Notes: Bible Survey 1 Kings

1 Kings 1-11 A. Author: Unknown. Some speculate that perhaps the prophet Jeremiah or a group of prophets active throughout this time period. B. Context: 1. Following David’s death, his son Solomon becomes the next king. Solomon rules over the kingdom united by his father David but Solomon’s unfaithfulness leads to the kingdom being divided following after his death.

1 Kings C. Theme and Purpose 1. To reveal the spiritual center of worship (the Temple) 2. To reveal the spiritual causes of the division of the kingdom (Israel & Judah)

1 Kings 1-11 D. Outline 1. THE UNITED KINGDOM (1:1—11:43) a. Solomon becomes a wise king b. Solomon builds the temple c. Solomon's greatness and downfall

1 Kings 1-11 E. Key Words: Succession, Success, Decline and Division F. Key Verses: 1 Kings 9:6-7a "But if you [Solomon] or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name.

1 Kings 1-11 G. Highlights 1. Solomon secures his throne: 1 Kings 1 & 2 When David is old, no longer able to rule effectively, Adonijah, David’s son after Absolom, sets himself up as king without David’s permission after David had promised Bathsheba that their son Solomon would become king after him. 29 The king then took an oath: “As surely as the L ORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, 30 I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the L ORD, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.” 1 Kings 1:29-30

1 Kings David’s last words to Solomon 1 Kings 2: When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.2 "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel. '

3. Solomon secures his throne a. After David dies, Solomon eliminates his enemies -. Solomon kills his brother Adonijah for first trying to be king and then asking to marry Abishag, king David’s virgin companion in his old age (similar to Absalom’s sleeping with David’s wives to set himself up as king in David’s place). 1 Kings 1-11

- Solomon kills Joab (David’s general) for his offenses against David (killing Abner and Absalom). - Solomon kills Shimei for mocking his father David when David fled from his palace in fear of Absalom.

1 Kings Solomon’s Wisdom (1 Kings 3:5) (1 Kings 3:7-9) After offering 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord, the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream saying, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon’s request: "Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. … 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. The Lord gives him a “wise and discerning heart” plus riches and honor.

1 Kings 1-11 a. The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to check out his wisdom (Books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) and wealth 6 She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel.

5. Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 7 – 9:9) a. David made preparations - David wanted to build the temple but was told by God that he had “too much blood on his hands.” and that God wanted the Temple to be a place of PEACE for all nations. 1 Kings 1-11

b. Solomon’s temple is built on the pattern of the Tabernacle (it took 7 years) 1. Solomon secured the cooperation of Hiram, King of Tyre (Lebanon) who had resources of cedar and stone. Solomon raised a work force to cut and dress both wood and stone, 30,000 men of forced labor – 1 month labor, 2 monthsat home. Besides: 70,000 carriers of wood and stone, 80,000 stonecutters, 3,300 foremen. (1 Kings 5:13-18) 1 Kings 1-11

c. All blocks were formed at the quarry, “no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” (1 Kings 6:7) d. Solomon produces all new Temple articles except the Ark of the Covenant which he brings to put in the Temple. The Ark still contained the stone commandments God gave Moses. See: 1 Kings 7 1 Kings 1-11

1 Kings 1-11 e. Temple Furnishings Cherubim : represented heavenly beings, symbolized God's presence and holiness (gold- plated, 15 feet wide) Ark of the covenant : contained the law written on two tablets, symbolized God's presence with Israel (wood overlaid with gold) Curtain : separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it) Symbolized the separation of God (Holy / clean) and Sinners (unholy / unclean) Typology: At Jesus’ death the curtain was torn in two, indicating that God and sinners were no longer separated because sinners are made holy by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. Doors : between Holy Place and Most Holy Place (wood overlaid with gold) Golden tables (wood overlaid with gold),

1 Kings 1-11 Gold Lampstands (with seven lamps on each stand), symbolized the God, light of the world, 7 days of creation, seven spirits before God’s throne Typology: Jesus said, “I Am the light of the world”. Altar of Incense (wood overlaid with gold): Prayers of God’s people rising up Bronze Pillars : Named Jakin (meaning "he establishes/provides") and Boaz (meaning "in him is strength") —taken together they could mean "God provides the strength“ Altar : for burning of sacrifices (bronze)- Typology (Cross of Christ) “Sea”: for priests' washing (had 11,000- gallon capacity) Bronze Basins: for washing the sacrifices (water basins on wheeled bases)

1 Kings 1-11 f. The Lord fills the temple 1 Kings 8:10-11 “10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.”

1 Kings G. Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication at the Temple: 1 Kings 8:27-30 "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.” Forgive What??????

1 Kings h. Solomon’s Prayer: When prayers are made in or toward this temple may God hear and forgive: -A man who wrongs his neighbor - When Israel is defeated in battle due to their sin - When famine or plague come on the land due to sin - When a foreigner comes to pray because they heard of the Lord - When Israel is taken away into captivity due to sin and repents

1 Kings Solomon’s Downfall a. Solomon’s vast harem (700 wives, 300 concubines) “They were from the nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” (1 Kings 11:2)

I Kings 1-11 His marriages / love with foreign (unbelieving) women led him to build places of worship to their gods and even attend their worship services. 1 Kings 11:1-2 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 ** They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 1 Kings 11:9-10 The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord 's command. 11 ** So the Lord said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.

- Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s able foremen over conscripted labor in Jerusalem, is chosen by God to be given 10 out of the 12 tribes after Solomon’s death, against Solomon’s son’s wishes.