Bible

Today in the Bible room we start reading the book of 1 Kings.  This book presents a great deal of information, so we will read it in three parts.  Here is Part 1, the summary of chapters 1 through 7.

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1 Kings – Part 1

Introduction to 1 Kings:

Author:  Unknown. 

Scope:  The book we now have represents about half of what was once a single scroll called Kings. The divided scroll was included in the Septuagint, the Bible used by Jesus. The two books of Kings review the theological and political history of the Israelites from about 930 B.C. to 586 B.C. Forty kings, divided equally between the northern and southern kingdoms, rule for 344 years from the division of the kingdom, through the reunification, to the fall of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon. 

Chapter 1. Contested

The selection of Israel’s leader to succeed David is contested:

• David’s age is slowing him down, he needs constant care;
• His now oldest son, Adonijah, seeks to be king;
• Popular, with military support, he assumes control;
• But the priests, prophets, special guard do not support him;
• Bathsheba and prophet Nathan advise David of the events;
• Reminded of his oath, David says Solomon will be king;
• Religious leaders anoint Solomon, place him on the throne;
• At a feast with friends, Adonijah is advised of this news;
• Fearing for his life, he takes shelter at the altar of sacrifice;
• Solomon sends men to bring Adonijah to see him;
• Adonijah bows to the king, they have an amicable meeting.

Chapter 2. Settled

Solomon settles in as king, replacing his father, David:

• David sees his death coming soon, leaves some instructions:
• Solomon is to keep all the laws of God as given by Moses;
• If Solomon lives right, God will prosper him forever;
• Solomon is told to settle a few past, unfinished issues:
• Joab should be killed for killing Abner and Amasa;
• Shimei should be killed for cursing David in Gilead;
• David ruled for forty years over Israel, dies in peace;
• For Adonijah’s rebellion, Solomon orders his death;
• As David had instructed, Joab is put to death;
• After violating his house arrest, Shimei is executed;
• Solomon is settled as king; past issues are settled.

Chapter 3. Wisdom

King Solomon will forever be acclaimed for his wisdom:

• Solomon builds the palace, the temple, the city walls;
• In a dream, the Lord asks Solomon what he wants;
• Solomon can have anything, he asks only for wisdom;
• The Lord grants Solomon wisdom, wealth, honor, long life;
• Two harlots approach Solomon to settle an argument;
• Both have recently borne sons; one son has died;
• Both claim to be the mother of the living child;
• Solomon threatens to split the child, half for each woman;
• The real mother will give him up to keep her child alive;
• Solomon’s fame for wise decisions spreads everywhere.

Chapter 4. Organization

Solomon sets up the organization of his government, society:

• He creates over 500 official government positions;
• Staff positions, among others: priests; secretaries; personal advisor; commander in chief; district officers;
• Solomon divides his realm into twelve districts;
• Each district has a governor in charge of collecting taxes;
• Support for the king and his palace comes from the taxes;
• There is peace in all of the nation from Dan to Beersheba;
• Solomon keeps 12,000 horses, 4,000 stalls for chariots;
• He is the wisest man among all the kings of nations;
• The breadth of his knowledge is measureless;
• He studies and teaches plant and animal science;
• His writings include 3,000 proverbs, over 1,000 songs.
• He hosts teaching sessions with visiting kings from all over.

Chapter 5. Preparations

Preparations get underway for building the temple:

• Hiram of Tyre, old friend of David, contacts Solomon;
• He will pay whatever it costs for men and materials;
• Hiram agrees to float cedar and pine logs down the coast;
• Solomon will send 30,000 workers to help with the logs;
• He drafts 150,000 laborers to fabricate stonework;

Chapter 6. Temple

In the fourth year of his reign, Solomon begins the temple: 

• 480 years now separate Israel from Egyptian bondage;
• Temple floor plan: 90 ft. long x 30 ft. wide x 45 ft. high;
• The stonework is performed only at the quarry;
• No hammering or chiseling is heard at the temple site;
• Entry is on the south wall; temple is three floors high;
• Floors are pine planks; walls are ornate, cedar paneled;
• The Most Holy Place is partitioned off at the north end;
• Every surface is covered in gold overlay, ornately finished;
• Inside the inner sanctuary are the two 15 ft. high cherubim;
• The temple Solomon built is seven years in building.

Chapter 7. Palace

Among many other abilities, Solomon is a designer/builder:

• Solomon’s palace complex is unlike any ever erected;
• Thirteen years of his life are given to building this edifice;
• Two buildings, each 150 ft. long x 75 ft. wide x 45 ft. high;
• In addition, there are porticos, terraces, colonnades, courts:
• The Hall of Judgement, the royal palace in two sections:
• Solomon’s quarters are separate from his wife’s suite;
• Expensive stonework from Israel, cedar from Lebanon;
• For the Temple work, he brings in Hiram of Tyre;
• A skilled workman, artisan, he works in bronze, forming:
• Columns, capitals, ornamental friezes, flowers, fruits, etc;
• An elevated bronze pool with 12,000 gallons of water;
• Everything in bronze is covered in ornamentation;
• Solomon makes the furnishings for the Temple;
• And he brings in all the pieces David had dedicated;
• He also builds the perimeter wall around Jerusalem.

END OF 1 KINGS – PART 1