Introduction to 1st Kings 1-3
Structure of 1st Kings
1st Kgs 1:1–11:43 – Solomon in glory and dishonor
1st Kgs 12:1–16:34 – The effect of folly and sin
1st Kgs 17:1–2nd Kgs 8:29 – Israel and the prophets
Themes of 1st Kings
Apostasy and reform
It is similar to the book of Judges in some ways, in that people turn away from God, turn back again, turn away again…
Davidic kingship
David is looked back on as the model king
David’s descendants continue to reign in Jerusalem
Prophetic word
David’s descendants continue to reign in Jerusalem
Prophetic word
1st Kings is full of prophets
The prophets interact with the kings to let them know when they get it right and when they get it wrong
Women
The prophets interact with the kings to let them know when they get it right and when they get it wrong
Women
Villains…
Solomon’s wives
Jezebel
Heroines…
Queen of Sheba
Several women interact with prophetic figures
Solomon’s wives
Jezebel
Heroines…
Queen of Sheba
Several women interact with prophetic figures
Chapters 1-2
David's son Adonijah sets himself up as king, and David’s general Joab allies himself with Adonijah. But the prophet Nathan and David’s wife Bathsheba come up with a plot to make sure Bathsheba’s son Solomon becomes the next king. Here, David is describes as very old... apparently “too old to get it on” with his concubine Abishag who keeps him warm in his bed. Nathan and Bathsheba go to David and remind him that he promised to make Solomon his successor, not Adonijah. David declares Solomon to be king. David’s charge to Solomon: “Be strong, act like a man…obey the Law of Moses.”
David dies and Solomon becomes king. Adonijah goes to Bathsheba and asks for Abishag in order to make a claim to the throne by sleeping with David's last concubine. Bathsheba tells her son Solomon about this, and Solomon assumes Adonijah is once again trying to claim rights to the throne so he kills him. Joab seeks refuge at the LORD’s altar, but Solomon kills him, too.
Solomon places Shimei (Saul's cousin who had cursed David) under house-arrest and eventually Shimei leaves his house and Solomon accuses him of treason and kills him. Before David died, he told Solomon to keep an eye on this guy because he was trouble. David had spared him, but he told Solomon that when he was king he could make his own decision about this trouble-maker, so Solomon killed him.
So essentially, when Solomon becomes king he starts off by wiping out all the competition.
David dies and Solomon becomes king. Adonijah goes to Bathsheba and asks for Abishag in order to make a claim to the throne by sleeping with David's last concubine. Bathsheba tells her son Solomon about this, and Solomon assumes Adonijah is once again trying to claim rights to the throne so he kills him. Joab seeks refuge at the LORD’s altar, but Solomon kills him, too.
Solomon places Shimei (Saul's cousin who had cursed David) under house-arrest and eventually Shimei leaves his house and Solomon accuses him of treason and kills him. Before David died, he told Solomon to keep an eye on this guy because he was trouble. David had spared him, but he told Solomon that when he was king he could make his own decision about this trouble-maker, so Solomon killed him.
So essentially, when Solomon becomes king he starts off by wiping out all the competition.
Chapter 3
Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh and married his daughter. Solomon is portrayed as a faithful king who did not remain faithful. God appeared to Solomon in a dream at night and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
Solomon’s response:
“I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.”
“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”
God was pleased with Solomon’s answer and made Solomon wiser than anyone who came before him or anyone who came after him.
God additionally gave Solomon what he had not asked for:
Wealth
Long life
Honor
Death to his enemies
We then read about a case the was brought before Solomon by two prostitutes. They were roommates, and they each gave birth to a son a few days apart. But one of the babies died in the middle of the night, and each woman claimed the living baby was hers.
Solomon decided to cut the baby in half. One woman thought it was a fair idea, but the other woman begged Solomon not to do this and told him to give the baby to the other woman. Solomon gave the baby to the woman who would rather have no son than half-a-son.
Solomon’s response:
“I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.”
“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”
God was pleased with Solomon’s answer and made Solomon wiser than anyone who came before him or anyone who came after him.
God additionally gave Solomon what he had not asked for:
Wealth
Long life
Honor
Death to his enemies
We then read about a case the was brought before Solomon by two prostitutes. They were roommates, and they each gave birth to a son a few days apart. But one of the babies died in the middle of the night, and each woman claimed the living baby was hers.
Solomon decided to cut the baby in half. One woman thought it was a fair idea, but the other woman begged Solomon not to do this and told him to give the baby to the other woman. Solomon gave the baby to the woman who would rather have no son than half-a-son.
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