2 Kings 7

 "For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!” Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives." vv.6-7 

Read chapter 7
At the same time as the four lepers rose at twilight to go to the Syrian camp is when the Syrians fled.  At the sound of a great army the whole army of the Syrians fled.  It so dumbfounded them that they didn't even take their horses that would have made their fleeing faster and surer.  They didn't even think to send some to seek out who the noise might be nor did they have the slightest bit of courage to face and defend themselves.  Yet all they conjured up in their minds was not real but a fear the Lord instilled in them just at a sound He made them to hear.  "God can, when he pleases, dispirit the boldest, and make the stoutest hearts to tremble. They that will not fear God, he can make them fear at the shaking of a leaf" (Benson Commentary).  How can illusion cause you to fear or lack trust in God?  How can you let God's truth discern from our own minds and what we hear or see?  Give a specific example.

2 Kings 6

So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. v. 6

Read chapter 6

This is the twelfth miracle of Elisha making an ax head float.   Iron doesn't float.  These prophets go to manual labor to build more room for them to dwell (even prophets should not be unwilling to work and do honest labor for themselves and each other).  This one man so respected the axe which he borrowed that it was a such a horror to him that it came apart and seemed lost, so he cried out to Elisha.  Elisha doesn't just say "Go swim for it," or "That's what you get for not taking proper care," but immediately responds to the issue.  This may seem like a random ho-hum thing but also shows even little things matter to the Lord.As John Newton put it,  

"Not one concern of ours is small 

if we belong to Him; 

to teach us this, the Lord of all 

Once made the iron to swim."

What is something small you haven't gone to the Lord for thinking He doesn't have time for "petty" things?  Pray now!

2 Kings 5

And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” v.13

Read chapter 5
Oh how like Naaman we can be.  Always wanting a show or something intricate then a simple word and task to be healed.  Or thinking worship has to be through music with all sorts of instruments and amazing singers, than just alone on a mountain top praising Jesus.  Also like God's word, it does not have to be so far fetched, super duper hidden meaning, many times it's as forward as possible yet people don't want to take a straight forward answer sometimes.  How have you fallen into thinking like Naaman?  What do you need to hear right now simple and forward than a confused over-thoughtout problem?

2 Kings 4

"Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased...When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed...Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it...But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?” vv. 6,32,40,43

Read chapter 4
When you read of one miracle after the next after the next in this chapter what does it remind you of?  What similarities do you see in these four miracles in this chapter?  They all represent miracles that Jesus did during His earthly ministry (Elisha's were on a smaller scale though).

• The oil that didn't run out = wine at the wedding
• Elisha bringing back the boy from being dead = Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave
• Poison stew into healthy stew = turned a few fish & loaves into a healthy meal to feed 4,000 
• 20 loaves for 100 people fed full = 5 loaves & 2 fish fed 5,000

Elisha is a type of Christ in many more ways we continue to read about.  How else can you see similarities? 

2 Kings 3

"For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’  And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand...Then they rose up early in the morning, and the sun was shining on the water; and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood." vv.17-18,22

Read chapter 3
A miracle through nature.  It had been seven days that they were going through the desert without water for all the men and animals and surely there wasn't a sign of rain coming soon or else the Moabites probably wouldn't have been confused.  This miraculous water that they are given so that they may drink came from rain that was not seen by either these Israelites or Moabites but possibly rain else where implied. The order of the Lord through Elisha was hand in hand that they were to dig ditches that they would then be filled with water.  "Those who expect God's blessings, must dig pools for the rain to fill, as in the valley of Baca, and thus make even that a well, Ps 84:6."  Then this "simple matter" of the Lord to deliver the Moabites into Israel's hands came about as to the second benefit of the miraculous water in that it appeared as blood to them assuming they killed themselves, so didn't come ready to fight when trying to plunder and fell at the sword of Israel.  How can you "dig a pool" in your life so that it may be filled with blessings?

