1 Kings 9

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Lord Appears to Solomon; Solomon Strengthens the Kingdom

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God’s promises are unconditional and conditional.

  2. Man’s disobedience is tolerated, but not overlooked.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Will people scoff at the Lord’s things because of you?

QUESTIONS

  1. Refer to 1 Kings 9:15 and 9:24. What is the Millo? What is the literal meaning of the word Millo?

  2. Archaeologists who have done excavations in this geographical area believe that the places mentioned here in this section of scripture go back to King Solomon’s time. Check out these places in 1 Kings 9:15 and 9:26.

  3. What was King Solomon’s purpose in giving Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee?

  4. What does the term Cabul mean? (1 Kings 9:13)

  5. Where is Ophir located?

ANSWERS

  1. Excavations in the palace area of Jerusalem have revealed a large step-stone structure, which they believe is the Millo built in King Solomon’s day. The word Millo literally means landfill, and this stone structure served as a retaining wall for ground which supported the royal buildings.

  2. 1 Kings 9:15 – archaeology has confirmed a section of the wall 1 Kings 9:15 – archaeology has confirmed building activity at Hazor, Megiddo and Gezer 1 Kings 9:26 – archaeology has shown that there was building activity in Eilon Geber

  3. Most likely these cities were put up as security for the gold Solomon was borrowing from King Hiram.

  4. Cabul means good for nothing.

  5. At this time, we don’t know where Ophir is located.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. The Lord appeared to Solomon a second time and made some promises to the king and the nation Israel. The Lord promises that His eye and heart will be continually focused on the place and the purpose of the temple. God’s intent was for His name to be always in the midst of His people. As such, this promise was unconditional, with no strings attached. Although there is no temple in Jerusalem now, a temple will be rebuilt in the future. In the meantime, God’s eye is still on that people and that place. The conditional promise was an if /then. If you walk before Me in integrity of heart…then I will establish the throne forever. But if you turn from Me and serve other gods…then I will cut off Israel from the land. A blindness has happened to Israel, but there will be a spiritual revival of Israel in the future before the Lord returns to this earth. The same is true in our lives. The promise of salvation, for example, to any believer is unconditional and conditional. Once you are in God’s family, you are there unconditionally. The Lord has promised that anyone who comes to Him will not be cast out (John 6:37). But God’s promise of fellowship with the believer is conditional. Our close fellowship with the Lord depends on our walk with the Lord. Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior? If so, you are unconditionally promised that you are in God’s family forever. Are you walking with the Lord? Are you in close fellowship with Him?

  2. Solomon’s kingdom prospered and reached its greatest glory under this king, but Solomon was not a perfect king because he disobeyed the Lord in a number of areas. How can this be? God’s patience and longsuffering tolerated Solomon’s wrongdoing, but it was not overlooked. Solomon reaped what he had sown. The same is true today. Just because a wayward believer is prosperous is not a sign of God’s approval. God’s discipline is not always immediate. Man’s disobedience is tolerated, but not overlooked. How are you doing in the obedience to the Lord department?

CHALLENGE

  1. It was a sad thing when people scoffed at the Lord’s land and at the Lord’s house because of Israel’s disobedience. Think of the mockery and ridicule that takes place when a Christian is involved in an affair or in a financial scandal. When God’s people profane His name, others will scoff at the Lord’s things. Don’t let people scoff at the Lord’s things because of you. Honor His name in all that you do.

KEY VERSES

  • “When Solomon finished building…the Lord appeared to him the second time…” 1 Kings 9:1-2

  • “The Lord said to Solomon, ‘I have heard your prayer…I have consecrated this house…to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” 1 Kings 9:3

  • “Now if you walk before Me in integrity of heart and uprightness…then I will establish the throne forever… but if you turn from Me and serve other gods, then I will…” 1 Kings 9:4-7

  • “As for this house which is exalted, those who pass by will scoff…” 1 Kings 9:8

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 9