Title: It's Never Wrong To Do Right
Bible Book: 1 Kings
Author: Steve Wagers
Subject: 1 Kings; All Hail The King; 2 Kings
Objective:
Introduction
A Closer Look at the Book: 1-2 KINGS “All Hail the King”
A popular secular magazine in the 1990's did an article on the subject of success. The article, "The Best of the New Generation," dealt with successful people under the age of 40 who were being used to impact and change America.
They were recognized for things like taking risks, having initiative or being creative and persistent. Nothing was mentioned about morals, integrity, Biblical values or character. It revealed that success in our society doesn't involve the condition of the heart.
I heard about the little boy who came running into the living room carrying a dead mouse by the tail. His mother was sitting, talking to her pastor, when the boy ran in. The little boy said, "Mama, look at this dead mouse. I beat him in the head with a hammer, then I ran over him with my tricycle, then I stomped on him with both feet; then, I picked him up and threw him against the wall." About that time, the little boy looked up and saw the pastor, then he said, "Then, the good Lord called him home!"
1-2 Kings is a stark reminder that it’s possible to do a right thing in the wrong way, but it’s impossible to do a wrong thing in the right way. Right is right, wrong is wrong, because God is God. While character may not matter to society, it does matter to the supreme, sovereign Savior.
Central THEME
The period of the kings of Judah and Israel from Solomon to the Babylonian captivity.
Central TRUTH [1 Kings]
“If ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them. [7]Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: (9: 6-7)
[2 Kings]
“And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.” (17: 20)
Central THRUST
1-2 Kings remind us that when we become self-reliant and push God away from the throne of our lives, and we assume that throne, the picture is never pretty.
It was E.A. Johnston who penned, “Israel had the Law, we have Grace. Since we have more light, we should act right.”[1]
Genesis: The Book of RUIN Exodus: The Book of REDEMPTION
Leviticus: The Book of REGULATIONS Numbers: The Book of READINESS Deuteronomy: The Book of REMEMBRANCE Joshua: The Book of REALIZATION
Judges: The Book of REGRET Ruth: The Book of ROMANCE
1-2 Samuel: The Book(s) of ROYALTY 1-2 Kings: The Book(s) of REVOLT
I. The Transition That Prepared The Nation Nation
In the original Hebrew, in which these books were written, 1-2 Kings formed one book. They were later separated by the translators. The book of the Kings is just a continuation of the books of Samuel.
They cover a period of 400 years, and tell the story of the reign of the kings of Judah and Israel until the Babylonian captivity in 586 B. C. The book of the Kings records the Rise and Fall of the Jewish Empire.
The book of Kings opens with King David and ends with the king of Babylon. It opens with the building of the Temple and ends with the burning of the Temple. It opens with David’s 1st successor to the throne, Solomon; and, ends with his last successor to the throne, Jehoiachin.
Before that happens, however, an important transition takes place that should have prepared the nation for future days of greatness. It was a transition of a godly king, David, to a great king, Solomon.
A. David - Their Finest King
1-2 Samuel record the zenith of David’s career, from his rise to his fall. 1 Kings opens as David lay on his deathbed.
[1: 1] “Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes.”
Because of David’s feebleness, a revolt is started against him and his throne. This revolt called for quick action, which Nathan the prophet took. When all the candidates were considered, David saw that Solomon was the most fit to succeed him.
[1: 37] “As the Lord hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.”
1. The Choice
[2: 15] “It was his from the Lord.”
Solomon was not only David’s choice, but he was God’s choice to ascend to the throne. Adonijah recognized that because the choice of Solomon was so popular that opposition was useless.
Thus, Solomon was crowned king before David died.
Remember, Israel got into trouble when they got their choice for king. Saul turned out to be a miserable failure. But, now God has made his choice for king, and Solomon would reign over some of the greatest years of Israel’s history.
2. The Charge
Before David dies, he gives his last will and testament to Solomon. Now that he has been chosen, he is charged by his father.
[2: 1-4] “Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying. [2]I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man. [3]And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself. [4]That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.”
Solomon receives clear instruction for his father as to, not only what David expects, but what God expects. I can’t help but believe that part of David’s charge was a reference to David’s past mistakes.
It’s as if David is saying to his son, “Son, don’t make the mistake that I made by failing to always follow God. It was when I had a lapse in my walk that I made the biggest mistake of my life. Don’t you do the same. If you follow God, you will succeed and prosper. Take it from me, the voice of experience.
B. Solomon - Their Famous King
Solomon has been chosen and charged. His kingdom reign begins, and lives forever as one of Israel’s most famous kings.
[2: 15] “Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.”
1. Years Of Greatness
A man that played a great role in David’s life, also played a great role in Solomon’s life. Nathan the prophet was used to give Solomon some early religious training.
2 Samuel 12: 25— Called “Jedidiah,” ‘The Lord’s darling.’
Solomon’s reign began in a blaze of glory. Some of the greatest years of Israel’s existence were during the reign of king Solomon.
His Astounding Wisdom
[4: 29-34] “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. [30]And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. [31]For he was wiser than all men… [34] And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.”