2 Kings 2

"Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." v.11

Read chapter 2
Elijah is one of the only people in heaven right now.  Ok keep reading because I know for some that can be a shocking, disagreeable statements. We know Jesus is there with His angles, but Elijah and Enoch (Genesis 5:24) are the only two in scripture that we know didn't face death.  They were both taken up into heaven where everyone else has returned to the dust and in wait of the resurrection into the Kingdom of God.  What do you think he's been doing all this time?  There's a whole lot more that can be said on this topic and I challenge you to seek it out than just agreeing or disagreeing.  
Let's still look at this moment of Elijah and Elisha.  How crazy and scary would it have been to all of the sudden appear a chariot of fire and horses of fire!  I don't even know if I can picture that, were the horses and chariot on fire or just that it was fire in the shape of them?  Notice it wasn't the chariot that Elijah went up in though but a whirlwind.  I wonder if he was afraid?  He knew he was going to be taken as we see in the first part of the chapter but still to leave this life can be a hard thing when it becomes a reality.  Why do you think Elijah was given this opportunity to not face death?

2 Kings 1

So they answered him, “A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist.”

And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” v.8

Read chapter 1

Elijah was  hairy man and probably means long beard and long head hair.  It's interesting to compare Elijah's appearance and that of John the Baptist; "Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist;" (Matthew 3:4).  This seems to be the look of prophets  after Elijah, "And it shall be in that day that every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they will not wear a robe of coarse hair to deceive." (Zechariah 13:4).  Just because one could dress the part didn't mean they could act the part, that had to come about by the Holy Spirit.  Prophets didn't always speak messages people wanted to hear; being a prophet is a heavy burden when having to deliver a hard message that people will get mad at and try to kill the messenger than submitting to the One who actually gave the message.  What are some "looks" of knowing who's a Christian today?  How can these be false sometimes and how can they be comforting?

1 Kings 22

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” v.8

Read chapter 22

I always laugh at this line of Ahab out of his ridiculousness and immaturity.  You can just hear him whining and being a selfish child in it saying "I hate Micaiah because he's never nice to me" (paraphrased).  He had many false prophets that would say what he wanted to hear, prophets of Baal, and Miciaiah was the one true prophet of God who would always prophesy what Ahab didn't want to hear.  Just like Timothy says, "for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;" (2 Timothy 4:3).  Yet Jehoshaphat even knew that the prophets of Baal were false when after hearing them he still asks if there's any prophet left of the Lord to in quire of (v.7).  King Jehoshaphat (Judah) was trying to make a treaty with King Ahab (Israel) probably through a marriage (2 Chron. 18:1) and support of going to battle against Syria in this chapter, but ultimately this brought about the death of Ahab.  When have you noticed yourself listening to what you want to hear than what is actually true?  How can you know the difference?

1 Kings 21

"But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, 'Why is your spirit so sullen that you eat no food?'...But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up. " vv.5, 25

Read chapter 21
Ahab was the most wicked king of all.  Out of twenty bad kings he was the worst.  And behind it all was the influence of his wife, Jezebel.  First we see in this chapter Ahab being a big baby and pouting because Naboth wouldn't give him his vineyard.  This was coveting of Ahab and not selfishness of Naboth.  God's law for the division of land was to be kept inside each tribe as far as ownership and the two were not from the same tribe.  Jezebel sees her husband all sad and winey that she takes control and does so herself scheming to kill Naboth so that her husband can have the vineyard.  She's definitely the dominant one in their marriage.  How sad to think that if Ahab married a different woman how different of a man he could have been.  Also for us woman to realize the influence we can have on our husbands both negatively and positively of the type of wife we can be to them.  This is a justification for Ahab because he ultimately made the decisions himself.  Women, what can you learn from being a woman like Jezebel?  Men, what can you learn from being a man like Ahab?

1 Kings 20

"Now a certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his neighbor by the word of the Lord, “Strike me, please.” And the man refused to strike him.  Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, surely, as soon as you depart from me, a lion shall kill you.” And as soon as he left him, a lion found him and killed him.  And he found another man, and said, “Strike me, please.” So the man struck him, inflicting a wound.  Then the prophet departed and waited for the king by the road, and disguised himself with a bandage over his eyes." vv.35-38 

Read chapter 20

If a man asks you to strike him would you do it?  This prophet speaking God's words told one man to strike him and he wouldn't so he's then mauled by a lion because he disobeyed God.  This seems harsh but if we look closer at the details there's some justification.  "The man to whom he made the request was probably one who like himself dwelt in one of the prophetic societies, and he ought therefore to have understood that there was some purpose in his companion’s request. Hence his sin in refusing to comply with it" (Cambridge Bible).Then the prophet goes to another man and says the same thing.  This time the man does strike him.  This strike wasn't to kill himself but just to wound so that he could call out king Ahab by him making the judgement on himself based on what he would say to the wounded (disguised) prophet.  Such a neat way God calls people out sometimes in them making judgement on a situation similar to theirs and then opens their eyes to see their guilt and sin.  How can you use God's Word (the Bible) to let God do the judging than using your own words and thoughts so that one may see their fault?

