The Book of Kings and the Worship of God

The two-part book of Kings can be confusing. Kings start out with one nation, Israel than splits into two nations, Israel and Judah. In all, 39 rulers are profiled in these two part books. The books of 1 and 2 Kings were originally one book in the Hebrew text. The books of Kings give the historical account of Israel’s spiritual lives as God’s covenant people. The people’s repeated spiritual failure, particularly among its leaders, points Israel and the world to the need of a faithful Leader and King, as the Heir to King David’s throne. This King would not only be a righteous King, but a righteous Prophet and High Priest. This promise was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David and the eternal Son of God (Romans 1:3-4). 

David to Solomon:  As the time approached for David to die, he instructed his son Solomon, “As for me, I am going the way of all of the earth. Be strong and brave, and keep your obligation to the Lord your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, judgments, and testimonies. This is written in the Law of Moses, so that you will have success in everything you do and wherever you turn, and so that the Lord will carry out His promise that He made to me: ‘If your sons are careful to walk faithfully before Me with their whole mind and heart, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’” 1 Kings 2:1-4 (HCSB), see also Deuteronomy 6:5; Joshua 1:7-8; Psalm 1:2-3; Matthew 22:37.

First Kings begins with the King David's death and the beginning of King Solomon's reign. As Solomon rose to the throne, David instructed Solomon to wholeheartedly obey God's laws, to walk in all God’s ways, and be completely faithful to God (1 Kings 2:3-4). In the beginning, King Solomon followed his father’s advice. When given the chance from God to ask for any special gift, Solomon humbly asked God for a wise heart – meaning good judgment (discernment), to walk righteously and respectfully with God, and shun evil (1 Kings 3:9, 14; 1 Kings 4:29-34; see also Job 28:28). As a result, Solomon's reign began with great success as he walked faithfully with God and for God’s glory. Solomon constructed the Temple of God – his greatest achievement and he brought Israel into its Golden Age of great prosperity and honor (1 Kings 3:16–8:66).

Solomon’s wealth and wisdom were world worldwide (1 Kings 4:20; 1 Kings 10) and Israel prospered under Solomon’s wise leadership (1 Kings 4:20-21). The nation of Israel enjoyed peace, security, and prosperity (1 Kings 4:20-25). During the height of Solomon’s reign, Solomon governed Israel’s kingdom that stretched “from the Euphrates River in the north to the land of the Philistines and the border of Egypt in the south” (1 Kings 4:21). God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21; Genesis 17:8; Genesis 22:17) finds historical fulfillment in His blessings of Solomon.

However, Solomon’s reign reveal the dangers of turning one’s whole heart from following God. Toward the end of his reign, Solomon turned his heart away from wholeheartedly and faithfully following God (1 Kings 11:4). Solomon married many foreign or pagan wives and concubines and these women turned his heart away from fully following the true and living God to false gods (1 Kings 11:1-4). Even worse, Solomon built structures to these foreign gods for worship within God’s promised land (1 Kings 11:7-8). Thus, Solomon violated the main demands of the Law – to love the Lord God wholeheartedly and worship NO OTHER gods (see Exodus 20:2-6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 22:37-38). The Holy Bible is clear that the true and living God must be the center of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-28). Solomon’s spiritual unfaithfulness and non-reliance upon God began the downward failure of Solomon and the nation of Israel (1 Kings 11:4-6, 9-10). This unfaithfulness to God would be the ultimate cause of Israel’s division after Solomon’s death (1 Kings 11:9-13).   

Upon Solomon’s death, God’s judgment came quickly. Solomon’s son Rehoboam succeeded him for the throne of Israel. Rehoboam was an evil king. He had the opportunity to be a wise, compassionate, and just king. Instead, Rehoboam listened to his foolish young friends’ advice and ushered evil into Israel. At Rehoboam's inauguration, he was encouraged to be a kind and generous ruler to the people. The wise older men advised Rehoboam to "be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer" (1 King 12:7). However, Rehoboam rejected the wise advice and decided to be cruel and harsh to the people of Israel (1 Kings 12:8-11). As a result, Rehoboam split the nation of Israel as the people rebelled in 931 B.C. The kingdom of Israel split with ten tribes in the north (Israel) to be ruled by Jeroboam, and only Judah and Benjamin remained with Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:1-24). 

In the north, King Jeroboam feared Temple worship in Jerusalem would lure his northern tribes back to the south to worship God. So, Jeroboam lifted a page from Israel’s past (Exodus 32:1-4) and put up two golden calves for worship in the north (1 Kings 12:32). This false worship directly violated the Law of God (Deuteronomy 12:2-7). One golden calf was built at Bethel and another built at Dan. These two golden calves are often referred to as “the sins of Jeroboam.” So, Israel stopped worshiping God at the Temple. 

