Justin Houtz

1 Kings 3, Ephesians 1, Ezekiel 34, Psalms 83–84

DateVersionReading Plan
@October 1, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3:1 (ESV)

1 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem.

Solomon intermarried with The Hebrew phrase used here, yithchatten eth, is literally rendered “Solomon made himself a son-in-law to.” In the ancient Near East, the practice of marrying the daughters of neighboring rulers served as a peace treaty. While Solomon’s reign represented a period of peace (4:24–25), foreign marriage alliances eventually caused the kingdom to crumble from within (11:1–8). – FSB

1 Kings 3:3 (ESV)

3 Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.

High places were here used for the worship of the Lord. This was not strictly in accordance with the law; God was supposed to be worshiped only in the place which He designated. But it is here excused on the ground that there was no official house, since Shiloh had been destroyed by the Philistines about 1050 B.C. when the ark was carried away (1 Sam. 4). After the temple was built, high places continued to be used, but for idolatrous worship. – BBC

1 Kings 3:7 (ESV)

7 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.

A rhetorical phrase expressing inexperience and humility (compare Jer 1:6). Solomon is an adult; he had already fathered Rehoboam, his eldest son, by this time (1 Kgs 11:42–43; 14:21). – FSB

Summary

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Egypt which would eventually lead to disaster, but he “loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father” (1 Kings 3:3), asking for wisdom rather than long life and riches. The LORD was gracious in granting his request and also gave him riches and honor “so that no other king can compare” (1 Kings 3:13). Solomon is given opportunity to demonstrate his wisdom in the episode in a dispute of the two women over their sons. Through a dramatic command to divide the living son in half, the true mother is revealed and the people “stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.” (1 Kings 3:28)

Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:10 (ESV)

10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

The “dispensation” in view is the millennial reign of Christ on earth, during which everything will be under His rule (1 Cor. 15:27; Col. 1:20). Even though in one sense, everything is under Christ’s authority now, Jesus Christ will be the openly recognized head of all things, in a more direct way, in the messianic kingdom. Everyone and everything will acknowledge and respond to His authority then (cf. Isa. 2:2-4; 11:1-10). – Constable’s Notes

Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV)

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. This is a downpayment, pledging that the full amount will be paid. It is the same in kind as the full payment, but not the same in amount. – BBC

Ephesians 1:22–23 (ESV)

22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

“There is given to the Church, and for the Church’s benefit, a Head who is also Head over all things. The church has authority and power to overcome all opposition because her Leader and Head is Lord of all.” – Constable’s Notes

Summary

Paul opens his letter to the Ephesian church with a greeting and blessing of the Lord who has “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). In Christ, we have “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (Eph. 1:7-8) and have been predestined “according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11). Paul gives thanks for the church, remembering them in his prayers and ascribes to God “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might” (Eph 1:19). Paul’s words ring of incredible reverence and praise to the LORD for who He is and what He has given us in Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 34

Ezekiel 34:1–2 (ESV)

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?

The shepherds (rulers) were interested in themselves and not in the welfare of the sheep (the people). They ruled harshly, and the sheep became scattered. – BBC

Ezekiel 34:10 (ESV)

10 Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.

God is determined to rescue His sheep from these false shepherds. But all the time He has blessing in mind, and so He will gather the sheep and take care of individual needs. The greatest blessing will be the relation between the Lord and His sheep, an intimate fellowship between God and man. – BBC

Ezekiel 34:15 (ESV)

15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.

Reminiscent of Ps. 23:2 which says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”

Ezekiel 34:20 (ESV)

20 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

A metaphorical division between oppressor and victim. – FSB

Summary

The Lord tells Ezekiel to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel who had led their flock astray. The LORD will put a stop to their feeding the sheep and rescue His sheep “from their mouths” (Ezek. 34:10b). The LORD will gather His sheep from the countries and feed them with good pasture. The LORD will make with His flock a “covenant of peace and banish the wild beasts from the land” (Ezek. 34:25a) in order that they dwell securely. The LORD declares that His people are His sheep and that He is their God. The theme of shepherding and sheep in this chapter brings to mind John 10:1-18 in which Jesus speaks of Himself as the “good shepherd” (John 10:14) who lays down His life for His sheep. As His flock, our flourishing is entirely dependent on our diligent listening for and obedience to His voice.

Psalms 83

Summary

God, do something, your enemies are plotting to destroy Israel. Treat them like you’ve treated your enemies before. Let them know who you are: the only God over all the world. – The Bible: A Reader’s Guide

Psalms 84

Summary

God, where you dwell is beautiful! How blessed are those who live there, and even those who only visit. A moment in Jerusalem is better than a lifetime anywhere else. – The Bible: A Reader’s Guide

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