1 Kings 19

"Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;  and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." vv.11-12

Read chapter 19
Crazy that after the last chapter of Elijah winning in his "god" battle between him and the worshippers of Baal that he runs off hiding and desiring to die (v.4).  Yet how true that victories with the Lord can bring attack from Satan to try to make one forget that victory and win somewhere else.  The Lord doesn't abandon Elijah but super naturally feeds him again (first time with the ravens second time by an angel) and survives for 40 days off that.  Then the Lord speaks.  Why he waited 40 days to speak to him, I don't know.  The Lord had spoke through fire and earthquake before as to the Law to show judgement but with Elijah He wouldn't speak in such a manifest way but in a "still small voice."  God had done a big outward miracle with Elijah and the burning up of the sacrifice in front of many and He would still be there in the quiet times of life too.  God's not just in the big things but the small things in our lives.  We don't just listen to Him when it's this big, emotional, exciting moment, but also when it's quiet, calm, or lonely.  What fire, earthquakes, wind are distracting you to try to hear God than from hearing His still small voice?

1 Kings 18

"Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench." vv.37-38

Read chapter 18

Elijah never asked for fire.  After he had drenched the altar and the sacrifice with water three times he then prayed to God that the Israelites would know the only one true God and that their hearts would turn back to the Lord.  It wasnt a prayer of "Lord, send down fire and prove you're God," but was a prayer of turning their hearts back and the result was God licked up the sacrifice and all the water with fire.  This was a divine fire, not just one set by man and even if man tried all that water could not have allowed everything to burn.  It was this miracle they saw that would be in their hearts too of what only God can do and that He is a God of grace.  What hearts do you need to pray for change or turning back to God rather than trying to "perform" for them?  What about your own heart?

1 Kings 17

And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.”  Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. vv.21-22

Read chapter 17
There's resurrections in the Old Testament!  Most people think that the only resurrection in scripture is Jesus, but there are actually a handful of different resurrections some that are named like Lazarus (John 8), some as a company of people (Matthew 27:52), some that have already happened and some that are still to come (our hope 1 Cor. 15).  All the resurrections look a little different but it is only the power of God that can raise someone from the dead.  Here it seems like Elijah was doing some kind of ritual since he repeats three times stretching himself over the child.  This wasn't some ritual that Elijah was performing but more likely he was trying to pass on his own vitality as a prophet of God onto the boy to restore life.  When Lazarus is raised it happen just at the command of Jesus, when the company of people are raise in the gospels it's because Jesus just died on the cross.  We will rise when Christ returns in His kingdom (1 Thess. 4).  If this child was going to heaven once he died, why would Elijah raise him?  What is the point of the resurrection if we're already in heaven?  Study scripture to find the truth as to what happens when you die, maybe start by seeing if you can find one verse in scripture where it says you go to heaven when you die (if you find it I'll give you $1,000).

1 Kings 16

Baasha king of Israel,
Elah king of Israel,
Zimri king of Israel,
Omri king of Israel,
Ahab king of Israel

Asa king of Judah

Read chapter 16
Asa was king over Judah 41 years and during these 41 years there were five different kings of Israel.  It's sometimes hard keeping all the kings straight: Who was bad? Who was good?  Who was over Judah?  Who was over Israel?  What was the order of kingship?  I kind of think of it like when I was younger and learned a song of the presidents of the United States and we sung a song learning all the names and the order from the first to the most current.   Andrew Peterson did something similar and wrote a song of all the kings of Judah in the line of Christ by putting music and a beat to Matthew 1, it's now one of my favorite songs and one I'll sing when I'm trying to remember who was father of who. Another thing I like to do to remember which ones were the good ones and which were the evil ones in the Lord's eyes is put a smily or frowning face next to their name.  Some are a little tricky in that they start off good and turn evil or start evil and turn good (those just get a straight face).  It's a fun way to make studying and remembering scripture fun.  Why don't you start something like that as we go through the kings...

