Friday, May 11, 2012

Bible Reading Challenge Week 19 Day 4

Our reading challenge for the day is 1 Kings 1-5. I’ll hit a few highlights. You make comments too and fill in the gaps. What strikes you as specially significant?

1 Kings 1 - In David’s old age his son Adonijah decided to assert himself as king. David’s supporters ask that David should confirm Solomon as king.

1 Kings 2 - David charges Solomon to remain faithful to God. He also makes a number of requests that Solomon should defeat certain people who were disloyal. Though Solomon may have wanted peace and good will, he used force to assert his authority. Compare this to Jesus, who refused to assert his power at the expense of others, choosing to make peace through his death on our behalf.

1 Kings 3 - God appears to Solomon. Solomon asks for wisdom. God promises that and more.

1 Kings 4 - As Solomon grows in wisdom, wealth and power he also becomes remarkably like the kings Samuel had warned of.

1 Kings 5 - Solomon appears faithful as he sets about building the temple. Yet his motives are mixed, just like ours. Even as we grow in grace, let us guard our hearts, that we may be pleasing to God.

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