Not to be outdone, Rehoboam introduced Asherah poles during his reigned. Asherah poles became a regular feature of Judah’s landscape for hundreds of years. They were dedicated to a mother-goddess and often erected alongside altars on the high places devoted to God. Even worse, these poles came to represent Judah’s further slide into idolatry. Judah’s next king, Abijah, also lapsed spiritually, while the subsequent two kings, Asa and Jehoshaphat, maintained greater, though not perfect, spiritual fidelity to God (1 Kings 15:11; 1 Kings 22:43).

After this division, Israel and Judah fought repeatedly during the era of the first two northern dynasties and Judah’s first three kings (931~874 BC) (e.g., 1 Kings 14:30; 1 Kings 15:7, 32). The fighting eased when King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah found a common cause against the Arameans (1 Kings chapters 20 and 22). With some exceptions, both the northern and southern kingdoms began a path of corrupt and idolatrous kings with only the faithful voice of the prophets and a few goods kings warning the people too faithfully and wholehearted follow God. All rulers of the books of Kings were evaluated by his or her faithfulness to God— success or failure to keep God’s ways.  

Israel’s kingdom in the north had political shakiness resulting in assassinations, contests for power, and the establishment of Israel’s most evil dynasty, founded by King Omri. King Omri was one of the most powerful and evil kings of Israel (1 Kings 16:21-26). Omri gets a grand total of eight verses in 1 Kings, even though secular historians regard him as one of Israel’s most powerful kings. After his rule, Israel was called Omriland in Assyrian records. Omri built the capital city of Samaria in a location that guarded all routes north and south. Yet, Omri also started the religious heresies that led to his nation’s extinction. Politically shrewd, Omri married off his son Ahab to a neighboring king’s daughter, Jezebel. The book of Kings, however, is concerned with Omri’s spiritual health, and therefore he scored poorly by the author of Kings. 

The final section of 1 Kings is primarily devoted to Omri’s son Ahab (1 Kings 16:29–22:40). Under Ahab’s reign, Israel begun worshiping the Canaanite storm-god Baal. With this new Israel low, God called the prophet Elijah to confront Ahab and to reveal that He was truly the all sovereign God of heaven and earth (1 Kings 17:1–18:46). On the political front, King Ahab faced repeated challenges from the Aramean king Ben-hadad (see 1 Kings 20:1-25, 26-43; 22:1-40), the last of which cost Ahab his life. Also, Ahab helped his wicked wife Jezebel to murder and steal Naboth’s property without any cause (1 Kings 21). This evil Jezebel’s utter wickedness also spread to the southern kingdom of Judah when where daughter Athaliah married Jehoram, King Jehoshaphat’s son (see 2 Kings 8:18, 26-27) thereby bring Baal worship also to the southern kingdom (see also Revelation 2:20).

The southern kingdoms did have some good kings. Out of the twenty rulers of Judah, including wicked Queen Athaliah, only eight could be called "good":  Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Hezekiah and Josiah. Josiah was a great king. Even the prophet Jeremiah used Josiah as an example for the other rulers to follow. Josiah was just and right in all his dealings and God blessed him. He gave justice and help to the poor and needy (see Jeremiah 22:15-16, NLT). However, the kings that followed Josiah exploited and abused the people so they could build their elaborate palaces and live a luxury lifestyle (Jeremiah 22:11-17). Josiah ruled for 31 and walked in the ways of God because David was his model. He was only 8 years old when he became king. But at age sixteen, Josiah committed himself to God and began to seek God’s blessing. In reading the Biblical lists of kings, finding a king that obeyed God completely was rare. Yet, Josiah was such a person. Also, King Hezekiah was called a good ruler (2 Kings 18:1-8). Hezekiah obeyed God and brought spiritual revivals for God during his reign. Both Josiah (2 Kings 23:25) and Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:5) are praised for their honor and reverence toward God. Hezekiah is remembered for trusting God while under great pressure (see 2 Kings 18:5-6; 2 Kings 18:3–20:11), and Josiah earns praise for his devotion and obedience to the law of God (see 2 Kings 23:19; 2 Kings 22:8–23:25, especially 2 Kings 23:4-14). Nonetheless, even Hezekiah and Josiah made critical mistakes of judgment during their reigns (see 2 Kings 20:12-19; 2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chronicles 35:20-25). Following Josiah’s death, the final kings of Judah did what was evil in God’s eyes. Eventually, the southern kingdom was ravaged and destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (2 Kings 23:31–25:21). God’s predicted judgment came true (see Jeremiah 38:17-23). God is very patient, kind and merciful (see e.g. Nehemiah 9:17; Joel 2:13; Romans 2:1-4; 2 Peter 2:9); but He will NOT tolerate sin (Exodus 34:6-7; Romans 3:25). 

