In First Kings, chapter eleven, verses five through seven, Solomon first tolerated the false gods of his wives, then turned his own heart after them, as in verses two through nine. In addition to his worship of the Lord, Solomon added the worship of the Sidonian goddess Ashtoreth involving immortal rituals and the worship of …
In First Kings, chapter eleven, verse four, David’s heart was “perfect.” Not in the sense that he never failed God miserably but that he never turned to idolatry and the worship of other gods. In his adultery with Bathsheba and his attempted cover-up, David grievously sinning was to the point of despising God and His …
In First Kings, chapter eleven, verse two, Solomon’s possession of many wives not only ignored God’s commandment for kings not to make multiple wives in Deuteronomy seventeen, verse seventeen, but also transgressed God’s prohibition against marrying pagan wives from the Canaanites as in Exodus thirty-four, verse twelve through sixteen, and Joshua twenty-three, verses twelve to …
In First Kings, chapter eleven, verse one, describes Solomon’s spiritual decline and its results. Solomon began as a man who loved the Lord, walked according to His statutes, and built His temple, as in chapter three, verse three, and chapter six, verse one, respectively. He experienced God’s love, grace, and salvation. Solomon was given distinctive …
In First Kings, chapter nine, verse seven, God said He will no longer manifest His presence, power, and glory in the Temple if the people fail to follow His ways sincerely, as in verses six through nine of this chapter: the warning applies under the new covenant as well. If a church fails to obey …
In First Kings, chapter nine, verse three, God’s response to Solomon’s prayer affirmed that He had heard and answered. However, God added that He would establish Solomon’s throne and the kingdom of Israel only if Solomon and the people would remain faithful and not turn away from His commandments, as in verses four through nine. …
In First Kings, chapter eight, verse fifty-seven, Solomon’s ideal prayer is the model for what we should desire in our walk with the Lord. He asked for the Lord’s protecting presence and help for God to confirm His Word by fulfilling His good promises. For a work of divine grace in their hearts to keep …
In First Kings, chapter eight, verse forty-six, Solomon’s words are not an attempt to justify his or Israel’s sins. Instead, he was expressing the truth since sin is universally present. Turning away from God is always possible for His people, as in verses forty-six through fifty, Romans three, verse twenty-three, and First John one, verse …
In First Kings, chapter eight, verse thirty-nine, Solomon understood that God would forgive His people if they turned from their sin and sincerely repented in regret and sorrow, as in verses thirty-five through thirty-six. He also acknowledged that God might have to discipline them so that they may fear all days that they may live …
Forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways Read More »
In First Kings, chapter eight, verse twenty-nine, the name of God represents His presence, character, and glory. This theme stanza is part of Solomon’s prayer of dedication that he was saying to the Lord. Solomon begins his opening statement to God in verse twenty-three and ends at fifty-three. However, the theme here refers back to …
