Virtual Vestry ~ The Books of Kings

Linguistic and Cultural Reminders:

1. The Lord – Yahweh – the covenant God – interpersonal intimate relationship – corporate intimate relationship between the Divine and we humans.
2. Divine-Human contracting.
3. The Sinai mandate for Israel to be a nation that lives by different mandates:
   1. One deity.
   2. Example of worship, generosity, and care for others.
   3. Israel was the be an example of Edenic principles and their attendant blessings.
   4. If Israel chose to live differently from the above then the normal patterns of national interactions would apply without Divine intervention – Solomon's warning.
4. Hermeneutics – God meets us where we are and works to get us elsewhere more beneficial.
5. It may be helpful to keep in mind the spiritual stages of development of the people involved.
6. It might be helpful to read each text with the understand of the reason for writing it... 2 Chronicles a comfort/I Kings... a warning?
7. One's name in Hebrew generally referred to a quality of, or totality of their character.

1. Can you think of any other stories in the Bible where God appeared to a specific person at the beginning and at the end of a project or series of projects?
2. Why do you think he appeared to Solomon at the end of the projects in the same way as he did the first?
3. Why do you think the Deity is coming as Yahweh for this conversation.
4. Solomon "consecrated" the temple with the sacrificial death of thousands of animals. In the conversation Yahweh says He has consecrated the temple in perpetuity by "placing my name there" – Or "my eyes and my heart will be there all of the days"". What do you make of the difference in methods of consecration?
5. What do you think are the levels of meaning when Yahweh says to Solomon "you must serve me with integrity and sincerity, just as your father David did"?
6. "But if you or your sons, turn away from me, and fail to obey the rules and regulations I have given you and decide to serve and worship other gods, I will remove Israel, abandon the temple, and you will be ridiculed among the nations". Either choice, they are a lesson. What do you make of that?
7. NOT IN THIS TEXT there is a very unusual way some did obey and Yahweh kept Yahweh's end of the bargain... As promised. What story do you think it is...? Pam knows this, so she won't give you clues.

1. What do you make of the story of Soloman and Hiram of Tyre?
2. What do you think it says about each man?
3. Vs. 15 and 16 talks about the workers that built the Yahweh's temple and the palace. How does that description compare with the story of the sanctuary builders in Exodus.
4. What do you think Yahweh thought about this process?
5. Why do you think the author of Kings talked about the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Do you think there are comparisons here with Saul's choices?

1. For you, what was the most important part of this chapter?
2. Why?

I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

I wish you gentle blessings,

Catherine

• PDF of these notes
• Audio recording of class discussion (password protected)

These notes focus on 1 Kings 8 but please refer to 2 Chronicles 5,6 as well.

Last week, I was a little confused by the description of the temple so here are a couple of pictures of artist models of the temple for us to refer to if needed.

Click on an image for a larger version

In this chapter, everything is done and set out, most likely in the order of the original tabernacle. There is no record of God actually saying "build it like this" as he did with Moses and the tabernacle. God essentially leaves it up to Solomon to design the thing according to his original instructions to Moses. God seems less hands on, while Solomon seems to oversee everything.

• Why do you think God was happy to step back and let Solomon do his thing, while, with Moses, he gave much more detailed instructions?

Then the dark cloud of God's presence fills the temple. In verses 12 and 13, Solomon sees this presence of God and declares that he has built a magnificent temple for God. The transfer of all things from the tabernacle to the temple goes smoothly.

In the New Testament, it states that we (believers) are now the temple of the Holy Spirit.

• Discuss parallels between Solomon's temple and the idea of the believer now being the temple of the Holy Spirit.

• Reflect on how God keeps promises.

