1 Kings 4:1

1 Kings 4:1 says, So king Solomon was king over all Israel. Solomon was now established as king over all Israel.   Jesus Christ should likewise be accepted as King of all who have accepted Him as their Savior, and as long a we allow Him to be Lord of our life He will be.  Still, just as the people of Israel often argued about who was king, we as Christians too often argue about Who is  King or Lord of our life.  We let petty disputes or minor theological differences divide us.  We need to be united in Christ.  Verse two adds, And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,  The next few verses tell us  who Solomon had in positions of power under him, starting with Azariah the son of Zadok the priest as a prince, or a person in power under Solomon.  This would have been more of a governmental position than a church one, and we need to do our best to ensure that. Christians are in places of service in the government today.  Verse three continues,  Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.  These were administrative personnel, and I believe that in the government and the church today, we need the people that God has called serving in all the positions, especially in the church.  I also believe that too often God calls someone and they refuse to answer His call.  Verse four states, And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:  As Christians, we need people that God has chosen in positions of leadership today, beginning with the pastor in the church from a spiritual perspective I believe.  Verse five adds, And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend:  Then we have those who were in positions of authority over Solomon's army.  Since we call ourselves a Christian nation, it would be wonderful if all the people in the government were Christians, but we have now stated that morality doesn't really matter in our governmental leaders.  I personally believe this is wrong.  Verse six continues, And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.  Solomon had people in charge of his household and the tribute, or taxes we might say today.  In the church collectively and the individual congregations as well, we need God's people in charge of His house, including the tithes and offerings.   I believe God expects His house and His people to be organized and unified in serving Him.

1 Kings 3:16

1 Kings 3:16 says, Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.  Two women who were said to be harlots came to Solomon.  Matthew Henry points out that they came before Solomon themselves, without a lawyer, even though they were women and likely never were married.  When we come before God on judgment day, we either come alone or with Jesus Christ as our Advocate.  Verse seventeen adds, And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.  One of the women said she lived in a house with the other woman and had given birth to a child.  Matthew Henry said they lived in a public house and not one that belonged to either.  Since in that day and age, women had little standing and needed a husband or father to represent them, and they seemed to have neither.  We, male or female, need someone to represent us before God, and Jesus Christ is the only One Who can.  Verse eighteen continues, And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.  The woman said that while they were alone I the house that three days later the other woman had a baby.  This would have further indicated that they had no one to help them.  As Christians, we should never be that much without help if we need it and should do our best to make sure that no one else is either, no matter their status in the world.  Verse nineteen states, And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it.  The woman complained by saying that the second woman's child died the night he was born because the woman had lain down on top of him.  She was basically blaming the woman for the child's death and we may find that others place the blame on us if they find themselves in a bad situation, even if we aren't responsible.  Of course, what she was saying may have been true, just as at times we may be responsible for the bad things happening in our lives.  Verse twenty adds, And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.  She then said that at midnight, the other woman took her son and left the dead child with her.  Verse twenty-one continues, And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.  She then said the next morning when she was going to nurse her child, she discovered that the child was dead but that it wasn't her child.  I have to wonder about how she slept through all of this.  Of course, we still aren't told if she was the real mother or not.  Matthew Henry points out this was a difficult case, because there was no one close enough to the women who could help distinguish whose child it was.  Sometimes, we may not find an easy answer to difficult situations in life because no one knows who is telling the truth.  Verse twenty-two concludes, And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.  The other woman said the first one was lying and the child was hers, and they began to argue.  Only one could be telling the truth.  People will still lie to get what they want today.  Verse twenty-three declares, Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.  Solomon pointed out that they were both making the same claim so it would be impossible to tell who was telling the truth.  Sometimes today when there are no facts to help determine the truth, it is nearly impossible to decide who is lying and who is telling the truth.  Verse twenty-four continues, And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.  Verse twenty-five says, And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.  Solomon asked for a sword and proposed cutting the child in half and giving half to each woman.  This would have certainly settled the dispute, but it wouldn't have settled the matter of who the child really belonged to.  We need to pray that we never settle disputes between people without really finding out the truth.  Verse twenty-six adds, Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.  One of the women, and we aren't told which one, out of love for her son, told Solomon to give the child to the other woman but not to harm him.  She would have rather give up her child than have him harmed.  This is the type love that we need from mothers and also fathers today.  The other woman said, no, divide the child.  She had just been given what she claimed to want, the child, but she really had no interest in the child.  She seemingly just didn't want the other woman to have her son.  Some people really don't want what we have, but they just don't want us to have it.  Verse twenty-seven continues, Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.  When we first read of Solomon's proposal, we might have thought that he hadn't gained much wisdom from God, but we now see that he had.  He knew that the real mother would not agree to have the child killed, so he knew that the one willing to give him up so that he would live was the real mother.  At times, we may have to act out of love in a situation and wait for God to bring about the best outcome, even if it seems that it is going to cost us.  Solomon said give the boy to the one who was willing to give him up, because she was the mother.  If we are willing to give up our claim in certain situations because the outcome would cost too much if we didn't, we need to put our faith in God bringing about the best result ultimately and simply let it go.   Verse twenty-eight concludes, And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.  When the people of Israel heard what Solomon had done, they feared him, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him.  This would seem to be a strange reason to fear anyone, unless we are doing something wrong.  We need to pray that we will be known for having the wisdom of God in us, and we should never fear those who do,

