Bible study course
An advanced, collegiate, eight-lesson academic study of the Book of 1 Kings, examining the twilight of David and the succession crisis, Solomon anointing at Gihon, the divine vision at Gibeon and the gift of royal wisdom, the judgment of the two mothers, the administrative bureaucracy and imperial peace, the construction and sacred geometry of the Jerusalem Temple, the bronze furnishings cast by Hiram of Tyre, the descent of the Shekinah glory cloud and Solomon monumental dedication prayer, the second theophany warning of exile, the diplomatic state visit of the Queen of Sheba, the dangerous accumulation of chariots and gold violating Deuteronomy 17, Solomon tragic apostasy through foreign marriages, Ahijah torn mantle, the folly of Rehoboam at Shechem, the revolt of the ten northern tribes, Jeroboam golden calves at Bethel and Dan, the unnamed man of God from Judah and the disobedient prophet, dynastic bloodshed in the north through Baasha, Zimri, and Omri, the founding of Samaria, Ahab marriage to Jezebel and state-sponsored Baalism, Elijah drought proclamation, miracles at Cherith and Zarephath, the cosmic fire showdown on Mount Carmel, the sound of the rushing rain, Elijah despair under the broom tree, the still small voice at Mount Horeb, the commissioning of Elisha, the Aramean wars, the judicial murder of Naboth, Micaiah vision of the heavenly council and the lying spirit, and the death of Ahab by a random arrow at Ramoth-gilead.
An academic study of 1 Kings 1:1 to 2:46, examining the twilight of King David, the political coup orchestrated by Adonijah with Joab and Abiathar, the counter-intervention of prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, the public anointing of Solomon at the Gihon Spring, David final covenant charge regarding the Torah of Moses, and the decisive consolidation of the throne through the neutralization of seditious elements in Israel.
An academic study of 1 Kings 3:1 to 4:34, analyzing Solomon covenant devotion at the great high place of Gibeon, the nocturnal divine theophany wherein Solomon requested a hearing heart, the famous judicial verdict between the two harlots proving the presence of divine wisdom, and the administrative brilliance of the twelve-district bureaucratic system supporting the peace and prosperity of the United Monarchy.
An academic study of 1 Kings 5:1 to 8:66, examining the international treaty with King Hiram of Tyre, the mobilization of forced labor, the precise architectural design of the Jerusalem Temple, the casting of bronze furnishings, the solemn transfer of the Ark of the Covenant, the descent of the glory cloud filling the Holy of Holies, and Solomon monumental prayer of dedication modeling intercession for Israel and the nations.
An academic study of 1 Kings 9:1 to 10:29, investigating Yahweh second solemn theophany warning of exile and temple destruction upon covenant violation, Solomon extensive royal building projects across Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer, the famous diplomatic state visit of the Queen of Sheba, and the alarming accumulation of gold, horses, and luxury foreshadowing imperial overreach.
An academic study of 1 Kings 11:1 to 12:33, examining Solomon tragic descent into syncretism and idolatry through foreign marital alliances, the prophetic oracle of Ahijah of Shiloh tearing his garment into twelve pieces, the reckless arrogance of young King Rehoboam rejecting elder counsel at Shechem, the ten-tribe rebellion under Jeroboam son of Nebat, and the establishment of the illicit rival cult centers with golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
An academic study of 1 Kings 13:1 to 16:34, analyzing the prophetic confrontation at Jeroboam altar in Bethel by the unnamed man of God from Judah, the tragic deception of the old prophet, the rapid cycle of dynastic coups in the Northern Kingdom (Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri), the founding of Samaria, and the catastrophic marriage alliance between Ahab and Jezebel introducing state-sponsored Phoenician Baal worship.
An academic study of 1 Kings 17:1 to 19:21, examining the dramatic arrival of prophet Elijah confronting Ahab with a three-year drought, the miraculous provision at Brook Cherith and Zarephath of Sidon, the monumental public contest on Mount Carmel between Yahweh and 450 prophets of Baal, the fire falling from heaven, the prayer for rain, Jezebel death threat, Elijah flight into despair, and the transformative theophany in the gentle silence at Mount Horeb.
An academic study of 1 Kings 20:1 to 22:53, examining the Aramean sieges of Samaria and Aphek under Ben-hadad, the judicial murder of Naboth orchestrated by Jezebel for his ancestral vineyard, Elijah terrifying judgment oracle against the house of Ahab, the joint military campaign of Ahab and Jehoshaphat at Ramoth-gilead, Micaiah son of Imlah vision of the heavenly council and the lying spirit, and the mortal wounding of disguised King Ahab by a random arrow.