1 Kings 11:1-12:19
Big Idea
The kingdom of Israel is torn apart due to King Solomon's disobedience to God's commands.
Commentary
King Solomon loved many foreign women, who turned his heart away from the LORD.
Solomon's father David followed the LORD, but Solomon did not.
The LORD was angry with Solomon for not keeping his covenant and statutes.
Solomon built high places for the gods of his foreign wives, including Chemosh and Molech.
The LORD raised up adversaries against Solomon, including Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam.
Ahijah the Shilonite prophesied to Jeroboam, saying the LORD would tear the kingdom from Solomon and give it to him.
Jeroboam fled to Egypt, but later returned to Israel.
Rehoboam became king and was advised by the young men to respond harshly to the people's demands.
The people rejected Rehoboam's response and went to their tents, ending the kingdom of David.
The LORD's word was fulfilled through the events that unfolded.
Solomon's actions were evil in the sight of the LORD, and he did not wholly follow the LORD.
The kingdom of Israel was divided, with Rehoboam reigning over the people of Judah.
Claims
- The LORD is angry with Solomon for his disobedience.
- The kingdom of Israel will be torn apart due to Solomon's actions.
- Jeroboam will be given ten tribes, but Solomon's son will be given one.
- The LORD will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon's hand, but will make him ruler all the days of his life.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
Hadad was a servant of Pharaoh, but actually he was a king of Edom who fled to Egypt.
Correction
Hadad was a king of Edom who fled to Egypt.
Misunderstanding
Rezon was a servant of Hadadezer, but actually he was a king of Syria who rebelled against David.
Correction
Rezon was a king of Syria who rebelled against David.
Application Questions
- What are the consequences of disobeying God's commands?
- How does the division of the kingdom of Israel affect the people of Judah and the people of Israel?
- What can be learned from the example of Jeroboam and the division of the kingdom?
- How does the story of 1 Kings 11-12 relate to the importance of following God's commands and obeying his word?
Acts 9:1-25
Big Idea
The conversion of Saul, a former persecutor of Christians, to a follower of Jesus is a pivotal moment in the Acts of the Apostles.
Commentary
The passage highlights the dramatic change in Saul's life, from being a threat to the church to becoming a key figure in spreading the gospel.
The Lord's appearance to Saul on the road to Damascus is a turning point in his life, marking the beginning of his new faith.
Ananias's hesitation to heal Saul due to his past actions shows the depth of Saul's transformation.
The Lord's assurance to Ananias that Saul is a chosen instrument emphasizes the significance of Saul's role in the early church.
Saul's proclamation of Jesus in the synagogues and his defense of his faith demonstrate his newfound commitment to the gospel.
The plot to kill Saul by the Jews highlights the ongoing persecution of Christians in the early church.
Claims
- The Lord Jesus appears to Saul on the road to Damascus, calling him to be a witness to the Gentiles and kings.
- Ananias is called by the Lord to heal Saul, and he does so, restoring Saul's sight.
- Saul is baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, marking his new life in Christ.
- Saul proclaims Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues, causing amazement among the people.
- The Jews plot to kill Saul due to his newfound faith, but his disciples help him escape.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<Saul is blinded by the Lord as punishment for his past actions>
Correction
<Saul's blindness is a result of persecuting the Lord, but it is also a turning point in his life, leading to his conversion.>
Misunderstanding
<Ananias is hesitant to heal Saul because he is afraid of the Lord's judgment>
Correction
<Ananias is hesitant to heal Saul because he is aware of Saul's past actions against the church, but the Lord assures him that Saul is a chosen instrument.>
Application Questions
- How can we, like Ananias, be obedient to the Lord's call, even when it involves difficult or challenging situations?
- What does Saul's conversion teach us about the power of God to transform our lives?
- How can we, like Saul, proclaim Jesus as the Son of God in our daily lives?
- What are some ways we can support and encourage one another in our faith, as Saul's disciples did for him?
- How can we, like the Lord, call out to those who are persecuting or opposing us, and show them the love and mercy of God?
Psalm 131:1-3
Big Idea
The psalmist, David, expresses humility and trust in God, encouraging Israel to do the same.
Commentary
The psalm is a song of ascent, likely sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for worship.
The psalmist's heart is not lifted up or raised too high, indicating a sense of humility and modesty.
The psalmist avoids occupying themselves with things too great or marvelous for them, showing a willingness to submit to God's sovereignty.
The psalmist's soul is calm and quieted, reflecting a sense of peace and trust in God.
The comparison of the psalmist's soul to a weaned child with its mother highlights the idea of dependence and trust.
The psalmist's words are addressed to Israel, encouraging them to hope in the LORD.
The phrase "from this time forth and forevermore" emphasizes the psalmist's commitment to trusting in God for all eternity.
The psalmist's words are a model for Israel's relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of humility, trust, and dependence on God.
The psalmist's use of the metaphor of a weaned child highlights the idea of spiritual growth and maturity.
The psalmist's words are a call to Israel to reorient their priorities and focus on trusting in God.
Claims
- The psalmist's heart is not lifted up or raised too high.
- The psalmist does not occupy themselves with things too great or marvelous for them.
- The psalmist's soul is calm and quieted, like a weaned child with its mother.
- The psalmist encourages Israel to hope in the LORD.
- The psalmist's words are a model for Israel's relationship with God.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
The psalmist is saying that they are too weak or feeble to trust in God.
Correction
The psalmist is actually expressing humility and trust in God, not weakness or feebleness.
Misunderstanding
The psalmist is saying that they are too proud or arrogant to trust in God.
Correction
The psalmist is actually expressing a willingness to submit to God's sovereignty and trust in God, not pride or arrogance.
Application Questions
- How can you apply the psalmist's words to your own life, expressing humility and trust in God?
- How can you avoid occupying yourself with things too great or marvelous for you, and instead focus on trusting in God?
- What does it mean to have a "calmed and quieted" soul, and how can you cultivate this in your own life?
- How can you encourage others to hope in the LORD, as the psalmist does in this psalm?
Proverbs 17:4-5
Big Idea
God's Maker is insulted by mocking the poor, and those who do so will not go unpunished.
Commentary
An evildoer and a liar are described as listening to wicked and mischievous speech.
Mocking the poor is an insult to the Maker.
Gladness at calamity will not go unpunished.
Wicked lips and a mischievous tongue are associated with evildoers and liars.
The Maker is the one being insulted by mocking the poor.
An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
The passage emphasizes the consequences of mocking the poor and rejoicing in calamity.
The use of "Maker" highlights God's role as the creator and judge.
The contrast between the wicked and the Maker is a recurring theme in Proverbs.
Claims
- Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker.
- An evildoer listens to wicked lips.
- A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
- He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Popular Mistakes
Misunderstanding
<An evildoer is only listening to wicked lips, not doing anything wrong>
Correction
An evildoer is described as listening to wicked lips, indicating their complicity in evil speech.
Misunderstanding
<The Maker is not being insulted>
Correction
The Maker is explicitly stated to be insulted by mocking the poor.
Application Questions
- What are some ways to avoid mocking the poor and rejoicing in calamity?
- How can we cultivate a sense of reverence for God's role as Maker?
- What are some consequences of listening to wicked and mischievous speech?