Throughout this dark period if Israel and Judah, the Bible mentions 30 faithful prophets who proclaimed God's message to the people and their leaders. The prophets continual warned the people of God’s judgment if they did not repent and turn their whole hearts to God in faithful trust, obedience, and reliance in Him. Most notable of these fearless prophets of God were Elijah and Elisha. The prophet Elijah encouraged the people to choose God over all other gods, including Baal (1 Kings chapters 17 through 19). Elijah’s greatest challenge came with his conflict with wicked Ahab and Jezebel in Israel. In one of the most dramatic confrontations in history, Elijah defeated the Ahab, Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. In spite of incredible odds, the prophet Elijah wonderful proves “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NLT).   

As Elijah neared the end of his earthly ministry, the prophet Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit to continue God’s good work on the earth (2 Kings 2:9). Soon after, Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind by a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11) and the Elisha continued God’s good works of caring for the people. Elisha's life was filled with signs, declarations, and miracles of God. He served Israel for 50 years and fought against the idolatry of its kings and called the people back to God. Second Kings 4 records four of God's miracles through Elisha: providing flowing oil and money for a poor widow (2 Kings 4:1-7); healing of the Shunammite woman's dead son back to life (2 Kings 4:8-37); cleansing the poisonous food (2 Kings 4:38-41); and providing food for 100 men (2 Kings 4:42-44). Other memorable miracles of Elisha included the healing of Naaman's leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-27), and the floating ax head on water (2 Kings 6:1-7). 

Following Elisha's death, Israel continued its spiral decline with a series of evil kings that did not wholeheartedly and faithfully follow the living God and God’s ways. Israel’s idolatry by worshipping other gods ultimately caused their downfall. Eventually, God used the Assyrian empire to capture Samaria and took most of the Israelites into captivity (2 Kings 13:20 – 2 Kings 17:41). The northern kingdom fell in 722 B.C. Judah had a short pardon after Israel’s fall because of a few good kings who destroyed idols and worshiped God. Yet, Judah fell to the next world power, Babylon (2 Kings 18:1 – 2 Kings 25:30) and the southern kingdom fell in 586 B.C. Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed and the people of Judah were carried off to exile. So, God used the Assyrians and the Babylonians as His instruments to punish the wickedness and evil of Israel and Judah (see Isaiah 10:5-19). In all the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were united for 120 years and then divided for approximately 200 years. Then, Israel disappeared and the people went into exile. The kingdom of Judah lasted another 135 years and then the people went into exile. After these exiles, no independent Jewish nation existed until the 20th century.

God to Solomon:  “. . . if you will follow Me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all My commands, decrees, and regulations, then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over Israel forever. For I made this promise to your father, David: ‘One of your descendants will always sit on the throne of Israel.’ But if you or your descendants abandon Me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my Name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations.” 1 Kings 9:4-7 (NLT)

Scholars debate the authorship of the books of Kings. Some believe Kings were written in their present form from a deuteronomic school of writers whose basic theological viewpoint is the book of Deuteronomy while other critics identity of the author of Kings as unknown. However, Jewish tradition holds that the books of Kings were authored by Jeremiah. 

The books of Kings are historical trustworthiness. However, these books are the telling of God’s spiritual dealings with His often unfaithful people. The author had a number of sources available, including official archives of the palace and Temple and records kept in various prophetic centers to help write the books. In essence, these books stand as a record of God’s reward for obedience and faithfulness to Him and His covenant, and His judgment for evil and disobedience. The book of Kings gives sparkling examples of people who placed God and His ways first and enjoyed God’s covenant blessings. God wants people to be faithful to and obey Him as their God. Reading their stories encourages us to love and serve God. Most important, the books of Kings challenge all of people to be faithful and loyal to God with your whole hearts (1 John 5:21)!

Keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 (NIV)

Each ruler of Israel and Judah were evaluated on the basis of their faithfulness or lack of faithfulness to God. Either “he did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight,” or “he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.” Successes and failures of the rulers and people were based upon their response to the covenants and standards of Mosaic Law. The implication is clear. God’s people are to live in accord with the high standards of God’s Word so that they may “do what is pleasing in God’s sight” (see also Joshua 1:1-8; Psalm 119:9-11, 111; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Then their lives will be filled with good (Psalm 84:11; Matthew 25:23; Romans 14:7-8; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:10). We must keep God’s commandments and faithful trust Him with our whole heart.

History did not stop with the book of Kings. The perfect King of kings and Lord of lords was coming to Israel, Judah, and the world (Malachi 4:2; Matthew 1:1, 17-23). The true King and Lord is coming again too (Revelation 17:14).

References:
King James Version Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988.
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan,1992.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Why Follow Jesus?

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased." Luke 3:21-22 (NIV).

