Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — 1 Kings 17 and 18

Study 15 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 17 and 18

1. How was the prophet trained in faith and obedience for the supreme struggle on Mount Carmel? What did the experiences at the brook Cherith and in Zarephath teach him? What was the supreme issue at stake between him and King Ahab?
2. What was the secret of Elijah's strength and victory? See 18:41-45; Jas. 5:17, 18, and cf. 17: 1 with Heb. 11:27b.

Notes. 18:45, 46. 'To Jezreel': about seventeen or eighteen miles. This extraordinary feat of endurance indicates that the prophet was keyed up to a high degree of nervous tension.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — 1 Kings 16:8-34

Study 14 From the Book of 1 Kings: 1 Kings 16:8-34

1. In the northern kingdom the dynasties of Jeroboam and Baasha were utterly destroyed, as later was that of Omri (see 21:22). How does the story of this kingdom show that the people departed farther and farther from God until the climax was reached with Omri (verse 25) and Ahab (verse 30)? What may this teach us as to the self-propagating power of sin? Yet in Judah the royal line of David continued. Why this difference? Consider what is said in 11:36 and 15:4.
2. What was the special sin of Ahab, by which he provoked the Lord to anger? How did he go beyond what previous kings of Israel had done, and what led him to do it?
   Notes
   1. Verse 24. Omri was an able and powerful ruler, whose name is mentioned in the ancient Assyrian records and in the Moabite stone of Mesha. His selection of Samaria as the capital was an important event in Israel history
   2. Verses 31, 32. The calves set up by Jeroboam (see 12:28) were supposed to represent the God of Israel. Ahab's sin was greater in that he worshiped Baal, the god of Tyre, and built in Samaria a 'home of Baal'.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — 1 Kings 15:1 – 16:7

Study 13 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 15:1 – 16:7

1. In this portion two kings of Judah are mentioned and two of Israel. Who were they? What facts do we learn about each of them?
2. What is the one standard by which these men are judged in Scriptures? In relation to this standard, which of them were disapproved, and why? And which of them was approved, and why? What does this teach us concerning eternal values?

Notes

1. 15:10. 'His mother's name':strictly his grandmother (see verses 2 and 8). Maachah apparently continued to be officially 'queen mother' (see verse 13).
2. 15:17. 'Ramah' was only five miles from Jerusalem to the north.
3. 16:17. 'Because he destroyed it': cf. 15:27,29.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — 1 Kings 14

Study 12 From the Book of 1 Kings: 1 Kings 14

1. Jeroboam and Ahijah had both been called of God, the one to be king (11:31), and the other as prophet. What was the difference between them in their carrying out of their office, and how does this show what qualities are required in a servant of God?
2. What two pictures of Rehoboam's reign are given in verses 21-31?  What light do they throw upon the state of the kingdom of Judah, and upon Rehoboam's character?

Notes

1. The name Abijah, given by Jeroboam to his son, shows that Jeroboam still worshiped Jehovah, for Abijah means 'my father is Jah'.
2. Verse 17. 'Tirzah' was the residence of the kings of the northern kingdom.
3. Verses 23, 24. All that is mentioned in these verses was associated with idolatry. Cf. Je.2:20.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — 1 Kings 12:33 – 13:34

Study 11 From the Book of 1 Kings is: 1 Kings 12:33 – 13:34

1. What was the root fault in Jeroboam's character, and how did God in His mercy seek to show him the folly of the course he was pursuing? See 12:33 – 13:10
2. What punishment fell upon 'the man of God...out of Judah' and why? Cf. 20:36, and contrast our Lord's firmness in Mt. 16:22, 23.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.?

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