1 Kings 22 In this passage the divided kingdom of Israel collaborates together to defeat the Syrian army inhabiting one of their territories. Before they finally agree to join together they listen to the prophets of their gods prophesy victory in rather eccentric ways. The king of Judah asks king Ahab if there are any other prophets to hear from. Ahab’s response is that there is but that the missing prophet never speaks anything good Read More …

1 Kings 17   Elijah had just prophesied to king Ahab that no rain would come to Israel unless he spoke it. From there Elijah was lead by God to a brook and was fed by ravens. When reading this story, it is tempting to view these introductory details as just the foothills by which the rest of the story will climax. In many ways this type of reading is true and very much beneficial. Read More …

1 Kings 9   After the building of the temple God came to Solomon again in a vision. YHWY had enabled Solomon to build a great temple. He gave Solomon the resources and the wisdom with which to use those resources. And now that the work was done, YHWY made it very clear to Solomon the tendencies of a man and a country who accomplishes much in earthly terms. God had filled the temple with Read More …

1 Kings 5   The building of the temple amazes me. The cost, the labor, the amount of gold used is astonishing. While I know the idol it will become for Israel, I have to think that the dedication and sacrifice of all involved was pleasing to The Lord. Beyond that, I can see the supernatural hands of God going before Solomon’s work. YHWY ordered the steps of Solomon and the treaties he made to Read More …

I kings 4   In this chapter the author recounts the grandeur of Solomon: building projects, daily allotment for food, and horses and chariots. Above them all was the means by which he attained them, wisdom.   It is this item of wisdom that I wonder greatly about. James defines wisdom as the necessary lenses by which to see the world in the midst of our trials. For James, it is not a means of Read More …