 

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where He was tempted by the devil for forty days. . . .  Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. Luke 4:1-2, 14 (NLT)

In Jesus, there was never an inner tendency (or bent) to sin that humans’ possess. Jesus had the Holy Spirit without measure, and the Holy Spirit help Jesus defeat evil and sin within His life. The temptation narrative in the Gospels is preceded and followed by references to the Holy Spirit:  Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit . . . and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days He was tempted by evil” (Luke 4:1-2, NIV). Thereafter “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14, NIV). Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus faced real human temptations. Yet, Jesus had the fullness of God living within His heart (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9) and He was kept from committing sins (John 1:2; John 10:30). 

Following His baptism while in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by evil for forty days (Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13). Jesus’ temptations focused on three crucial areas: (1) physical needs and desires, (2) possessions and power, and (3) pride (see 1 John 2:15–16). However, Jesus did not give in to evil’s temptation. Mainly, Jesus never stopped believing and trusting in God, and He maintained a close relationship with God. Through this close relationship with God, Jesus did not give into the evil temptations of pride, sensuality, fear, self-pity, selfishness, jealousy and greed. Jesus refused to give into unbelief of God and His promises. Unlike Adam and Eve, Jesus never disobeyed God. Instead, Jesus believed God’s promises (Genesis 3; 1 Peter 1:19–22; 1 John 3:5). In essence, Jesus faced every single type of temptation that humans face, yet He did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 teaches that Jesus “has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.”

 

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT)

The New Testament states clearly that even in His humanity, Jesus did not sin (see e.g., 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 Peter 3:18). Jesus maintained His sinless state because He remained in a close, devoted, and personal relationship with God (see John 15:1-8; see 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:5). Jesus prayed frequently, especially when making important decisions (Luke 6:12). Still more, the New Testament portrays Jesus as a Man “who went about doing good” to others and wholeheartedly following God (Acts 10:38). 

Jesus never disobeyed God’s commandments (Exodus 20:1–21; Deuteronomy 5). During His earthly ministry, Jesus never lied, cheated, coveted, disobeyed His Father, committed adultery, murdered, nor did He commit any of the many other sins noted in the Old Testament (John 15:10; John 18:38; 2 Corinthians 5:21). No deceit was found in Jesus’ mouth (1 Peter 2:22). Jesus loved God and obeyed God’s will with all His heart, mind, soul, and strength. Jesus was “humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29) and Jesus fulfilled all righteousness and carried out all that God requires (Matthew 3:15; see also Jeremiah 31:31–34; 2 Corinthians 5:21). 

As the Sinless and Righteous Servant of the Lord, Jesus offers Himself for our sins (Isaiah 53:7–12). Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God (Isaiah 53:7) offered for the sins of all people (John 1:29; Revelation 5:6–14). We may go to Him as God and be confident that He has been there before us and so is the Helper we need (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14-16). Most important as followers of Jesus, we must also follow Jesus’ sinless life by continually believing and trusting in God and obeying God’s will as found in the Holy Scriptures.

 

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:1–5 (NIV).

Maintain Pure Faith For God

When King Solomon asked God for wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-9), God also gave Solomon great wealth and honor as well (1 King 3:13; 1 Kings 4:29-34). Wisdom means to walk with honesty, to love and obey God, and shun evil and wickedness (see Deuteronomy 4:5-8; 1 Kings 3:14; Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). King Solomon’s immediate behavior revealed evidence of his wisdom. He resolved an argument over a child between two women (1 Kings 3:16-27) with such insight that the people were “in awe of the king” (1 Kings 3:28). 1 Kings chapters 4 through 10 also reveal King Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, and world honor. The queen of Sheba came to test King Solomon with difficult questions and found his wisdom exceeding all others (1 Kings 10:1-9). Even more, King Solomon’s administration (1 Kings 4:1-28), his international relations (1 Kings 3:12; 5:1-9), his building projects (1 Kings 5:10–7:51), and his business dealings (1 Kings 9:18, 26-28; 1 Kings 10:15-29) all confirmed his godly wisdom. God prospered the nation of Israel under King Solomon’s wisdom and leadership. During King Solomon’s reign, Israel was at the zenith of world power. 

Early in King Solomon’s reign, he faithfully imitated King David’s love and faithfulness to God (1 Kings 3:3). In his address dedicating the Temple, King Solomon acknowledged the living God as the true King and Lord of the universe (1 Kings 8:23). Nonetheless, God also repeatedly warned King Solomon to remain wholeheartedly faithful to Him as the true and living God, to worship Him only, and to walk in obedience to God’s ways (e.g., see 1 Kings 2:2-4; 1 Kings 3:14; 1 Kings 6:12-13; 1 Kings 8:25; 1 Kings 9:4-9). God wanted the hearts of King Solomon and the people to be fully committed to Him as their Lord and true King and to live in complete obedience to His Holy Word (1 Kings 8:60; see also Psalm 46:10; Luke 12:31). God’s lordship and commands are good and for our protection. King David, Solomon’s father, had been completely faithful to God with a righteous and upright heart (1 Kings 3:6). Although David committed grievous sins, he was repentant and NEVER involved in an idolatrous worship of another god (see Psalm 51). David always honored the true and living God as the Lord and King of his life (see also Matthew 6:33).

