Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — 1 Kings 12:1-32

Study 10 From the Book of 1 Kings: 1 Kings 12:1-32

1. Study the characters of the two kings, Rehoboam and Jeroboam. To what factors would you attribute the division of the kingdom?
2. What four actions of Jeroboam are spoken of in verses 25-32, and what was their purpose? Clever as they were politically and according to human judgment, wherein lay their fatal error? See verse 30; 13:33, 34; 2 Ki. 17:21.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — 1 Kings 10:14 – 11:43

Study 9 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 10:14 – 11:43

1. Solomon was outwardly at the height of his power, wealth and fame (see 10:14-29). But what was going on within his heart in respect (a) of his affections, and (b) of his relation to God (see 11; 1-8)? Read Pr. 4:23-27. What was God's chief charge against him?
2. How does the account of the events of 11:14-40 bring out God's overruling hand? Cf. Dn. 4:34, 35; Ps. 135:5, 6. What effect should this truth have upon a believing heart? Cf. Acts 4:23-30.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 8— 1 Kings 9- 10:13

Study 8 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 9 - 10:13

1. Comparing 9:3 carefully with 8:29, in what two respects did God exceed Solomon's request? Observe also the close relation between God's promise and His commands, and between His fulfillment of His promise and man's obedience. Cf. Jn. 14:14, 15, 21; 15:7; 1 Jn. 3:22. What do we see in today's passage of the fulfillment to Solomon of God's promises in 3:12,13?
2. In What ways is the Queen of Sheba an example to us? Consider the purpose of her visit, the difficulties of it, and her reward.

Notes

1. 9:14. A talents of gold, it is reckoned, would be the equivalent of £6,150, but would in those days have a far higher purchasing power.
2. 9:25. Cf. 8:13, 14.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — 1 Kings 8:12-66

Study 7 From the Book of 1 Kings: 1 Kings 8:12-66

1. Verses 14-21. What promise is here spoken of as having been fulfilled? Are there experiences in your life of which you can say 'God... with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth'? Observe how, in verses 22-53, thanksgiving for the fulfillment of the promise stimulated further prayer. What seven particular petitions did Solomon make, and on what grounds did he base his prayer?
2. Verses 54-62. In this 'blessing' how did Solomon sum up Israel's story? What two petitions did he offer, and to what ends, and what charge did he give the people? Consider how applicable his words are to ourselves.

Notes

1. Verse 12. 'Thick darkness': there was no light in the most holy place, to symbolize the inscrutable mystery of the divine nature. The ark symbolized His presence in the midst of His people.
2. Verse 16. 'My name': a phrase used frequently n this chapter as signifying God in the fullness of His self-revelation.
3. Verse 51. 'Iron furnace': i.e., one in which iron is smelted.
4. Verse 65. 'Seven days' or 'seven days and seven days': i.e., seven for the dedication of the altar, and seven for the feast, as explained in 2 Ch. 7:8, 9.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — 1 Kings 7:13 – 8:11

Study 6 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 7:13 – 8:11

Today's portion describes (a) the making of the brass (or bronze) furnishings and implements for the Temple court, 7:13-47; (b) the golden furniture and utensils for the house itself, 7:48-50. Many of the details are difficult to grasp, but it is possible to distinguish the two great pillars, with their ornamental capitals, the great basin resting upon twelve oxen, and the ten carriages with wheels, richly ornamental, and carrying lavers; and also within the house the golden altar of incense, the table of shew bread, and ten candlesticks or lampstands. There was also a brass altar in the Temple court, which is mentioned later (see 8:64)

1. What may we learn concerning our own service for Christ from the spirit and aim that animated Solomon (cf. 2 Cor. 9: 7; Rom. 12:11), and from the fact that he pursued the task through seven years until it was finished (cf Acts 14:26; 20:24; 2 Tim. 4:7, Lk. 14:28, 29)?
2. Finally, when all was prepared, the ark was brought in to the place reserved for it under the wings of the cherubim in the most holy place. Is the Lord Christ thus enthroned in you, His temple? Cf. Eph. 3:16, 17. In what ways is His indwelling manifested in your life.?

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — 1 Kings 6:1 – 7:12

Study 5 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 6:1 – 7:12

1. Try to form a mental picture of 'the house of the Lo
   
   rd'. What was its length, its breadth, its height? What the size of the porch, and what of the most holy place, here called 'the inner sanctuary or the 'oracle'? Notice, too, the side room, arranged in three storeys round the sides and back of the house. These would take away from the narrow appearance of the building, and provide space for storage, etc. It may help you to draw a sketch, keeping to scale (a cubit was about eighteen inches). Draw in also the five buildings in the outer court (7:1-12).
   
2. Of what material were the walls made, with what were they lined on the inner side, and how adorned? Observe also the care expended upon the design and workmanship of the two sets of doors. What may we learn from these things? Cf. 1 Ch. 22:5, 14-16; 1 Cor. 3:12-15
   Note. 7:2. 'The House of the Forest of Lebanon': so called because of the number of pillars made from the cedars of Lebanon. It was a Hall of Assembly.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — 1 Kings 5

Study 4 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 5

1. To what great task did Solomon first set his hand, and what motives moved him to undertake it? Are we as ready to speak to a non-Christian friend of the goodness of God and of our desire to serve Him, as Solomon was to speak to Hiram?
2. What may we learn from the fact that even in the arrangements which Solomon made with Hiram for materials and skilled labour, he acted according to the wisdom given him by God? Cf. Eph. 5:15-17; Jas. 1:5; 3:17.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — 1 Kings 3 and 4

Study 3 From the Book of 1 Kings: 1 Kings 3 and 4

1. Solomon's request was pleasing to God (3:10), but was it the highest gift he could have asked? Cf. Ex. 33:13; Phil. 3:8, 10. What do you put first in prayer? What do we learn of God's dealings with man from the way in which He answered Solomon's request?
2. What good things are said about Solomon in these two chapters, and what benefits did his rule bring to his people? What, according to the writer, was the deepest ground of his prosperity?

Note. 4: 4b. This was true only at the very beginning of Solomon's reign See 2:35

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — 1 Kings 2

Study 2 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 2

1. Enumerate the points David made in his final advice to his son Solomon.
2. How and why were Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei put to death? Solomon's own reaction was to let bygones be bygones, but David counseled against this, and Solomon acted accordingly. What do you think was David's motive in giving the counsel he did? What lessons may we learn from Adonijah's life story?

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — 1 Kings 1

Study 1 From the Book of 1 Kings: 1 Kings 1

1. Get hold of the story. Who supported Adonijah, and who supported Solomon, and by what means was Adonijah's attempt to seize the throne frustrated? What may we learn about the character of each men?
2. This is the last mention of Nathan in Scripture. In his actions here and also in 2 Sa. 7 and 12 how does he exemplify by his faithful and disinterested conduct our duty as servants of God?

Notes

1. Verse 5. Adonijah, as David's eldest surviving son (see 2 Sa. 3:4), had a claim to recognition (1 Ki. 2:15). At the same time this might be overruled by the king (verses 20 and 27).
2. Verses 52, 53. Solomon spares Adonijah on certain conditions, but commands him to withdraw from public affairs.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED