1 Kings 22:4-5 — Jehoshaphat made the right call to enquire of the LORD … but he should have done that first before pledging loyalty to the king of Israel.
1 Kings 22:11-12 — Interesting the number of people prophesying – not in the name of Baal, but in the name of the LORD. Even today we have false teachers such as the Heretic, the Charlatan, the Prophet, the Abuser, the Divider, the Tickler, and the Speculator.
1 Kings 22:18 — It’s interesting that Ahab’s name is only used once in this passage while he is alive. Poor Ahab … he seems so simple minded – wondering why Micaiah is being sarcastic with him or why the prophets never gave him good words. Proverbs 7:7 talks about the simple youths, devoid of understanding. Proverbs 22:3 and Proverbs 27:12 tell how the simple are punished by not foreseeing the evil. The real tragedy is that simpleness is curable through the testimony of the LORD (Psalm 19:7) and the words of the LORD (Psalm 119:130).
1 Kings 22:28 — Micaiah realizes God has a higher penalty for his transgressions than Ahab does. The danger is not being in prison with minimal rations – the danger is that a prophet who speaks presumptuously must be put to death. Imagine the discernment necessary – did this revelation come from the LORD God (for which I’m willing to risk my life on), or was this just something that came from bad pizza?
1 Kings 22:34 — At a venture, almost by chance … but we’ve seen before that chance is just a covering for Providence.
1 Kings 22:49 — Interesting that now Jehoshaphat finally realizes the danger of an alliance with Ahaziah.
Acts 13:30 — Yesterday we saw the theme verse of Acts; today we see the theme verse of the preaching in Acts.
Acts 13:34 — And for those wondering why David was brought up in a passage asking a simple question – now we know where he fits in.
Psalm 138:6 — Here’s a great study to undertake: the seeming contradictions of the Bible.
1 Kings 20:6 — The dangers of appeasement. When you have given everything they have asked for, be aware that they may ask for more.
1 Kings 20:32 — Ah, the definition of the “good ol’ boys club.” Even though Benhadad threatened to rape and pillage the land, Ahab still thought of him as a brother. But this wasn’t Ahab’s war; this was the LORD’s war (1 Kings 20:28). Compare this situation to Rabshekah and Hezekiah in Isaiah 36:15. 1 Kings 20:42 says that we don’t have authority to make peace with the enemies of the LORD when He has appointed them to destruction. Unless, of course, we want to take their place.
1 Kings 21:4 — Patch the Pirate wrote the song “The Poochie Lip Disease” about the displeasure and pouting that King Ahab did because he couldn’t get a garden.
1 Kings 21:8 — In the University of Chicago’s Oriental Collection, they have a large collection of seals.
1 Kings 21:10, 13 — Interesting that the word “LORD” is not used, but the generic word “Elohim” (god) is. Naboth identified with the LORD, but the sons of Belial identified with just a generic god.
1 Kings 21:29 — It’s interesting that Ahab had a somewhat soft heart; unfortunately, it seems he was stirred up by his wife, Jezebel (1 Kings 21:25). Solomon wrote well of the woman that feareth the LORD (Proverbs 31:30). Many a pastor has been limited in his ministry because his wife was not on the same page. In Bible college the observation was shared that half of all preachers married the wrong woman. On the other hand, I’ve heard of women that felt God’s call to the mission field but married a husband that was not responsive to that calling as well.
Acts 12:24 — Welcome to the theme verse of the Book of Acts. We have seen and will continue to see how the Word of God grew and multiplied!
Acts 12:11 — It is dangerous to interfere with the work of God. In Acts 5, we saw Ananias and Sapphira dead. In Acts 12:23, we see Herod dead.
Psalm 137:9 — The final verse in this psalm of mourning is troubling for some. Atheist debater Dan Barker cites this as proof of the “monster-ship” of God. Some say it’s merely an expression of the feelings of the writer. Jean Jones cites some helpful points, including understanding synecdoche, symbolism, lex talionis, and prophecy. Kyle Butt claims it’s an imprecatory prophecy without divine command.
