[1 Kings - General]
David had now accomplished nearly all of his earthly mission. He found the dominion small; now it was much extended. He found it in disorder and left it thoroughly organized. He found religion at a low ebb and he succeeded in greatly reviving and energizing religious devotion and zeal. He found powerful enemies on every side but he subdued all of them and led the nation to a condition of peace and introduced them to a season of unparalleled prosperity. His life had been an eventful and troubled one, not without its grave mistakes, but it had accomplished great things. The glory of Solomon's reign was but the harvest of David's labors and sufferings. R2030:2
Israel's kings were anointed by divine commission and authority as were no other kings and they were said to "sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord" (1 Chron. 28:5) as no other kings before or since have held such dominion. It was, therefore, quite in line with the arrangements of that time that the kings of Israel and Judah should fortify and strengthen themselves and defend the land which the Almighty had specially given to their nation. R4786:2
The chronology differences between the books of Kings and Chronicles are not to be considered errors of inspiration but merely such slight discrepancies as we might expect to find in any history and which God permitted for a purpose, while he supplied the deficiency in the Old Testament chronology by a fuller record on these obscure points in the New Testament. R1419:6
[1 Kings 1:1]
David was old —Having brought order out of confusion, and having established peace and prosperity on a permanent footing. R2030:3
Stricken in years —70 years of age. Absalom, his eldest son, had died in rebellion. R5701:1
[1 Kings 1:5]
Adonijah —Made heir-apparent to the throne by the death of Absalom. R5701:1 As with Absalom, the notes of discord came from within his own household. R2030:2, R4286:2
Exalted himself —Adonijah succeeded in gaining the friendship of Joab, the long-time military leader. R5701:1
I will be king —This attempted usurpation led to the immediate anointing and proclamation of Solomon. R2030:2
[1 Kings 1:6]
Not displeased him —He was a spoiled child never under the tutelage of the prophet Nathan. R4286:6 It is a mistake for parents to allow a child's early years to be wasted through inattention of training. R4286:6
[1 Kings 1:7]
Joab —A long-time head of David's army, probably retired because of age and for disregarding King David's instructions that Absalom's life be not taken. R5701:1
[1 Kings 1:10]
He called not —Members of The Christ must not wonder if they are excluded from the companionships and feastings of the Absalom and Adonijah types. R4287:1
[1 Kings 1:11]
Nathan —Solomon was the ward and pupil of Nathan. R5701:5, R4286:5
Spake unto —Adonijah's disloyalty was thus brought to the notice of King David, resulting in Solomon's being publicly crowned. R2045:3, R5701:2
Bath-sheba —Solomon's mother was not a heathen, but an Israelite, and therefore more in sympathy with divine arrangements and laws. R5701:5
Solomon —Meaning, " The peaceful. " Partook of his father David's religious disposition. We are handicapped or blessed by the disposition and traits we inherit. R2045:3, R5701:4
[1 Kings 1:13]
Assuredly Solomon —Having been selected by Jehovah. R2045:3, R2030:2, R5701:4
[1 Kings 1:30]
Reign after me —In view of the fact that Solomon was the Lord's choice. R2045:3
[1 Kings 1:33]
Ride upon mine own mule —An act which would of itself proclaim Solomon as David's successor. R4286:5, R5701:2
Gihon —Near where Jesus later rode on the ass. R4286:5 In the Valley of Kidron. R1401:1
[1 Kings 1:34]
Nathan the prophet —And Benaiah, another general. R4286:4
[1 Kings 1:38]
Cherethites and the Pelethites —Two companies of the king's special body-guard. R4286:5
[1 Kings 1:39]
Anointed Solomon —The first time. The second time is recorded in 1 Chron. 29:22, 23. R2031:4
King Solomon —For his father David's sake. Of his posterity was to come the long-promised Messiah, King of the antitypical Kingdom of God. R2045:3 Solomon came to the throne at about 19 or 20 years of age and reigned jointly with his father David for some 6 months. R2045:3, R4286:5 It required the two reigns of David and Solomon to represent the great work of the Lord's Anointed: David's represented the work of the Church in the flesh, while Solomon's represented the work of the Church glorified. R1901:3