1 Kings 3:5

1Kings 3:5 says, In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.  God appeared to Solomon at night in a dream.  God appears to people in different ways, though to me it has always been as a still small voice.  God told Solomon to ask for anything that he wanted.  I wonder what we would ask for in that situation.  Verse six adds, And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.  Solomon first acknowledged God's mercy to David his father in having him walk uprightly before Him, keeping him safe by His kindness, and giving him a son to sit on the throne.  Before we ask God for anything, we need to acknowledge His mercy to us.  Verse seven continues, And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.  Solomon then said that God had made him king and not just David himself, but he also said that he was as a little child, not knowing when to come in or go out.  Whatever we are as followers of Christ, especially in the church, needs to be because God has put us there, and we need to acknowledge that we need His wisdom to help us be successful.  Verse eight states, And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.  Solomon said that God had made him the ruler of a great nation that could not be numbered, though David had tied to do so.  The number of Christians today should be beyond number, but we seem to be decreasing as a percentage of all people instead of increasing.  Verse nine adds, Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?  Solomon finally got around to asking God for what he wanted, and it wasn't riches or power, but wisdom to rule the people of Israel.   We need to ask God for wisdom more than we ask Him for riches and power.  Verse ten continues, And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.  God was pleased with what Solomon said.  When we come to God asking for His help, is He pleased with what we ask for?  I believe that we too often are selfish in our requests.  Verse eleven declares, And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;  God listed several selfish things Solomon could have asked for but didn't.   Would God be able to say the same about us today?  Verse twelve adds, Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.  God said He had granted Solomon his request, and he would be the wisest man to ever live.  Though we may never be as wise as Solomon, we need to ask God for wisdom as we live our lives today.  Verse thirteen continues, And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.  God then said He was also going to give Solomon something he didn't ask for and make him the richest and most honored king of his time.  I wonder what God might bless us as Christians with if we asked for wisdom instead of riches and power.  Verse fourteen says, And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.  There was a condition on this promise from God, and that was that Solomon be obedient to God as David had been.  Today, if we want God's blessings, we must ne obedient to His word.  Verse fifteen adds, And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.  When Solomon awoke, he knew he was dreaming, but he went to Jerusalem and offered bunt and peace offerings to God and made a feast with all his servants.   I don't believe that he just wrote this off as a dream that meant nothing, but acknowledged that God had spoken to him in this dream.  We should always acknowledge when God speaks to us, no matter how He chooses to do so. 