1 Kings 14

"Arise therefore, go to your own house. When your feet enter the city, the child shall die." v.12

Read chapter 14
Jeroboam's wife tries to disguise herself as she goes to the prophet Ahijah to find out about what will happen to their son who was ill.  Funny thing in that Ahijah was blind (v.4) so pointless to disguise herself; the Lord told him any way that she was coming.  Well Jeroboam and his wife got more than they asked for when just seeking about their son but the prophesy of Jeroboam and his kingship as well in that disaster would come on the house of Jeroboam killing all males in his family.  The only one that would not receive destruction would be this son who was ill.  Yet this son still dies but is "the only one of Jeroboam who shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something good toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam."  The child was good yet still is pronounced to die by the Lord, does this then show hope for his future after death?! How hard would it be being that mom knowing that your child would die once you did a certain thing?  I can just see her taking her time walking back home, crying and contemplating.  

1 Kings 15

"Also he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. And Asa cut down her obscene image and burned it by the Brook Kidron." v.13

Read chapter 15
We have a good king finally!  Asa is described as doing right in the eyes of the Lord as David. It had been a couple generations now between David and Asa.  Asa had to fight against the norm I bet and make some big changes than what the people had been used to over the years of the last few kings.  It always seems hard when a new leader steps in and wants to change everything but sometimes it's for better than we realize.  I'm impressed by Asa removing his own grandmother.  I'm sure she wasn't this sweet old little lady as you would picture a typical grandma.  She was probably a very strong, evil woman as she was queen mother and set up an Asherah pole (a large sex image).  Most likely it was taking her power from her.  "Asa's times were times of reformation. He removed that which was evil; there reformation begins, and a great deal he found to do. When Asa found idolatry in the court, he rooted it out thence. Reformation must begin at home. Asa honours and respects his mother; he loves her well, but he loves God better. Those that have power are happy when thus they have hearts to use it well. We must not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well; not only cast away the idols of our iniquity, but dedicate ourselves and our all to God's honour and glory"  (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary).

1 Kings 13

"He said to him, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (He was lying to him.)"  v.18

Read chapter 13
A prophet lied to a prophet.  The one prophet says the exact opposite words to the other prophet of what God said to him.  In scripture it's noted that he was lying so it's not to show that God contradicts Himself.  Yet how often we forget what God first said and think He changes His mind saying something complete different only days or hours later?  The prophet that falls for the lie is then mauled by a lion from God's wrath of judgment of not heeding the Lord's command.  It may seem harsh or hard to understand since he was deceived and we can't always understand the Lord's judgments other than that His is true and perfect.  God doesn't act this way today because it is His time of absolute grace, the dispensation of grace, but will one day speak and His judgments will be in the earth.  Today we even here and see Christians preaching opposite things.  So how can we not be deceived from differing Godly men?  KNOW GOD'S WORD.  God's word will always win and trump.

1 Kings 12

Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist!  v.10

Read chapter 12
This chapter records the split of Israel.  Rehoboam is the son of Solomon and Jeroboam is from the tribe of Ephraim (an Israelite tribe) who was one of Solomon's officials.  Because of Solomon's sin the Lord took full reign from his line starting with Rehoboam.  We read in the previous chapter of the prophesy of Jeroboam becoming king over 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel and now it has happened.  Notice Rehoboam seeking counsel from the elders and his peers yet they say opposite things.  The elders advise him to be a servant leader where his peers tell him to be a harsher leader than his father was.  I always joke with my workers when I think I might be being a "harsh" leader by asking them if "my little finger is thicker than [some other leader's] waist"?  Yet how often do we see no one learning from the generations before them and instead "getting with the times" of handling manners or listening to peers than to someone worthy of respect?  Not all our elders are wise and give Godly counsel so we must discern but also we cannot always just take what our friends say because we are closer to them in relationships.  Are you able to discern between counsel from friends and your "elders"?  How can one do this?

1 Kings 11

"And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart." v.3

Read chapter 11
700 wives and 300 concubines.  That's 1,000 women!  Did he even know all their names?  Did he have that many weddings?  Did he ever sleep with the same woman twice?  Solomon's love of women was his downfall.  Something he lusted after so much and got what he wanted ultimately turned on him and caused him to turn from the Lord.  These weren't just Israelite women (even though multiplying of any kind of wives was not what the Lord ever intended), but women of other nations that followed other gods.  The Lord even commanded, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” And this they did as we read in the next verse, "For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David."  How strong of power us women too can have with the power of sex over a man.  When have you realized your love or lust of the opposite sex cause you to turn from the Lord?  Have you ever used sex to control someone?