Solomon's prayer of dedication is interesting and I wanted look at certain aspects of his prayer. In verse 27 Solomon asks how can the Temple, or the Earth, contain God. He asks God to be merciful towards him and the people of Israel and to hear their prayers when they pray in or towards the temple and forgive. I was interested in how Solomon goes through what the purpose of the temple is, not for personal or national aggrandisement, but a place where the people can meet with God and bring their petitions. Solomon's prayer turns the ways that people will need to come to the temple and asks God to forgive:

• When someone wrongs their neighbour and asks God to condemn the guilty and vindicating the innocent.
• When they have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned. Solomon asks that God forgive and bring the people back to their nation.
• When there is a drought because of the people's sin. He asks God to forgive and teach them the right way to live to relive the drought and bring rain.
• Solomon lists a range of afflictions, such as locusts and plagues, and likens them to the afflictions of the human heart and asks God to forgive.
• To hear their prayers in times of war.

• Discuss Solomon's focus on the confession and forgiveness of sin in his prayer of dedication

• Discuss

One of the things that struck me was that Solomon here is taking on the role of not just king but of prophet and priest as well. He is both a political and religious leader.

• Given that we live in a world where theocracy seems to be a negative thing, what is the difference (if any) between the theocracy of Solomon and many of the theocracies we see today?

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• Audio recording of class discussion (password protected)

Today's section of 1 Kings is a tour guide, particularly in the NLT version referenced above. We are taken around the Temple that Solomon built and we are expected to utter appreciative noises at all the grand things that can be found there.

I'm a bit of an armchair architect. I have a great weakness for those hideously expensive architecture tomes published by the likes of Phaidon and Taschen.

I think I would have rather enjoyed my tour of Solomon's temple...

But why is it in my Bible? What does it bring to the story? Are we to take any lessons from it?

I live in Europe and Europe is full of spectacular churches. St Paul's in London; the magnificent cathedrals of Salisbury and Lincoln. I wept when Notre Dame in Paris burned, and I've devoured every TV documentary and magazine article on the restoration - I will visit one day. Sagrada Familia in Barcelona; the mighty edifices of Koln and Chartres; St Giles and St Mary's in Edinburgh. The list goes on. I once spent a memorable night taking part in the 'Night of the Adoration' in Sacre Coeur in Paris and got to sit, all alone at 1am, in the cathedral to stare at the ceiling and drink it all in.

The modern stuff is pretty good, too. And I really rather like my local Crieff Adventist Church, which dates back 50-some years and was built by the Maranatha group of volunteers who give generously of themselves to build churches in all sort of places.

Do you ever wonder what God makes of these monuments? Do you think the creator of, say, the rings of Saturn, would be wowed by a gothic steeple? If not, then why do you think we build them?

In one of my amblings across Spain on the Camino de Santiago I spent a day in Leon, home of a very spectacular church. I paid my 6 Euros to visit and made this comment in my notebook:

The audio guide said that in the 13th century, when the cathedral was built, the town was a mere 5000 people. That's smaller than my home town in Scotland. I'm never entirely sure if this is a genuine sacrificial act of community worship or some feudal game of "who has the best cathedral" played by the ruling classes, whilst the peasants would really rather just have some more food. I suspect the latter but I suppose we'll never know. In any case the cathedral is magnificent.

I recall a rather good joke from the 1980s about a terrible fire that consumed part of the ancient York Minster, in England.

Two days before the fire the Anglican Church had consecrated a new Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins. Jenkins, famously, didn't really seem to believe in God - apparently not an impediment to career advancement in the Church of England - and a section of the British press took great delight in positing that the fire was divine intervention.

One day, went the joke, God was floating by, and as he hovered above the burned roof of York Minster he thought to himself, "Hmmm! It looks rather nice in there; I must go in sometime..."

• Do you like church buildings? What do they do (or not do) for you?
• Is it sensible for a community to build something like Leon cathedral, when there's a good chance that the peasants would rather eat?
• In amongst the tour guide of 1 Kings 6 there is an interruption (vv 11-14). God says 'Concerning this Temple you are building...'.
  • The Temple you are building...?
  • Is this Temple not God's idea?
  • Whose idea is it?
  What is God saying to Solomon?
• Read this...

