Welcome to week 4 of Desiring the Kingdom. This week we will see Solomon’s reign producing great wealth for him and great peace for Israel, which results in Solomon preparing to build the House of the Lord (a project for which his father was denied).
If you have not yet watched it, we encourage you to take the time to watch the following video from The Bible Project giving an overview of 1st and 2nd Kings. Extremely useful and highly recommended!
Prayer Initiative
Beginning on January 13th and continuing for 11 weeks, Rio Women invites you to join them for their latest prayer initiative, based on the classic book “The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life.” They meet via Zoom call on Wednesdays at noon. If you can’t attend the meeting, get the book, find a partner, and follow along. (If you have questions or need assistance, email Beth Hendrikse, our Prayer Coordinator, at bethh@riovistachurch.com.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Solomon’s Team
1 Kings 4:1-19
Solomon’s Officials
4 King Solomon was king over all Israel, 2 and these were his high officials: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; 3 Elihoreph and Ahijah the sons of Shisha were secretaries; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 4 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 5 Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king’s friend; 6 Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram the son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor.
7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for one month in the year. 8 These were their names: Ben-hur, in the hill country of Ephraim; 9 Ben-deker, in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elonbeth-hanan; 10 Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (to him belonged Socoh and all the land of Hepher); 11 Ben-abinadab, in all Naphath-dor (he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife); 12 Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth-shean that is beside Zarethan below Jezreel, and from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as the other side of Jokmeam; 13 Ben-geber, in Ramoth-gilead (he had the villages of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead, and he had the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bronze bars); 14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim; 15 Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he had taken Basemath the daughter of Solomon as his wife); 16 Baana the son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth; 17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar; 18 Shimei the son of Ela, in Benjamin; 19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. And there was one governor who was over the land.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Matthew 18:20
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Acts 2:42-47
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Consider
For both practical and spiritual reasons, the Bible is plain spoken about the community of believers. It is intended to be a COMMUNITY, not a group of individuals with each doing their own thing. When the person God holds up as the wisest that ever lived follows this plan, we should sit up and take notice.
Questions for Reflection
- What are some practical reasons for not living the Christian life, or just life in general, in isolation?
- Now consider the spiritual benefits of being part of a community of believers. What are some examples of those?
Lord, you chose to surround yourself with a community of close friends while you lived among us, and you left us with commands not to avoid coming together. That is especially hard during a health crisis like the one we’re facing, which requires us to keep our distance from each other. Let me be clever and intentional about fostering relationships where I can do so safely. Lead me into close fellowship with those who will lift me up and encourage me when I stumble, and let me in the same way support them. Amen.
Day 2
Solomon Prospered
1 Kings 4:20-28
Solomon’s Wealth and Wisdom
20 Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy. 21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, 23 ten fat oxen, and twenty pasture-fed cattle, a hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him. 25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. 26 Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. 27 And those officers supplied provisions for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon’s table, each one in his month. They let nothing be lacking. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where it was required, each according to his duty.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Deuteronomy 29:9
9 Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.
Deuteronomy 30:9
9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers,
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 1:1-3
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
Malachi 3:10
10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Proverbs 22:4
4
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Consider
Prosperity is a touchy subject for many Christians. God’s plan for his creation and his people is that both prosper. Sin has corrupted them, however, and so God’s plan is not yet carried out in full measure. The so-called “prosperity gospel” is a serious error because it teaches we can control our prosperity, either by declaration or carefully directed gifts of money, and compel God to give us what we want. Such a thing is never taught in scripture! The Apostle Paul has clear teaching on the subject of prosperity in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, and declares in his letter to the Philippians that he is prepared for either prosperity or austerity, as the Lord wills.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do you think the subject of money is so uncomfortable for many Christians to discuss?
- Is prosperity always financial? What are some examples of other types of prosperity?