1 Kings 9

"(Hiram the king of Tyre had supplied Solomon with cedar and cypress and gold, as much as he desired), that King Solomon then gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. 12 Then Hiram went from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, but they did not please him. 13 So he said, “What kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother?” And he called them the land of Cabul, as they are to this day." vv.11-13

Read chapter 9

After twenty years of building the Lord's house and his own (Solomon's) house, Solomon decides to give a gift to Hiram the king of Tyre since he supplied him with a lot of means to make the building possible and intricate and perfect.  Yet his gift doesn't necessarily seem to show that he was that thankful.  I mean to be given a gift of twenty cities seems incredible.  Who just owns a city?  But these cities weren't so glorious as if we were to own some tropical island that we could go vacation on and enjoy.  These cities were in the land of Galilee and Galilee was always despised. The people of Tyre were maritime people and would have appreciated territory along the sea than these inland cities.  But not just that Hiram was going to be picky what his gift was but Solomon didn't give generously.  These cities really were "mere villages. 'It is a genuine Eastern trick to dignify a small present with a pompous name'" (Pulpit Commentary).  He then calls the cities Cabul or "good for nothing" and we see later Solomon rebuild and restore them later.  

How do you give good gifts to those that help you?  How have you not given so good a gift as you ought to have? 

1 Kings 10

"Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.  However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. " vv.6-7

Read chapter 10
Queen of Sheba.  She was from Egypt and traveled all the way to Jerusalem to meet Solomon and hear his wisdom of rumors she had heard of being so great.  Yet even the rumors of his wisdom did not nearly compare to the full awe and truth of his wisdom.  Can you even imagine!  All the riches Solomon had was nothing to her as was his wisdom, being more awestruck and infatuated with truth than any earthly thing.  Surely this wisdom showed her of the true God that Solomon followed.  We read of Jesus referring to her in Luke 11 of her inquiring after God yet with God right in front of them they did not care, "The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here." 
How far would you travel to hear God's wisdom (if you didn't have the Bible)?  Would you take a couple months trip just to hear? Would you even travel down the block or to the next city?  Have you be captivated by God's Word that has more wisdom than even half of what's been told you?

1 Kings 8

"So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.  Then they brought up the ark of the Lord, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up." vv.3-4

Read chapter 8
What's the difference between the priests and the Levites?  In short, all priests are Levities but not all Levites are priests.  If you remember back in Exodus when Aaron and his sons were chosen and anointed to serve in the most holy place and in charge of ministering at the altar the sacrifices and offerings.  "Those Levites who were not priests were assigned duties connected with the tabernacle (Numbers 3-4). They assisted the priests (Numbers 1:50; 3:6, 8; 16:9; 1 Chronincles 9:22, 26f; 23:2-4, 28; Ezra 3:8-9.), tyhey prepared the cereal offerings (1 Chronincles 23:28-32), and they cared for the courts and the chambers of the sanctuary. Later, the Levites were involved in interpreting the law and thus functioned as teachers (Nehemiah 8:7, 9; 2 Chronicles 17:7-7; 35:3)" (thywordistruth.com).  
In this chapter we see priests were ministers of sacrifice and Levites were ministers of praise.  And this surely was a time to offer sacrifice and praise to God as the temple of God was built, no longer a traveling tent but a house built by Solomon of a representation of the temple in heaven that we'll one day see and praise.  We don't have priests and Levites today as ordained through geneology as then and we no longer need priests and Levites to enter in to the most holy place for us as Christ has torn down the wall of separation that we may go freely to Him to minister our own sacrifices and praise.  Hallelujah!

1 Kings 7

"But Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house; so he finished all his house." v.1

Read chapter 7

It almost took double the time to build Solomon's house than it did the temple, being just over seven years (6:38).  This could be due to "the materials so far provided and prepared for this as they were for the temple, nor did either he or his people use the same diligence in this as in the other work, to which they were quickened by God’s express command" (Benson's Commentary).  The total time of construction during Solomon's reign was 20 years!  That's a long time living in construction when I struggle if construction around my house or work is longer than a couple months, just ready and wanting it to be done.  Diligence and quality is key than just rush and loss of accuracy.  "All Solomon's buildings, though beautiful, were intended for use. Solomon began with the temple; he built for God first, and then his other buildings. The surest foundations of lasting prosperity are laid in early piety. He was thirteen years building his house, yet he built the temple in little more than seven years; not that he was more exact, but less eager in building his own house, than in building God's. We ought to prefer God's honour before our own ease and satisfaction."  How can your work for the Lord in your life can you spend diligent, efficient time in?