Unfortunately, King Solomon’s wisdom did not last throughout his career. As King Solomon aged and his honor around the world grew, he began accumulating chariots and horses, a huge harem of women, and extravagant displays of wealth (see 1 Kings 10:1 - 11:3, particularly 10:26 — 11:3; see also Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Samuel 8:11-18). Sadly, the more lavish King Solomon became, the more the people were taxed. He even gave away part of God’s promised land to a foreigner to support his luxury lifestyle (1 Kings 9:13). This extravagance violated God’s law (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). Even more, King Solomon had over 700 wives and 300 concubines who worshipped other gods and had different standards of right and wrong (1 Kings 11:3). Because of these women, King Solomon turned his back on God and worshipped other pagan gods!  King Solomon allowed idol and pagan worship to enter his life. These women turned King Solomon’s heart away from passionate faithfulness to the true and living God (1 Kings 11:4-13). King Solomon built shrines and encouraged pagan worship of other gods in Jerusalem. God repeatedly warned the people against worshipping other gods (see Exodus 20:1-6; Deuteronomy 5:6-15). Eventually, this idolatrous worship brought spiritual corruption into the nation of Israel and lead King Solomon and the people away for the absolute Kingship of the Lord God. 

King Solomon was one of the wisest people who ever lived. But once he turned away from wholeheartedly loving and obeying the true and living God, King Solomon lost his wealth, honor, and his kingdom – he lost everything (1 Kings 11:9-13, 33). Eventually, God called up enemies like Hadad from Edom, Rezon from Zobah (modern-day Syria), and Jeroboam from Zeredah. These men would eventually divide King Solomon’s mighty kingdom because of his disobedience and unfaithfulness to God (1 Kings 11:14-40). As Solomon soon learned, we are nothing without God’s divine help, strength and guidance!  God wants everyone – Jew and non-Jew (Gentiles) to love Him wholeheartedly, trust Him as the true and living God, obey His commands, to live a life pleasing to Him, and stay away from evil (1 Kings 11:38; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 10:12-11:1; Matthew 22:34-40). 

We must all remain wholeheartedly faithful to God from beginning to the end – start to finish (Mark 13:13). God must be in control of our lives each and every day as our Lord and King (see also Matthew 6:33-34; Luke 12:31). God’s requirements of faithfulness and obedience given to King David and King Solomon are still required for Jesus Christ’s followers today (e.g., see Matthew 25:14-21; Luke 16:10-12; John 14:21; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:10). We are to love the Lord God with all our heart and obey His commandments (John 14:21) and be faithful to Him in all things. Those who follow King David’s good example of faithfulness and devotion to God (see Acts 13:22) will similarly be received as God’s people (Acts 13:32-39; Romans 8:12-21).

Jesus also noted King Solomon’s great wisdom. Yet, Jesus reminded the people that He was even greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42). Jesus is the true wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30) in whom one can find ultimate wisdom (Colossians 2:3, 7). Following and intimating Jesus Christ makes one wise as He changes our hearts and makes us new from the inside out (John 15:1-10; see also 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21). Fundamentally, all the beautiful qualities of wisdom are revealed in Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ’s life is a pattern for everyone to follow who wants and seeks God’s wisdom (1 John 2:6; James 3:13-18).

There is but one God that must be loved, obeyed, and worshipped (1 Kings 8:23; see also Deuteronomy 4:39; Deuteronomy 5:7, 9; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 13-14; John 14:6; Acts 4:12). God loves and cares for us without measure (Deuteronomy 4:37; John 3:16), but He also wants everyone to love and obey Him (Deuteronomy 5:9-10). We must all worship God from our whole hearts as we obey and remain completely faithful to Him (Deuteronomy 10:12, 20; Psalm 24:1-4; Matthew 4:10; John 4:24). We must not let any idol take God’s first place in our hearts (1 John 5:21), because all other "gods" or “idols” are only creations of sinful imaginations and are not gods at all (Romans 1:18). To worship other gods is to worship nothing and become nothing (Psalm 115:8).

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is NO OTHER!  Keep His (God) decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time. Deuteronomy 4:39-40 (NIV)

References:
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan, 1992.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Fear The Lord

God:  “Oh, that they would always have such a heart for Me, wanting to obey My commandments (Ten Commandments). Then all would go well with them in the future, and with their children throughout all generations!” Deuteronomy 5:29 (TLB), see also Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Exodus 20:1-17).  