Proverbs 17:16 — If you aren’t going to learn, don’t bother paying extra for tuition.
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1 Kings 19:2 — Apparently Jezebel wasn’t impressed with the awesome display of God’s power. But why did Jezebel’s boldness scare the prophet who had outrun the king’s chariots? Depression isn’t always logical or easily cured. Sometimes it requires repeated divine interventions (1 Kings 19:5, 1 Kings 19:7). Interestingly, Ahab suffered from similar depression in 1 Kings 21:7.
1 Kings 19:18 — As I write this, I’m in Mitchell, South Dakota, with Jimmy DeYoung. We’ve been on the road for 9 days so far and we’ve preached to over a thousand people. We won’t get to 7,000, but it’s so refreshing to see people hungry for the Word of God even in a time we think that we’re all alone.
1 Kings 19:21 — An evangelist had a message on this verse called “It’s Plow-Burning Time.” When God has called you to the ministry, you must be willing to “burn your ships.”
Acts 12:15 — If you are going to pray without ceasing, then don’t be hostile when the answer comes (Acts 12:15).
Acts 12:23 — Our God is a jealous God.
Psalm 136:1 — This psalm is famous for the closing phrase in each verse – “for his mercy endureth forever.” All of his compassionate acts to Man were done for His mercies sake.
Proverbs 17:15 — Isaiah echoed this in Isaiah 5:20.
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1 Kings 18:20 — Every time I go to Mount Carmel, I look at the statue of Elijah. Elijah was bold – bolder than Gideon. He confronted the king (1 Kings 18:18-19) so that the king obeyed him (1 Kings 18:20). When he spoke to the people, they were silenced (1 Kings 18:21).
1 Kings 18:26 — Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” features the classic line “Baal, we cry to thee” – portraying the anguish of unanswered prayer which is a contrast to Elijah’s prayer.
It has been already suggested that this altar may have dated from the time when there was no house built unto the name of the Lord. But it is just as likely that it had been restored, if not raised, by some of the “seven thousand who had not bowed their knees unto Baal,” or by some of the faithful remaining in Israel after the calf-worship and the hostility between the two kingdoms had made worship at Jerusalem an impossibility. Anyhow we can hardly be mistaken in holding that this was one of the “altars” (1 Kings 19:10), thrown down” by command of Ahab or Jezebel. Elijah’s repairing it was an act of profound significance. It showed him as the restorer of the law and the true religion.
Acts 11:3 — We see that the Dispensation of Grace was initiated on Pentecost. We also see its implications: unclean foods are no more unclean. Circumcision is no longer necessary. By the way – this age of grace does not mean “age of licentiousness,” but this is the era where salvation is offered to all (Titus 2:11). The veil of the temple has been rent. Circumcision is no longer a prerequisite for proximity to the Most High. Females are no longer barred from access to the inner sanctum.
Acts 11:25 — Evangelist Tom Farrell preached a great message on this verse, “Let’s Be a Barney.”
Psalm 135:6 — How powerful is the LORD? “Whatsoever [He] pleased, that did He.” Compare this to the idols of silver and gold (Psalm 135:16-17).
Proverbs 17:12 — Many a hunter has learned the lesson – don’t take the cubs from momma bear! And yet, how more dangerous is a fool! What’s the answer? Get wisdom (Proverbs 4:7)!
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1 Kings 16:9 — Just some tactical advice: if you are going to lead an insurrection, make sure you’re the captain of the whole host (1 Kings 16:16), and not just a partial captain. Also, here’s more tactical advice: drunkenness does not become kings (Proverbs 31:4).
Omri had occupied the land of Medeba (northern Moab), and had dwelt there in his time (Albright 1969: 320; for a discussion of the Mesha Inscription, see Wood 1996b).
Baal idol, University of Chicago
1 Kings 16:31 — Jeroboam violated the 2nd Commandment – using graven images to worship the LORD in a way He forbade. Ahab violated the 1st & 2nd Commandment – using graven images to worship Baal, another god.
