I Kings – Study Guide Lessons 1-3

Preface: In this study guide we will return to our study of the life of the Children of Israel and pick up where we left off at the end of II Samuel, with the continuation of King David’s reign. I have written this study guide for the Tuesday morning Ladies’ Bible Study at Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, GA in the year of our Lord, 2014 - 2015. I have used the commentary “I Kings, The Wisdom and the Folly,” by Dale Ralph Davis as my main source and guide. This book and others I have used are listed at the end of this study in the Bibliography. All scripture quotes are from the English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV) unless otherwise stated. All references cited without a preceding book name (i.e. 4:3) are assumed to be in the book of I Kings. All other references include book, chapter and verse (i.e. James 2:10)

Lesson 1 – I Kings 1:1-53

The Book of Kings (what we call “I and II Kings”) is a continuation of the narrative history of the Children of Israel from the end of David’s reign to the end of the final king of the Davidic line – King Zedekiah. It covers a period of about 400 years and was originally written as all one book, but was later separated into two books, which is what we find in our bibles today. Jewish tradition holds that it was written by the prophet Jeremiah, but we cannot know for certain since the author does not identify himself in the book.

1. As we study God’s dealings with his chosen people, we see that He never intended for them to have an earthly king, but rather intended for them to be led by Him through His word delivered to them through His servant, Moses. He promised them that if they obeyed His commands, they would be blessed and if they disobeyed, they would be cursed. Israel swore to obey, but over and over again fell into sin as they worshipped the Baals of the nations that surrounded them in the Promised Land. Over and over God carried out His curse in the form of persecution from the nations, and over and over God rescued them by sending them a judge. Finally, Israel demanded a king so that they might be like the nations. God had warned them that an earthly king would take too much power to himself and oppress them, but they insisted, so God gave them Saul. Alas, Saul’s heart was evil and his dynasty was not to continue, so God ripped the kingdom from Saul’s hands and gave it to David, a man “after his own heart.” What covenant promise did God make to David? (II Sam. 7:9 and 11-13) ______

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2. As we come to the study of I Kings, we begin to see this covenant promise fulfilled. David ruled the land well for 40 years and the borders of his kingdom had expanded. He had plans to build the temple in Jerusalem to house the ark of the Covenant, which was the place of the presence of God. God prevented him from doing this because he had shed so much blood in his reign as king. (I Chron. 22:8) At this point, however, David was near the end of his life and had become old and basically dysfunctional as king. He suffered physical

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problems and could not keep warm. What solution for this problem was recommended by his servants? (1:2) ______

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3. Who was found to fill this role? (1:3) ______

4. Was this a sinful relationship for the king? (1:4) ______Explain: ______

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5. The next person we meet in this chapter is Adonijah. Who was he? (1:5 and II Sam. 3:2-5) ______

6. What happened to two of David’s other sons who were born before Adonijah? (II Sam. 13:28-29; II Sam. 18:9-15) ______

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7. What other facts are we given about Adonijah? (1:5-6) ______

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8. Who does this remind us of? ______Explain: (II Sam. 14:25 and 15:1)

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9. Once Adonijah decided that he would be the next in line for the throne of David, with whom did he confer? (1:7) ______

10. What did these men do? (1:7b) ______

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11. Who Adonijah conferred with and who he left out is very important in this story, so let’s look at these two men a little more closely. Look up the following Scriptures and tell what you learn about each man:

(a) II Samuel 8:16-17; 17:25a ______

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(b) I Chron. 6:50-53 - ______

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12. Who did Adonijah leave out in seeking advice regarding his takeover of the kingdom? (1:8) ______

Why do you think he left these particular men out? (II Sam. 20:23)______

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13. Next we see “the plot thicken.” Adonijah did something that turned out to be treasonous. What was it? (1:9-10) ______

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14. How do we know that this act was treasonous? Who tells us and what did he say? (1:11) ______

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15. Nathan told Bathsheba what she needed to do to save her life as well as the life of her son, Solomon. Usually, when one son takes the kingdom by force, he eliminates all rivals to the throne and that would definitely include Solomon and his mother. What did Nathan tell Bathsheba to do in order to turn this situation around? (1:13)

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16. Did David truly make this promise to Bathsheba? How do we know? (I Chron. 22:6-10 summarize) ______