[1 Kings 1:46]
Sitteth on the throne —Reigning jointly with David for some 6 months. R4286:5
[1 Kings 1:50]
Adonijah feared —Because of the custom amongst other kingdoms that when a king was installed in office, others who might become rivals were put to death. R4287:4 Probably judging Solomon by himself, and concluding that his life would be in danger. R4287:4
On the horns —As a place of safety. R4287:4
[1 Kings 1:53]
Go to thine house —Indicating that no punishment would be inflicted. R4287:4
[1 Kings 2:4]
If thy children —Conditional; his royal line failed and was abandoned from being the Messianic line. E131 Whatever is clearly promised on condition of obedience is forfeited if that obedience is not rendered. R467:5*
Shall not fail thee —Be cut off from thee, from the throne. E131 Thus the Maccabees were unsuccessful in establishing a kingdom, because not of the promised line of David. Q79:2
[1 Kings 2:6]
Down to the grave —Sheol, oblivion, the state of death. E358; R828:5, R2600:1, R2599:6
[1 Kings 2:9]
To the grave —To sheol, oblivion. E358
[1 Kings 2:10]
David slept —Death is a condition of rest, of quiet, of peaceful unconsciousness. R5059:6, R4794:2, R5166:4 The body did not sleep, it was absolutely dead. That which slept was that which God recognizes as the personality, the soul. R5611:5
With his fathers —The Bible declares that the Ancients, good and bad, were gathered to their fathers and slept. R5179:4, R2617:5
Was buried —Purportedly in a cave with Solomon and other kings, today (1892) on Zion Street in Jerusalem. R1390:2
[1 Kings 2:28]
Horns of the altar —Pointing to Christ as our refuge, and to his abundant power and grace to all who should come to him. R101:1*
[1 Kings 3:3]
Sacrificed —Unto the Lord. R2045:6
In high places —This was prohibited by Mosaic Law (Deut. 12:13, 14), but was accepted of God until the Temple was built. R2045:6
[1 Kings 3:4]
Sacrifice —Each has a sacrifice to bring: his justified self, his will, his time, his influence, his talents. R4292:1
1000 burnt offerings —Burnt offerings only in the sense that they were offered in connection with a religious ceremony. Certain portions, particularly the fat, were burned and the food portions became the basis of the feast. R3277:3, R5714:2
[1 Kings 3:5]
Appeared —While Solomon's mind was active in religious matters. R3277:6
In a dream —All dreams are not of the Lord, but he is able to use dreams when he so chooses to convey lessons and instructions. The only safe way is to interpret dreams in full accord with the Scriptures. R3277:6, R3278:1, R5714:5
Ask what I shall give thee —So God is asking all who would become his children. He desires to do them good, but wishes them to realize their needs and make requests accordingly. R5714:6
[1 Kings 3:6]
Thou hast shewed —Indicating that he realized that God's favor was merely the continuation of the divine mercies which had blessed David. R4290:6
[1 Kings 3:7]
Thou hast made thy servant —This should give strength to all the Lord's consecrated people who have come into present grace and truth, not by their own wisdom but through the wisdom and grace of God. R3278:2
A little child —Teachable, not boastful or self confident. R5714:6
Go out or come in —How to conduct myself in public or in private before the people. R4291:1
[1 Kings 3:8]
Thy servant —Solomon recognized that the people were God's, not his. R4291:1, R3278:2
Midst of thy people —A lesson to those who speak of God's people as "My people," "My flock," "My church." R3278:2
A great people —Estimated 6,000,000. R3278:3
[1 Kings 3:9]
An understanding heart —The most necessary thing for the welfare of the nation was righteous judgment. R3278:4 Its full realization will be in Solomon's antitype. R2053:5, R1517:2
To judge —To administer justice. Messiah is to accomplish this in the world in the Millennial age. R5715:1, R3278:5
[1 Kings 3:12]
According to thy words —Insofar as the dream was fulfilled in Solomon and his reign, it prefigured the glorious and peaceful reign of David's greater son, Jesus. R2046:5
Neither after thee —Since typical of Christ, it is harmonious with Matt. 12:42, "A greater than Solomon is here." R1517.2
[1 Kings 3:13]
Hast not asked —This was just like our Heavenly Father. R3278:5
Riches and honor —Typifying the spiritual riches and honors given to the true Church. R3278:5
[1 Kings 3:14]
As thy father David —Showing that the Lord was not expecting absolute perfection, but heart intentions. R2059:6
