1 Kings 1 - 11
BACKGROUND
First and 2 Kings provide a record of Israel’s history from the beginning of the movement to place Solomon on David’s throne through the end of the reign of Zedekiah, Judah’s last king. Zedekiah ruled until the surviving Southern Kingdom was taken captive and Babylonian governors were placed in charge of affairs in Palestine.
Three major periods of Israel’s history can be distinguished in Kings: (a) the united monarchy (during which time Israel and Judah remained united under Solomon as they had been under Saul and David); (b) the divided monarchy (from the rebellion of Israel against the rulership of Judean kings until Israel was carried off into captivity by the Assyrians); and (c) the surviving kingdom (the record of Judah’s affairs from the deportation of Israel to Judah’s own defeat and exile by the Babylonians).[1]
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1 Kings 1:1-27: Adonijah Sets Himself Up As King
Ø Why did Adonijah set himself up as king? Do men still assume positions that are not rightfully theirs?
Ø How did God orchestrate the establishment of the person he wanted as king? Who is ultimately in control?
1 Kings 1:28-2:46: David Passes Kingship to Solomon
Ø What is the significance of God ordaining Solomon as king considering the method
David used to obtain Bathsheba as his wife? What does this teach us about God?
David used to obtain Bathsheba as his wife? What does this teach us about God?
Ø What is the significance of how Solomon responded to Adonijah the first time? How about the second time?
Ø What was David’s charge to Solomon? Who is the ultimate fulfilling of the Davidic Covenant, the One who is on the throne forever?
1 Kings 3:1-4:34: Wisdom
Ø Why is Solomon’s response to the Lord, requesting wisdom, so significant? For what would you have asked if you were Solomon?
Ø What was the first indication that Solomon had indeed been granted special wisdom?
Ø Did anyone at the time (or has anyone since) measured up to the wisdom that God gave Solomon?
1 Kings 5:1-6:38: The Temple
Ø Why did God allow Solomon to build a temple when He would not allow David to do so?
Ø What does the amount of time that elapsed from the Exodus to the building of the temple teach us about God’s time-table?
Ø What promise of God was connected to this temple? (6:11-13)
Ø What can we learn about God from the detailed descriptions /instructions given concerning the temple?
1 Kings 7:1-12: Solomon’s Palace
Ø It took almost twice as many years to build Solomon’s palace as it did to build the temple and it was considerably larger than the temple. Thoughts on this?
Ø How many structures did Solomon build for the Lord? How many for himself and his wives? Can we draw any conclusions from this comparison?
1 Kings 7:13-51: Furnishing the Temple
Ø Why does the author give such detail concerning the furnishings of the temple?
Ø Notice the craftsmanship in the details. Thoughts?
1 Kings 8:1-21: Return of the Ark
Ø What was in the Ark when it was placed in the Holy of Holies? What happened to the other items that were in it earlier?
Ø What happened when the priests withdrew from placing the Ark in the temple?
Ø Why do we not still worship in the temple today? Where is the temple today?
1 Kings 8:22-66: Dedication of the Temple
Ø Notice David’s prayer. What can we learn from this prayer?
Ø What did the festival of Booths represent for the Israelites?
Ø What is the significance of the number of animals that Solomon sacrificed after the dedication of the temple? Application for us?
1 Kings 9: The Lord Appears to Solomon
Ø What was the covenant that God made with Solomon? Is there any application for us?
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1 Kings 10-11: The Queen of Sheba/Solomon’s Wives
Ø What is the significance of the account of the Queen of Sheba?
Ø What is the significance of Solomon’s wives?
Ø Why did the Lord raise up an adversary to Solomon? (11:14)
Ø What was the end result of Solomon’s sin? Application for us?
[1]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1:483). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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