Solomon possessed such wisdom that people came from all around the world to sit and his feet to listen and learn.
True wisdom Only comes from God. There is a vast difference between human knowledge and heavenly wisdom. Knowledge is knowing how to do something; wisdom is doing it how God wants it done.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1: 5)
His Amazing Wealth
[4: 26] “And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.”
[10: 7] “I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.”
[10: 14] “Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold.”
Solomon was given wisdom and wealth that was beyond dreams of avarice. He headed the list of Israel’s Fortune 500. He was the Bill Gates of his day.
Six hundred threescore and six talents: 666 talents - 25 tons of gold—just in 1 year. His kingdom— 60,000 square miles - 10 times greater than David’s.
If ever there was a subject Solomon knew, it was money. He secured it, saved it, spent it, studied it, and shared it.
His Astonishing Work [6-7]
One of Solomon’s greatest claims to fame, and greatest works was the building of the Temple. Solomon finished the task that his father was not given permission to finish. The Temple is still one of the most magnificent structures ever built by man.
The immense foundation of the Temple consisted of great hewn stones, which remain until this day under the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. That Temple must be rebuilt for the events of the Tribulation period to take place, because the Antichrist will march into the Temple, sit upon the throne, claiming to be God. (2 Thess. 2: 4)
One stone was 38 feet 9 inches long. Today’s economy estimates that the building of the Temple would have cost somewhere around $25-30 million.
[7: 51] “So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the Lord. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the Lord.”
His Availing Words
[4: 32] “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.” Solomon wrote the words that make up 3 books of the Old Testament.
Song of Solomon: A young man full of Romance Proverbs: A middle aged man full of Reason Ecclesiastes: An old man full of Regret
His wisdom, wealth, work and words define one of the greatest reigns of Israel’s history. Those were years of greatness.
“A greater than Solomon is here.” (Matt. 12: 42)
All the earth acknowledged Solomon, but when the “greater” than Solomon came, His own did not receive Him, but rejected Him.
“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. [29]And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30]Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Matthew 6: 28- 30)
Solomon Had Wisdom, Wealth, Work And Words - We Have Jesus
2. Years Of Grief
Solomon’s reign began in a blaze of glory, but it ended with a burden of grief. As with Saul, Solomon’s life ended in an anticlimax.
2 Samuel 11: David’s sinful decision
1 Kings 11: Solomon’s spiritual decline
A. Mistaken Marriages
[11: 1-4] “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites. [2]Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. [3]And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. [4]For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
To do what he thought would strengthen his kingdom, Solomon married many woman from the surrounding nations. However, these were mistaken marriages because these pagan wives brought their heathen religions with them.
Solomon’s prosperity went to his head, and his disobedience defiled his bed. As a result, what began in greatness ended in grief. He allowed his heart to be taken away from its rightful owner.
B. Misguided Morals
[11: 11] “Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.”
We read from S.D. Gordon: “Be it marked, choice is creative. Character is made by choice, and character is the moral dents a man makes in himself by his choices. Character can be made only by choices. Man is free to choose, and his choice creates. Right choice, good choice creates good character. Bad choice, evil choice, choosing not to choose the right, creates bad character. This explains all the good in the world, as well as all the evil in the world. Man starts things going, and keeps them going. The way things have gone is the way man set them going, and keeps them going. Thus, history is nothing more than a photograph of man’s choice and actions.”
God had appeared to Solomon twice, and had blessed him more than any other king before, or after him. But, because of mistaken marriages and misguided moral, the kingdom that began in greatness ends in grief.
II. The Trouble That Plagued The Nation
Solomon reigned for 40 years. Upon his death, civil unrest began to rise within the nation. Rehoboam, his son, threatened to levy heavier burdens upon the people, which fueled a fire that had been burning for nearly 300 years.
As a result, what should have been a time of triumph became a time of trouble that would plague the nation for the next several hundred years.
A. A Divided Nation
God had taken the kingdom away from Solomon, and given it to his servant (son), Rehoboam. Rehoboam was a fool, and because of his foolish decisions, the once united kingdom was rent in two.
[12: 16-19] “So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. [17]But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. [19]So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.”
10 tribes of Israel: Northern Kingdom/Capital in Samaria
2 tribes of Judah: Southern Kingdom/Capital in Jerusalem
The kingdom of God’s chosen people was divided. It has been divided for almost 3000 years, and will not be fully re-united until the Second Coming of Christ.
The nation was divided because of SIN. Sin had taken what God had united it and blessed and divided it and cursed it.
God Created Order-Unity-Peace - Man Created Disorder-Disunity-Disturbance
B. A Doomed Nation
[1 Kings 13-2 Kings 25]
For the next 350 years, the division of the nation would usher in the doom of the nation. Judah-Southern Kingdom: 20 kings
Israel-Northern Kingdom: 19 kings
Of those 39 kings, only 9 kings were decent, good, and moral; and, all belonged to Judah. (Asa, Jehosophat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Azariah, Jotham, Hezekiah, and Josiah) All Of Israel's Kings Were Wicked - During this time, the weepings and warnings of the prophet Jeremiah were ignored.
