1 Kings 11
Solomon loved and married many foreign women, going against what the LORD had said that his heart would turned after other gods. This is indeed what happened; Solomon’s heart was turned away to the pagan gods of his wives, building high places in order that sacrifices and offerings could be made. This angered the LORD and He told Solomon that the kingdom would be torn from him and give it to his servant, Jeroboam. The LORD raised up adversaries against Solomon: Hadad the Edomite (from the east), Rezon from the north and Jeroboam from one of Israel’s own tribes. Ahijah the Shilonite prophetically spoke to Jeroboam that the LORD would tear ten tribes away from Solomon but would be left one tribe, later specified as Judah (1 Kings 12:20). “God rejected Solomon because he encouraged false worship (vv. 5–8). He would be judged, but out of loyalty to David God would not completely reject Solomon’s dynasty.” (CSB Notes) The rest of the acts of Solomon were recorded in the Book of the Acts of Solomon, likely “the official chronicle of his reign, but certainly not an inspired part of Scripture.” (BBC). Solomon died and his son, Rehoboam, reigned in his place.
Philippians 2
Paul speaks of how if there was to be any encouragement in Christ, it would be that the church is of one mind, “making an appeal for unity based on common devotion to Christ and common possession of the Holy Spirit.” (BBC) Paul describes that this one mind is to be in Christ Jesus who emptied Himself, was born in the likeness of men and humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. The emptying is not to be understood as a stripping of Christ’s deity but instead He emptied Himself of “His positional equality with God and to veil the glory of Deity in a body of human flesh. The glory was all there, though hidden, but it did shine forth on occasions, such as on the Mount of Transfiguration. There was no moment in His life on earth when He did not possess all the attributes of God.”
Paul continues to admonish the church that they are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling as it is God who works in them both to will and work for His good pleasure. Everything is to be done without grumbling or disputing in order to retain their blamelessness and innocence in the midst of a crooked generation. Paul “borrows the picture from the common practice among both Jews and pagans of pouring out a drink offering or libation over a sacrifice as it was being offered.” (BBC)
Paul hoped in the LORD to send Timothy to them soon. “Among Paul’s companions, Timothy was unique in his unselfish care for the spiritual condition of the Philippians. There was no one else whom Paul could send to them with the same confidence.” (BBC) Paul next spoke of Epaphroditus, a man who shared in his ministry but had suffered a near-fatal illness. However, God showed mercy on Epaphroditus and toward Paul as well, lest he have sorrow upon sorrow. The Philippians were to receive Epaphroditus with joy and also esteem him in the service of the Lord because he was risking his life to complete what was lacking in their service to Paul. The BBC suggests that “that their lack of service refers to their inability to visit Paul in person and help him directly because of their distance from Rome.”
Ezekiel 41
The description of Ezekiel’s vision of the temple continues in this chapter beginning with the inner temple. Measurements of the entrance, sidewalls, jambs, and nave. Ezekiel was told that the room was the “Most Holy Place”. Only the angel went into this room which “corresponds to the restrictions given in the law (Lev. 16; Heb. 9:7).” Details continue regarding the temple and, as the FSB states, “The combination of detailed measurements with scarce information about furnishings and function for some temple areas suggests that Ezekiel’s primary concern was marking off the sacred space, not providing a building plan for future construction. Throughout his description of the temple and the land, Ezekiel’s overriding concern is maintaining sanctity at all costs.”
Psalms 92
“It is good to praise Yahweh and make music to him. His acts are great; he blesses the righteous and judges the wicked. God’s enemies perish, but the righteous flourish.” (Bible: A Reader’s Guide)
Psalms 93
“God reigns in power; he has existed forever: He is more powerful than the ocean waves. His laws are firmly established forever.” (Bible: A Reader’s Guide)
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- The Bible: A Reader’s Guide (Sterling Publishing, 2011)
- Henry, Matthew, and Thomas Scott. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
- Constable’s Notes