Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+012

 

CHAPTER 12 (ESV)

6 Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” 7 And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” 8 But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. 9 And he said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” 10 And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs. 11 And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

 

REFLECTION

1. On Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam took the throne. In Solomon’s years, heavy taxes and increased hard labour for Solomon’s building projects had caused resentment. The north made tax reduction a condition of recognizing Rehoboam’s royal authority.
2. Rehoboam’s pride was displayed in rejecting the counsel advised by the elders, but he accepted the arrogant suggestions of young men of his own age who demanded submission from the people.
3. Rehoboam’s choice was between compassion and cruelty, kindness and harshness, mercy and judgment. “A man reaps what he sows” (Gal 6:7-8). If Rehoboam had sown kindness instead of harshness, his life might have turned out differently.
4. One day I will stand at the judgment seat of Christ, where I will reap what I have sown. Therefore, if I want to receive mercy, I must take the right advice now, such as: “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”(James 2:12-13).

 

PRAYER

“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”(1 Pet 3:10-12)

God, I commit my tongue and my heart to You. Help me to seek peace, turn away from evil and do good.

 

HYMN

Prayer of St Francis – youtu.be/OE44Et-FyRg

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+011

 

CHAPTER 11 (ESV)

1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 3 He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. 4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. 8 And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.

 

REFLECTION

1. As mentioned in the last chapter, Old Testament law forbade marriage to foreign women, and specifically prohibited accumulating large amounts of gold and silver as well as multiple marriages for kings (Deut 17:14-20). Solomon not only married many women, but he built temples and permitted his wives to worship their old gods and goddesses, AND he began to worship with them.
2. Solomon’s disobedience resulted in God’s decision to take most of the kingdom away from Solomon’s offspring, but for David’s sake reserved the tribe of Judah and Jerusalem for Solomon’s descendants.
3. Ironically, the wisest man in the world became the most foolish. Solomon’s obsession with God gave way to an obsession with women. That obsession gave way to seduction, seduction to spiritual infidelity, infidelity to idolatry. And idolatry to open defiance.
4. Wisdom doesn’t safeguard us from waywardness, for we, like Solomon, can be mentally brilliant but morally bankrupt. In the end, it’s a choice between obsession and obedience –obsession with our lusts or obedience to our Lord. How do I choose?

 

PRAYER

“The heart is rich when it is content, and it is always content when its desires are fixed on God. Nothing can bring greater happiness than doing God’s will for the love of God.”- Miguel Febres Cordero-Munoz

May God’s love propel me to love Him more and more and to fix my desires on God and be content always.

 

HYMN

Lord, I Give You My Heart – youtu.be/LlxtO8xajzs

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+010

 

CHAPTER 10 (ESV)

14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, 15 besides that which came from the explorers and from the business of the merchants, and from all the kings of the west and from the governors of the land. 16 King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of gold went into each shield. 17 And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. 18 The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with the finest gold. 19 The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, 20 while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. The like of it was never made in any kingdom. 21 All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon. 22 For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet of ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

23 Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. 24 And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. 25 Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year.

 

REFLECTION

1. Solomon is indeed a king of wisdom, he has acquired a lot of wealth through tributes, trades and commerce.
2. Deut. 17 mentioned that God allowed Israel to have a king, but the king has certain restrictions. He is not for his own benefit, silver and gold must not acquire in great quantity for himself” (Deut. 17:17). Solomon’s gold is used to ornament buildings on display. Deut. warns against those who exalt themselves believing their own efforts have brought them wealth, “… and your silver and gold is multiplied; then the self-impressed will be tempted to forget God” (8:12-17). Unfortunately, very soon we will see how God’s warning was fulfilled in Solomon’s life.
3. Prov 2:1-5 says: “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”
4. How do I acquire true wisdom? How do I use my resources; my cash, time, and skill for expanding God’s Kingdom?

 

PRAYER

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”(Prov 9:10). Lord, grant me the desire to seek You, to approach You, and to fear You lest I become foolish and sin against You.

 

HYMN

Speak, O Lord – youtu.be/9-sBck5t2tw

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+009

 

CHAPTER 9 (ESV)

1 As soon as Solomon had finished building the house of the Lord and the king’s house and all that Solomon desired to build, 2 the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. 3 And the Lord said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. 4 And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules, 5 then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ 6 But if you turn aside from following me, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 8 And this house will become a heap of ruins. Everyone passing by it will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ 9 Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore the Lord has brought all this disaster on them.’”

