I Kings 17-18 Dear RTB’ers, Today we meet Elijah. We know of him from the Gospels. First, an angel was speaking to Zechariah about the future birth of his son, John: …and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah… (Luke 1:17) Later, when John was in prison he sent his …
Author Archives: Fred
September 14 / I Kings 16:8-34
I Kings 16:8-34 Dear RTB’ers, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, Omri, Ahab – a succession of kings of Israel, none of whom sought the true God. In fact, they almost seemed to compete with one another to in doing evil: Omri did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did more evil than all …
September 13 / I Kings 15:1-16:7
I Kings 15:1-16:7 Dear RTB’ers, It gets confusing, trying to follow the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, both the years in which they reigned and the activities (especially wars, treaties, and building programs) in which they engaged. As I have often said, the “See also” links are quite helpful in adding to …
September 12 / I Kings 14
I Kings 14 Dear RTB’ers, Today, a couple of short items on Jeroboam and Rehoboam, both fairly straightforward. Jeroboam tries deception – remember how well that worked for Saul and the medium woman? We cannot deceive an all-knowing, all-seeing God! Even before the deception was playing out, God knew Jeroboam’s plans and revealed them to …
September 11 / I Kings 12:33-13:34
I Kings 12:33-13:34 Dear RTB’ers, There are times in our readings when the stories or the Psalms or some deep theological truths are more difficult to understand. Today is not one of those. Today’s reading is one long story, about a prophet’s obedience and disobedience and the people with whom he interacts. The fundamental message …
September 10 / I Kings 12:1-32
I Kings 12:1-32 Dear RTB’ers, Today we meet Rehoboam and get reintroduced to Jeroboam. Almost immediately we have trouble with Rehoboam. He asks for advice from the “old men” and from his friends, then takes his friends’ advice – which from the beginning sounds horrible to us! So Rehoboam sets out on a path which …
September 9 / I Kings 10:14-11:43
I Kings 10:14-11:43 Dear RTB’ers, Today we close the book on Solomon, with good news followed by bad news, worse news, and the worst possible activities and outcomes. First, the good news – more reports on his wealth, wisdom, security, and power (I Kings 10:14-29). This good news is followed immediately (in I Kings 11) …
September 8 / I Kings 9:1-10:13
I Kings 9:1-10:13 Dear RTB’ers, An early sentence in today’s reading caught my eye: And the LORD said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before Me…” (v. 9:3a) The Lord heard Solomon’s prayer (from yesterday’s reading). Solomon was no more human and no more loved by God …
September 7 / I Kings 8:12-66
I Kings 8:12-66 Dear RTB’ers, With the temple and its furnishings complete, Solomon now leads the people with an introductory speech (I Kings 8:12-21), his prayer to the Lord (I Kings 8:13-53), a blessing upon the assembly (I Kings 8:54-61), and offerings and sacrifices for the next two weeks (I Kings 8:62-66). There were a …
September 6 / I Kings 7:13-8:11
I Kings 7:13-8:11 Dear RTB’ers, Yesterday, the Temple structure; today, the Temple furnishings. Here’s an artist’s rendering of the Temple and its furnishings, courtesy of ESV, to which John pointed us yesterday: So now we have the Temple and its furnishings and finally, the Ark of the Covenant brought into the Temple. You probably remember …