God of all creation, you have made everything that exists and may therefore righteously distribute it as you please. May I be able to accept that and leave the prosperity to you while I focus on seeking your righteousness and kingdom. For those times when you give me more than I need for myself, thank you. And for those times when I have less, thank you for those as well. For I believe you will give me my daily bread, Lord, and that is its own form of prosperity. One day you will set up a new heavens and a new earth, sin and death will be no more, and your people will prosper as you want them to, greatly and without end. Amen.
Day 3
Solomon’s Hunger for Knowledge
1 Kings 4:29-34
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. 33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. 34 And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Job 38:4-11
4
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8
“Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
9
when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10
and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11
and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
Psalm 111:2
2
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Genesis 1:1
The Creation of the World
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Hebrews 11:3
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Romans 1:20
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is science important? What does it help us understand?
- Where did the idea “science is the enemy of religion” come from? How would you respond to that?
Lord, the psalmist wrote that from where you sit enthroned, you look out on all the inhabitants of the earth. You are above all created things and made everything in such a way as to show us your divine nature. Let us learn what can be learned, God, since what we learn tells us more about you. What you created was good, though it now groans under the weight of sin, and it will be good again on that great day of redemption. Amen.
Day 4
The House of the Lord Part One
1 Kings 5:1-6
Preparations for Building the Temple
5 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. 2 And Solomon sent word to Hiram, 3 “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. 5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ 6 Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”
RELATED SCRIPTURES
1 Chronicles 17:1-15
The Lord’s Covenant with David
17 Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.” 2 And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”
3 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, 4 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. 5 For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. 6 In all places where I have moved with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 7 Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the Lord will build you a house. 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” 15 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
1 Chronicles 22:7-8
7 David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. 8 But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth.
1 Chronicles 28:1-3
David’s Charge to Israel
28 David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of thousands, the commanders of hundreds, the stewards of all the property and livestock of the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty men and all the seasoned warriors. 2 Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. 3 But God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’
Isaiah 56:6-7
6
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,
and holds fast my covenant—
7
these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.”
Questions for Reflection
- Was it fair for God to withhold the privilege of building the house of the Lord from David? Didn’t God endorse—sometimes even command—David going to war?
- What do you think the church could do today to become more like what God describes for his house?
God of peace, make us peaceful. Make your house into a house of prayer for all nations. Let us turn aside from any hostility and adversarial relations with those around us. May we be the bringers of good news, with a message of peace that our king allowed the sword to fall on himself so we might be spared. Let us shine the light of faith, hope, and mercy to all those still in darkness, that many may be saved and learn to follow you. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Day 5
The House of the Lord Part Two
1 Kings 5:7-18
7 As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.” 8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber. 9 My servants shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes by providing food for my household.” 10 So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired, 11 while Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000 cors of beaten oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. 12 And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
13 King Solomon drafted forced labor out of all Israel, and the draft numbered 30,000 men. 14 And he sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in shifts. They would be a month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the draft. 15 Solomon also had 70,000 burden-bearers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hill country, 16 besides Solomon’s 3,300 chief officers who were over the work, who had charge of the people who carried on the work. 17 At the king’s command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones. 18 So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
1 Kings 9:20-22
20 All the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of the people of Israel— 21 their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel were unable to devote to destruction—these Solomon drafted to be slaves, and so they are to this day. 22 But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves. They were the soldiers, they were his officials, his commanders, his captains, his chariot commanders and his horsemen.
Philippians 2:13
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Proverbs 16:9
9
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Questions for Reflection
- What experiences have you had with God “making your paths straight?” When has he cleared the way for you, as you sought to serve him?
- Is God’s provision always material in nature? How else does God provide for us to carry out his will?
Heavenly father, when you taught your disciples how they should pray, one of the first things you told them was to pray that your will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. I want to do what you will have me to do, Lord, and I am thankful that you promise to show me what that is, sometimes by how you provide. May the desires of my heart align with the desires of yours and may you receive all the glory for whatever I do. Amen.
Watch for other Personal Worship pushes!
- Friday you’ll receive Worship Prep guidance and Sunday’s songs. Take time to learn those you don’t know so that you can join in worship in full voice!