The Books of 1 & 2 Kings. by Mike Willis

Transcription

1 The Books of 1 & 2 Kings by Mike Willis

2 Guardian of Truth Founda tion All rights re served. No part of this book may be repro duced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. ISBN Original Printing 1997 Reprinted 2009 Cover Photo: The cover photo shows what artists think Jerusalem looked like in the time of King Solomon. The walled city covered what is now the lower city. The northern section is Mt. Zion, where Solomon erected the Temple. Guardian of Truth Foundation P.O. Box 9670 Bowling Green, Kentucky

3 Table of Contents Introduction...5 Lesson 1: The Reign of Solomon (1)...6 Lesson 2: The Reign of Solomon (2)...11 Lesson 3: The Reign of Solomon (3)...14 Lesson 4: The Reign of Solomon (4)...17 Lesson 5: The Divided Kingdom (1)...22 Lesson 6: The Divided Kingdom (2)...27 Lesson 7: The Divided Kingdom (3)...32 Lesson 8: The Divided Kingdom (4)...37 Lesson 9: The Divided Kingdom (5)...43 Lesson 10: The Divided Kingdom (6)...48 Lesson 11: The Divided Kingdom (7)...52 Lesson 12: The Divided Kingdom (8)...57 Lesson 13: The Divided Kingdom (9)...62 Lesson 14: The Divided Kingdom (10)...66 Lesson 15: The Southern Kingdom to the Exile (1)...71 Lesson 16: The Southern Kingdom to the Exile (2)...77 Lesson 17: The Southern Kingdom to the Exile (3)...82

4 Kings of Israel Jeroboam Nadab Elah & Zimri Omri Ahab Ahaziah Jehoram Jehu Jehoahaz Jehoash Jeroboam II * Zechariah 753 Shallum 752 Menahem Pekahiah Pekah * Hoshea Kings of Judah Rehoboam Abijam Asa Jehoshaphat Jehoram Ahaziah 841 Athaliah Joash Amaziah Azariah or * Uzziah Jotham * Ahaz * Hezekiah Manasseh * Amon Josiah Jehoahaz 609 Jehoiakim Jehoiachin 597 Zedekiah

5 The books of 1 and 2 Kings, like the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, were originally one book. In the Hebrew Bible, they were simply called Kings. The division of the book into two parts occurred in the LXX translation and has continued since then. The Latin Vulgate calls 1 and 2 Samuel by the name of 1 and 2 Kings and calls 1 and 2 Kings by the name of 3 and 4 Kings. Authorship In Baba Bathra 15a, the Jewish Talmud states that Jeremiah wrote the books of 1 and 2 Kings. Credence is added to this tradition by the facts that 2 Kings 24:18-25:30 is repeated in Jeremiah 52 and the outlook of Jeremiah is very similar to that of the author of 1 and 2 Kings. However, Jeremiah spent his last years in Egypt and the author of 1 and 2 Kings probably wrote from Babylon. A more likely statement about the authorship of the book is that the book was written by an anonymous contemporary of Jeremiah who was deeply concerned because Israel was not obeying the voice of God. 1 Compilation of the Book The author of 1 and 2 Kings relied on contemporary sources in writing his history of God s people. 2 Some of the source books to which he referred are: (a) Books of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41), (b) Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19; 2 Kings 15:13), (c) Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:29; 2 Kings 24:5). Other source books also may have been used. These books were probably the public annals of the kingdom. Purpose of the Book The book has the purpose of continuing the history of the theocracy from the appointment of Solomon to the Babylonian exile, a period of roughly 410 years (970 to 560 B.C.). That it is to be joined to the preceding books of history is witnessed by the opening conjunction (waw, now ). The history is written for a purpose. It was not designed to relate the political, economic, or cultural history of Israel. The book is written to emphasize redemption history, God s relationship with his chosen people. The kings of history are judged in accordance with their obedience or disobedience to his law, without regard to the military, political, or economic accomplishments of their reign. Joseph Hammond wrote, The object of the historian clearly was, not to chronicle the naked facts of Jewish history, but to show how the rise, the glories, the decline and fall of the Hebrew kingdoms were respectively the results of the piety and faithfulness or of the irreligion and idolatry of the different kings and their subjects (Pulpit Commentary: 1 and 2 Kings, iv.) Outline of the Books The books of 1 and 2 Kings can be subdivided as follows: I. The Reign of Solomon (1 Kings 1-11). II. The Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17). III. The Southern Kingdom to the Exile (2 Kings 18-25). Introduction In the section of the Divided Kingdom, the author follows the format described by S. R. Driver: In the arrangement of the two series of kings a definite principle is followed by the compiler. When the narrative of a reign (in either series) has once been begun, it is continued to its close even the contemporary incidents of a prophet s career, which stand in no immediate relation to public events, being included in it; when it is ended, the reign or reigns of the other series, which are synchronized with it, are dealt with; the reign overlapping it at the end having been completed, the compiler resumes his narrative of the first series with the reign next following, and so on (S. R. Driver, Introduction to the Old Testament, 189). State of the Text Like the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, the text of 1 and 2 Kings has significant corruptions. The Dead Sea Scrolls have preserved a text that agrees with the LXX version in areas in which the LXX disagrees with the Masoretic text (MT). Hence, the variations between the LXX and MT need to be closely studied to arrive at the best reading. 1 See Edward J. Young, Introduction to the Old Testament, 189 and R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament, Just as Luke consulted living witnesses in writing his gospel (Luke 1:1-4), this author consulted the written testimonies of men in compiling his history. Introduction 5