1 Kings 17:12 — Interesting phrase: “thy god,” as opposed to “my god.” Jesus referred to this incident. Elijah went not to a widow in his hometown, but to Zarephath of Sidon (Luke 4:25-26).
1 Kings 17:24 — Now after the miracle of the cruse of oil the widow didn’t say this, only after the return of her son.
Acts 10:26 — This is helpful, because when a being does not tell the worshipful human to arise, it implies they are God.
Psalm 134:1 — “Bless” comes from the Hebrew word “barach.” From GotQuestions.org:
The Hebrew word most often translated “bless” is barak, which can mean to praise, congratulate, or salute, and is even used to mean a curse. Genesis 1:22 is the first occurrence, when God blessed the sea creatures and birds, telling them to be fruitful and multiply in the earth.
Proverbs 17:9 — The lost art of discretion. Some stuff does not belong on Facebook.
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1 Kings 14:2 — And here we thought that Jeroboam had completely forgot about Ahijah. Ahijah said Jeroboam would be almost as great as King David (1 Kings 11:38), but Jeroboam forgot the condition (1 Kings 12:27) and tried to solve the problem his way. If God saves you, He can keep you! Interesting that even though Jeroboam saw Ahijah prophesy and desired his prophecy to be realized, he also thought Ahijah could be easily tricked.
1 Kings 14:7 — This is the theme of the “political books” of the Bible. Psalm 75:7 and Daniel 2:21 bear tribute to God’s control of both theocratic nations (Israel) and secular nations (Babylon). God exalts and God casts down. All He asks in order to bless us (not to save us) is obedience! (1 Kings 14:8).
1 Kings 14:10 — Yes, this phrase is actually in the Hebrew. GotQuestions.org discusses the use of this uncommon expression. Here the king whose descendants could have had an everlasting dynasty, will be taken away as a man taketh away dung. How’s that for a spiritual legacy?
1 Kings 14:22 — Well, couldn’t Rehoboam have learned from Jeroboam’s example? He was right in the city that God chose to put his name (1 Kings 14:21). But they built high places.
1 Kings 14:25 — We have secular records of this battle of Pharaoh Shishak:
This wall carving within the Karnak Temple complex in Egypt commemorates Pharaoh Shishak’s military exploits, including an invasion into Israel, c. 925 BC. Shishak is referred to in the Bible, and most scholars believe the invasion depicted in the carving is the same event noted in the Bible in 1 Kings 14:25. The carving displays a large image of the god Amun leading a number of captive cities by ropes. The scene is damaged; but, among others, it lists the Israelite city of Megiddo as one of many attacked by the Egyptians.
1 Kings 14:26 — How transient wealth is (Matthew 6:19-21).
1 Kings 15:4 — Even though the LORD will inflict judgment on the descendants up to three and four generations, His mercy is for thousands of generations (Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 5:10)!
1 Kings 15:18 — If Asa had just prayed in the temple instead of strip mining the temple … but he set a pattern that Hezekiah would follow (2 Kings 18:16).
Acts 10:2 — People ask, “What about those that are looking for God but never hear?” Well, we know that all are sinners (Romans 3:23), worthy of death (Romans 6:23), but we see that God will be found of those who seek Him early (Proverbs 8:17).
Acts 10:15 — We have now entered the 4th dispensation of Bacon!
Genesis 1:29 – Bacon is prohibited
Genesis 9:3 – Bacon is allowed
Leviticus 11:7 – Bacon is prohibited for Israelites
Acts 10:15 – Bacon is allowed for all
These match up with the classical “Seven Dispensations,” which were modified into the “Seven C’s of History.” This is a chart from an adult Sunday School class I taught.
Acts 10:19 — If Peter learned nothing from his years with the LORD, this is the first time we see the phrase “Peter thought” in the Bible (as opposed to the many times where “Peter said“)!
