Bible Pathway - Apr. 25, 2010
Highlights:
God visits Solomon again and explains the two paths before him and their consequences (I Kin. 9:2-9). Solomon's fame spreads, but, sadly, chapters 10 & 11 explain his shame. Solomon ignored all qualifications for Israel's kings (Deut. 17:14-20). He gradually forsakes the Lord and worships idols (I Kin. 11:4-10). He is an example of: What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matt. 16:26).
Verses for Today:
The Lord appeared to Solomon. . . . And . . . said unto him. . . . If thou wilt walk before Me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do . . . all that I have commanded thee . . . Then I will establish . . . thy kingdom . . . for ever (I Kin. 9:2-5).
The Lord gave Solomon special privileges exceeding those of other kings. But the Lord's continued blessings are conditional. Did Solomon deceive himself into thinking that, as king, he could ignore the Word of God in his personal life?
There is no indication that Solomon made an effort to encourage any of his wives to worship the One True God. The horrifyfing fact is: For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods (11:4).
The Lord created us to first fulfill His will in us as well as use our talents (abilities) to extend His kingdom throughout the world. His righteousness is our first concern: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby (I Pet. 2:1-2).
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (the love of God). For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things . . . hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall (II Pet. 1:4-10).
Thought for Today:
There is One God, and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus (I Tim. 2:5)
Christ Portrayed:
By David who lived to please the Lord in integrity of heart (I Kin. 9:4). Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).
Word Studies:
9:13 Cabul =displeasing, as worthless; 9:15 levy =tax in the form of forced labor; 9:22 bondmen =slaves, forced laborers; 9:24 Millo = mound of earth raised as a fortress just north of Mount Zion and outside the original city of David; 10:2 train =loyal attendants; 10:5 there was no more spirit in her =she was breathless, overwhelmed, amazed; 10:19 stays =armrests; 10:26 bestowed =stationed; 11:1 strange =foreign; 11:5 abomination =horrible, detestable idol; 11:31 rend =rear.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Sen. John Ensign (NV) • Country: Greece (10.5 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Greek and English • Government restrictions on witnessing to others about Christ • 87% Orthodox; 8% Old Calendar Orthodox; 2% Catholic; 1.2% Muslim; .5% Jehovah's Witness; .3% Protestant; 1% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Continue to watch and pray with thanksgiving (Col. 4:2).
Optional Reading: Acts 26
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:13