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17. Why did Nathan stage this scene with himself and Bathsheba both delivering the same message to the king, one right after another? (Num. 35:30 and Deut. 17:6)

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18. As Bathsheba went in to tell the king her story, what facts about David were repeated? (1:15) ______

Why do you think the author of I Kings repeated this information? What was he trying to tell us regarding David’s state of mind at the beginning of the chapter versus the end of the chapter (vss. 28-37) ______

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19. In Bathsheba’s speech, she spoke boldly to David and in that speech, she did four things. Under the four topics below, tell what Bathsheba said that fits each topic: (1:17-21)

(a) She reminded David of his oath - ______

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(b) She informed David of the facts - ______

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(d) She warned David of the dire consequences of his inaction - ______

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20. Nathan’s speech to David came on the heels of Bathsheba’s, just as he had planned. However, rather than taking a bold and direct approach as Bathsheba did, Nathan presented his concerns as questions. What two questions did Nathan ask the king? (1:24 and 27) ______

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21. Nathan’s facts were parallel to Bathsheba’s, however, he included a longer list of who was excluded than Bathsheba did. What important thing did Nathan say was being said at the party that seemed to stir David to action? (1:25b) ______

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22. We see here that David was finally stirred to action for God’s kingdom when he heard what was going on with Adonijah. Our author, Davis, says, “What stirs us reveals us.” What stirs you to action? Is it the failure of a clerk at a store or at the bank or a waiter or waitress to treat you with respect? Is it your husband’s/children’s/someone else’s failure to appreciate all that you do for them? Is it your favorite football/basketball/soccer team’s win or loss? Think back over the past week and list any situations that “stirred you up.” This is similar to the exercise given at the end of the Anger Homework. What caused you to become upset, frustrated, aggravated, or even excited, happy, or animated when you spoke about it? List the top 3 things below and then think about whether these are the things that God would have you become stirred up about. You will not be asked to share these things with the class unless you want to. This is simply an exercise to make you think.

What stirred you up? ______

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What things should stir you up? ______

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23. Nathan’s speech had the desired effect on the king. David called Bathsheba to himself and reconfirmed the oath he swore to the Lord God regarding Solomon, her son, sitting on his throne. Bathsheba bowed to the ground to show David her appreciation and then David sprang into action. He called Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoida to himself and gave them a list of things to do regarding Solomon. What did David have these men do? (1:33-35)

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24. Benaiah seemed to speak for the group when he answered David’s commands. First he made two statements that showed agreement with what David had just said - “Amen,” and “May the LORD, the God of my Lord say so.” Then he pronounced a blessing on Solomon before he executed David’s commands. What did Benaiah ask God to do for Solomon? (1:37) ______

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25. Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah and the Cherethites and Pelethites all immediately sprang into action to do what David had commanded them to do. What word does the writer of I Kings use to describe what Zadok did to Solomon? This word is also repeated in two other places in this chapter. (1:34, 39 and 45) ______

(a) Who was David’s greater son who was given this same designation? (Acts. 2:22-36, particularly vs. 36) ______

(b) What was the significance of this word as it relates to David’s greater son? (Consider the definition of the word and how it was used in the Old Testament in general.)

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26. When Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah did what David commanded them to do, the people knew about it and began to shout. What did they shout and what did they do? (1:39-40)

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27. Adonijah and company were at En Rogel, which was only half a mile from the Spring of Gihon where Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah performed their ceremony with Solomon. They heard the noise and wondered what was going on. Who came to tell them the news? (1:42)

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28. This young man brought news, but it wasn’t good news for Adonijah and company. He recounted the facts of what Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah had done with Solomon and made sure that he included the part about Solomon riding on David’s mule. Why do you think he included that part? What was the significance of “riding on a mule” in Old Testament times? Who rode mules? (Jud. 10:4, II Sam. 13:29 and I Kings 1:33)

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29. Who else rode on a mule? (Matt. 21:1-9) ______What was the significance of this act which was a fulfillment of prophecy? ( Zech. 9:9)

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30. The young man continued to relate the events that occurred at the Gihon Spring to Adonijah. However, he added something to the narrative that we did not know before. What did he say that David did and said when he was told of all that occurred at the Gihon Spring? (1:47-48) ______