1 Kings 3:1

1 Kings 3:1 says, And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.  Solomon made peace with Pharoah and took his daughter and brought her to the city of David.  Matthew Henry says this may be one instance when Solomon didn't act wisely unless she was a proselyite, which she may have been since later when speaking of foreign gods Solomon was tempted by the Egyptian gods weren't mentioned.  Still, he says this would have been a case of being unevenly yoked.  We as followers of Christ should always try to marry another Christian to avoid this.  Verse two adds, Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days.  The people sacrificed on the high places, which Matthew Henry says David never did.  David had focused worship on the Ark of the Covenant.  We need to keep our worship grounded in Jesus Christ and not just look for high places to display our worship.  Matthew Henry didn't say that Solomon was wrong in worshipping in the high places, but that there could be a temptation to worship the display of worship more than actually worshipping God.  We need to be careful that we don't start worshipping our church buildings more than we worship God.  Verse three continues, And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. We are told that Solomon loved the Lord and kept the statutes of David, and then are told only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places, which separated him from the way David worshipped.  Again, we are not told that this was wrong, only that it was different.  We may worship differently than our parents did, and there is nothing wrong with this as long as we are sincerely worshipping God and the focus is on Him. Verse four concludes, And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. We are then told that Solomon went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices to God, because there was a great high place there.  He offered a thousand sacrifices there, which tells that he was devout in worshipping, but  he was still possibly putting too much emphasis on the fact that this was a high place.  We need to be devoted to worshipping God, but our emphasis should never be more on the location than on God Himself.

1 Kings 2:39

1 Kings 2:39 says, And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath.  Two years after Solomon told Shimei basically not to leave his house, two of his servants ran away to Gath.  Shemei then had a dilemma. This was definitely outside the area that Solomon had confined him to, but he couldn't reclaim his servants without leaving the area.  Sometimes, we may have to make a choice between obeying God oe exercising our own authority.  Verse forty adds, And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.  Shemei decided to disobey Solomon's order and go to Gath.  He went and brought his servants back.  He may have thought that Solomon wouldn't know, or if he did that because of the circumstances he would make an exception to his rule.  We may do things against God's laws today believing He will never know or that He will make an exception for us under our circumstances, but this is not going to happen.  Verse forty-one continues, And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.  Solomon was told, or found out, about what Shimei had done.  No one has to tell God in order for Him to find out if we fail to follow His commandments, because He will always know already.  Verse forty-two states, And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.  Solomon had Shemei brought to him and asked him if he hadn't been told that if he went traveling about that the day he did he would die.  One day, as followers of Christ, even though we have everlasting life, we are going to be called before God and asked about our actions.   Of course, if we have not accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we will be called before God and asked if we didn't know that our failure to do so brought a spiritual death sentence.  Circumstances will not justify us in either case.  Verse forty-three adds, Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?  Solomon asked Shemei why he hadn't obeyed his oath to God and the commandment that Solomon himself had changed him with.  I believe one day if we have disobeyed God that He is going to ask us why. Verse forty-four continues, The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head; David reminded Shimei that he had done wickedness to David and had never been held responsible for it.  We may do great wickedness to God today and never pay for it in this lifetime, but one day, we will have to answer to Him for it.  Verse forty-five says, And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever.  Just as Solomon to Shemei that he was going to be established as king before the LORD and was to be obeyed by the people of Israel, Jesus Christ has been declared the eternal King of all, even those who do not put their faith in Him.  Verse forty-six adds,  So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.  Solomon had Benaiah kill  Shimei, and Solomon's kingdom was established.   Jesus Christ's kingdom was established not by killing His enemies but by dying for them.  We either are saved by accepting His sacrifice for us on the cross, or one day we will be sent away to everlasting punishment because we didn't. 

