Bible Survey #26 - 1 Kings

The Son of David

God prepared His people for the reign of a glorious and wise Messiah through the history of the Son of David, Solomon. Though Solomon was outwardly more powerful and prosperous than the coming Messiah, Jesus told those who heard His word that one greater than Solomon was with them.

Solomon did fulfill the desire of his father by building the temple in Jerusalem, and he called together God's people in covenant assembly to dedicate that great place where God would dwell. Yet Solomon's heart was turned away by his many wives. He accommodated their religious desires and introduced more false worship into God's nation.

After Solomon, the land would be divided into Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Judah would be the place of the continuing line of kings descended from David. The north would also have kings, but none of them would be counted as good by God.

God showed his continued concern even for the northern tribes by the provision of mighty prophets like Elijah who confronted wicked rulers like Ahab and his evil wife Jezebel. The Lord worked great wonders through Elijah, defeating popular idols in a time when so few Israelites were faithfully following the Lord.

A greater man than Solomon is here.

His kingdom will have glory ever more.

God sends forth an Elijah to the lost,

And calls His people back to David's Son.