This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&h) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
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HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the
books of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
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COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.
1KINGS
1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
5 And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king's friend:
6 And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
8 And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-she'mesh, and Elon-beth-hanan:
10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
13 The son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:
15 Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
16 Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth:
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
19 Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer which was in the land.
This chapter further displays the wisdom of Solomon. In these verses we have the perception of Solomon in division of the work according to abilities of people. There are six principle divisions of the kingdom's work as described here.
20 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
This nation, now united under a godly king and a godly administration was tremendously blessed.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
The key to all this was the "wisdom" that Solomon had received from God. He had asked God to give him the wisdom to rule according to God's will and way. And God had granted it (verse 29). Please continue with us in daily Bible study.
CHAPTER 4
1)Religious duties. Zadok is the high priest, but his grandson Azariah has assumed most of the duties due to Zadok's age (verse 2). ( see also 4b)
2) Written records. Scribes, who are skilled in writing and copying are given the duties of this post. Two particularly are named (Elihoreph and Ahiah). The scribe copied the Word of God and kept it fresh and readable. He also wrote treaties and other important accounts of the nation (verse 3).
Recorder was one who kept records filed. Jehoshaphat was chosen for this post (Librarian?). In those days important papers (on parchment) were kept in sealed clay jars. The recorder was also responsible for keeping a written account of the Word of God for the king (verse 3).
3) Army - Benaiah is over all the armies ("host").
(NOTE: Even though Abiathar is banished, he is still given the distinction of being co-high priest.)
4)National Affairs. Azariah (son of Nathan the prophet) was also a priest. He was placed in position as a sort of "Prime Minister." (verse 5)
Under the "Prime Minister," was a Chief Officer (Zabud, another son of Nathan, and a priest -- verse 5).
Then there were twelve "officers" responsible as liason between government and people. They reported to Zabud, and they doubled as providors for Solomon's large household (verses 5 and 7).
While all of their names aren't given, we notice that all of them are descendents of leaders of the tribes in key areas of the country (verses 8-19).
5)King's Personal Affairs. Ahishar is given the responsibility of caring for Solomon's huge family and arranging all the household affairs.
6)Taxation. Adoniram is in charge of collecting taxes. In those days the "tribute" was mostly conscripted labor. People were organized to do work as payment of taxes.
Notice that these chief positions of administration were assigned to priests - men who were first devoted to God. For a nation to be godly minded is one thing; but to have godly rulers assures a more godly-minded nation.
They were numerous. The population had greatly increased. They were blessed with prosperity, and there was no fear of other countries.
God is "no respector of persons" (Acts 10:34). And any nation that will determine to be godly-minded and have godly leaders will be blessed. "But in every nation He that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.." (Acts 10:35)
And just as God had said, Solomon was wiser than all the other known men (verses 30-31).
Solomon is credited with 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (verse 32). We have many of his proverbs in a book called Proverbs, and some of his songs appear in the book of Psalm. But Solomon acknowledges that wisdom comes from GOD:
"For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6)
Solomon's proverbs and songs speak of lessons a man learns from every part of nature (verse 33).
HIs wisdom was proclaimed throughout the world, and many came just to hear him.
To Solomon was given the blessing of being the wisest man to ever live. HOWEVER, God came in human flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ. And HE is absolute truth and perfect wisdom. Solomon's magnificent wisdom is only a small shadow compared to Christ.
Jesus referred to Himself as the "wisdom of God" (Luke 7:34-35,and Luke 11:49). Jesus is the Creator of all things (John 1:1-3), Hebrews 1:1-3), and said that His wosdom was GREATER than Solomon's (Matthew 12:42).
Solomon acknowledged that true wisdom founded the creation:
"The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens."(Proverbs 3:19)
No matter how many wise men there may be, there is only ONE Who is truly wise - Jesus. And Jesus has promised He will give wisdom to all His disciples:
"Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all of your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." (Luke 21:15)
To some, Jesus is a stumbligblock and to some He seems to be foolishness; but, God says He is "..the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1Corinthians 1:24)
Indeed, in Jesus, "...are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3).
True wisdom is found in surrender to Christ as Lord, and Savior; then, by sitting at His feet, willingly learning and with obedience to follow His will in our lives.