FIRST KINGS by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 29, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 26.

FIRST KINGS.

By F. D. Starr

BY F. D. STARR.

SOMETHING over a century of the history of God’s people is covered by this book, commencing with the death of David and closing with the death of good King Jehoshaphat. “Solomon in all his glory” is one of the first and leading topics of the book. The temple of the Lord, the house of prayer for all nations, here described, is surely a matter to which we should not be indifferent. Would you like to read the history of the wisest man that ever lived? Then do not pass this book by, for this is the very volume that contains that history. Here is God’s promise to this eminent man: “Lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor; so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.” 1 Kings 3 : 12, 13.

If we would read with interest the history of such great men as Cæsar, Alexander, and Napoleon, how much more the history of this unique monarch in whom were combined the greatest wisdom of any mortal, unparalleled riches, honor, and magnificence; to whom, by special selection, the Lord committed the honor of building His earthly house. But, it may be said, Solomon fell and tarnished his glory. Yes, alas! that is the case. Yet we

have evidence from what we read in the book Ecclesiastes, written after his sad experience, that he was granted repentance unto life, and was forgiven; and, if faithful, we may see him in the kingdom of God, arrayed in more splendor than ever he bore here. We surely should not fail to study the history of his fall, that we may learn to avoid a similar course.

The dedication of the temple, as recorded in chapter eight, is a delightful portion of inspired history. Here is the longest prayer recorded in the Scriptures. God was pleased with this prayer, for He answered by fire. Just as instantly as the eyes of all Israel, whether at home or in foreign lands, were turned toward that typical sanctuary, just so earnestly should our eyes and voices turn toward the house not made with hands, the true tabernacle where the closing priestly acts are being performed by our Mediator. With the Queen of Sheba we exclaim: “The half has never been told!” 1 Kings 4 : 32 says, “He spake three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five.” The Septuagint says, “His songs were five thousand.” We have one of his songs, and less than one thousand of his proverbs on record.

In a time of great apostasy, about three-score years after the death of Solomon, suddenly there appears upon the scene a mighty reformer, an instrument specially prepared of God for that very crisis—Elijah the prophet. Startling was his message, and thorough his work. He was for that age what John the Baptist and Luther were for their respective times. His first announcement was the unwelcome tidings that there was to be no rain upon the earth till brought by his word. We learn from James 5:17 what we would not have known from the Old Testament history of Elijah, that he not only predicted this famine, but that he prayed for it. “He prayed earnestly that it might not rain.” This is the only instance we find on record of a man praying for a drought. Praying for rain is a very common thing, and is also enjoined in the Scriptures. But what could induce a man to pray for a drought? Judging from a human standpoint, can we wonder that the king was angry with him, and was determined to take his life! What would the people think to-day of a man who would pray for such a calamity to come upon the nation? Think of a minister pleading with God not to send rain on the parched earth, and continuing instant in such prayer till three or four seasons had passed by! It would take great faith and spiritual discernment to see the wisdom of such conduct.

But it was simply for the chastisement of God’s chosen, that they might “yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12 : 11), and turn their hearts back to God again. And no one was more ready to pray for rain than was Elijah, when sufficient evidence was seen that a reformation was being started, or might be started among the people.

The events of thrilling interest in the life of Elijah are too numerous to mention in this brief article. The sign by which he demonstrated who was the true God, as recorded in chapter eighteen, has not its equal, in its peculiar features, in any historical records. Yet we know how true it is, as stated by James, that this prophet was a man of like passions with us. That he was subject to discouragement is shown by his fleeing from the wicked Queen Jezebel, and wishing that he might die.

Elijah has the honor of being the last person named in the Old Testament (Mal. 4 : 5, 6), and indeed with the promise that one in his spirit and power should appear on earth before the great day of destruction. This promise was fulfilled in the person of John the Baptist (Matt. 11 : 14), and, because he was not received, a “similar work is to be repeated in our own day.” “Remember ye the law of Moses,” is the word in connection with the work of Elijah just before that dreadful day. Can we, then, pass over in a careless manner the book containing the life history of this eminent servant of God? Then let us read with proper care the book of First Kings. It is a significant fact that these two persons last mentioned in the prophecies of the Old Testament, Moses and Elias, are the chosen ones to administer comfort to our Lord just before His suffering. Matt. 17 : 1-3.

From other translations of 1 Kings 21 : 2 we get the idea that the purpose for which Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard was that he might make of it a lawn or pleasure garden. Is not the same idea carried out in the large parks, lawns, hunting grounds, etc., reserved for the nobility in so many countries, while many of the poor are deprived of even ground enough on which to raise what little fruit and vegetables they need? Is there not some of this same selfishness seen in this?

This book is also noted for containing the history of the division of God’s chosen people into two nations, Judah and Israel. It has ever been Satan’s plan to get a house divided against itself. We see his success on every hand. Not only in this special case, but in the lack of union in the family, the disruption in the local church, the party spirit in the nation, etc. Read the method he took to bring about this disunion in ancient Israel, and be not ignorant of his devices. 2 Cor. 2:11.