195th Week, I Kings Introduction - Chapter 4 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

 Before we begin this week, I need to make a correction on my Independence Day post.  On Day 7 of ‘Pray the Scripture in for Our Nation and its Leaders’, there is written a Bible verse on the 6th day, “then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  That verse comes from John 8:32 – not verse 8:3.  Please forgive me for the mistake.  

Click on title for Video Intro

Monday, I Kings Introduction

I Kings Into

Bart Strayer

THOUGHT

Main events: David’s death, Solomon’s reign, the division of the kingdom, and Elijah’s ministry.

Author: Jewish tradition credits Jeremiah, few of today’s scholars believe this. 

Theme: a continuation of the history of the kings of Israel and Judah; the well-being of Israel/kings was dependent on their obedience to God.

PRAYER

God, we ask that You speak to us through the study of I Kings.  Help us to understand the history as well as the message. Thank You so much for the Bible and the incredible resource it is. We are so blessed to have so many translations and copies of the Bible readily available to us. Help us to

completely treasure Your Word. AMEN

Tuesday, I Kings Chapter 1

I Kings 1

Verse 6

Matt Strayer

Verse 6:  His father had never interfered with him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?”

THOUGHT

I decided to choose this verse because I have never really thought about David as a father. My small little brain was able to remember events like killing Goliath, being crowned king over all Israel, keeping God’s special covenant with him and allowing peace to fall over all Israel. But what about David as a father?

We can obviously see from Adonijah’s behavior here in this chapter that something has definitely gone wrong. I would venture to guess it had to do with the fact that his father never asked why he behaved that way. He never got involved in his life. He never set limits for his son, and Adonijah did whatever he wanted. I believe because he never learned to obey his earthly father that he will never learn to obey his Heavenly Father. This lack of discipline and limits early in Adonijah's life led to his demise later in life.

I hope I have learned from David’s mistakes here in this chapter. If you don’t set limits, have no discipline, and don’t show interest early on in your child’s life, they will not be disciplined later in life and will destroy themselves and others. I hope as a father I will ask questions, set limits and show concern in a great and loving way.

PRAYER

Dear God, once again we thank You for Your Word that we can refer to and learn from. King David did many great things in his life, but at times he may have been too busy to be a good father. I ask You to lead all of us in ways of leadership and parenting.  Help us balance this the best we can.  

In Jesus Name.  AMEN

Wednesday, I Kings Chapter 2

1 Kings 2

Verse 3

Matt Strayer

Verse 3:  “and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go,”

THOUGHT

I love this verse because it is simple and straightforward. Before David leaves this earth he simply states the facts to his son. He says do what the Lord requires, follow what is written, and you will prosper in whatever you do. God had promised that David and his descendants would remain in office as kings only when they honored and obeyed Him. David is simply passing this along to his son so that he will be a great king and lead his nation well.

My devotions are never very deep, and this one will be no different.  These words are so true. I look back at my own life and see what has happened when I have disobeyed. Things are not so good. Then there are times when I have followed God’s commands. That’s when I have seen the fruits of the spirit in my life. I think dating and marriage are areas where God’s commands and rules can either be broken or followed. If followed, the fruits of the spirit will come out of the relationship. It is one area of my life that I have been so very blessed following His rules. 

I know all of you can say the same about areas in your life where God has worked. We must continue to be in His Word so that we may better know the path that He wants us to follow.

PRAYER

Dear God, I thank You so much for Your example in the verse we read today. You know our hearts and our minds.  We will continue to do our best at staying within Your boundaries so that we may prosper and do Your Will. In Jesus Name.  AMEN

Thursday, I Kings Chapter 3

I Kings 3

Verse 9

Kristin Strayer

Verse 9:  “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

THOUGHT

In this chapter God comes to Solomon in a dream and tells him that he can ask whatever he wants and God will give it to him. Solomon asks for a discerning heart or wisdom.

I think there are two things that are pretty amazing about Solomon’s request. The first is that Solomon had to be fairly wise to begin with to ask God for wisdom. Solomon could have asked for wealth, long life, or death for his enemies as God points out in verse 11 of this chapter. Solomon was wise enough already that he recognized what God was offering him and wanted to make the most of it.

The second thing about Solomon’s request that amazed me is his motivation.  Solomon asked for wisdom so he could govern God’s people well. Solomon didn’t have selfish motives; he was thinking about the welfare of his people. Once again, I think Solomon had to have had a good share of wisdom

before he asked God for more wisdom.

PRAYER

God, we thank You for the example Solomon has set for us. Help us to see beyond our own needs and desires when bringing our requests before You.  Help us to take our responsibilities as seriously as Solomon did. God, we thank You so much for all of the insight and wisdom that we get through Your

Word. Make us more like Solomon. AMEN

Friday, I Kings Chapter 4

1 Kings 4

Verses 2 & 7

Tanya Ruden

Verse 2 & 7:  And these were his chief officials...Solomon also had 12 district governors over all of Israel.

THOUGHT

As I was reading this I thought, ”Why is this here?”  We have never before read about how many officials a king had before. Why now? Is this a lot, not enough, what? Then I read the footnote. 

‘Solomon was well organized. Each person had his own responsibility or territory to manage. This organization was essential to maintain the government’s effectiveness; it was a wise move by a wise man.’  I thought about this, and it applies to us as Christians.

Are you organized? Now I will be the first to admit I am not a neat freak and probably never will be as organized as my ‘older’ relatives; however, maybe this is a sign of their wisdom.  Does being organized make us more effective Disciples of Christ? I would have to say, “Yes”. How are we to witness to others when our own lives are a mess? 

Now, I don’t think this means we have to color code our bills, but it does mean we need to have an effective system by which to run our lives. If we witness through our actions, taking care of our personal affairs and our personal property, which is given to us by God, isn’t this a great witness to others?

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, help us to stay organized. As we start to get lazy and begin ‘misfiling’ things in our lives, remind us of Solomon and his wisdom and effectiveness.  We must be organized to work effectively in Your Kingdom. AMEN