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Why do you think David said this? ______

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31. Adonijah and his guests all knew what this meant. Jonathan’s words struck fear in their hearts as they found themselves siding with the usurper, Adonijah, and against God’s anointed ones, David and Solomon. The guests quickly scattered but Adonijah ran to the altar, most likely the Altar of Sacrifice located within the tabernacle where the morning and evening sacrifices were offered. God had established this as a place of refuge where a man could flee until his case had been judged, much like the cities of refuge. (Ex. 21:12-14) To cling to the horns of the altar was to claim the protection of Jehovah until justice could be done. It was established in order to prevent the blood-letting vengeance that was rampant on the earth during these times. Adonijah had committed treason against David who was God’s appointed King and he knew that the consequence of that decision was death. What

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he really was seeking was not justice, but mercy. When Solomon heard of Adonijah’s plea, what was his answer? (1:52) ______

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What did he mean by that? ______

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32. What was Adonijah’s response to Solomon’s mercy? (1:53) ______

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Just like Adonijah, many people in the church today bow down with their bodies, but their hearts are far from God. Jesus told the parable of the wheat field in which an enemy came and sowed tare seeds which look just like wheat when they first spring up, but in reality, are weeds. However, when the workers came to the owner of the field and asked if they should tear out the tares, the owner said, no – leave them until the time of harvest when they would be torn out and cast into the fire. God knows His own and sometimes allows those who appear to be Christians but aren’t, to remain in the church for a time for His own reasons. In the end, though, God will deal with them justly, just as He will deal with Adonijah justly in this threat to His kingdom. David may have grown lax in watching over the kingdom, but God never did. For “Behold, He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” (Ps. 121:4)

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I Kings – Study Guide

Lesson 2 – I Kings 2:1-46

In the first chapter of I Kings we saw that the dispute over which of David’s sons would rule the kingdom caused disruption until one son was anointed king and confirmed by David, himself. That son was Solomon and he was God’s choice for the continuation of the house of David all along. We don’t always understand God’s ways since Solomon was not the next in line to inherit the throne by common rules of succession, that is, that the throne goes to the oldest living son. Also, according to man’s thinking, Solomon had another strike against him since he was the result of an illegitimate relationship between David and his mother, Bathsheba. However, God chose Solomon and God does not have to explain His choices to man. Just because Solomon was God’s choice, that didn’t mean all Israel readily accepted that choice. The kingdom had to be secured from all potential threats. Chapter 2 tells that story.

1. The theme of this chapter is found in a word that is repeated four times throughout the chapter. What is that word? (2:12,24,45 and 46) ______

2. The chapter begins with David giving Solomon instructions from his deathbed regarding the kingdom and how it was to be established and made firm. After declaring himself to be near death, what was David’s first command to Solomon? (2:2)

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3. Where in scripture have we heard these words before? Look up the following passages and tell who was speaking the words, who the words were spoken to and what the occasion of the speaking of these words was:

Scripture Who Spoke the Who was Spoken to The Occasion Words Deut. 31:1-7 esp. vs. 6-7

Josh. 1:1 and 6-7

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4. Both of these were occasions where God promised something and then commanded something.

(a) What did God promise in Deut. 31:1-7? ______

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(b) What did God command in Deut. 31:1-7? ______

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(d) What did God command in Josh. 1:6-7? ______

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God also promised David that He would establish the kingdom through Solomon, but then David had to tell Solomon to be strong and courageous (act like a man) to secure it. David then told Solomon specifically what to do in order to do that – that is, get rid of the enemies of the kingdom. This is parallel to God telling the Israelites to drive out the nations, one by one, in order to take the land for themselves. Even though God commanded and promised, the Israelites still had to do something – as did Solomon.