The Ten Commandments are the central requirements of God’s Law. These commandments summarize what the true and living God expects of His people in terms of faith, worship and conduct. Jesus Christ summarized the Ten Commandments at Matthew 22:34-40 with His Great Commandment of love (see also Mark 12:28–34; Luke 10:25-27). God wants everyone to respect and obey Him. Respect and obedience to God and His commandments ultimately bring true and lasting happiness and joy in this life and the eternal.

Throughout the Old Testament, readers will see the phrase “fear God” or “fear the Lord.” To fear God is a conventional phrase equivalent to “genuine worship” or “true religion” - righteous living. This fear does not mean fright or terror. Instead, fear of God means to reverential trust in God and obedience to serve Him wholeheartedly (see e.g., Psalm 15:4; Psalm 34:8-14; Proverbs 1:7).

God is kind, great, and forgiving (Psalm 130:4).  Those who faithfully obey and trust in Him will ultimately find heart peace and lasting joy (Psalm 34:10). But in order to experience these good days of peace and joy, we must continually shun evil, do good to others, and faithfully love God. To trust and obey is the essence of “fear of the Lord.” 

Powerful Love

Many people are shock to find an explicit love song in the Holy Bible – complete with erotic and sensual lyrics. But the Song of Songs is exactly that. The Song of Songs shows no embarrassment with lovers enjoying each other’s bodies intimately and emotionally. These lovers love to look at each other and express their erotic feelings of passion. Both the woman and the man take the initiative in praising each other. For this reason, many people have argued for centuries that the Song of Songs should be removed from the Bible or be made “Adults Only.” 

When newcomers first read the Song of Songs, they are confronted with a jumble of images that run together and then shift with no rhyme or reason. In fact, the book is sometimes confusing and puzzling. The Song of Songs is not a story with a plot, but a collection of love songs that tells of the wholesome and romantic story of a young man and young woman. These inspired words of God disclose the beautiful charm and splendor of romantic love as one of God’s choicest gifts. This wisdom literature celebrates the sexual union and pleasure between a man and a woman as a joyful part of God’s creation. This kind of love is worth waiting. Also, these eight chapters of the Song of Songs reveals God’s love and passion for His people and of Jesus Christ’s self-sacrificing love for His church.

The title “The Song of Songs,” means the greatest song. Verse 1 appears to ascribe the book’s authorship to Solomon. The Old Testament states that King Solomon composed 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32), so one might expect him to be the author. Traditionally by the church, King Solomon has been recognized as the author. Solomon is referred to seven times (Song of Songs 1:1, 5; 3:7, 9, 11; 8:11-12) and several verses speak of the “king” (Song of Songs 1:4, 14; 7:5). However, some biblical scholars questions King Solomon’s authorship. But whether King Solomon was the author remains an open question. 

Many interpretations of the Song of Songs have been advanced throughout the years. Many biblical scholars view this book as an allegory. King Solomon is identified as God and the Shulammite maiden represents Israel. Thus, in this view the Song is an allegory of the love relationship between God and Israel. Other scholars view the book as an anthology of love songs. This view claims that no unified argument or flow of thought can be traced through the book; it is therefore nothing more than a collection of love songs that are not necessarily related to each other. Other scholars simply view the book as a love story and God’s teaching on marriage and sexual relationships. This view sees the book as a highly poetic description of an actual love relationship between a man and woman. In favor of this view is that it takes the book at face value and places it with parallel Egyptian love songs of the era.

Biblical scholars argue that the Song of Songs is an allegory showing Christ's love for His church. The Apostle Paul shows how marriage represents Christ's love and relationship to His church (Ephesians 5:22-33), and the Apostle John pictures the second coming as a great marriage feast for Christ and His bride – His faithful followers (Revelation 19:7-8; Revelation 21:1-2).

Psalm 45 is also a love song and has many similarities with the Song of Songs. The King of Psalm 45 is explicitly identified with Jesus Christ in Hebrews 1:8. Ultimately, the Song of Songs points to the love of Christ for His church (Psalm 45; Hebrews 1:8-9). The God-Love that death cannot extinguish stands behind all love and for this Love all Christians hope and married people foretaste.  For this reason, human loves are not ultimately satisfying, and always leave a residue of longing for eternal love. Thus, the Song of Songs puts on display a God-Love found in Jesus Christ that truly satisfies.

God’s Love is beyond human love and stronger than death and fully satisfying. Human love does not outlast death except in Jesus Christ. In Christ, love transcends death because of His resurrection from complete death.  Death did not and cannot stop Jesus’ love and He will not fail.  So, Song of Songs points to the ultimate and satisfying love of Jesus Christ for His people.

