Study Notes Ed Underwood 1 Kings 1-11 King Solomon: Wise, but Foolish!

“Because you insist on doing these things and have not kept the covenantal rules I gave you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant” (God to Solomon, 1 Kings 11:11).

The third major unit within the seventeen Historical Books is referred to as the United Kingdom Period. These four books—1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11, and 1 Chronicles—record the United Kingdom under three rulers, Saul, David, and Solomon. The events reported during this era cover a period of 170 years, from the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20) to the death of Solomon (1 Kings 11:43).

By the end of the chaotic period of the judges, God’s people are crying for a king. Samuel, the last judge and first great prophet in Israel, anoints the people’s choice for their first king—Saul. Though Saul’s political credentials are impressive, his indifferent heart attitude toward God causes him to lose his kingdom to the young king-elect—David. But David, whose heart is dedicated to God, must wait for his kingdom. Saul rebels against God’s will, becoming insanely jealous of the young king to be. David flees for his life and learns many lessons of faith. Finally, Saul and his sons meet death on Mount Gilboa, setting the stage for 2 Samuel and the prosperity of Israel under righteous King David.

The books of Kings cover the 431 years of Israel’s history from Solomon’s coronation (973 B.C.) to Jehoiachin’s release from Babylonian exile (561 B.C.). The focus is on the 387 years from Solomon’s coronation to the destruction of the temple in 586 B.C. It begins with the Temple being built and ends with the Temple burnt. I believe it was written primarily by the prophet Jeremiah and finished by Ezra or Ezekiel with some final editing by unknown editors. It was written to the remaining kingdom of Judah before and after its Babylonian exile. It is at once an explanation for the Babylonian captivity and a warning to learn the lessons of history. “1, 2 Kings present Israel’s history as a series of events that describe how and why the nation fell from the heights of national prosperity to the depths of conquest and exile. More specifically, [these books] explain how and why Israel lost the land it fought so hard to win in Joshua and worked so hard to organize in Judges, and 1, 2 Samuel.” (Paul R. House, 1, 2 Kings, pp 15, 28)

The first half of 1 Kings reports the life of Solomon, the last king of the United Kingdom era. Solomon reigned 40 years during the Golden Era of Israel’s history. During his monarchy Israel rose to the peak of her wealth and influence in the world. His greatest accomplishment was building the Temple in Jerusalem, and his wisdom and wealth brought him worldwide fame. But his heart for God waned when he disobeyed God’s warning and married pagan wives. God’s wisdom proved greater than Solomon’s. God knew these pagan wives would turn his heart toward their idols. Sure enough, the king’s divided heart left behind a divided kingdom:

The books of Kings reports the 411-year monarchy from Solomon to the Babylonian captivity through the theme that failure to honor God’s revealed will always leads to personal and national chaos. The United Kingdom of Israel flourished under Solomon’s wise leadership. But it ended in a mess because Solomon refused to faithfully honor the Mosaic (conditional) Covenant. “Solomon stamped the inner image of his spiritual life upon the outward history of Israel; his divided heart left a kingdom divided in many ways.” (Bruce Waltke)

I. THE CONTEXT OF 1 AND 2 KINGS: The critical turning point in the Kings is 1 Kings 12 when the united kingdom became the divided kingdom. The narrative transitions from the story of one king, one nation, one capital, and one religion to two kings, two nations, two capitals, and two religions.

A. DATES TO REMEMBER: The history of the kings revolves around these key dates: 1. 973B.C.Solomon’s coronation ascoregent with David

1 Kings 1-11 (Solomon): A divided heart for God brings chaos to your world! 2. 931B.C.The kingdom divides between Israel (NorthernKingdom)and Judah (SouthernKingdom)

1. 722B.C.Assyrian captivity of Israel

2. 586B.C.Babylonian captivity of Judah, destruction of the temple in Jerusalem

B. THE POINT: The narrative of the Kings is that Israel divided into two kingdoms and each went into exile. The story is told from the perspective that Israel went into exile because of its unfaithfulness to the Mosaic Covenant.

I. UNITED KINGDOM: Solomon’s reign is marked by God’s blessing limited only by a divided heart. (1-11)

A. SOLOMON’S COMMISSION: A THRONE FROM GOD Solomon’s transition to power culminates in a sincere prayer for wisdom which God is more than willing to grant. (1-4)

Messiah: Solomon typifies Christ in many ways. His renowned wisdom points ahead to “Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Solomon’s fame, glory, wealth, and honor foreshadow Christ in His kingdom. His rulership brings knowledge, peace, and worship the world will never see again...until the One who is “greater than Solomon” arrived on the scene of history—the Son of Man (Matthew 12:42).

1. SOLOMON’S CONSTRUCTION: A TEMPLE FOR GOD David’s dream to build a house for God comes true for his son, Solomon. In his address to the people at the dedication of the Temple, Solomon offers a majestic prayer to God with the oft-repeated refrain, ‘Then hear thou from heaven...and forgive.” (5-8)

2. SOLOMON’S COMPROMISE: TURNING FROM GOD Solomon’s spreading fame and wealth begin to fill his heart with pride. His wholehearted devotion to God is replaced by a growing love for foreign wives (he eventually had over one thousand). He ends his life worshiping idols and judged by God—his kingdom will be taken from his son and given to another. The epitaph on Solomon’s life might read, “The wise king who acted foolishly.” (8-11)

4. You and 1 Kings 1-11: Solomon began as a leader who pointed his people toward God. From his heart for God he built the Temple, led the people in worship, and wrote most of the Proverbs and the Song of Solomon. But then his heart was pulled to other preoccupations (Ecclesiastes 2:4-6), pagan women, and other gods. He ended his life declaring that all was emptiness. Read and meditate on Colossians 3:1-4 and 1 John 2:15-16. Then, answer these questions honestly before your God and a few trusted friends:

1. What preoccupies your heart right now? Your love relationship with Jesus Christ? Or your money, your leisure, your hobby, your health, your workouts, your sports team, or your career?

2. Where are you most vulnerable to allowing your heart to be divided? If Satan wanted to turn your heart from Christ (and he does!), what would he use to preoccupy you to the point of distraction from what really matters most in life?

3. Never forget this: The best decision you can make in life for those you love and lead is to walk with Christ as you relate to Him deeply!