SMBC Principal's Hour

After the split of the kingdom into two, the behaviour of Israel and Judah’s kings continues to decline. Abijah’s heart is not fully devoted to God and the kings of Israel in 1 Kings 15-16 all do evil in the Lord’s eyes. It’s a depressing pattern of faithlessness. But it’s a pattern of faithlessness that the world knows well – a pattern of rulers, ruling over God’s world but not according to God’s ways.

Despite the fracture of God’s people, Israel, into two kingdoms, the Lord keeps sending his word and shaping history. But who is listening and believing it? The word of the Lord offers King Jeroboam mercy and warning; but he defies it, creating his own man-made religion. It offers a prophet of Judah guidance and safety; he speaks it, then he abandons it. And an old prophet of Bethel abuses it by lies and deceit. Through a macabre animal encounter, the Lord warns, and then judges. A bizarre historical event presages Judah’s faithless rejection of God’s clear word. But there is grace and forgiveness for those who will listen and repent.

In 1 Kings 12, the chickens of Solomon’s sin come home to roost. As the kingdom tears apart, Rehoboam and Jeroboam make decisions driven by their desire for power, control and security, setting Israel on a disastrous path. The story offers a warning for us: how can we avoid looking back on our own lives with the painful realisation that things have unravelled? Yet even as the kingdom falls apart, God remains in control and continues to work out his purposes. This chapter challenges us to consider where we place our trust, how we respond when we have power, and whether we are willing to trust God’s ways rather than grasping for control ourselves.

David brought the Ark into the city of Jerusalem; now, Solomon brings it into the temple. Solomon’s prayer as he does so shows his concern that God will be seen to be central. His prayer conveys three main messages about God: it shows that Solomon appreciates the majesty of God; that he appreciates the mercy of God, and Israel’s need for it; and in the light of those realities, that he appreciates the necessity of the mission of God. And on the last day, Christ will be central: he will be our temple, and there will be no other (Rev 21).

The Solomon narrative presents an overwhelming portrait of plenty, peace, and prosperity. Right at the heart of the account lie 4 chapters which detail the building of a temple to YHWH. All this forms a jarring juxtaposition with the downfall of Solomon narrated in chapter 11, leaving readers to wonder, “How did it all come to this?” Yet, sprinkled through chapters 3-11 are a host of disconcerting details, which the author uses to invite us to take another look at Solomon. When we do, even that which seemed glorious is rendered hollow. Solomon’s entire story, like that of the nation, is a tale of misplaced loyalty from the beginning.

One wish. Solomon’s request for a ‘hearing heart’ to rule God’s people is granted, and along with it other good gifts. He becomes the Old Testament epitome of wisdom, justice, administration, and kingly rule over a happy realm. He wasn’t perfect; subject to flaws and mistakes; but a man who loved the Lord nonetheless. But his compromises begin to reveal his fickleness, which becomes a warning and challenge to us of our own ambiguity. Appearances can be deceiving – but not in the eyes of the Lord. One greater than Solomon is now here, offering us perfect wisdom, justice and mercy.

The Book of Kings reminds us that we all walk in the “eyes of the LORD.” While King David is portrayed as the benchmark of faithfulness throughout the book, these opening chapters remind us of his many failures to walk in obedience to the LORD. This tension is designed to highlight the importance of faithfulness, the reality of failure, and the promise of forgiveness and restoration.

Jesus really died. Jesus really rose. This changes everything. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds us that the reality of Christ’s resurrection gives us an unshakeable hope for the future and a compelling purpose in the present.

Are our gatherings all they could be? How can we make them truly edifying? In 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Paul gives practical instruction for gatherings that edify the church. This sermon explores God’s heart for our time together, and how that should shape not only what we say, but also when we speak and when we remain silent, so that everything is done for the strengthening of God’s people.

Love feels like love when people communicate intelligibly. Love is at work when people feel edified, encouraged and comforted. So, how does the excellent way of love work when people speak in tongues or bring words of prophecy? Let’s open up a conversation about the ways 1 Corinthians 14 connects to our practices today.