This wisdom book reveals that love is the most gluttonous, dangerous, and powerful force in human life (Song of Songs 2:7; 3:5; 8:4). The Song of Songs portrays love like death, the grave, and no ransom can free a person of it (Song of Songs 8:7). The Song of Songs reveals that love is not entirely positive and could be comparable to death. Love, in the Song of Songs, includes a dark side and is associated with negative qualities. The longing of unfulfilled desire highlights the lack of satisfaction that characterizes the Song of Songs. The aching for true God-Love is always present. Anyone who seeks to derive ultimate satisfaction from love will be driven to extravagant lengths to one’s own hurt. A wise person respects love and recognizes love’s capacity to consume lovers. A recurring theme refrain of the Song, “Do not stir up love,” is found throughout the book. Thus, the Song of Songs appeals to its readers not to stir up love and passion.

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Song of Songs 2:7 (NIV)

 

I want you to swear (promise), daughters of Jerusalem by the Gazelle or the Doe of the Countryside do not cause love to be awakened or aroused until it pleases. Song of Songs 2:7 (Professor George Schwab, Ph.D.)

Song of Songs 2:7 is the first of four verses that urges the reader to respect the power of love. Arguable, this verse is the moral of the Song of Songs. This verse cries out, “Do not miss the point! It is dangerous to awaken or arouse love!” This plea is obviously important to the Song as this plea is repeated at Song of Songs 2:7; 3:5 and 8:4; see also Song of Songs 5:8. While the lovers are at the peak of passion, they repeatedly warn others not to stir up love prematurely and hastily.

There is a “waiting” motif that runs throughout the Song of Songs. The very last statement of the Song depicts the lovers still waiting. This curious anticlimactic ending to the Song may in fact be part of wisdom’s evaluative final word. Timing is important in wisdom literature. The key to love, according to the Song of Songs, is that it is a matter of timing. Wait—and find peace and enjoyment with ripe love.

The Song of Songs demands its readers not to prematurely stir up love and erotic passions until the covenant commitment of marriage. Love has a mixed blessing and one should be cautious when approaching love. In fact, virginity and sexual abstinence until marriage is praised by the Song. The Song urges girls to be a strong wall and stand against sexual impurity and temptation (see Song of Songs 8:8-10). This girl warns the other girls of Jerusalem to be cautious and not to hurry love (Song of Songs 8:6-7). To behave like a door open to sexual temptations leads to destruction, depression, and death.

The “the Gazelle” and “Doe” of Song of Songs 2:7 serve as periphrases for God Almighty, Lord of Hosts. But they also are used as symbols throughout the Song for sexual endowment, appeal, comeliness, and fervor. The words “Gazelle” and “Doe” thus exist with three referents: animals in a symbolic forest, the Divine Warrior God Almighty with his Hosts, and passionate affection. The literal animals, perhaps, are themselves symbols for “sexual potency.” Thus the terms combine the concept of God with the concept of love and its power. The girl desires the daughters of Jerusalem to swear by sexuality and God Almighty — and these two concepts are fused into a single image. Thus, the Song should then be read as if love were conceived as a Divine attribute of God or as a deity in its own right. Thus, love is not simply a matter of feelings, social contracts, or rendezvous in the wood.

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For strong as death is love, jealousy as stubborn as the grave. Its blazes are flashes of fire, the Great Flame. Many waters cannot quench love, and rivers cannot overflow it. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, would he be entirely despised? Song of Songs 8:6-7 (Professor George Schwab, Ph.D.)

 

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a Mighty Flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned. Song of Songs 8:6-7 (NIV)

Song of Songs 8:6-7 reveals the power of love (see also 1 Corinthians 13). Feelings of love can create intimacy that overpowers all logic and reason. The power of love is comparable to death, for love is dangerous and has the potential to debilitate and make a person weak, crazed, and senseless (e.g., see Song of Songs 5:2-8, the darkest section of the Song). Love is as strong as death, and love cannot be killed by time or disaster. Even more, love cannot be bought for any price as love is priceless. Not even the richest king can buy love. Love is a gift from God. In fact, human love can drive a person to their own hurt.

People, especially young people are too often in a hurry to develop a sexual relationship based on their strong feelings for another. However, these feelings and emotions can be every dangerous and destructive. Song of Songs 2:7 encourages everyone not to force a sexual relationship too fast. Instead, one should patiently wait for feelings of love to develop until the covenant relationship of marriage.

The “waiting” motif that runs throughout the Song is the concluding note. The Song ends in a minor key. The anticlimax to the Song is illustrative of its wisdom message. The key to love, according to the Song of Songs, is that it is a matter of gauging the moment. To curb oneself until the appropriate season is to find peace and enjoyment. The reader is left in the end with a feeling of ambivalence and uncertainty concerning the Song and love.