  I am sick of your sacrifices. Don't bring me any more of them. I don't want your fat rams; I don't want to see the blood from your offerings. Who wants your sacrifices when you have no sorrow for your sins? The incense you bring me is a stench in my nostrils. Your holy celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath, and your special days for fasting-even your most pious meetings—all are frauds! I want nothing more to do with them. I hate them all; I can't stand the sight of them. From now on, when you pray with your hands stretched out to heaven, I won't look or listen. Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear, for your hands are those of murderers; they are covered with the blood of your innocent victims.
  
  Oh, wash yourselves! Be clean! Let me no longer see you doing all these wicked things; quit your evil ways. Learn to do good, to be fair, and to help the poor, the fatherless, and widows.

  ..and compare the sentiments with 1 Kings 6 and 7. How do you reconcile the two?
• I once attended a seminar on church growth where the speaker said that if a church spends more than 50% of its income on itself then it has no right to exist and should close down. Discuss!

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• Audio recording of class discussion (password protected)

Solomon's Reign

Traditional biblical dating places it around 970-931 BCE (based on 1 Kings. 11:42). Some historians suggest c960-929 BCE. Dates for the construction of the Temple: 957-950 BCE.

This period was one of the weaker periods for Egyptian rule and empire building. However, Solomon formed an alliance with Egypt.

No archaeological proof of Solomon but his reign aligns with 'The United Monarchy' period, ie before the split.

Possible references in later Egyptian and Assyrian records.

He wrote approximately 3000 proverbs, and 1000 songs.

Traditionalists also credit him with writing Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.

These last few statements reflect the fact that he was a man of some intellectual substance as well as a keen observer of human behaviour.

1. Ch 4:7 gives an insight into Solomon's rule. What is the wisdom of this form of delegation?
2. Each district had to supply one month's provision to Solomon. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this formula?
3. Ch 4:21. 'These Countries brought tribute and were Solomon's subjects all his life'. How would you interpret this?
4. Does Ch 4:26 support the adage: 'If you want peace prepare for war'?
5. What do you understand by having the gift of Wisdom?
6. Are verses 29 to 34 reflecting only one dimension of wisdom? What would you add?
7. In modern politics, it's reckoned that the best way to establish peace between nations is to ensure good trading links. Is this supported in 1 Kings 5?
8. Ch 5 is effectively devoted to the building of the Temple. The planning was meticulous and looking at the logistics, the building of it was very expensive. What does this inform you about the importance of having a Temple devoted to Yaweh?
9. 2 Chronicles 2:12 indicates that Hiram acknowledged that the God of Israel had given David a wise son endowed with intelligence and discernment because he was to build a Temple for the Lord and a palace for himself. Do you agree?
10. What do you make of 2 Chronicles 2:17-18?
11. We have now studied 1 Kings chapters 1 to 5. Do you recognise any pitfalls in the narrative so far that could lead to Solomon's downfall?

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David has died. In the narrative, Solomon has carried out his father's wishes against those who had been traitors to his father's reign. Benaiah, one of David's inner circle of warriors, has executed Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei. Abiathar and his family have been removed from the priesthood – the last of the descendants of Eli. He has taken "firm control of the kingdom" I Kings 2:46. This next chapter in both books marks the beginning of his own decisions as a ruler.

Egypt is being ruled by the 21st dynasty. Psusennes II is often cited as the Pharoah who was contemporary to Solomon. Most historians agree that this is a time of relative stability in lower Egypt.

High Places: Complicated.

Lord: Yahweh – the iteration of the Deity that makes covenants with individuals, rulers, and nation.

God: Elohim – Majesty. Plural in form; singular in meaning. Power.

In Hebrew writings the combination is to be noted. In the Genesis story it is the Lord God who works with Adam and Eve. When the serpent tempts them, he only uses the majesty form. The focus of the evil one is power without loving covenant. It seems that safety for Hebrew thinking is to have the committed relationship before the power. Use of Yahweh Elohim is also a way of saying their God is above all the other deities worshiped by the countries around them.

The plan is to spend time talking about what acts of Solomon were indicative of a strong relationship with the beliefs of Israel and which were not.

