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Hey Reading Community,
This week, a little hopelessness might be creeping in as we near the end of King David’s reign, as it hasn’t ended up that different from Saul’s. David set into motion a series of events that has all but destroyed his family, and certainly destroyed him. While he may have found his way back on the throne, he is not the same David we saw at the opening of 2 Samuel.
The epilogue to this story provides several stories that are out of chronological order, but are important to pay attention to (ch. 21-24). David gives a solemn, yet poetic, rumination on the events of 1 and 2 Samuel, which should inspire confidence that God is at work despite arrogant and prideful humans who may interfere in his plan.
Most importantly, this reflects that God will come through on his promise to bring a messianic King who will deliver in the ways Saul & King David failed to. You’ll see David hold on into the beginning of 1 Kings as he gives his son, Solomon, parting advice before passing away (1 Kings ch. 1). That advice, you’ll find out by reading the first movement in Kings, only partially sinks in.
Onwards!
Jon, Tim, & The Bible Project Crew
P.S. Want to dive deeper? Start with our blog on Biblical Theology. This week, we take a look at Solomon: Love Him or Hate Him? |
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Chapter 7
Rise & Fall of Israel's Kingdom |
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Week 14
Summary |
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This week, as you read the stories about King Solomon, you might start to feel like someone pulled a fast one on you. Wasn’t this supposed to be the wisest person on earth? We are glad you asked, because that’s what this week's blog is all about. Like most characters in the Bible, Solomon being no exception, they are a mixed bag.
Solomon did ask for wisdom (ch. 3-4), which God grants, and it helps Solomon to build a beautiful temple for God (ch. 5-8). However, as you will see in ch. 9-11, Solomon’s bad decisions snowball and the Kingdom of Israel goes downhill fast—so fast that Solomon symbolically becomes Pharaoh himself, a parallel the author is fairly intentional in drawing for the reader.
Unfortunately, Solomon’s son Rehoboam does not fall far from the tree. He will set into motion a sequence of events from which the Kingdom will not recover. |
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