1 Kings 6

"And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built." v.7

Read chapter 6
Details of the intricate construction of the temple fill this chapter.  I always think of some of my friends who are carpenters and wonder if they would love this chapter of construction talk and be in awe of why things were constructed certain ways.  It's interesting to note that the stones were chiseled and formed away from the temple until they were ready to be placed so that the temple wasn't disturbed with the noise of tools.  The temple was built in silence.  McLearen's Expositions thinks this can be an "encouragement to those whose work is inconspicuous and a lesson not to mistake noise and notoriety for spiritual progress." 
Every stone was made ready at the quarry and then transported.  This must have made the transportation of the stones of serious care.  We can also be like these stones being made ready at the quarry for the temple.  While we're living in this present age and world waiting for Christ's Kingdom to come, we are be chiseled away being made perfect until the completion of Christ when He returns to make us all one body, His body, perfectly fit together to see and be our purpose.

1 Kings 5

"And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lordspoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.” Now therefore, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon; and my servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who has skill to cut timber like the Sidonians." vv.5-6

Read chapter 5

Hiram was not an Israelite but a king of Tyre of the Phonesians.  He loved king David as noted here but also seen in 2 Samuel 5:11 when timber was sent to help build David's house.  This is said to be Hiram's son who was now king of Tyre.  Solomon was to build the house of the Lord, the Temple, as directed by God to David.  "It should be noticed that between the narrative in Kings and Chronicles there is a marked difference here. The former says nothing about the preparations which David had made for building the Temple, but makes the preparation commence under Solomon. In Chronicles David is represented as making great preparations before his death. Cf. 1 Chronicles 29:6-9; 2 Chronicles 2:3-7 and with 1 Kings 6:2 compare 2 Chronicles 3:3" (Cambridge Bible Commentary).

Cedar trees from Lebanon were for their soundness, and strength, and fragrancy, and durable-ness, were most proper for his design.  The skill of the Sidonians is noted in other ancient historical writings. There were not only to cut down trees and bring them to Solomon but helped in carving and building of this intricate house to be built.  Solomon would pay whatever was deemed by Hiram.

When building something for the Lord it wasn't something to go cheap on but to go all out?  You may not have the means to buy the most expensive things in ministry to God but how can you "go all out" in what you do for the Lord?

1 Kings 4

"And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.  Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt." vv.29-30

Read chapter 4
Can you imagine this wisdom!  Do you desire to learn?  Have wisdom?  Would you have traveled far to hear someone that is like no other just to hear him speak and teach?  There wasn't a topic he didn't seem cover. "He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five.  Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish."  A "largeness of heart" isn't talking about love but the ability to grasp, hold, understand knowledge of all things divine and human; an extremely comprehensive mind.  Solomon's capacity of knowledge was far greater than any other man.  I just watched the movie The Giver and the Giver was the one man who had all the knowledge of the history of man like Solomon it seemed like of good, bad (although he didn't have wisdom in discernment more just of memory and knowledge). Sometimes knowing all things can be very difficult of wanting to be ignorant of evil because it hurts.  Also I wonder why Solomon tried evil just to understand that more that we read in his book of Ecclesiastes?  

1 Kings 3

"At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you...Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” v.5,9

Read chapter 3
Don't you wish God would ask you this?  If He just appeared and said in a clear voice "Ask!  What shall I give you?"  How more likely people would ask for riches, fame or material things, but Solomon asks for discerment between good and evil. This pleased the Lord so much that God gave him riches and fame too.  This wasn't just book wisdom but Divine wisdom.  Wisdom without having studied or base on his own experience.  This wisdom that Solomon was given so superseded the wisdom of the world that people came from afar to hear him.  Oh how often I wish I had this gift especially when I can't make a decision or can't discern well or just want the Lord's will so badly.  The cool thing we have though today is God's word that is living and active and has answers to all things in life.  I know sometimes I just want something written in the sky that says, "Nicole marry so and so," but through prayer and His word He will direct us.  James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  So what would you ask for if God asked you this question today?  What kind of wisdom or discernment are you looking for today in your life?