Questions:

1. Why do you think Solomon married Pharoh's daughter?
2. In terms of Hebrew notions of legacy of that time, what might be some problems with that marriage?
3. In terms of Israel's mandates could there be other problems with Solomon's marriage.
4. What do you think Solomon might have told himself about the marriage?
5. Why do you think Solomon decided to offer sacrifices on the high places?
6. Why do you think the author of 1 Kings pointed out that Solomon went against David's example with sacrifices on the high places?
7. At this point in time why do you think God decided to make him the dream offer?
8. What do you think might have been some of God's goals in making this offer?
9. What do you think it means that after the dream Solomon went to Jerusalem to offer his sacrifices?
10. Why do you think the writer of this story or the Author of this particular situation had two prostitutes be the example of Soloman's wisdom?
11. What do you think are the parallels between this story and how Jesus dealt with prostitutes?
12. What do you think are the most important learning opportunities in today's text?
13. What part of the story did you like best?
14. What do you think are the most important lessons in this story for people who consider themselves Christian?

I wish for you gentle, unexpected blessings.

Catherine

• PDF of these notes
• Sorry! Technical problem - so no audio recording of class discussion this week

The Succession

1 Kings 2 is the story about the succession from one monarchy to another.

It is not healthy for any country to go through a period of instability. However, if you read Susan Wise Bauer's book, "The History Of The Ancient World", you will realise that when there was a change of king, not just in the Middle East, but across the ancient world, it frequently created a crisis, with resulting instability, because of the ambitions of potential successors. These potential successors were frequently either relatives, or close comrades-in-arms, who would stop at nothing to gain what they thought rightfully belonged to them.

The narrative, particularly in 1 Kings 2 is set in a 'succession' context. The various steps that the ageing David and his young intended successor Solomon take, to ensure a smooth transition, is because of these competing ambitions. Sometimes these steps were brutal and bypassed due process.

The threats and context are quite authentic, which lends to the credibility of this narrative. However, it leaves us with a major dilemma!

In a conflict between political priorities and personal values, does the former take precedent over the latter?

Having read through 1 Kings 2, this tension comes very much to the fore.

Also, as we read through this chapter, we are faced by fear, betrayal, ruthlessness, ambition, hate and assassination. When I read through this initially, I certainly didn't feel uplifted or enlightened. When I read through some of the commentator's interpretation of some of the events and statements, it occurred to me that they were going through interpretative contortions to arrive at positive spiritual lessons. To the contemporary mind, their interpretations are hard to swallow.

When I was studying English literature during my school days in Glasgow, my learned English teacher often said, it is sometimes more useful to read the last chapter of a novel first. The book then makes much more sense as you can track how the narrative arrives at a conclusion of which you are already aware. I am inclined to apply this lesson to biblical writings. When I read the gospels and the likes of the wonderful epistles which we have just studied, it helps me to understand where the human activities that we read in these books will lead. The revelation of a loving God through inspired biblical writings is only enhanced because the scriptures include such stories as found in Samuel and Kings. They inform us that His chosen nation was made up of those who betrayed His values, and broke His covenant. These stories don't need to be sanitised to project the thought that the 'heroes' were carrying out some special judicial commission on behalf of our Lord.

The inspiration of the biblical story is magnified because God reached the desired end, in spite of the flawed nature of those who played their part in assisting the Divine mission.

1. Does verse 3 give a sufficient template for living out a Christian experience?
2. Does verse 4 explain why the land of Judah was conquered by the Babylonians in 587 BCE?
3. Concerning Joab, in verse 6 it states that Solomon should deal with him according to his wisdom, but do not let his grey head go down to the grave in peace. Should we be critical of David's advice?
4. Concerning Shimei, in verses 8 and 9: "I will not put you to death by the sword. But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do with him. Bring his grey head down to the grave in blood." So at the point of death, are we absolved from our oaths to the Lord?
5. Adonijah wanted Abishag the Shunammite as his wife. What was he up to? Do verses 22-25 illustrate the wisdom of Solomon?
6. Verses 26 and 27. Did Solomon deal in an appropriate way with Abiathar the priest?
7. Joab was struck down in a sacred place of Sanctuary. Does this illustrate the foolishness, through impulsiveness, of Solomon?
8. Shimei was also executed. Verse 44 indicates it was not for breaking his promise but because of all the wrong he had done to David. "Now the Lord will repay you for your wrongdoing". Was it the Lord or was it Solomon?
9. "The kingdom was now firmly established in Solomon's hands". Does that justify the killings?
10. After reading 1 Chronicles 28 and 29, how important was the building of the temple to the Jewish people as a nation, and as part of their religious mission?