 

REFLECTION

1. This is God’s second time appearing to Solomon in his dream and delivered a different message from the first time (3:5-14). God is pleased to accept the Temple as the residence of His name forever indicating His presence with His people always (vv1-5), yet He also lays out His warnings (vv6-9).
2. Once again we are reminded that God’s promise is assuring (vv1-5) while His warning is unsettling (vv6-9), and between the two, there is tension. In fact, God’s presence brings us assurance as well as unsettling. We need both in balance. Too assured, we’ll become complacent, too unsettling, we’ll become anxious. Therefore, we’ll need God’s promise to lead us forward hopefully, and God’s warnings to keep us from hopelessly losing our way.
3. Have I ever experienced the assurance of God’s promises, or the unsettling of God’s warning? What was the situation? How did I respond? What lessons did I learn from that experience?

 

PRAYER

Read these verses as my prayer and petition to God.

How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with You.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:17-18, 23-24)

 

HYMN

Psalm 139 – Far Too Wonder – youtu.be/GmsgYY-INf8

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+008

 

CHAPTER 8 (ESV)

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven, 23 and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart; 24 you have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. 25 Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ 26 Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father.

27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, 29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. 30 And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

 

REFLECTION

1. How do I react to Solomon’s plea to God? What is his understanding of God? What did he ask of God? Are these things what I could also ask of God? Or do I think these are only reserved for people who have a deep faith in God? How do I think of God’s “relentless love” for me? What is it about God that I still don’t get it?
2. Read this prayer once again, listening for what stands out to me relating to the lack of belief I noticed in myself. Explore my reaction more deeply, paying attention to what it tells about myself. Do I think that I can only bring to God requests that are completely selfless? Or is it perhaps that I don’t believe God really loves me. Share with God what I uncover.

 

PRAYER

Ignatius of Loyola once said, “Everything that one turns in the direction of God is prayer”. No matter what my thoughts are at this time – irritation, fear, despair, disinterest, lack of trust in God – it can all be prayer when shared with God. It’s all part of my conversation with God. Solomon let his anxiety and insecurity spill into his prayer to God.

 

HYMN

The Beautiful Garden of Prayer – youtu.be/O5NhX0DuhDI

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+007

 

CHAPTER 7 (ESV)

1 Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house.

2 He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was a hundred cubits and its breadth fifty cubits and its height thirty cubits, and it was built on four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams on the pillars. 3 And it was covered with cedar above the chambers that were on the forty-five pillars, fifteen in each row. 4 There were window frames in three rows, and window opposite window in three tiers. 5 All the doorways and windows had square frames, and window was opposite window in three tiers.

6 And he made the Hall of Pillars; its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth thirty cubits. There was a porch in front with pillars, and a canopy in front of them.

7 And he made the Hall of the Throne where he was to pronounce judgment, even the Hall of Judgment. It was finished with cedar from floor to rafters.

8 His own house where he was to dwell, in the other court back of the hall, was of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken in marriage.

9 All these were made of costly stones, cut according to measure, sawed with saws, back and front, even from the foundation to the coping, and from the outside to the great court. 10 The foundation was of costly stones, huge stones, stones of eight and ten cubits. 11 And above were costly stones, cut according to measurement, and cedar. 12 The great court had three courses of cut stone all around, and a course of cedar beams; so had the inner court of the house of the Lord and the vestibule of the house.

 

REFLECTION

1. Solomon’s palace complex took longer to build than the temple. The palace complex had many buildings, a mix of public administrative centers and private dwellings.
2. The king evidently completed the temple and then began work on his palace (cf. 9:10). This reveals Solomon’s priorities: first a house for God, then one for himself. Solomon’s buildings were lavish, but none of them were even begun until the place of worship was completed. This echoes the priorities Jesus talked about in Mat 6:24-34.
3. What is my priority of my life? How, in reality, do I seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and trust that all I need will be provided to me?

 

PRAYER

Read this verse a few times until it sinks in. Then converse with God about how God and I will make this a reality in my life.