6 Lesson 1 The Reign of Solomon (1) (1 Kings 1-11): The Accession of Solomon (1 Kings 1-2) Adonijah organized his effort to seize the throne by bringing into his coalition Joab, captain of the host, and Abiathar, the high priest. David s Old Age (1:1-4) The book of Kings opens with David well advanced in years. In his old age, David gat no heat (probably a reference to his poor circulation). Therefore, his servants secured a young virgin named Abishag to stand before the king (1:2; to minister to the king, v. 15). In addition to serving as David s nurse, Abishag slept with King David to help keep him warm. The historian is specific in stating that David and Abishag did not cohabit (1:4). 1 Adonijah Usurped the Throne (1:5-10) Adonijah was the oldest living son of David. 2 Like Absalom, he was an attractive man (1:6).He also aspired to the throne like his brother and promoted himself politically to attain that end. Like Absalom, he exalted himself by preparing chariots, horsemen, and fifty men to run before him (cf. to Absalom, 2 Sam. 15:1). David had not displeased him at any time (1:6). 3 Adonijah organized his effort to seize the throne by bringing into his coalition Joab, captain of the host, and Abiathar, the high priest. He purposely excluded Nathan the prophet, Zadok the other high priest, Benaiah a captain in David s army, two unknown men named Shimei and Rei, and David s mighty men (the Cherethites and Pelethites, v. 38). Adonijah called a public gathering at the stone of Zoheleth, near the fountains by Enrogel in Jerusalem. After gathering the rest of David s sons and the men of Judah, he slew sacrifices and proclaimed himself king in David s stead. 4 Bathsheba and Nathan Tell David of Adonijah s Usurping the Throne (1:11-31) When Nathan saw what was happening, he called Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon, to ask if she had heard what Adonijah was doing. They decided to alert David, for they feared for the life of Solomon and Bathsheba (1:12). They planned for Bathsheba to speak to David and, while she was still talking, Nathan would come in to confirm her story (1:13-14). Bathsheba went to David and reminded him that he had promised to make her son Solomon king over Israel. She told him what Adonijah had done in proclaiming himself 1 Abishag is introduced into the history because of the important part she played in the death of Adonijah. The reference to David not cohabitating also shows the weaknesses of the old, feeble King David. 2 In the list of David s sons born at Hebron, Adonijah is the fourth son (2 Sam. 3:2-4). Ammon, the first son, was slain by his half-brother Absalom. Absalom died in his rebellion against David. The third son Chileab is never mentioned again in the text of the Bible, causing some scholars to conclude that he died at a young age (Keil and Delitzsch, 17). He may still have been alive but had no aspirations to the throne. However, Adonijah thought the throne was legitimately his (2:15), a view best explained by his being the oldest living son of David. 3 This is a criticism of David as a father who spoiled his children by never restraining them. 4 The matter of succession to the throne had not been settled in Israel. When Saul died, the legitimate heir to the throne was not his oldest son, but David. However, Ish-bosheth thought the throne should be his, as the oldest living son of Saul. Who the next king should be was not a settled matter; there was no established order of succession. Even when David appointed Solomon as king, one cannot ignore the role that his military played in the succession (1:38). 6 The Book of Kings

