The biblical book of I Kings is an account of political history that shows how moral and religious failures led to the loss of national identity by the Hebrew people. The tale told here is a continuation of the story of the monarchy that emerged in I and II Samuel, focusing on the Israelite kingdoms from the death of King David and the accession of Solomon, on toward the time of the Exile. As the title implies, we are about to meet several kings (and to learn some interesting stories.)
I Kings 1:28-31
28 King David answered, “Summon Bathsheba to me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 The king swore, saying, “As the Lord lives, who has saved my life from every adversity, 30 as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Your son Solomon shall succeed me as king, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so will I do this day.” 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and did obeisance to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”
Prayer
Wonderful God, as we in our nation spend this year trying to envision your plan for our future leader, remind us of how you have chosen and blessed leaders for your people throughout the ages. Help us to learn the lessons of holy history for the wisdom it provides for our earthly walk in faith. Amen.
