Day 10
I was looking forward to this book as it’s where Solomon is made King. However, a quick realization settled in. The legendary wisdom of Solomon comes much later and these books deal with deeds and history. I was hoping for a couple additional proverbs sprinkled in here, but, to no avail. It was a good history. It ended with me feeling weary, but I don’t think it was a reflection of the book itself. I was more struck with how it’s the same story over and over with Israel. Their god delivers them, they rebel, they worship other gods, they suffer, they return. Maybe that’s just human nature…we just can’t help it. Moths to the flame, and all that.
Where this struck me in my life was with the news of COVID. Parts of Europe are shutting down again, the virus variants are here in the United States, and Americans continue in their selfishness. We are in for a long spring after a very long winter. I hope I’m wrong. But COVID has been much like the story of Israel in the Hebrew Bible. Again and again and again, the same pattern. Americans choose instant gratification, worshipping the gods of excess, and ignore their neighbors. The only difference is that we don’t have an ark of the covenant to call us out.
So, there’s my weariness. It feels all too familiar. Another instance of how this is a very human story, I suppose.
One Word for First Kings: Building
Parts of the Story That Stayed With Me
- 1 Kgs 2, The Way of All the Earth. There’s a turn of phrase used in the Bible when someone dies: “the way of all the Earth.” I’ve come to appreciate this. It illustrates that the mortality of all things — including the Earth — was understood in some way. Therefore, when we die, we go the way that all life does…and one day…the Earth. It’s humbling and profoundly moving. Here it is seen: everything is mortal.
- 1 Kgs 6, First Temple Built. Finally the First Temple is built under Solomon. I imagine 1 Kings is popular with architects, because you get a lot of detail here.
- 1 Kgs 11 – 16, All the Kings. The writer of this book lists all of the kings after Solomon’s death, but often uses a phrase after briefly describing them: “Is it not written in the Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel?” Sometimes it’s Judah. Sometimes it’s Acts and not Annals. But really, I get the sense this writer wanted to save time. “Oh, yeah, this king…he did things, go read it for yourself.”
- 1 Kgs 18 (and elsewhere), The Other Biblical God. Baal is everywhere in the Hebrew Bible. (So is Asherah, the former wife of Jehovah/YHWH. Don’t tell anyone.) But here Elijah has a crafty way of showing Baal worshippers that their god either A. doesn’t care or B. isn’t all that useful/powerful/real. As for Jehovah? Oh he never passes up an opportunity to show off.
- 1 Kgs 21, YOU JEZEBEL! Ever heard someone called a Jezebel? Ever wanted to know why? Read this chapter. She’s politically smart, violent, and vengeful. I’m sure I’ll hear more about her soon
- 1 Kgs 22, Oh Ahaziah. We end with King Ahaziah. He immediately starts worshipping Baal. This’ll end well.
This post is part of a lager series where I read the entirety of Hebrew & Christian scriptures in 45 days. Take a look a the original post for more info, as well as links to other reflections on this journey.