I will lengthen thy days —Conditional. Solomon lived to 60 years; he would have lived to 80 years had he been more obedient. R3278:6
[1 Kings 4:6]
Adoniram —Secretary of the treasury, the one having charge over the assessments, etc., and who presided over the forced labor. R3385:4
[1 Kings 4:24]
Peace on all sides —Whereas King David's reign was full of wars, King Solomon's had none. PD44/53
[1 Kings 4:29]
Gave Solomon wisdom —Not the heavenly wisdom, not spiritual understanding. R2053:2
[1 Kings 4:30]
Solomon's wisdom excelled —Prefigured the all-comprehensive wisdom of Christ. R2053:1 Only an imperfect realization of the wise and understanding heart suggested in his dream-prayer. R2053:2
Children of the east —Implying that his wisdom was along the lines of the sciences and philosophies popular with them. R2053:5
[1 Kings 4:31]
Wiser than all men —In the time of Solomon, the zenith of their glory, the Jews were a people distinguished and honored among nations. C244
[1 Kings 4:32]
Three thousand proverbs —Not all deemed of the Lord worthy of preservation in sacred Scripture. R2053:5
[1 Kings 4:34]
Of all people —"Many people will say, Come and let us go up to the house of the Lord." (Isa. 2:3) R2053:1
[1 Kings 5:3]
My father could not build —The lesson is that the complete divine arrangement is not to be established by Christ in the flesh, represented by David, but by The Christ of glory, represented by Solomon. PD45/55 Christendom, not heeding this counsel, has built up earthly institutions contrary to the divine intention for this present age. R4261:3
For the wars —David typified the battling of Christ and the Church while in the flesh. R4261:1
[1 Kings 5:4]
Hath given me rest —To illustrate the Millennial Kingdom of The Christ in glory. R4261:1
[1 Kings 5:5]
I purpose to build —The "greater than Solomon" (Matt. 12:42) is to build the antitypical Temple. R172:2
[1 Kings 5:11]
Twenty measures —200,000 gallons. R3431:2
[1 Kings 5:13]
Raised a levy —Drafted. R3282:3
[1 Kings 5:17]
Costly —The Temple of God, built by Solomon, was probably richer in its ornamentation and more costly than any other temple. It represented so glorious a class and such rich blessings of God to men that it was very appropriate that the type be costly. R2054:1, R4296:5
Lay the foundation —The resurrection of the prophets. The apostles and the prophets are the foundation. (Eph. 2:20, 21) R180:6*
[1 Kings 5:18]
So they prepared —The getting out of the stones and timbers seems to be the work done during the Gospel age. R169:6*
[1 Kings 6:1]
In the 480th year —The Diaglott footnote on Acts 13:20 shows that this text has been corrupted by substituting the Hebrew character daleth (4) for hay (5), which is very similar in form. This would make 580 (instead of 480). R1980:3; B53 Leaving 350 years for the period of the judges whereas the time as given in the Judges in 19 periods makes a total of 450 years. Admitting the single mistake of 480 years for 580 in the Kings will set it right. HG104:6
He began to build —Solomon was not only a prince of peace but a wise, rich king, who builded the Temple of Jehovah. PD44/53
[1 Kings 6:7]
And the house —Typical of the greater spiritual Temple, the Church. F73
Was built of stone —Type of the "living stones," each one fitted and prepared for his place. F196, F73
Made ready —typified preparation of the Church in the present life and their construction as God's spiritual Temple by resurrection power. PD45/55; R1237:4, R172:2
Before it was brought —The trials and difficulties of the present are the chiseling, and the quarry is the world. CR360:1 The construction of the antitypical Temple is not to take place until all the stones have been prepared. R4261:6 All the fitting and preparation is done in the present life. F196
Neither hammer nor axe —No need of trimming or altering any of the perfected ones who will constitute the glorious Temple of God. R2987:2
Nor any tool of iron heard —Quietly and orderly, no confusion. CR359:6 Showing the noiseless resurrection of the dead in Christ and the change of the living. R4296:6 Babylon's false temple, in contrast, builds and rebuilds with great noise-confusion. R1237:5
[1 Kings 6:17]
That is, the temple —The Hebrew term for the Jewish Temple is heykal, a royal residence; qualified by the term kodesh, a sanctuary, to indicate its sacredness as the dwelling place of Jehovah. R1981:1
[1 Kings 6:18]
