The Rise of a King: Wisdom, Legacy, and the Hand of God

Welcome to Day 88 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are beginning the book of 1 Kings. In 1 Kings 1-3, these chapters narrates the transition of power from King David to his son Solomon, highlighting the challenges of leadership, the pursuit of wisdom, and the importance of faithful obedience to God. In chapter 1, political intrigue unfolds as Adonijah attempts to seize the throne, but David, with the support of the prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, ensures Solomon's rightful anointing. Chapter 2 details David's final instructions to Solomon, emphasizing justice, loyalty, and obedience to God's commands. In chapter 3, Solomon's reign is marked by his famous request for wisdom, which God grants, leading to the renowned judgment between two women claiming motherhood over the same child. These chapters emphasize the sovereignty of God in leadership and the value of divine wisdom.

1 Kings 1: In his old age, King David's declining health leads to uncertainty about his successor. Adonijah, David's son, declares himself king without his father's consent, seeking the support of influential leaders. However, the prophet Nathan and Bathsheba intervene, reminding David of his promise to crown Solomon. David swiftly takes action, ordering the anointing of Solomon as king, ensuring a peaceful transfer of power. The chapter ends with Adonijah's plans thwarted, illustrating God's hand in securing Solomon's reign and the importance of godly counsel.

1 Kings 2: David gives Solomon his final instructions, urging him to remain faithful to God and follow His commandments. David also advises Solomon on handling unresolved matters, including ensuring justice for Joab and Shimei while honoring loyal supporters like Barzillai. Upon David's death, Solomon firmly establishes his rule by dealing decisively with threats to the throne. Adonijah’s renewed ambitions, along with the actions of Abiathar, Joab, and Shimei, are met with judgment. Solomon's leadership is characterized by obedience to God and a commitment to justice, securing the kingdom's stability.

1 Kings 3: Early in Solomon’s reign, he forms a political alliance through marriage with Pharaoh’s daughter. While Solomon loves the Lord and offers sacrifices, he worships at high places, reflecting the religious complexities of the time. In a pivotal encounter, God appears to Solomon in a dream, granting him the opportunity to request anything. Solomon humbly asks for wisdom to govern God’s people. Pleased with his request, God bestows not only wisdom but also riches and honor. The chapter concludes with Solomon’s renowned judgment in the case of two women claiming to be the mother of the same child, demonstrating his God-given discernment and establishing his reputation as a wise and just king.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The book of 1 Kings derives its name from its content, as it records the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. The title originates from the Hebrew name "Melekhim" meaning "Kings." In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it was included as part of the larger "Books of the Kingdoms" (Βασιλειῶν), later divided into 1 & 2 Kings.

Purpose of the Book:

1 Kings serves to document the history of Israel’s monarchy, beginning with Solomon's reign and leading to the division of the kingdom into Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom). The book emphasizes how the kings' faithfulness—or lack thereof—to God's covenant determined the nation's prosperity or downfall. It highlights God's sovereignty over history, the consequences of disobedience, and the role of prophets in guiding and warning the people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

Jewish tradition attributes the authorship of 1 Kings to the prophet Jeremiah, though there is no explicit biblical confirmation of this. The Talmud (Baba Bathra 15a) suggests that Jeremiah compiled Kings based on prophetic records and royal chronicles. Some scholars argue that it was written by an anonymous compiler, often referred to as the Deuteronomist, who drew from earlier sources such as:

The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:29)

Outside the Bible, ancient historians such as Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 8) acknowledge that Jewish records documented the events of Kings, reinforcing its historical credibility.

Key People:

Solomon – Son of David and Bathsheba, known for his wisdom, the building of the temple, and his eventual downfall due to idolatry.
Rehoboam – Solomon’s son, whose harsh leadership led to the division of the kingdom.
Jeroboam – The first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who established idol worship in Bethel and Dan.
Elijah – A major prophet who confronted Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
Ahab – A wicked king of Israel, married to Jezebel, and infamous for promoting Baal worship.
Jezebel – A Phoenician princess and wife of Ahab who persecuted God’s prophets.
Asa and Jehoshaphat – Kings of Judah known for their faithfulness to God compared to Israel’s kings.