Psalm 133:2 — What is precious about the ointment? From Matthew Henry:
v. 2. (1.) This ointment was holy. So must our brotherly love be, with a pure heart, devoted to God. We must love those that are begotten for his sake that begat, 1 Jn. 5:1. (2.) This ointment was a composition made up by a divine dispensatory; God appointed the ingredients and the quantities. Thus believers are taught of God to love one another; it is a grace of his working in us. (3.) It was very precious, and the like to it was not to be made for any common use. Thus holy love is, in the sight of God, of great price; and that is precious indeed which is so in God’s sight. (4.) It was grateful both to Aaron himself and to all about him. So is holy love; it is like ointment and perfume which rejoice the heart. Christ’s love to mankind was part of that oil of gladness with which he was anointed above his fellows. (5.) Aaron and his sons were not admitted to minister unto the Lord till they were anointed with this ointment, nor are our services acceptable to God without this holy love; if we have it not we are nothing.
Proverbs 17:7 — As you consider the princely training by your elder brother (the soon to be crowned King of Kings), know what behavior befits a prince!
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1 Kings 12:24 — Interestingly, if they had only obeyed God earlier, they wouldn’t have had to assemble for war.
1 Kings 12:26-27 — Poor Jeroboam! Ahijah promised Jeroboam that if he would obey the LORD (1 Kings 11:38), the LORD would guarantee the kingdom. Ahijah promised him the kingdom before he was a king, but the promise of the LORD wasn’t enough. Instead, he “created” a sin that lasted for hundreds of years (1 Kings 12:30). All because of unnecessary fear.
1 Kings 13:2 — God cared so much that He sent a prophet to prophesy His judgment on the apostasy. Interestingly, Josiah would not be born for another 300 years. This is more significant than Isaiah 44:28 – it was just 100 years in advance.
1 Kings 13:6 — Jeroboam just wanted temporary healing, not permanent repentance.
1 Kings 13:18 — We feel the LORD was unjust for punishing the man of God and not the old prophet. But a man of God must be discerning. Gideon was fearful and questioned God’s greetings (Judges 6:13), command (Judges 6:15), promise (Judges 6:17), and asked for multiple signs (Judges 6:36 and 39). If God had changed His directions to the man of God, the man of God could have asked for a sign.
1 Kings 13:33 — The danger is thinking that ministry is something that is just a wish, not a God-given desire (1 Timothy 3:1). This desire comes from delighting in the LORD (Psalm 37:4).
Acts 9:27 — God is pleased with those who intercede to make peace between His followers.
Acts 9:38 — Oh, to inspire the admiration that Dorcas had! People wanted her alive again! It reminds me of the funeral where the husband, Herman, was being remembered, and as they took out the casket, the pallbearers bumped the door. All of a sudden they heard a groaning. The bump had woken the presumably dead husband out of his paralyzed comatose state. Several years passed, and the husband was taken up for dead once again. After the funeral as the pallbearers took up the casket, the wife urgently yelled out to them, “Watch the door this time!” Be a Dorcas, not a Herman.
Psalm 132:12 — The Davidic Covenant was unconditional (2 Samuel 7:16). But the descendant covenant was conditional as we see here. Jeremiah 22:30 shows how the curse of Jeconiah was warned against in our passage here.
Proverbs 17:6 — Like the grandparent said, “If I had known grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first!”
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1 Kings 11:1 — This is the first use of the phrase “strange women.” Solomon himself will warn us about them in Proverbs 22:14 and Proverbs 23:33.
1 Kings 11:7 — God told Moses that the Israelites were to destroy their pictures, molten images, and “quite pluck down” their high places (Numbers 33:52). Certainly not to build more!
1 Kings 11:9 — God does get angry over sin (Isaiah 12:1). Many successive kings of Israel would experience the anger of the LORD (2 Kings 17:18).
1 Kings 11:23 — Solomon would have had no adversaries. When He decided to turn his heart from the LORD, it was then that the LORD stirred up opposition.
