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PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

An Overview of the bible - Study 11 – 1 Kings Ch 1 to Ch 11

1 Kings follows on from the events of 2 Samuel. The second half of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings Chapters 1 and 2 is called a “succession narrative” meaning who among the sons of David will succeed him as King. The reason for 1 and 2 Kings being named as such is because they show the life of Israel from the reign of each successive King.

Many of David’s sons have made a grab at the throne, the last one being Adonijah in 1 Kings Ch 1. Solomon the son of Bathsheba though is anointed the first King after David.

After other perceived threats from his brothers are removed, Solomon was firmly established as King over all Israel. During Solomon’s reign we experience one of, if not, the best period of life for Israel in the Promised Land.
Solomon’s reign is marked by:

• Peace – Chapter 4:20,25.
• Wisdom – Ch 3, 4:29-34, 10:1-9.
• Prosperity – Ch 3:10-14, 4:20-28, 10:14-29, 7:1-12.
• The building of the Temple as a permanent place for God’s rule and worship in Jerusalem. (Chapters 5 to 8)
• The visit of the queen of Sheba that brings a worldwide perspective to God’s covenant with Israel. (Ch 10). (Remember the last of the 5 promises God gave to Abraham).

1 Kings Chapter 3: verses 5-15 is one of the well known parts of Solomon’s reign where he asks God for wisdom rather than power or riches. God grants his request and a wise ruling regarding the case of 2 mothers and one baby makes Solomon’s wisdom well known throughout Israel.

The building of the Temple is a major event in Solomon’s reign. It is interesting that God never asked anyone to build a Temple for him and it will be clear that God will not confine his presence to this place. The tabernacle is brought to the Temple when complete and God’s glory fills the place. (See Ch 6:11-13 and 8:10-13 and how similar this is to God’s glory appearing at the Tabernacle when built in Exodus. (See Exodus Ch 25).

Another feature of Solomon’s reign is the repeated reference back to David and God’s promise to him. (See Ch 3:3,6,14, 6:12, 8:16,24,66, 9:4,5). This is a pattern that will remain throughout the reign of many Kings and shows the prominence of David in the Old Testament. 1 Kings begins with the death of David and it is his reign that is prominent among all the Kings of the Old Testament. This reflects God’s promise to him that one of his sons will be King and God will fulfil his promises through this succession.
Chapters 8: verse 14 to Ch 9: verse 9 contains an interesting and significant prayer of Solomon to God and then God’s response. God’s response is as always; blessings will follow obedience and the loss of their Land and God’s absence from the Temple will follow disobedience.

While all of the above is very positive, the life of Solomon ends on a disappointing note in Chapter 11 with Solomon marrying many foreign wives. This began with him marrying the daughter of Pharaoh of Egypt (Ch 3:1) and led to worshipping other gods and building altars for them. Chapter 11 contains Gods judgment on Solomon that will involve the splitting of the nation in 2 and the loss of territory and influence. (See Ch 11:9-39).

With Solomon we find the development of a new type of literature and teaching; books and sayings of wisdom. (See Ch 4:29-34). The characteristics of wise sayings are reflections on the experience of life in God’s world and will be explored in a separate study with other wisdom books of the Old Testament.
In many ways the period of Solomon and David represent the most positive times for Israel in respect to the promises God gave to Abraham in Genesis Ch 12:1-3. (1) Abraham’s descendants are the nation; (2) living in the land of promise; (3) blessed by God; (4) making your name great applies to the Kings and leaders and (5) how the visit of the queen of Sheba to Israel becomes a blessing to the other nations of the world. See also 1 Kings Chapter 8: verse 56.

While on the one hand there is much to appreciate and admire about Solomon, like David his father, the author presents a real person who abuses power to get rid of his brothers, marries foreign women and worships other gods. So while in many ways the promises that God gave to Abraham come to realisation in a material way during Solomon’s reign, we are left somewhat disappointed. God continues to bless his people because of his mercy and kindness, but God is not finished with his promises to bless Abraham’s descendants and the world.  From the time of Solomon onwards we begin to see more of how the other nations of the world fit into God’s plans.

We have also begun to see a far greater role in the emergence of prophets, demonstrating that the Old Testament covenant has been established and the prophet’s role is to call the nation to covenant faithfulness.

This is a good time to review where we have come from in the bible thus far.

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