on our lives. It’s only afterwards that we see the terrible results that small temptation led us to. When King David first looked […]
3–9 June 2018. 1 Kings 9–10 (click to read). There was a popular belief among the ancient Israelites that the exotic people of Southern Arabia and Ethiopia were especially blessed with wisdom. Other nations may have great warriors or great riches, but the people from Sheba were famous for their wisdom. In 1 Kings 10, […]
Bonus Devotional for August 2016! 2 Chronicles 1-2 (click to read). When Solomon becomes king, he realizes just how much wisdom he will need to be a good ruler. So in today’s text Solomon asks God for the wisdom to lead, and God gives Solomon his wish. But even with God’s gift of wisdom, Solomon […]
14–20 August 2016. 1 Chronicles 7–8 (click to read). In the New Testament we have four gospels which all tell us about Jesus but from different perspectives. Here now in the Old Testament we also see the same thing. The writers of Samuel and Kings gave us one version of Israel’s history, and now Chronicles talks about […]
24–30 July 2016. 1 Kings 19–20 (click to read). The prophet Elijah is about to find out that in life things are never easy or uncomplicated! In chapter 19:14 we read that he only wanted to do something good for God – but it all went so wrong! In his zealous passion for God he turned […]