Esther 3 By Pastor David Groendyk If the principal theme of yesterday’s chapter was, “Will God’s people identify themselves with the Lord and love him more than they love the world or even their own lives?” then the theme of today’s chapter is, “What will the world do to those who do identify with the Lord and love him?” The answer is: hate them. Another great reversal happens in Esther 3—Mordecai the rescuer now has…

Esther 2 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence It would be really unfair to compare Esther with Cinderella, for she didn’t choose to go to the dance, if you will, and she certainly didn’t fall in love with any prince charming. No, this story is not one that little girls dream about, for no girl wants to be placed in a harem to serve as a plaything for a king. Similar to Daniel and his three friends…

Esther 1 Pastor Mark Hudson Reversal.  That seems to be the theme of Esther.  Or don’t get sucked into believing those in power are in power.  This first chapter is such a fascinating way to tell the story . . . of what? The near extermination of the Jews How God is always in control How God’s covenant faithfulness can never be thwarted. No one can stop, obstruct, prevent God from accomplishing His will.  All…

1 Kings 22 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence Kings Jehoshaphat and Ahab make strange bedfellows. As good and wise as Jehoshaphat appears to be in many situations, he seems to be a very bad judge of character, at least in this case. Certainly, it is a foolish thing for Jehoshaphat to pledge his people and his horses to Israel’s king, when Israel’s king pays no mind to the Lord. Inquiring the will of the Lord in…

1 Kings 21 Pastor Mark Hudson This is an ugly, tragic, heartless event in the nation of Israel.  If you ever wonder if the exile was too harsh, consider the incidents in the nation chosen by God.  These events are raw, unbridled, uninhibited acts of violence and injustice.  I don’t think I have to retell the story because the narrator simply recounts the story. But, while it may seem that God was not involved, ‘the…

1 Kings 20 By Pastor David Groendyk This chapter recounts events that take place probably over a few months of time. Ahab king of Israel and Ben-hadad king of Syria are at war with each other and do battle twice, while two unnamed prophets are sent by God to go to Ahab with two very different messages. If 1 Kings 17–19 is meant to portray the amazing victories of the God of war, 1 Kings…

1 Kings 19 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence If we know anything about the weakness of the flesh, it is not so hard to believe that this is the same prophet Elijah who just a few days prior stood up to the king of Israel and took on 450 prophets singlehandedly that is now asking the Lord to take his life. Surely, the man is tired and hungry after running for hundreds of miles. He is…

1 Kings 18 Pastor Mark Hudson I Kings 18 charms with drama, ridicule, decisions, fear, prayer, ritual, and murder.  This courageous act by Elijah, who challenges the prophets of Baal, almost gets him murdered by Queen Jezebel.  First notice that there is not one way to serve the Lord.  Elijah is confrontational while Obadiah is secretive.  Elijah is more fire and brimstone, speak directly to those in authority (dare I use ‘truth to power’?) and…

1 Kings 17 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence After a succession of wicked but short-lived kings in Israel, King Ahab was introduced as the seventh king of the northern nation in the previous chapter. His reign stands out from his predecessors in that he didn’t just encourage the worship of idols as they did, but he promoted the worship of foreign gods as well actually building a temple unto Baal in the very heart of Israel.…

1 Kings 16 Pastor Mark Hudson Chapter 16 of I Kings continues the narrative that begins in 15:25.   Nadab, son of Jeroboam reigns for two years until Baasha, the son of Ahijah of the tribe of Issachar kills him.  Then Baasha kills all the house of Jeroboam and I mean all the house.  Baasha fulfills a prophecy but that does not mean what he did was praiseworthy. He reigned for 24 years in the city…

1 Kings 14 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence Even atheists will try praying to God when all else fails. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they’ve been converted or are expressing genuine faith but are merely seeking to cover all their bases. Nevertheless, it still testifies to the truth of Scripture that deep down in their hearts they know that there is a God, even though they refuse to submit to him. In our text this…

1 Kings 13 Pastor Mark Hudson Here is a chapter where the reader has questions at every turn, but few answers are given.  This chapter continues the idolatry we find in chapter 12.   But as Jeroboam begins his idolatrous worship a prophet from Judah rebukes his entire plan.  The prophet prophesies of the coming King and names him!  Then the prophet tells Jeroboam that this altar will be destroyed, and the ashes poured out.  Basically,…

1 Kings 12 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence In Proverbs 13:20 Solomon wrote “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Sayings such as these were collected and recorded to be given to his sons as well as to all God’s people. Sadly, his son Rehoboam didn’t pay them any regard, and his kingdom would suffer much harm as a result. His rival, Jeroboam, also did not walk with…

1 Kings 11 Pastor Mark Hudson Chapter 11 of I Kings brings all the joy, celebration, and thankfulness to an abrupt and sad end.  Remember Deuteronomy 17:15-17, when God gives the stipulations for a king, “you may indeed set a king over you whom the LORD your God will choose. . . .  17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself exces-…

1 Kings 10 By Pastor David Groendyk What words could you use to describe the state of Israel and King Solomon in this chapter? Breathtaking, unforgettable, grandiose, extravagant, just to name a few. Several of the themes we’ve been exploring in this first part of 1 Kings occur in today’s chapter again—foreign rulers coming to admire God’s blessings, prosperity beyond measure for God’s chosen king, and the height of all wisdom on full display—but it’s…

1 Kings 9 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” said one of the guards of the king’s castle in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Even though Israel was enjoying peace and prosperity on every side under the reign of God’s anointed king Solomon, this chapter continues to hint that there is nevertheless corruption and evil lurking in the shadows. After reading such a wonderful chapter yesterday of how the Lord gladly…

1 Kings 8 Pastor Mark Hudson Here is a suggested outline for 1 Kings 8 per D.R. Davis Celebration and sacrifices   1-13 Blessing Israel and Yahweh  14-21 Solomon’s prayer of dedication 22-53 Blessing Israel and Yahweh 54-61 Celebration and sacrifices 62-66 What is important about this structure, called a chiasm, after a letter in the Greek alphabet that looks like an X.  In this structure the middle section, that has no parallel is how the…

1 Kings 6 Pastor Mark Hudson As you know as a reader of the entire Bible, these stories and events are rooted in history. In verse 1, the author makes it clear how long after the exodus the temple build started. Some think the 480 years is more of a round figure, but it seems unlikely, although possible, since the rest of the verse is so precise. One author says in this verse we see…

1 Kings 5 By Pastor David Groendyk There is a good deal that could be said about the physical construction and supplies for the building of the temple. For instance, one commentator mentions that, although archaeologists have never unearthed this exact temple building, all of the descriptions in 1 Kings 5–8 of the supplies, the dimensions, the carvings and design, and even the process of building are quite similar to other construction projects during this…

1 Kings 4 Devotional By Pastor Lawrence These first few chapters in the book of 1 Kings describe the very apex of Israel’s history and also the pinnacle of the Old Testament. Under Solomon’s reign, Israel enjoyed peace and prosperity on every side with God’s appointed king ruling over a vast territory stretching from the river Euphrates to the Red Sea and all the surrounding nations bringing in tribute to Israel. The vastness of the…

1 Kings 3 Pastor Mark Hudson From chapter 3 to chapter 10, Solomon is living with God’s richest blessings.  As the third king of Israel, he will, like Saul and David, reign 40 years.  Solomon may be as young as 20 years old when he become king.  He has lived in luxury in the house of David growing up, but David’s house was not a normal house by any means.  Solomon, in many ways, was…