Knops and open flowers —Representing the Church as both beautiful and fruitful. T116
All was cedar —Representing everlasting life. T109
There was no stone —Represents the true Church, "living stones." (1 Pet. 2:5) F196
[1 Kings 6:19]
The ark —Represents the eternal purpose of God in The Christ, Head and Body. T121
[1 Kings 6:20]
The oracle —Its size indicates the size of the Most Holy of the Tabernacle and the placement of the second veil. R100:2*
[1 Kings 6:21]
So Solomon —Type of Christ. (Matt. 12:42) R1517:2; B255
Overlaid —Wood merely used as a filler. Wood, hay and stubble have no place in the true Temple. (1 Cor. 3:12). R2054:5
Pure gold —The faith and character of the true Church is represented in the gold, silver and precious stones. R2054:5
[1 Kings 6:23]
Cherubims —Not literal angels, but symbols of God's attributes. R529:6*
Ten cubits high —Probably nearly 21 feet high. R530:2*
[1 Kings 6:25]
Of one measure —Illustrating the time equality of the Jewish and Gospel dispensations. R39:2* The two covenants were represented by the two cherubim over the Mercy Seat. HG53:6
[1 Kings 6:27]
He set the cherubims —Upon their own feet: independent, yet in perfect harmony. R530:2*
[1 Kings 6:38]
Month Bul —Month is translated from the Hebrew word for "moon." R4127:3
Eighth month —Month here translated from the Hebrew word for "innovation." R4127:3
[1 Kings 7:1]
He finished —After 24 years of reigning, at age 44. R2059:2
[1 Kings 8:1]
Then Solomon —The Great King, antitypical Solomon, our Lord Jesus. R3283:1
Assembled —The Lord's people are now gathering from the four quarters of the spiritual heavens. R3283:1
Elders of Israel —The Lord's very elect. R3283:1
The city of David —Mount Zion was one division of the city of Jerusalem, while the Temple was built in another division, called Mount Moriah. R4297:1
[1 Kings 8:2]
The feast —The Feast of Tabernacles. R3509:2*
[1 Kings 8:4]
Priests —Little Flock. R172:4
Levites —Great Company. R172:4
[1 Kings 8:6]
Brought in the ark —The Temple was not complete until the Ark was placed in position, typifying that every member of the Body of Christ must be changed from the Tabernacle to the Temple, or permanent, position in the first resurrection.R3283:1
[1 Kings 8:9]
Nothing In the ark save —Golden bowl of manna, a type of immortality, and the budded rod of the blessings, fruitfulness and privilege of service of the Levites, will end as types in the present dispensation. R3283:2
Tables of stone —Of the Law, showing how Christ would meet in full all the requirements of God's perfect law and also that legal authority would be vested in him as the Law-executor. T121The Law will always be an integral part of the divine covenant. R3283:2
[1 Kings 8:10]
The cloud —Symbolizing the Lord's presence. R3283:2
The house —Typifying the glorified Christ. R3283:5
[1 Kings 8:11]
The cloud —An extreme brightness, symbol of the Lord's presence. R3283:3
Glory of the LORD —The fact that the glory of the Lord filled the typical Temple before it was completed seems to imply that at this present time there will be some manifestation of God's favor toward his Church before the work of construction is quite finished. R5714:4; CR360:5; R4297:5 Causing the shekinah glory to shine upon the Mercy Seat, thus indicating a transfer of divine presence from the Tabernacle to the Temple. R2054:6 The fact that the Temple was built and then glorified proves that all, dead and living, will be made spiritual bodies before any are glorified. R169:6*
Filled —Then the new dispensation begins. PD45/55
The house —The Temple, permanent place for the manifestation of God's presence. R2054:6
[1 Kings 8:19]
Out of thy loins —Children are spoken of as being of, or from their fathers; and borne by their mothers. E99; R776:5
[1 Kings 8:27]
Heaven of heavens —The throne of God is referred to as "the heaven of heavens." R619:6
[1 Kings 8:29]
Toward this house —During the Millennium, the world will approach God through the glorified Church. R5714:1,4 The dedication of the Temple teaches God's people it is necessary to positively and formally dedicate themselves to God and to his service before being recognized of him and filled with his spirit. R5714:1
[1 Kings 8:30]
Forgive —So, during the Millennium God will hear the prayers thus properly presented and will forgive the sins of the people. R5714:4
[1 Kings 8:42]
Of thy great name —In all this Solomon very beautifully, modestly and properly gives the credit for his wisdom and greatness to God. R2067:3