Thus, the message of the Song of Songs is found to be twofold. On the one hand, love is commended, celebrated, and enjoyed. The Song does not shy from physical descriptions of the male and female body. The Song of Songs celebrates human love. This is abundantly clear. Yet, within its frolic and carousal, its delightful exploration of love and lovers, is a serious warning to beware of the thing being celebrated. Love is also dangerous. Love and sexuality are unashamedly tendered. On the other hand, love is also shown to be a dangerous and risky endeavor that may drive lovers into frantic and self- destructive behaviors. Song of Songs 2:7, 3:5, and 8:4 warns against the premature rousing of passion. The girl warns her friends to avoid love “until it please,” rather than “until you so desire.” The Song conceives of Love as a power, which can take control of those under its influence. The Song’s recurrences of these appeals cue the reader to a component of its message—respect the power of love. Love is framed in language that echoes Divine titles, again highlighting the Song’s view of Love as a Power.

Love is described as a fire that cannot be doused with many waters and rivers (Song of Songs 8:6–7). Love’s inferno will not surrender to any jurisdiction. To restrain love is beyond the capability of humans. As the eternal flame cannot be stifled, so jealous passion is unyielding. Thus, there is no question of refusing to stir up love absolutely—that is impossible. Nothing can satisfy love, and when under love’s power, a man is liable to willingly forego any loss and shame. Song of Songs 8:6–7 then echoes the thought of Song of Songs 2:7, where love is drafted as a God-like power that is best avoided until the covenant commitment! 

References:
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
New Student Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1986, 1992.
The Amplified Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987.
Schwab, George. The Song of Songs’ Cautionary Message Concerning Human Love. (NY: Lang, 2002).
Schwab, George. Expositor's Bible Commentary:  Song of Songs Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.
 

GOD’S IDEAL WOMAN: The Proverbs 31 Woman

Biblical Marriage

15 Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife. 16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? 17 You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers. 18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. 20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? 21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. Proverbs 5:15-21 (NLT)

From the beginning of Scripture, marriage is sacred (see Genesis 2:18, 24). God enjoys a strong and healthy marriage. He created marriage for our good and enjoyment (see also Genesis 2:21-25; Proverbs 5:15-19; John 2:1-11). In addition, the institution of marriage was approved and sanctioned by Jesus (Matthew 19:4-6). At the first wedding, God the Father gave the bride Eve away to her groom Adam and witnessed the couple’s interaction in His sanctuary-garden (Genesis 2:18-25).

Married love is a special and binding covenant commitment before God. Appropriate sexual expression is an important part of marriage (Genesis 2:23-25). Breaching that holy covenant (e.g., through adultery) is a crime against oneself and God (see Leviticus 20:10-12; Deuteronomy 22:22; Malachi 2:10-16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Hebrews 13:4) and leads to extreme hurt, including poverty (Proverbs 6:26-29, 33-34). God created marriage and made marriage holy to be enjoyed for physical pleasure, procreation, and companionship (see Hebrews 13:4). The book of Proverbs urges young men and women to keep the beauty of marital love and guard its holiness as God intended. Sex is not to be shared with strangers.

26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life. 27 Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? 28 Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? 29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished. Proverbs 6:26-29 (NLT)

In the book of Proverbs, the wise teacher frequently warns naive young men and women to avoid the temptations of sexual expression outside of marriage (see Proverbs 2:16-22; Proverbs 5:1-23; Proverbs 6:20–7:27). While a young person might find another person physically attractive and seductive, the consequences of acting on these temptations are deadly and destructive. Sexual sins are like walking a path that leads to death (Proverbs 2:16–22), destruction (Proverbs 6:20–35); and hell (Proverbs 5:5; see also Proverbs 6:20–35; Proverbs 7:6–27; Proverbs 22:14; Proverbs 23:26–28). Having sexual relations outside of God’s intended purposes endangers one’s life, health and security of family.

Proverbs teaches everyone people to cultivate a strong relationship with their own spouses. They are advised to have healthy marital sex with their spouses rather than physical intimacy with other people outside the bonds of marriage (Proverbs 5:15-20). Sadly, many evil temptations entice husbands and wives to abandon one another to seek excitement, physical pleasures, and companionship outside of marriage. Although the book of Proverbs was originally written to instruct young men, young women readers can think in the same categories and consider the same important issues.

Proverbs 5:15-21 discusses the importance of faithfulness in marriage. This faithfulness means to enjoy the spouse God has given you for sexual satisfaction and companionship. Sex is a gift God gives to married people for their mutual enjoyment and pleasure (see also Song of Songs 4, especially Song of Songs 4:12, 15). This honors marriage (Genesis 2:22-25) and keeps God’s seventh commandment (see Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18). Rather than expend sexual energy on immoral man or women, a spouse should develop a healthy sexual relationship with one’s own spouse. Only within God’s covenant relationship can we find holy love and fulfillment of our physical pleasure (Song of Songs 4:10). 

References:
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Wiersbe, Warren W. With the Word Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.