Sunday School: Begin study of I and II Kings to cover 2 quarters.
** note that history is given for a specific purpose. The facts needed are given, and no more, so sometimes we are left wanting more than what we have. For instance, blatant sins may be mentioned, but not commented on (condemnation). This doesn't mean acceptance of the sin, or contradiction in Scripture.
**note that the monarchy was anticipated by God in the giving of the Law, through the time of the judges. Deut. 17:14-20 Moses is given instruction re: the future employment of a king over Israel once they are established in the Promised Land. Very specific instructions about how a king is to behave and be disciplined toward the Law of God. Judges mentions over and over: "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
The theme appears to be looking for the perfect king. Saul was made king initially, not because of a desire for a godly leader, but in order that they might be like the nations around them. He turned out to be a bad king. He refused to obey the Lord's commands, and favored the unrighteous over the righteous. David was a good king, but not without sin. The consequences of his sin plagued his household, as promised by God.
I and II Kings is a record of the kings following David, the split of the kingdom, and the history of each side, leading up to the exile.
Chapter 1-2 summary: David is old and frail, probably nearing death. A servant girl is brought in to serve him, and to keep him warm. Abijah, the oldest living son of David, assumes that he will be next in line for the throne, and in a very bold move, gathers the 'power brokers' of the day around him, leaving out the common folk, and tries to establish himself as king in his old and frail father's place. He failed to bring the common people on board, however, and didn't invite those of his father's household whom he knew would oppose him.
Nathan the prophet is on to him, and calls on Bathsheba to help make David aware of the situation. David had sworn to her that Solomon would be his successor. She goes to David with the current events, Nathan confirms them, and David acts quickly. He calls the faithful few that are not at Abijah's party to proclaim in front of the commoners that Solomon has been chosen king, by his command. They, of course won't challenge this, and the noise they make in joyful celebration is so loud that Abijah's party hears it, is told what has happened, and they all flee for their lives!
David gives Solomon instruction first on being a good king, and second, on handling some specific problem areas. He is to 'show himself a man," keeping the laws of God, walking in His ways. If he will do this, he will prosper.
Solomon follows through with each of the problem areas that his father instructed him about, and is firmly established on the throne.
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Sermon, Henry Beaulieu. Galations 5:13-15
Genuine freedom is knowing right from wrong. Virtue. Holding to justice and righteousness as defined by God, loving it, and standing for it, no matter what the cost.
Modern ideas of freedom are different! Today freedom means doing what I want, and the government, society, and people around me should support it. This is not freedom! not according to God's Word.
Recall that Satan promised Eve the freedom to be like God.....but it was a lie. Instead of freedom, what resulted was slavery. Paul, in Galatians, is dealing with those who would have them made righteous by keeping the letter of the law. But Paul is proving the point that this is NOT freedom, but indeed condemnation. The law cannot be kept by any of us! Failure in any part of it means failure to keep it all!
He is making the point that it must be a heart issue. Only God can change the heart to live by His Spirit, and not according to the law. If the heart is made right, the acts follow.
Freedom is in serving one another out of a heart of love, made so by the work of the Spirit. This flies in the face of what we consider freedom today. We are not to use freedom as an opportunity to serve the flesh, or self. No! We are to use freedom to serve one another!
Freedom, is a motive of the heart produced by God in our hearts. It is a step beyond head knowledge, but it is a heart understanding.....More than duty, but obedience out of love.
All the law is summed up in that we love one another, as God commands.
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