1 Kings 2:28

1 Kings 2:28 says, Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.  Though Joab had not followed Absalom in his attempt to claim the throne, he had followed Adonijah in his.  David was close to his death by this time, so Joab may have thought it best to put his allegiance in the one who was actively claiming to be his successor.  When Joab heard that Solomon had be ordained king, he fled to the Temple and grabbed the horns of the altar.  If we have never really accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, when He returns no religious symbol is going to save us.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.  When Solomon was told what Joab had done, he sent Benaiah to fall upon him, or bring him out.  Being in the temple on the altar was not going to save him, because Joab had always been more faithful to himself than to David.   Being in a church building at the altar with a Bible in our hands will do us no good when Christ returns if we have never accepted Jesus Christ.   Verse thirty continues, And Benaiah came to the tabernacle of the LORD, and said unto him, Thus saith the king, Come forth. And he said, Nay; but I will die here. And Benaiah brought the king word again, saying, Thus said Joab, and thus he answered me.  When Benaiah went to get Joab, he said he wouldn't come out, but he would die where he was instead.  When Jesus returns, it will be too late to be saved, and we will die where we are.   Benaiah returned to Solomon and told him what Joab said.  When it comes to dealing with sinners who refuse to accept the salvation of Christ, we need to leave their fate up to God.  Verse thirty-one states, And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood, which Joab shed, from me, and from the house of my father.  Solomon told Benaiah to go and slay Joab and bury him, because he had shed innocent blood for him when David was king.  Our sins will one day be dealt with forever, and if we do not have forgiveness through putting our faith in Jesus Christ, which is the only way to have forgiveness, we will face God's punishment.  Verse thirty-two adds, And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.  Solomon said that Joab would then pay for shedding the innocent blood of Abner and Amasa, which David did not know about.  One day, those sins that no one may know about will come to light.  Verse thirty-three continues, Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne, shall there be peace for ever from the LORD.  Solomon said that Joab’s sins would therefore be upon his head and upon his descendants forever, but not on David and his descendants, who would live at peace with God forever.  Of course, we are all individually responsible for our own sins.  The only way to be forgiven and live at peace with God is through faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty-four says, So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.  Benaiah killed Joab and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.  Unless Jesus Christ returns first, we will all one day die, and what we have decided about Jesus Christ will make all the difference.  Verse thirty-five adds, And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar. Solomon put Benaiah in charge of the army and Zadok in the place of Abiathar.  God today will call people to replace those who have died or those who were really never faithful to start with.  Verse thirty-six continues, And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither.  Solomon confined Shimei to his own house and told him if he went out too far that he would die.  God will allow us to live in our own house of sin if we reject salvation, but one day we will be called out to answer for our sins. Verse thirty-seven adds, For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.  We can be certain that if we are not washed in the blood of Jesus that responsibility for our sins rests on our head.  Verse thirty-eight continues, Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.  Shimei said what Solomon had decreed was good, and we need to acknowledge that what God says is good, whether we accept it or not.

1 Kings 2:20

1 Kings 2:20 says, Then she said, I desire one small petition of thee; I pray thee, say me not nay. And the king said unto her, Ask on, my mother: for I will not say thee nay.  Bathsheba said she had one small request for Solomon, and he asked her what she wanted.  She was respectful to him and he was to her as well.  We still need respect between children and parents today, with children being told to always respect their parents and parents to not treat their children harshly.  Verse twenty-one adds, And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife.   Bathsheba presented Adonijah's request that he be allowed to marry Abishag.  She evidently treated Adonijah fairly, even though she was not his mother.  Of course, I don't believe she saw the real reason behind his request.  We as parents should always treat those who are children in our family fairly, even if they are not our biological children.  Verse twenty-two continues, And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah. Solomon was noted for his wisdom, and he quickly saw that Adonijah as his older brother would put himself in position to claim the throne by marrying Abishag, especially with the help of Abiathar and Joab.  We need to look for the motive behind people's actions or proposed actions today.  Verse twenty-three states, Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.  Solomon swore to God  that He should kill Solomon if Solomon did not take Adonijah's life for this action.  Adonijah was still attempting to claim the throne, and Solomon knew it.  Verse twenty-four adds, Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day.   Solomon said that since God had placed him on the throne and established his house to be rulers that Adonijah would be put to death that day.  If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we must put to death anything that could take over His position as King of our life.  Verse twenty-five continues, And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died.  Solomon sent Benaiah, and he killed Adonijah under Solomon's authorization.   If we recognize something as a threat to God's authority in our life or the life of the church overall, we need to quickly remove it.  Verse twenty-six says, And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.  Solomon then told Abiathar to go to Anathoth and his own fields.   Solomon said that because of Abiathar's supporting Adonijah in his attempt to claim the throne, that Solomon should put him to death, but because of his role as a priest under David, he wouldn't.  When it comes to forgiveness for our sins, past nor future good needs will not counteract them.  Verse twenty-seven adds, So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.  Solomon said this was also the fulfillment of God's judgment on the house of Eli, though it had taken nearly eighty years to fulfill.   God's word will always be fulfilled, no matter how long it takes for it to be.