722 B. C.—Assyrians capture Samaria (Israel-North)
Judah continued for another 136 years.
586 B. C.—Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) capture Jerusalem (Judah-South) Temple destroyed/City burned
End to the monarchy—Period of the kings
The times of the Gentiles had begun. From that day to this, Jerusalem has almost been entirely under Gentile control, and will remain so until Jesus comes to rule and reign.
III. The Treasure That Profited The Nation
It was during the times of the kings, in the midst of dark, divided, and doomed days, that God raised up treasures in the darkness. These treasures were bright spots in a rather bleak season.
As I said, there were some good kings in Judah, and each of these kings had their moments. But, there were 2 specific men that God raised up to profit the nation.
A. Elijah - God’s Prophet
[1 Kings 17-22; 2 Kings 1-2: 2]
The height of wickedness came under the reign of king Ahab. He, along with his dastardly cohort, Jezebel, began one of the cruelest and vilest reigns of Israel’s existence.
Again, E.A. Johnston wrote, “But God has his ‘man of the hour,’ the prophet Elijah. Elijah was a bolt of fire God let loose upon wicked Ahab and idolatrous Israel.” [2]
God Always Has A Man Elijah - “Jehovah is my God.”
He was the most outstanding of all of the prophets. One of Elijah’s most notable efforts was atop Mt. Carmel. It was a showdown of Ahab’s god, Baal; and Elijah’s God, Jehovah.
[1 Kings 18: 21] “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.”
Elijah prayed, and the rain stopped for 3 ½ years. He prayed again, and the “heaven gave rain.” He called down fire from heaven and then went to Heaven in a ball of fire.
Elijah/Enoch — Only Men Who Never Died
Vance Havner: “Today, we do not need to ask, ‘Where is the Lord God of Elijah? But, what we need to ask is, ‘Where are the Elijah’s of the Lord God?”
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are.” (James 5: 17)
Elijah wasn’t super-human, but He obeyed, followed, and served a God who is Supernatural! We serve the same God!
B. Elisha: God’s Pupil
[2 Kings 1-9]
Elisha was God’s successor to Elijah. Elisha was God’s pupil under the tutelage of Elijah. Elijah: Prophet of judgment, law, severity
Elisha: Prophet of grace, love, tenderness
Just as Elijah was the highlight of 1 Kings; Elisha is the highlight of 2 Kings.
Elisha makes a request for a “double portion” of the spirit of Elijah to “be upon” him. His request is granted once he sees Elijah taken to Heaven in a chariot of fire.
As a result, the ministry of Elisha lasted almost twice as long as Elijah, and performed twice as many miracles as Elijah.
(2: 14) Takes the mantle and divides the waters of Jordan (2: 22) Heals the water
(4: 6) Multiplies the widow’s oil
(4: 35) Raises the dead
(4: 41) Purifies a pot of stew (4: 44) Feeds 100 men
(5: 14) Heals Naaman the leper
(6: 6) Floats an axe head
(13: 21) His dead bones brings a man back to life
Pagan worship was introduced by Ahab/Jezebel, and after 30 years of Elijah/Elisha, it was destroyed. We are called to be Salt & Light not Sugar & Spice
During the years of the Scottish Reformation, one man who God greatly used was a man by the name of George Wishart. Wishart faced stiff opposition and was eventually executed because of his stand on the Word of God and his commitment to Christ. At his execution, Wishart was tied to a stake as the guards surrounded him. He looked through the courtyard of the castle to a street where a large crowd of supporters were gathered to witness his death. As they prepared to ignite the flame that would soon consume his body, Wishart fell to his knees and cried: "Christian brothers and sisters, be not offended at the Word of God on account of the tortures you see prepared for me. Love the Word which publisheth salvation, and suffer patientlly for the gospel's sake. Should any be called on to endure perseuction, fear not those who can destroy the body, for they cannot slay the soul. I have served Christ with gladness, and I have not only been willing to live for Him, I am willing to die for Him."
Within minutes, the flames reached his body and George Wishart was dead.
Among those gathered that day was a young man Wishart had won to Christ. The man watched, clenched his fists and wiped tears from his eyes. The young man's name was John Knox and that day he vowed that the cause for which George Wishart had died would not die with him. As a result, God used John Knox to shake the entire country of Scotland with the gospel, all because he had witnessed the life of George Wishart.
Warren Wiersbe writes, "While we are Christians are in this world, we must be Unlike this world because we must have a ministry TO the people who are yet In the world. We are in the world, to win people OUT OF The World, and we live with the expectation of being Taken From This World to live in Another World forever and ever. Simply put, we are set apart FROM this world so that we might go Into this world and rescue lost sinners Out Of This World."
Down through history, God has always had a man to stand for right. Today is no different. In the midst of unstable, uncertain, and ungodly days, God is looking for modern-day Elijah’s and Elisha’s to stand for truth and right, because it’s never wrong to do right.
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Endnotes
“Know the Book,” E. A. Johnston, pg. 33.
IBID.