7 David Appoints Solomon as Israel s King (1:32-40) David called for Nathan, Zadok, and Benaiah. He instructed them to gather the servants of the King, put Solomon on David s royal mule, and lead him to the spring at Gihon. There Nathan and Zakok were instructed to anoint Solomon as the new king of Israel. They were then to lead him to the palace and place him on David s throne. Nathan, Zakok, Benaiah, the Cherethites and Pelethites went to Gihon and anointed Solomon king. The people showed their support for Solomon and began to celebrate. the horns of the altar and refused to leave the tent until Solomon promised to spare his life. Solomon sent word to Adonijah that he could live if he promised to conduct himself worthily. Adonijah agreed and came to bow himself before Solomon. David s Final Instructions to Solomon (2:1-11) On his death bed, David gave Solomon instructions that he should follow upon ascending the throne. First of all he charged Solomon to keep the law of the Lord so that God would bless his kingdom with prosperity (2:3). He reminded View from the steps going down into the Gihon Spring. The Gihon Spring is where David publicly indicated that Solomon would be his successor. king and that Joab and Abiathar were participants in the plot. She asked David himself to designate who should be the king in his stead. If David did not act, Bathsheba and Solomon would be treated as offenders (1:21). 5 While she was speaking to David, Nathan entered (and Bathsheba left the room, v. 28). Nathan confirmed Bathsheba s report. Nathan inquired if Adonijah had taken this action with David s approval (1:27). David called Bathsheba back into the room (and Nathan left, v. 32) and reassured her that Solomon would be the next king. Adonijah Hears of Solomon s Appointment (1:41-53) Meanwhile Adonijah and his guests were celebrating Adonijah s usurpation of the throne. The sound of the celebration of Solomon s coronation was heard. Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, entered bringing word of Solomon s appointment as king. He told the strong coalition that supported Adonijah that David himself had appointed Solomon as king and bowed before him (1:47). Adonijah and his guests feared for their lives (1:49). Adonijah fled to the altar of incense in the tent erected for the ark of the covenant. He caught hold of David charged Solomon to keep the law of the Lord so that God would bless his kingdom with prosperity Solomon of the covenant God had made with King David that a dynasty of kings would descend from him (2:4). Then he gave him these specific instructions: 1. To punish Joab (2:5-6). David reminded Solomon of Joab s sinful deeds in slaying Abner 6 (2 Sam. 3:22-27) and Amasa 7 (2 Sam. 20:4-13). David was careful to remind Solomon that Joab s deeds were not acts of war, but murder (2:5). The law demanded that the murderer be 5 Notice that the ruling king established his throne by eliminating those who posed a threat to his reign as king. Bathsheba feared that Adonijah would kill Solomon and her if he became king and Adonijah later feared for his life when Solomon became king (1:50-53). 6 The slaughter of Abner threatened the uniting of all of Israel under King David at the beginning of his reign when Ishbosheth was also trying to rule the nation. Abner had come to David with terms of peace to bring the entire nation in submission to David when Joab murdered him. 7 Amasa was the captain of Absalom s host. After the civil war, David replaced Joab as captain of his host with Amasa. Joab later slew Amasa. The Reign of Solomon (1) 7