• PDF of these notes
• Audio recording of class discussion (password protected)

Welcome back to the rousing times of the kings! As you know, there will be parallel stories from Chronicles in our studies, after this chapter. As you also know, from the articles on our chat, Chronicles was written later and for a very different purpose. Since most of our Virtual Vestry group had a hard time with violence and heartbreak during the Samuel studies, you can well imagine how much Israel would have needed encouragement when Chronicles was written.

So, here are some notes:

Shunamites: This is the first mention of a woman from this village. Just wait till a few kings from now! This place nurtures interesting people.

Haggith: Her name means festive. She is a wife of David and appears earlier in 2 Samuel 3:4.

Adonijah: David's fourth son, born to Haggith in Hebron while David was fighting Saul. If he was born during that time period he is late 30s or early 4os at the time of our story. His name means "My Lord is Yahweh". I find this ironic given his work to depose a covenant-based king.

Joab; I see this as his first time in open rebellion.

Abiathar: High priest at Nob, forth in descent from Eli, and the last of Eli's house to be High Priest. He is the son of Ahimelech, the high priest who escaped Saul slaughter at Nob.

Conspiracy against David: Adonijah, Joab, Abiathar (son, military leader, High Priest)

Zadok: a descendant of Eleazar son of Aaron. (You might want to take a quick google of Eleazar and his role in early Israel to get a sense of how Zadok might view his heritage and responsibility). Remember legacy is key to this culture. He will become high priest soon.

Benaiah: was one of David's mighty warriors. He'll get a promotion.

Nathan: Yes, that one. If you don't remember him, I recommend getting extra sleep and more vitamins.

Shimei: This is the one who pelted David and all the king's officials with stones. This appears to be the same Shimei that was a counselor to Solomon and pressured him not to marry foreign wives. Take a look and see if you research this differently.

Rei – his name means "my shepherd, my companion, my friend." He appears to be one of the mighty men.

Support for David: Zadok, Beniah, Nathan, Shimei, Rei (priest, prophet, mighty warriors)

Bathsheba – Finally!!

The Stone of Zoheleth: Translation from Hebrew serpent or crawling thing.

Questions to Consider

1. Why do you think the writer of Kings started their scroll with the story of Abishag?
2. In the face of the proverb "The definition of crazy is trying something over after it has failed and expecting different results", why do you think Adonijah believed he could succeed?
3. I saw a triumvirate of rebellion and a triumvirate of loyalty. It seemed like a metaphor of larger Biblical lessons to me. What do you think?
4. What do you see in the histories of these players in verses 5-8 that might have affected their decisions?
5. Why do you think the author noted that David had "never corrected him"?
6. Why do you think it was noted that he was handsome?
7. In verse 9; what do you think of Adonijah's sacrifices at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel?
8. Vs. 11 What do you make of Nathan's announcement Bathsheba?
9. What do you think of his advice to her?
10. What do you think of the way Nathan and Bathsheba addressed the issue with David?
11. What do you think this interaction was like for Bathsheba? Vs. 28
12. Vs. 36,37 – What do you think might be the significance of Benaiah using the name Yahweh in confirmation of his support for Solomon?
13. Vs. 36 to 40 – What would it have been like for you to be in this scene?
14. Vs. 41 to 48 – what do you think it would have been like for Adonijah and his followers to hear this news?
15. Vs. 49 to 53 – Why do you think Solomon pardoned Adonijah?
16. What do you think is the most important part of this story?
17. What part did you like best? Why?

As always, I wish for you gentle, unexpected blessings.

See you soon.

Catherine

• PDF of these notes
• Audio recording of class discussion (password protected)