[1 Kings 8:54]
On his knees —Evidence of Solomon's earnestness. Suggests to us the importance of not only having good desires, but also of permitting those desires to occupy our time, thoughts and attention fully. R2054:3
[1 Kings 8:56]
Not failed one word —All who have the unction from the Holy One can with patience wait and trust implicitly for future good things. D616 All things will work in us for our welfare because we are his, and for the glory of his Kingdom. R4262:4
All his good promise —Let us not blame God for the non-fulfillment of our expectations. R4261:6
[1 Kings 8:57]
Not leave us —Shows great modesty as well as zeal, for he included himself as well as the people. R2054:3
[1 Kings 8:63]
Dedicated —God's people should positively and formally dedicate themselves. R5714:1 About a month before the Temple was completely finished, doubtless a typical lesson which we may some day more fully understand. R5713:2
[1 Kings 9:1]
Finished the building —He began the building in the fourth year of his reign. Its construction occupied seven years. R2059:3
The king's house —Solomon's own palace took 13 years to build. R2059:3
All Solomon's desire —Reached the period where he was "in all his glory," (Matt. 6:29) the critical point of danger. R2059:3
[1 Kings 9:2]
Appeared ... second time —Occurred 24 years after he had become king, when he had reached 44 years of age. R2059:2
As he had appeared —As before at Gibeon, in a dream. R2059:6
[1 Kings 9:3]
Shall be there perpetually —Implying his approval of Solomon's course up to this time. R2059:6
[1 Kings 9:4]
In integrity of heart —Not absolute perfection, but heart intentions. R2059:6
[1 Kings 9:5]
Promised to David —Not merely to the immediate descendants of Solomon and David, but his particular reference is to Christ. R2059:6
[1 Kings 9:6]
Turn from following me —Solomon chose the wrong path. R2060:1
[1 Kings 9:7]
Cut off Israel —The Lord's rejection for a time was the result of their rejection of him, in part induced by Solomon's choice. R2060:1
Byword —The house which Solomon built unto the Lord was later robbed, profaned, and did become a byword. R2060:1
Among all people —When noting the fulfillment of these prophecies against Israel we must not forget the equally strong testimonies of God that he will gather them again. OV76:1
[1 Kings 9:8]
High —Notable in the eyes of the world. R2060:1
Hiss —It was robbed of its treasures and profaned. R2060:1
[1 Kings 9:21]
Their children —150,000 laborers, probably Canaanites. R3282:3
A tribute of bondservice —Typical of the fact that strangers and enemies of truth have the larger share of preparing the antitypical temple by their hammering and chiseling of the living stones. R3282:6
[1 Kings 10:1]
Queen of Sheba —Presumed to have been a Negress. In modern times the Emperor of Abyssinia claimed to be a descendant of Solomon by this Queen. R3043:1 A more-than-ordinarily brilliant woman.R2067:2
She came —From far-off southern Arabia, a journey of 1500 miles. R2067:2, R5722:1 Thus she put to shame the people of Israel who later disregarded the superior wisdom of Jesus, the greater than Solomon. PD44/53 At about the middle, or 20th year, of Solomon's reign, when he was in all his glory. R5722:1, R2067:2
Hard questions —Probably relating to the sciences, arts, wise government, and respecting God and the future life. R2067:2, R3284:5, R5722:4
[1 Kings 10:2]
She came —A journey of 1500 miles, to Jerusalem and back, consuming five months. R5722:1, R3284:2
Spices —From India. R2067:5
[1 Kings 10:5]
His ascent —The corridor, or grand stairway, which led from his house to the Temple was a marvel of architecture. R3284:6, R5722:1
Spirit in her —It took her breath away. R3284:6
[1 Kings 10:7]
I believed not —Reports of Solomon's greatness. R3284:2
Mine eyes have seen it —The appreciation of values depends much upon the eye. So the eyes of our understanding must be opened truly to appreciate spiritual things. PD44/53
Half was not told —Applies (though not as an antitype) to the Gospel Church. Once afar off, they come and confess that the half was never told them of the riches of divine grace in our Lord. R2068:4 "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath in reservation for them that love him." (1 Cor. 2:9) R3285:2
[1 Kings 10:10]
120 talents of gold —Estimated at $3,000,000. R2067:5
[1 Kings 10:13]