5. Is this not parallel to what we as Christians are told today? What are we promised? (Col. 1:13-14) ______

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6. What are we told to do? (II Peter 1:10) ______

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How do we do that? (II Peter 1:5-9) ______

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7. What did David say Solomon should do to accomplish the charge he had just given him? (2:3) ______

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8. What benefit would this secure for Solomon? (2:3b) ______

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9. What would this obedience do in regard to the kingdom? (2:4) ______

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10. The first enemy about whom David instructed Solomon was Joab. Joab was David’s nephew, the son of his sister, Zeruiah. Joab had been a faithful commander of David’s army, but he had a jealous streak. When he thought Abner, who had been the commander of Saul’s army, was about to be appointed to take his place, he ambushed him and murdered him. Joab claimed that the murder was a justified vengeance killing to revenge the death of his brother, Asahel, whom Abner had killed. Had Abner murdered Asahel, Joab’s vengeance would have been justified, but he did not. In the heat of battle, Asahel, fighting with Joab, chased Abner and tried to kill him. Abner warned him off several times, but Asahel would not give up, so Abner killed him. This is not murder, but self-defense in the time of war. What was the punishment proscribed for this type of killing which falls under the category of manslaughter or unintentional killing? (Num. 35:22-25)

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11. Amasa was also a nephew of David’s, having been born to Abigail, another of David’s sisters. Amasa followed Absalom, David’s son, when Absalom rebelled against David and tried to take over the kingdom by taking the city of Jerusalem. Amasa had been the commander of Absalom’s army, but when Absalom was killed by Joab in the conflict with David’s men, David returned to Jerusalem to retake the kingdom which had been stolen from him by Absalom. At that time, David extended grace to all those who had followed his son, Absalom, and allowed them to return to his kingdom in peace. That grace was extended to Amasa as well by placing him over David’s men in place of Joab. Once again, jealousy surfaced in Joab and Joab killed Amasa in a stealth attack by pretending to greet him as a friend, but then stabbing him to death. The killing of Abner and Amasa were both acts of pre-meditated murder by Joab. What was God’s proscription for murder? (Gen. 9:6 and Num. 35:33) ______

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12. What did David tell Solomon to do about Joab? (2:6) ______

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13. Who was Barzillai and what did he do for David? (2:7 and II Sam. 17:27-28 and 19:31-32) ______

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14. What did David tell Solomon to do regarding Barzillai? (2:7) ______

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Shimei was a Benjaminite who called down curses on David as he fled from Jerusalem in front of Absalom and his men. As he followed David out of Jerusalem, he pelted him and his men with stones and called him a man of blood and a scoundrel. Shimei was related to Saul and definitely aligned himself with Saul’s dynasty and not David’s. After David returned triumphantly to Judah, Shemei came crawling to David begging for mercy and David granted it. However, once again, he commanded Solomon to use his wisdom regarding this man and not let him go unpunished for daring to raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed king.

15. The writer of the book of I Kings pauses at this point to note David’s death and give us a synopsis of his reign. How many years did David reign in all? (2:11) 40 How many of those years were spent in Hebron? ______How many of those years were spent in Jerusalem? ______

16. Even though God had firmly established Solomon as King and even though David confirmed God’s choice of Solomon by giving him his mule to ride and having Nathan, the prophet and Zadok, the priest anoint him as the new king, Adonijah was not quite ready to give up his right to the throne. Remember how Adonijah had fled to the temple and grasped the horns of the altar when he heard that Solomon had been declared king? What did Solomon promise Adonijah at that time? (1:52)

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17. Solomon was about to find out Adonijah’s true character. Who did Adonijah turn to in order to try to subvert Solomon’s grip on the throne? (2:13) ______

18. What did Adonijah request? (2:17) ______

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19. How did he preface his request? (2:15) ______

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20. What does this preface tell you about Adonijah? What was his attitude? ______

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21. We don’t know if Bathsheba suspected subterfuge or not, the scripture doesn’t tell us. She simply agreed to carry his request to Solomon, and she followed through. What was Solomon’s reaction to Bathsheba’s request on behalf of Adonijah? (2:22)

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st 22. This seems like an over-reaction to our 21 century ears. What caused Solomon to be so upset at this request? Part of the answer lies in the question itself as well as the questioner. Who was Abishag, the Shunammite? (1:1-4)

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23. At first, this seems like an innocent request, but what assumptions were made regarding women like this and their kings? Read the following scriptures and see if you can discern what “having the king’s concubine” meant (the Israelites may not have known that David never “knew” Abishag, just that she was in his chamber constantly – so assumed she was a concubine.):

