TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
1 Kings 14:1-15:24
Acts 10:1-23
Psalm 133:1-3
Proverbs 17:7-8
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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