8 put to death (Num. 35:30). Until the murderer was punished, the land was polluted (Num. 35:31-34). During David s reign as king, Joab had been too strong for David to punish (2 Sam. 3:39). Therefore, David charged Solomon with executing Joab for his crime of murder. 2. To show kindness to the descendants of Barzillai (2:7). David did not forget Barzillai s kindnesses to him when he fled from Absalom (2 Sam. 17:27). He tried to reward Barzillai but Barzillai requested that his reward be transferred to his sons (2 Sam. 19:31-40). David charged that Solomon respect the covenant David had made with Barzillai. 3. To punish Shimei (2:8-9). Shimei was the Benjamite who cursed David as he fled from Absalom, charging that David had abused the house of Saul (2 Sam. 16:5-10). Shimei committed treason against the state. Joab wanted to put Shimei to death that very day, but David would not allow him. When David returned to Judah following the defeat of Absalom, Shimei brought 1000 Benjamites to meet David at the Jordan and beg David s forgiveness (2 Sam. 19:16-23). Abishai asked David to allow him to put Shimei to death, but David refused saying that no one would be put to death on that day. David must David charged Solomon with doing what justice and wisdom demanded and what he was too old and too weak to personally accomplish. have perceived Shimei to be a threat to the state; therefore, he charged that Solomon execute him for his crime. Some commentaries treat these charges of David as if they were the vengeance of an old man. It is inconceivable that a man about to die would charge his son with obeying the Lord s word and then instruct him to disobey that word in several specific areas. Rather, David charged Solomon with doing what justice and wisdom demanded and what he was too old and too weak to personally accomplish. David died after reigning over Israel for forty years. He was buried in Jerusalem and his sepulchre was preserved for over 1000 years (cf. Acts 2:29). Adonijah Requests Abishag (2:12-25) After Solomon was established on the throne, Adonijah approached Bathsheba, requesting that she ask Solomon to give Abishag to him for a wife. Bathsheba only saw the motive of love in the request and agreed to ask Solomon for Adonijah. When Bathsheba approached Solomon, he correctly recognized that Abishai was trying to gain the throne through deceit. He who had the king s harem was recognized as king (2 Sam. 16:20-23). Solomon rebuked his mother saying, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah (2:22). Recognizing this request as a threat to the throne and kingdom, Solomon sent Benaiah to put Adonijah to death. Solomon Banishes Abiathar (2:26-27) Solomon proceeded to destroy the conspiracy against the throne. He ordered that Abiathar, who had served his father David as priest and was a co-high priest with Zadok, be banished to his home in Anathoth. Solomon had too high a respect for the priesthood to put Abiathar to death for his part in the conspiracy, but he did defrock him. This was the final act of fulfilling the judgment against the house of Eli (1 Sam. 2:31-35). Eli s dynasty of high priests was removed and the Zadok dynasty began. Solomon Executes Joab (2:28-35) When Joab heard what had happened to the other participants in the conspiracy, he fled to the tent of the ark of the covenant, took hold of the horns of the altar, and begged for his life. The law specifically forbade mercy being shown to a murderer (Num. 35:31-32). Benaiah was sent to put Joab to death. Joab refused to leave the tent of the ark of the covenant and Benaiah had too much respect for the ark of the covenant to slay Joab there. He went to Solomon to ask what should be done. Solomon instructed Benaiah to slay Joab in the tent. After the death of Joab, Solomon made Benaiah captain of his hosts. Death of Shimei (2:36-46) Shimei s part in the crimes against the throne of David also deserved punishment. Therefore, Solomon called Shimei and commanded him to stay in Jerusalem (where Solomon could keep an eye on his machinations). If Shimei left the city, he would be executed. Shimei agreed to Solomon s stipulations. Three years later, two of Shimei s servants fled from him to Gath. Without obtaining permission to leave the city, Shimei went 8 The Book of Kings

9 to Gath to retrieve them. When Solomon heard that Shimei had disobeyed his oath, he had him Questions executed. Upon the death of Shimei, the threats to the throne of Solomon were removed. And the kingdomwas established in the hand of Solomon (2:46). 1. Under what name would you find the books of 1 and 2 Kings in a Catholic Bible? 2. Who wrote 1 and 2 Kings? 3. Explain how the author of this book could use existing court documents in writing his history and still be inspired. 4. What period of Israelite history is covered in 1 and 2 Kings? 5. Why was Abishag important in the history of Israel (1:1-4)? 6. What are the similarities between Adonijah and Absalom? 7. Who joined in Adonijah s usurpation of the thone (1:5-10)? 8. What group formed to oppose Adonijah s usurpation (1:8)? 9. What does 1:12 reveal about rivals to the throne? 10. Tell what Nathan and Bathsheba did to persuade David to act to install Solomon as king. 11. What effect did the appointment of Solomon have on Adonijah (1:50-53)? 12. What charge did David give Solomon regarding the law (2:3)? 13. What connection did David perceive between prosperity in the kingdom and obedience to God? 14. Why was Solomon to execute Joab (2:5)? 15. Why was Shimei put to death (2:8-9)? 16. What motivated David to have Solomon execute Joab and Shimei? 17. Why did Adonijah want Abishag for his wife (2:13-25)? 18. What punishment was given to him (2:25)? The Reign of Solomon (1) 9

10 19. Why was Abiathar banished to Anathoth (2:26-27)? 20. Why did Joab flee to the tent of the ark of the covenant (2:28)? 21. Why was he put to death (2:3 1)? 22. Who became priest (2:35)? 23. Who became the captain of the host? 24. How did Shimei die (2:35-46)? 10 The Book of Kings