(a) II Sam. 3:6-8 - ______

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(b) II Sam. 12:7-8 - ______

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24. We can see why Solomon was so upset with his mother’s request for Adonijah. Remember, God had assigned the throne to Solomon, and David had confirmed this in the sight of all the people, but the people of Israel may not have been so sure. Kings were deposed as quickly as they were raised up in those days and Solomon had a right to be concerned. What sentence did Solomon pronounce on Adonijah for this request? (2:24b)

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25. What did Solomon swear by in this oath? (2:23-24a) ______

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26. Solomon knew that the promises of God were sure. He knew what his father David knew – that God would establish David’s line through Solomon and would never fail to have a son of David’s and of Solomon’s on the throne of Israel forever, as he promised to David. Solomon knew what his father David knew and what Adonijah and Absalom did not know. What was that? (I Sam. 24:1-6, esp. vs. 6) ______

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Solomon was a man of his word and a man who understood God’s word. He immediately sent Benaiah, a trusted servant of David, to kill Adonijah. It may seem a harsh thing to do to kill his brother, Adonijah, but one who raised his hand against the Lord’s anointed was not to be taken lightly.

27. What did Solomon do to Abiathar, the priest who had sided with Adonijah in his attempted coup over David? (2:26-27) ______

28. What had Abiathar done that kept him from being killed? (2:26b)______

______What did that mean and why did it cause his life to be spared? (Num. 12:1-16 and 16:6-17:11 may help with this.)

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29. What prophecy did Solomon fulfill by removing Abiathar from the priesthood? (I Sam. 2:29-36 summarize) ______

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30. Joab heard the news about Adonijah and Abiathar and he knew his time was up. He had chosen the wrong man to follow in following Adonijah and it was coming back to haunt him, along with the vengeance killings he had committed. He fled to the tabernacle to the place of the altar and clung to the horns of the altar, perhaps hoping that this would be a safe place for him and that his brother, Solomon, would not dare desecrate the tabernacle with his blood. But Joab was wrong. Who did Solomon send to kill Joab? (2:29) Benaiah Did he carry out the command? Explain. (2:30 and 34)

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31. In giving instructions to have Joab killed, what did Solomon say about the vengeance killing Joab had committed (2:32)

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32. Solomon then put Benaiah over the army and installed Zadok as high priest. He was gradually carrying out the commands that David, his father, had given him on his deathbed. One more man needed to be dealt with and that was Shimei. Solomon called him to himself and gave him a command. What did he command? (2:36-37)

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33. What did Shimei do? (2:38-41) ______

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34. What did Solomon do in response to that action? (2:42-46a) ______

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Finally, the writer of I Kings tells us that “the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.” This is his purpose for all of chapter 2, to show us that God will establish His kingdom and the “gates of hell will not prevail against it.” But Solomon couldn’t just sit back and let it happen, just as the Israelites could not just sit back while God drove the Canaanites out of the land. They had a role to play and it was to fight and take the land from the Canaanites with God doing the work for and with them. Today God expects us to work too as we “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling while God is at work in us to work and to do his good pleasure.

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I Kings – Study Guide

Lesson 3 – I Kings 3:1-28

David has died, Solomon has been made king and the throne of David is being established, just as God had promised. However, Solomon, like his father before him, is a man and men are sinful. They are not omniscient. Here we see the writer of I Kings showing us what kind of king Solomon will be by detailing for us one of his first acts as king.

1. Before we get into the actual story of Solomon’s reign, the writer of I Kings gives us some biographical data regarding Solomon. What does he tell us? (3:1a)

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2. What had God commanded about such marriages? (Deut. 7:1-4) ______

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Why did He command this? ______

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3. Why do you think Solomon made this marriage? Consider what David, his father had done in making some of his marriage arrangements. (II Sam. 3:3b)

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4. What else does the writer of I Kings tell us about Solomon in these first few verses? (3:1b-4)

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5. Next we will look at the theme of this chapter. What one word appears repeatedly in the following verses? (3: 5,10, 11, and 13) ______

6. We have learned in the past that repeated words are very important in Hebrew literature and so it is here. This one word tells us a lot about Solomon and what he thought about his God. What did Solomon think about God? (3:9 and Matt. 7:7-11)

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7. Dale Ralph Davis says that “God’s generosity lures us to prayer.” That is what has happened here with Solomon. As he was in Gibeon, worshipping God, God appeared to him in a dream. What did God say to Solomon? (3:5)