All her desire —Richly rewarded by having her every inquiry answered and by seeing the Temple built to the glory of God. R2067:5
Of his royal bounty —It was a custom for kings and princes to give presents according to their wealth, and Solomon was no doubt more wealthy than the queen. R2067:6
[1 Kings 10:14]
The weight of gold —King Solomon's annuity is supposed to have been more than ten million dollars. R4722:3
[1 Kings 10:23]
Solomon exceeded —In glory, attracting the wonder and admiration of the world. C244 Illustrates the tendencies of wisdom and riches to lead imperfect men away from God, the source of wisdom and riches. R4297:3 Solomon typified the Church glorified. PD44/53
[1 Kings 10:27]
Made silver ... as stones —The glitter of success held the nation loyal to him, notwithstanding the fact that it was achieved by oppressive measures. R2324:1
[1 Kings 11:1]
Strange women —Mismarriage was a worldly-wise step with a view to a closer relationship with surrounding nations and royal families, but an unwise one, for God desired his elect people to be separate from all families of the earth. R2324:1
[1 Kings 11:3]
700 wives —Some of these "queens" were ladies of rank and refinement from the various royal families of surrounding nations, one being Pharaoh's daughter. R2068:3
[1 Kings 11:4]
Solomon was old —Prematurely old, at about 50 years. R2068:3
[1 Kings 11:6]
Went not fully after —But we are not to suppose that he ceased to believe in the only true God. R2068:3, R4297:6
[1 Kings 11:7]
Solomon build an high place —A notable house in the eyes of the world. R2060:1 To please his various wives. R2068:3 In a spirit of "broad-mindedness" or "public policy," which led to laxity respecting the worship of the true God. This finds its counterpart today. R2359:3,5
In the hill —Now called the Mount of Offence, opposite Siloam. R1400:6
Molech —The Valley of Hinnom (Greek, Gehenna) had erected in it a hollow brass figure of the god Moloch, a torment deity, which was heated intensely and then into its outstretched arms were occasionally placed children offered in sacrifice. R3069:1 Today we see in nominal Christendom a Moloch on a much larger scale, a worse misrepresentation of a loving God, in the doctrine of purgatory and eternal torment. R2360:1, R3464:6
[1 Kings 11:8]
Likewise did he —When one system of idolatry had been introduced, the other foreign wives claimed similar rights, etc. R2068:3 He sought to be more broad and liberal than the Almighty in the recognition of foreign religions forbidden to Israel. R2324:1
[1 Kings 11:9]
Angry —A righteous indignation against sin. R2068:5 The Lord rebuked Solomon for his course, doubtless through the prophet Ahijah. (verses 29-37) R4297:6
[1 Kings 11:11]
Rend the kingdom —Would be rent or torn with violence. R4297:6 Complete overturning. Messiah could not be expected through the line of Solomon. E133 The penalty for Solomon's sin. R2068:5
[1 Kings 11:12]
Thy son —Rehoboam. R2068:5
[1 Kings 11:13]
Not rend away all —Fulfilled through Jeroboam. R2069:1, R4297:6 Thus ten of twelve parts were rent away; two retained for David's and Jerusalem's sake. R467:6*
Will give one tribe —Judah's consort Benjamin (after it was almost destroyed) was absorbed into the tribe of Judah. R2069:4; E132
[1 Kings 11:26]
He lifted up his hand —Contrary to the Lord's plan for the division, which was after Solomon's death. R2069:1
[1 Kings 11:28]
Industrious —Having a natural ability as a manager of men. R2324:4
[1 Kings 11:31]
Take thee ten pieces —Thus anointing him to be king over the ten tribes. R2324:4
I will rend the kingdom —With one favorable effect-that the two tribes could learn from the bad example of the ten and be more faithful. Also illustrated in the divisions within the nominal Gospel church. R2324:6
Will give ten tribes to thee —The division of the kingdom was of the Lord's foreknowledge and arrangement, for the Lord saw that it would work favorably for the development of his purpose. R2324:5
[1 Kings 11:36]
Which I have chosen —As the religious and political center of the typical kingdom. R1296:6*
[1 Kings 11:38]
Walk in my ways —Solomon lost the kingdom because of leading the people toward idolatry. Jeroboam should have had this in mind and sought to banish idolatry. R4723:6
[1 Kings 11:42]
Was forty years —Possibly typifying the harvest of the Millennial age. R4018:2*
[1 Kings 11:43]
And Solomon slept —Death is a condition of rest, of quiet, of peaceful unconsciousness. R5059:6 The condition of all the dead up to the time when the resurrection work begins. R4794:2