1 Kings 11:38 — What was the conditional offer to Jeroboam? A Davidic dynasty if Jeroboam would only obey.
1 Kings 12:8 — Each generation would like to ignore the wisdom of the previous. This verse reminded me of the “Millennial Job Interview.”
1 Kings 12:16 — Sounds similar to 2 Samuel 20:1, doesn’t it?
Acts 9:3 — Even today people talk about a “Road to Damascus” moment.
Acts 9:16 — God did not call Saul to prosperity but rather to suffer for the name of the LORD!
Psalm 131:1 — The testimony of a devoted follower who walks in the way of the LORD. He knows God will bring down the haughty (2 Samuel 22:8) and will humble the lofty (Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 5:15). He knows not to despise the day of small things (Zechariah 4:10).
Proverbs 17:4 — God talks about the poor 172 times in the Old Testament and has special concern for them. Christian ministries have been historically focused on helping the poor physically and spiritually!
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1 Kings 9:2 — Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, was one of only three kings to reign over the United Kingdom. Even though he was a Davidic heir to the throne and reigned for 40 years, God only appeared to him twice. We need to be grateful that we have God’s entire revelation, and that we have direct access to God.
1 Kings 9:4 — Integrity of heart … having a heart attitude of obedience brings blessing (yes, I know you’ve heard this before).
1 Kings 9:7 — We have a prophecy that has been fulfilled, but God in His mercy returned Israel to the land – not just once (Ezra/Nehemiah) but twice (modern state of Israel).
… “king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities” [really they were mere villages. “It is a genuine Eastern trick to dignify a small present with a pompous name” (Thomson). But עִיר is a word of very wide meaning]
“in the land of Galilee.” גּלִיל lit., circuit, region (like Ciccar, 1 Kings 7:46), hence often found as here with the art. = the region of the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1; 1 Macc. 5:15; Matthew 4:15), so called because it was inhabited by Phoenicians (see 2 Samuel 24:7, and Strabo, 16. p. 760), originally designated but a small part of the considerable tract of country later known as the province of “Galilee,” viz., the northern part in the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 20:7; 2 Kings 15:29; Isaiah 9:1. Cf. Jos., Ant. 5.1.18). It is easy to see why this particular region was surrendered to Hiram.
(1) It was near his country (2 Samuel 24:7);
(2) the people were Phoenicians, allied to Hiram, but strangers to Solomon, both in race and religion;
(3) Solomon could not with propriety alienate any part of Immanuel’s land, or convey to a foreigner the dominion over the people of the Lord. Leviticus 25:23 forbade the alienation of the land; Deuteronomy 17:15 the rule of a stranger.
1 Kings 10:1 — God’s power attracts spectators and causes others to bless the LORD (1 Kings 10:9).
1 Kings 10:22 — Jewish connections to Tarshish have extended for many years. Soon we’ll see a man of Tarshish have an encounter with Jesus!
1 Kings 10:28 — Just when things were going well – Deuteronomy 17:16 specifically warned about going to Egypt to multiply horses.
Acts 8:27 — Speaking of obedience, Philip obeyed the angel that gave him a divine appointment.
Acts 8:31 — Be a guide to someone on how to read the Bible today! Start preaching Jesus (Acts 8:32)!
Psalm 130:4 — Amen!
Proverbs 17:2 — Divine social mobility.
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I Kings 8:23 — Mercy upon His servants! Such a great treasure to be thankful for!
I Kings 8:33 — Turn and confess; repeated in 1 Kings 8:35.
I Kings 8:41 — In case you hadn’t figured it out, this verse is talking about most of us.
Acts 7:51 — Not exactly a seeker-sensitive invitation.
Acts 7:56 — Normally, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God (Matthew 26:64). This is the only time Jesus is recorded standing at the right hand, perhaps ready to welcome His faithful servant home.
Psalm 129:4 — Near the center of this verse is an eternal truth: The LORD is righteous!
Proverbs 17:1 — Wise words. Peace over displays of worship.
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