I KINGS - Take-Aways

FAMILY

1Kings 2:1-4  When David's time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying, "I'm about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you're made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life set out in the revelation to Moses...  Last words! No formulas from David, just beautiful rhetoric from a man who lived a dangerous and courageous life with the strongest desire to be holy. David wanted God exclusively. .........Can it be said of Solomon: Solomon says yes to God, except for this one thing... I Kings 3:3. David's son, Solomon, needs to lay aside that "only" one thing and run his race.  

KINGDOM

The Temple was built in silence. 

The fabric rose in silence in the Old Testament. I Kings 6:7.

The fabric tugged in silence in the New Testament. Mark 5:27.  The Word of the Lord came to Solomon:

Thy Kingdom Come. Never an Observer. Always a Participator. "Concerning this house that you are building,

if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules...then, I will establish my word with you." 1 Kings 6:11-13

GOD'S PRESENCE

........Day and Night, God's Eyes watch His Temple. 

Never a Moment gone by that God was not hovering watching.

"There is no God like You, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart."  I Kings 8:23. I Kings 8:57-58 - 

LISTEN TO GOD

Elijah "Why have you brought this terrible thing on this widow...why have you killed her son?"  God had already told this widow that her jars of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil never empty until she needs it no more.  The woman hung on tight to her life lessson, close to her bosom.  Elijah took the widow's only son and asked God to put breath back into the boy. For all that is dead in their lives, they can hear God's voice.  Come alive! 1 Kings 19:13 and Elijah found God in the "low whispers."  And Elijah records: I have had enough, Lord. 1 Kings 19:7.  May I care about those things that touch Eternity. “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” I Kings 19:10. And God responds: “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” And this spent seeking prophet finds his God in a gentle Whisper.

PROVIDENCE
The common natural way of providing for the earth---rain. It dried up.
The uncommon Providential way of providing for Elijah---ravens. Never dried up.
The Providential Hand of God moved in uncommon ways. 

IDOLATRY: RISE AND FALL OF A KINGDOM

I Kings 11:11 --- "since this is your attitude, and you have not kept your covenant, I will tear your kingdom away from you..."  How could this happen in the midst of infinitesimal wisdom?  "The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates)  These verses strengthen my resolve to want to be holy.  Look after your own house. I Kings 12:16

Jeroboam---Jeroboam wasn't interested in following God fully. He wasn't willing to take down the high places, the gods separating Jeroboam from God.  Yet, he thought what he was doing was good enough.  I Kings 13:33. Abijah defeated Israel's able men because: "They relied on the LORD, the God of their ancestors." Stay the course in the interior world and do not listen to those outside voices.  1 Kings 16:26

Hezekiah

The King of Assyria was lethal.  Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread the letter out before the Lord. It was the living lord listening.  And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 2 Kings 19:17. God always comes. 

JehoshaphatVictory. Wealth. Power. Jehoshaphat did it right, had it all.  Until...he united with an evil king. 

2 Chron 18:3 ~ I am as you are, as you wish, replies Jehoshaphat to the conniving king. Oh, what a truth that stings me, those times when I cannot stand up to another person who is clearly not following God. 
Jehoshaphat comes to his senses, comes to his knees. Surrenders, and he is surrounded..

Jezebel Jezebel admonished her husband, the king who was sullen over a failed business deal. I'll take care of it and seal the deal, even if it means killing someone over it.  And Jezebel seals her ignominous fate. Jezebel took a life.  

All these kings. Taking matters into their own hands. These chapters show the intentions of their hearts.  That Still Small Voice from yesterday, Today. Moving toward Goodness or evil.