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8. Solomon’s answer to God’s request was a prayer, but note, Solomon did not start with a request as we might do. Solomon began with a rehearsal of God’s faithfulness. What did Solomon praise God for first? (3:6) ______

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9. What covenant promise did this fulfill? (II Sam. 7:11b-12) ______

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10. In rehearsing God’s faithfulness, what else did Solomon say that God had done that showed covenant faithfulness? (3:8) ______

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11. What covenant promise was Solomon referring to here? (Gen. 22:17) ______

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12. What did Solomon say about himself in his preamble to his request of God? (3:7b)

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What did he mean by that? (Look this verse up in the NIV for some help) ______

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13. Solomon’s prayer begins with remembering and recounting to God what He had done. What had God done that fulfilled His promise to David? (3:7a and II Sam. 7:12)

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14. Next Solomon reminded God of another promise He made. This was a promise to Abraham. What was the promise and how had God fulfilled it? (Gen. 22:17 and I Kings 3:8)

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15. Davis says that this remembering is where we should begin. “It is this remembering that nurtures both gratitude and confidence.” (Davis, p. 36) Solomon showed both gratitude to God and confidence in God’s ability to answer, by what he asked for. What did Solomon ask for? (3:9) ______

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16. What does this request show us about Solomon? What was his biggest concern? (3:9)

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17. This prayer was prayed by a king preparing to take over his kingdom. None of us is a king (or queen) but we are children of God, like Solomon, therefore, we can look to this prayer as a pattern for our own prayers. What general points can we take from this prayer that would apply to our prayer life today?

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18. What was God’s response to this kind of prayer from Solomon? (3:10) ______

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19. What did God say He would do for Solomon? Why? (3:11-14) ______

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20. Solomon then awoke and realized that he had had a vision of God in a dream. What did he do in response to God’s declaration to him? (3:15)

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Why do you think he did this? ______

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21. God had just promised to give Solomon such wisdom that he would surpass all others both before him and after him, and next the writer of I Kings gives us an example of that wisdom on display. He tells of two prostitutes (or “inn-keepers” as the word could also be translated) who came to Solomon with a dilemma. What was their dilemma? (Summarize) (3:16-22)

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22. There are some interesting aspects of this story to be noted. First of all, by the information given us here, we learn something. According to this story, who was able to come before the king and ask for judgment in those days?

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23. What is the emphasis of 3:18b? ______

Why do you think the woman telling the story emphasized this point? (Deut. 19:15) ______

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24. What was Solomon’s reaction to this case? Tell exactly what he did. (3:22b-24a) ______

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25. What was Solomon’s solution in this case? (3:24-25) ______

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26. Was this decision wise? ______How do you know? (3:26-27) ______

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27. What did Solomon do next that proved his wisdom in this case? (3:27) ______

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28. What was the outcome of this decision? (3:28) ______

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29. In all Old Testament Scriptures we can see Christ. One with more wisdom than Solomon was to come and He was to be a descendant of Solomon. Who predicted that and what did he say? (Isa. 11:1-4 Write here just what is said about wisdom and judgment)

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30. What does the apostle Paul say about this Messiah? (Col. 2:2b-3) ______

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I Kings - Lessons 1-3

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31. Jesus, the Messiah, the son of David who was the son of Jesse is the true king to whom Solomon points. He will rule in righteousness and such wisdom as to put even Solomon to shame. His many teachings and parables show this wisdom in so many ways. The Bible says “all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth,” (Luke 4:22) and yet within a few sentences, these same people were seeking to put him to death. Why? Because, just as Solomon did, he knew what was in their hearts and he exposed it. What did he say about the heart? (Matt. 12:34-35)

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In Romans we saw that all men have evil hearts because “None is righteous, no not one,” (Rom 3:10) and yet here we see God’s restraining hand holding back evil so that there was one who was a righteous king for a time and that man was Solomon. He was humble enough in heart to ask for God’s wisdom and God gave it abundantly. However, Solomon was a man who was also a great sinner as we shall see later in I Kings, but we learn from this that we too must humble ourselves and ask for God’s wisdom, and when we fail to use that wisdom, we must run to Him in repentance and ask forgiveness. He has promised us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I Jn. 1:9) Praise Him!

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