1 Kings – Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment.

May 24, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 20:1-19, continuing Holy Week, it is now Tuesday. Jesus was teaching in the Temple and his authority was questioned. Standing in Solomon’s colonnades he taught the parable of the wicked wine dressers. The religious leaders tried to entrap Jesus, but were afraid of the people.

1 Kings 20. Ahab defeated the Syrians and he did it twice. After that Ahab made a treaty with Ben-Hadad, and that led to the prophecy of Ahab’s Condemnation.

1 Kings 21. Naboth was killed for his vineyard and for that the LORD condemned Ahab.

1 Kings 22. Micalah prophesied against Ahab, Ahab therefore disguised himself for protection but died in battle by a stray arrow. Jehoshaphat became King of Judah, followed by Ahaziah.

May 23, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 19:28-48. Jesus entered what is called “Holy Week”, beginning with the triumphal entry. Seeing Jerusalem, Jesus wept over it, and after entering Jerusalem Jesus cleansed the Temple.

1 Kings 19. After the fantastic victory at Mount Carmel Elijah fled from Jezebel, the “exhibit A” of names of evil women featured in literature and films. He fled, got strengthened by an angel that fed him a meal that gave him enough strength to go all the way to Mount Horeb. There he heard “The Still Small Voice.” God reminded Elijah that “I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” Leaving Mount Horeb Elijah met Elisha and called him to follow Elijah.

May 22, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 19:1-27 starts with the story of Zacchaeus ( a wee little man), then is recorded Jesus’ parable of the minas. One take home from that parable is: “Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)”

1 Kings 18. This chapter alone makes the reading of all of 1 Kings worthwhile. Elijah met Obadiah and sent a message to King Ahab. When they met, Elijah challenged Ahab to a competition: Four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Asherah against Elijah alone on Mount Carmel to see whose God is victorious! You know the rest, enjoy reading!

May 21, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 18 starts by Jesus telling the parable of the persistent widow, meaning we should always pray, then he added: “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” After that he taught us humility with the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector, reinforced by Jesus blessing the little children, “for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these”. A rich young ruler wanted to inherit eternal life but was not willing to pay the price to follow Jesus. With men it is impossible to have eternal life , but all things are possible with God. Then Jesus predicted His death, and finally a blind beggar received his sight.

1 Kings 17. With Baal worship in full swing Elijah prayed for a multi-year drought. He then went into the wilderness, finding a brook and was fed by ravens. But the brook dried up so he went to a widow in Zarephath. He asks her for water and some bread. That was the last of the flower she had, but she gave it to Elijah anyway. Later the widow’s son died and Elijah revived him. The jar of flour and the jug of oil never emptied as long as Elijah was in the house, miracle upon miracle!

May 20, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 17. Jesus told about the consequences of sin, the importance of faith and the call of duty. Then is recorded the story of ten lepers healed but only one came back and thanked Jesus, and he was a Samaritan! Finally Jesus spoke of the Coming of the Kingdom of God and the end times.

Not much good in 1 Kings 14, it tells of judgment on the house of Jeroboam and his death, and Rehoboam taking over power and his death.

1 Kings 15, the evil king Abijam reigned in Judah. After his death Asa became king over Judah and he was a good king. Meanwhile in Israel Nadab reigned, and after him Baasha both doing evil things in the eyes of the LORD.

1 Kings 16 displays a depressing list of kings over Israel, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, one worse than the other, finally culminating with Ahab, the worst of them all, setting up Baal worship in Israel.

May 19, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 16. Jesus told the parable of the unjust steward to show it is not enough to follow the practices of the land, one must be above reproach in spiritual things, even if you are following the Law and the Prophets to the letter you will fail. He ended with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

1 Kings 12 tells of the revolt against Rehoboam and Jeroboam’s Golden Calves at Bethel and Dan. They were put up so Rehoboam didn’t have to go to Jerusalem to sacrifice.

1 Kings 13. From Judah came a Man of God with a message. It did not go over well, so through lies and intrigues the Man of God was killed by a lion. One quote from this chapter: “After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.” Large portions of the Old Testament describes how not to worship, let this be a warning to us.

May 18, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 15 is deceptively simple. Just three parables; the lost sheep, the lost coin, and finally the lost son. The parable of the lost son is the most famous story of redemption in the Bible.

In 1 Kings 10 the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon and praised him “The half had not been told”; of Solomon’s great wisdom and wealth.

1 Kings 11. Solomon’s heart turned from the LORD, ( blame the foreign women and their idolatry; which he joined). It records Solomon’s adversaries, Jeroboam’s rebellion, and Solomon’s death.

May 14, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 12:1-34. Jesus was teaching: “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees,” “even very hairs of your head are all numbered,” “His eyes are on the sparrow,” “acknowledge me before men” and “anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” “Do not worry, the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say when you are persecuted for my sake”. Jesus claimed he is not the arbiter in worldly disputes and strongly urged people not to hoard riches here on earth. Again, do not Worry, look at the lilies, (my interpretation: Smell the roses and enjoy God’s creation).

1 Kings 3. Solomon asked for wisdom. He got it as well as great riches. Armed with that wisdom he showed his wise judgment.

May 13, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Luke 11:29-54.. When the Jews asked for a sign Jesus answered “There shall be no sign except the Sign of Jonah,” He also proclaimed: “Your eye is the Lamp of the Body, let it shine.” Finally, Jesus proclaimed six woes. This displeased both the Pharisees and the experts in the Law.

1 Kings 1. Adonijah, the heir apparent since his older brothers were all dead, set himself up as king before David’s death. David had Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet proclaim Solomon King instead.

1 Kings 2. David gave his final instructions to Solomon, to which persons he should show kindness and to whom he should not, and then David died. Solomon had Adonijah executed exiled Abathar, executed Joab and Shimel, and showed kindness to the ones that had helped David. The kingdom was then firmly in Solomon’s hands.

May 24, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

1 Kings 20. Ahab defeated the Syrians and he did it twice. After that Ahab made a treaty with Ben-Hadad, and that led to the prophecy of Ahab’s Condemnation.

1 Kings 21. Naboth was killed for his vineyard and for that the LORD condemned Ahab.

1 Kings 22. Micalah prophesied against Ahab, Ahab therefore disguised himself for protection but died in battle by a stray arrow. Jehoshaphat became King of Judah, followed by Ahaziah.