Rehoboam his son —His mother was Naamah, an Ammonitess and idolater, for whom Solomon built a temple to Moloch. R2324:5
[1 Kings 12:1]
Rehoboam —Solomon's son by a heathen mother; had inherited personal beauty from both parents. R4722:3
To make him king —Rehoboam was about 21 when he came to the throne of a great kingdom; and he quickly dissipated a vast fortune. R4722:3
[1 Kings 12:2]
Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt —Where he had fled when Solomon suppressed his incipient rebellion. R4723:3
[1 Kings 12:3]
Called him —From exile in Egypt, to become leader and spokesman of the ten tribes. R4722:6
Spake unto Rehoboam —A council of all the tribes except the one to which the royal family belonged. R3384:3 They were not satisfied and would not acknowledge him as king unless he gave them what might be termed a bill of rights. R4722:6
Saying —They inquired what he would promise in the way of a reform government. R4722:6
[1 Kings 12:4]
Make our yoke grievous —By providing magnificent palaces for himself and his heathen wives, gardens, raiment, chariots and soldiers. R2046:5 The capital city had been favored out of all proportion to the remainder of the country, and the ten tribes had shared in a labor conscription at small compensation. R5723:1 They were ready to break out in open rebellion. R3384:3 Even today many of the best governed and most prosperous are discontented. R3384:3
Make . . . lighter —The Jews as a people have always zealously guarded their liberties. R2068:6 They wished assurance that there would be an abatement of demands of levies of men for public labor, of taxes, liberties, etc. R3384:3 A demand similar to that of the British public in connection with the Magna Charta. R5723:1
[1 Kings 12:5]
Depart ... three days —He and all realized that a crisis had come, too weighty to be decided hastily. R4722:6
[1 Kings 12:6]
King Rehoboam —Recognized as king by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. R4722:6
Consulted —In every enterprise of life we should seek counsel. R4723:4
With the old men —His father's counselors; to know their advice. R4722:6
[1 Kings 12:7]
They spake unto him —Their recommendations were good, exactly what the ten tribes desired. R4723:1
If thou wilt be a servant —Proper advice—a ruler should be the servant of his people. R5723:5
[1 Kings 12:8]
He forsook the counsel —The golden rule, laid down by the great head of Christianity, is rejected as impracticable. R5723:5
Consulted with the young —His friends, whom he was disposed to bring into power with himself. R4723:1 His course should have been to seek counsel from the Lord. R2324:4
[1 Kings 12:10]
Spake unto him —To intimidate, rule with a heavy hand. R4723:1
Shall be thicker —Unwise, boastful, vainglorious language, which no doubt was the abundant overflow of a heart in similar condition. R2324:4
[1 Kings 12:11]
With scorpions —Whips with metal lumps on the strands. R3384:6, R5723:2
[1 Kings 12:13]
Answered ... roughly —The young king had not been rightly taught the principles of justice in human affairs. Pride and ambition are dangerous counselors. R4723:1 Wealth, power, influence, gained through oppression and injustice, are unworthy of noble minds. R4723:4
Forsook the old men's —Made an unwise decision and lost the greater part of the kingdom. R4723:1
[1 Kings 12:14]
I will chastise you —The answer was a foolish one and precipitated the separation of the ten tribes from the two. R3384:6, R5723:2
Scorpions —Whip with metal pricks at the ends of the thongs. Drafted men were treated as the veriest slaves, under taskmasters with whips. R4723:1, R2324:3
[1 Kings 12:16]
All Israel —Ten tribes, and the adjacent kingdom which had been under Solomon's sovereignty. R4723:1
Israel departed —The ten tribes revolted and maintained the title, "kingdom of Israel." The two tribes were called the "kingdom of Judah" for over 500 years. R3385:4, R5723:2 393 years before the overthrow of Zedekiah, corresponding to the division of Christendom into Papacy and Protestantism in the year 1521, when Luther was excommunicated. R3574:1*
Unto their tents —Splits in the nominal mass, and the resulting benefits, do not justify splits among those faithful to the Lord. R2325:4
[1 Kings 12:17]
Children of Israel —Refers to the Israelites from all those tribes which dwelt in the cities of Judah who were not moved to join with their tribes in the rebellion. C292; R3385:4, R1341:1