Conclusion

1 Kings sets the stage for the spiritual decline of Israel, leading to its eventual exile, while also reminding readers of God's enduring faithfulness despite human failure.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 1 Kings 1, God’s character is demonstrated as sovereign and just. Despite human attempts to manipulate power, God’s ultimate authority prevails. Adonijah’s self-proclaimed kingship is thwarted, and Solomon, the divinely chosen successor, is established as king. This reveals God’s faithfulness to His promises and His commitment to fulfilling His will through His chosen servants.

While no direct Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, the implicit presence of Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God, is evident. God’s intervention in ensuring Solomon’s kingship reflects His unwavering faithfulness. The lesson taught is that human pride and ambition cannot override God’s plans. Trusting in God’s timing and sovereignty is essential.

In 1 Kings 2, God’s justice and righteousness are highlighted. Solomon executes judgment on those who acted unjustly, fulfilling the instructions given by David. Through this, God’s role as a righteous judge is displayed, upholding justice and ensuring consequences for wrongdoing.

While the chapter does not explicitly mention a specific Hebrew name of God, His presence as Elohim, the supreme and powerful God, is evident. The lesson from this chapter is that obedience to God’s commands brings stability and blessings, while disobedience results in judgment. Upholding justice is a reflection of God’s righteous nature.

In 1 Kings 3, 1 Kings 3 reveals God’s generosity and wisdom. When Solomon humbly asks for wisdom rather than wealth or power, God responds abundantly, granting him both wisdom and prosperity. This act reflects God’s willingness to bless those who seek His guidance with a sincere heart.

The name Yahweh is invoked in Solomon’s prayer, acknowledging God’s covenant relationship with David. Additionally, God’s response showcases Him as El Shaddai, the all-sufficient provider. The lesson is that seeking God’s wisdom above personal gain leads to divine favor and lasting success. God delights in granting wisdom to those who ask with humility and a desire to serve others.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

How is God’s sovereignty displayed in the events of Solomon’s succession to the throne in 1 Kings 1?
In 1 Kings 2, how does God’s justice and faithfulness manifest through Solomon’s decisions regarding his enemies and allies?
What does Solomon’s request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3 reveal about God’s willingness to give generously to those who seek Him?
How does God demonstrate His omniscience and discernment through the story of the two women and the child in 1 Kings 3?
How is God’s guidance evident in Solomon’s leadership, and what does this show about God’s character as a leader of His people?
In what ways do God’s responses to prayer in these chapters reveal His attentive and relational nature?
What aspects of God’s character are reflected in His covenant relationship with David and its continuation through Solomon?

Questions About Themes:

How does the theme of divine authority emerge in Solomon’s rise to the throne despite the attempts of others to claim it?
In what ways does the theme of justice and righteousness play out in Solomon’s early decisions as king?
How does Solomon’s pursuit of wisdom in 1 Kings 3 reflect the theme of seeking God’s guidance over relying on human understanding?
What does the story of Adonijah’s rebellion in 1 Kings 1-2 teach about the consequences of pride and self-exaltation?
How is the importance of honoring God’s covenant with David emphasized in these chapters?
In what ways does the theme of humility appear in Solomon’s prayer for wisdom, and how is this contrasted with Adonijah’s actions?
How do these chapters explore the theme of leadership, both in how it is obtained and how it should be exercised under God’s direction?

Reflective Application Questions:

In moments of uncertainty or decision-making, how can you follow Solomon’s example by seeking God’s wisdom through prayer?
Are there areas in your life where you might be tempted to pursue personal ambition over God’s will, like Adonijah did? How can you surrender those desires to God?
How can you cultivate a heart that values wisdom and discernment in your relationships and responsibilities?
In what ways can you demonstrate godly leadership, whether in your family, workplace, or community?
How do your prayers reflect your priorities? What would it look like to pray for wisdom and understanding instead of focusing solely on personal needs?
Consider how Solomon honored his father David’s legacy. How can you honor the spiritual legacies in your life while pursuing God’s unique calling for you?
Reflect on a recent decision you’ve made. How did you involve God in that decision, and what might you do differently next time to seek His guidance more intentionally?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans