This week's readings in 1 Kings chronicles the life and reign of Solomon.  It started so well with Solomon asking God for wisdom and God gives it in abundance.  Quickly Solomon is recognized around the world as a wise and wealthy ruler.  God's promise to David is fulfilled as Solomon builds the temple in Jerusalem.  Perhaps the peak of Solomon's reign comes as the temple is dedicated and God makes a promise to Solomon to establish his throne forever.  Eventually, though, it all came crashing down as Solomon acquired many wives and concubines who led him astray from the ways God called him to follow.  There is much to learn from Solomon as we follow his rise and eventual fall as king of Israel.  It's important to remember that the writer of Kings is helping us to understand why Israel was taken into captivity.  We're just at the beginning of the story!  Be sure to check out the blog for the guiding questions as you read and for the opportunity to interact with each other.  We enter our rhythm of LEARN-READ-INTERACT.

From How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens, Michael Williams makes these points about 1 & 2 Kings:

Phrase: Turning Away

Theme: God expels Israel and Judah from his presence in the Promised Land when their kings turn away from Torah.

Christ-Focus: God turns away from Jesus on the cross as judgment against those who have turned away from him (Romans 3:10-12; Matthew 27:45-46).

Implications: We need to rely on God's strength and the encouragement of each other to keep from turning away from the path of life (Hebrews 3:12-13).

Questions: What is your "rule of life"?  What are you more likely to do: what you know is right or what you want to do at the time?  What are you doing to guard against turning away from God?

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