“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” (Matt 6:33, The Message)

 

HYMN

Seek Ye First – youtu.be/EsBpM9IcBts

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+006

 

CHAPTER 6 (ESV)

1 In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the Lord. …

11 Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, 12 “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. 13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.”

 

REFLECTION

1. Although the temple represents God’s dwelling with Israel, God prefers not to be confined. Only if Solomon and the people of Israel live in a manner that involves this faithful “walking with God” will God live amongst His people.
2. There are two ways of traditional understanding of God’s presence – the one illustrated above that God’s presence is dynamic and open; while the other: the temple or tabernacle, a fixed building is static and confining. The first way understands God to be wholly free and sovereign, interacting with humans in surprising and even dangerous ways. The second holds that God is fixed, enthroned in the worship space and life of the community, predictably present.
3. Are church buildings as important to me and my church as the Temple was in Solomon’s time? Why? Is God’s promise to Israel (vv12-13) relevant to me and my church?
4. How do I embrace both ways of the understanding of God’s presence, to live out the reality of the “Emmanuel – God with us life” in my daily life, in my faith community and in the physical church building?

 

PRAYER

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. (Ps 27:4)

 

HYMN

God With Us – youtu.be/udJjT-LMnIs

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+005

 

CHAPTER 5 (ESV)

1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. 2 And Solomon sent word to Hiram, 3 “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. 5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’ 6 Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

7 As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.” 8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber. 9 My servants shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes by providing food for my household.” 10 So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired, 11 while Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000 cors of beaten oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. 12 And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

 

REFLECTION

1. Do a Lectio Divina reading of this passage. Read the passage slowly, pay attention to vv3-5. Listen for the words or phrases that stand out. Dwell on these words or phrases for a while, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to me.
2. What dreams have I had? What dreams have I let go of or picked up?

 

PRAYER

1. Talk to God about the phrases in the passage that hint at dreams I have. Ask God to give me wisdom about whether I need to let go of these dreams or pick them up. Ask God for vision and power to take my next step.
2. Relish the peace that God gives, knowing that dreams don’t have to be realized today. Maybe ponder and pursue the next step. Put on the idea of readiness and see if it fits.

 

HYMN

Be Thou My Vision – youtu.be/Optrm7lF16s

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+004

 

CHAPTER 4 (ESV)

24 For he had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him. 25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. 26 Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. 27 And those officers supplied provisions for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon’s table, each one in his month. They let nothing be lacking. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where it was required, each according to his duty.

29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 32 He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. 33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. 34 And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

 

REFLECTION

1. God indeed has blessed Solomon to expand his territory (v23), and his wealth and military power (26, 29), and peace and prosperity (24-25). His wisdom was great that resulted in many outstanding achievements and benefited those inquired of him.
2. God’s promise to Solomon was similar to what John prayed for his friend Gaius, “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” (3 John 2) Isn’t this what we prayed for others, too?
3. What benefits and blessings has God given me in my life? How do I develop and use them in order to bring blessings to others?

 

PRAYER

Lord, how great is Your will and blessing for me. May You help me to recognize the many blessings that I’ve received from You. Help me to live my life for You.

May You be glorified through my life and through my service to others.

 

HYMN

I Will Offer Up My Life – youtu.be/kQkzHwz2eLE

 

Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Kings+003

 

CHAPTER 3 (ESV)

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

 

REFLECTION

1. Solomon presents himself to God in all humility and asks for an “understanding mind” (v9). In God’s answer, as in David’s last words (2:6, 9), wisdom is the focus.
2. For David, wisdom was often political savvy. For God, wisdom is having “understanding to discern what is right” (v11). It is reverence for God and knowledge for the law that lead the wise to “walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments,” as God counsels Solomon (v14).
3. The text places the Solomon of Chapter 2, the shrewd political realist, next to the Solomon of Chapter 3, the humble seeker of wisdom, and the unapologetic insertion of Solomon marrying the Egyptian princess in the beginning of Ch 3. The author didn’t make any attempt to harmonize these views. This placement suggests that the complexities within Solomon are within all of us as we struggle with the obligations and seductions of power.

 

PRAYER

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Prov 9:10)

Lord, help me to fear You and obey Your word so that I may not stray from Your way.

 

HYMN

The Fear Of The Lord – youtu.be/RZ5SnupM8Ws