10/14/2020 – Day 150 – 1 Kings 1 – 4 – An introduction..
The Reign of Solomon / The Temple / Splendor of Solomon’s Court / Golden Age of Hebrew History / Division and Decay of the Kingdom / Apostasy of the Ten Tribes / Elijah
From: “Halley’s Bible Handbook” by H.H. Haley
“The two books, I and II Kings, in the Hebrew Old Testament, were one book (see page 26). It was divided by the Septuagint translators. Roughly, they narrate: 1. The Reign of Solomn. 2. Division of the Kingdom, and Parallel History of the Two Kingdoms. 3. Subsequent History of Judah to the Captivity.
I Kings opens with the Hebrew nation in its glory. II Kings closes with the nation in ruin. Together they cover a peroid of about 400 years, approximately , 1000 – 600 B.C.
Author
The author is not known. A Jewish tradition says it was Jeremiah. Whoever the author, he makes frequent reference to state annals and other historical records existent in his day: as, ‘The book of the acts of Solon,’ ‘ The book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah,’ ‘The book of teh chronicles of the kings of Israel’ (1 Kings 11:41; abundance of Written Records, to which the sacred writer had access guided, of course, by the Spirit of God.
Chapters 1,2 Solomon Becomes King
Born of Bathsheba, to whom David had no right, and though not in line for the succession, yet he was chosen by David , and approved by God, to be David’s successor (1:30; 1 Chronicles 22:9, 10).
Adonijah, David’s 4th son, it seems, was heir expectant to the throne (2:15, 22; IISamuel 3:3, 4); for Amnon, Absalom and probably Chiliab, were dead. So while Dvid was on his deathbed, and before Solomon was formally anointed king, Adonijah plotted to seize the kingdom. But the plot was thwarted by Nathan the prophet. Solomon was generous in his treatment of Adonijah. But Adonijah persisted in his effort to steal the throne, and it was not long till he suffered death.
Chapter 3. Solomon’s Choice of Wisdom
This was at Gibeon (3:4), where the Tabernacle and Brazen Altar were at the time (1 Chronicles 21:29), about 10 miles northwest of Jerusalem; although the Ark was at Jerusalem (3:15). God told Solomon to ask what he would . Solomon asked for wisdom to govern his people. That pleased God, and God richly rewarded him (10-12). ‘No fairer promise of true greatness, or more beautiful picture of youthful piety is known in history.”
Chapter 4. Solomon’s Power, Wealth, and Wisdom
He had inherited the throne of the most powerful kingdom then existent. It was an era of peace and prosperity. Solomon had vast business enterprises, and was famous for his literary attainments. He wrote 1000 proverbs, 1005 songs, and scientific works on botany and zoology (32,33). He wrote three of the bible books: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Chapters 5,6,7,8. Solomon Builds Temple. (See on II Chronicles 2 to 7)