Judah —In which God, through the prophet, had declared that his blessings should come. R3385:4
Reigned over them —Thus loyal to the Lord whose worship centered in Jerusalem, and to the tribes of Judah, from which the promised king was to come; typifying the siftings of spiritual Israel. R3385:2 Spiritual Israelites should notice that the Lord overruled in all the affairs of the typical people for the welfare of the true-hearted and should expect the same. R3385:4
[1 Kings 12:18]
Adoram —Secretary of the treasury, the one having charge over the assessments, etc., same as in 1 Kings 4:6. R3385:4
Stoned him —After the manner of their time. R3385:5
[1 Kings 12:19]
Israel —The ten tribes maintained the title "kingdom of Israel" for over 500 years, until the return from captivity. R5723:2, R3384:6
[1 Kings 12:20]
Made him king —The ten tribes chose Jeroboam for their king and supported a separate government. R3385:5
[1 Kings 12:21]
To fight —King Rehoboam, loath to lose so large a part of his empire, at first thought to compel the union by putting down the rebellion. R3385:5
[1 Kings 12:24]
Ye shall not —It was part of the divine plan that the nations should be divided. R3385:5
[1 Kings 12:25]
Jeroboam —Of the tribe of Ephraim, a man of large natural ability but inclined to be worldly-wise and to neglect his God and his religion. R4723:2 Possessed more of confidence in himself than of trust in God, more of impatience to be king than of loyalty. R4723:3, R3385:3
[1 Kings 12:26]
Said in his heart —Decided to take the selfish course. R4723:5
[1 Kings 12:27]
If this people go —To worship yearly, they would again draw back to the kings of the line of David. R5732:2
At Jerusalem —By divine order, the center of religious service. R3385:6
[1 Kings 12:28]
Two calves —Probably because the people, while in Egypt, were accustomed to the worship of the sacred bull, Apis, of Egyptian mythology. R2325:5 One of the first arrangements was to break the religious tie. R3386:1, R2325:3 For policy's sake, he led the nation directly into idolatry. R4723:6
Of gold —Probably made of wood, overlaid with gold. R3386:2
[1 Kings 12:29]
The one in Beth-el —Where Jacob had his dream, and which was therefore somewhat sacred to the minds of the children of Israel. R3386:1 In the southern part of the territory. R5732:3
Dan —In the northern part of the territory. R5732:3
[1 Kings 12:30]
Became a sin —Because it was contrary to the divine arrangement and led them gradually into idolatry. R3386:2, R5732:3
[1 Kings 12:31]
The sons of Levi —Probably, though not so stated, the Levites refused in the establishment of these unauthorized religious services. Consequently many of them removed to the kingdom of Judah. R3386:3
[1 Kings 12:33]
And burnt incense —Similarly the emperors of Rome took to themselves the priestly office that they might the more effectually bind the people to them. R3386:4
[1 Kings 13:1]
Stood by the altar —Jeroboam seems to have appointed himself the chief priest of the new religious institution, for he offered the incense. R2325:6
[1 Kings 13:2]
Men's bones ... burnt —Fulfilled in 2 Kings 23:16 and 2 Chron. 34:5. R3607:3
[1 Kings 14:25]
Shishak —There has been discovered at Karnak, Egypt, a splendid structure erected by him. R3467:6*
[1 Kings 14:26]
He took away —Commemorated by a sculpture at Karnak by Shishak, which includes a Jewish king among the 38 whom he had subdued. R3467:6*
[1 Kings 16:23]
Omri —A great general, he succeeded Jeroboam on the throne. His dynasty was a successful one according to worldly standards but a failure from the divine standpoint. R4729:2
[1 Kings 16:24]
City which he built —Omri strengthened his hold upon the people by the building of a new capital city, Samaria. R3399:2
[1 Kings 16:25]
Omri wrought evil —Outranked Jeroboam as a misleader. Worldly wisdom suggested a still further departure from God. R4729:3
[1 Kings 16:26]
In his sin —Introducing idolatry and licentious practices. R3399:2
Vanities —Vain religious ceremonies, provocative of greater evils. R3399:2
[1 Kings 16:28]
Omri slept —We are not to draw the inference that, as a wicked man, he went to eternal torment and that the nature of the torment is sleep. R4729:3, R3399:2
With his fathers —The Grecian theory, that when people die they become more alive than ever, had not yet been introduced. R3399:2
[1 Kings 16:29]
And Ahab —Typical of the Roman empire. B256; R234:3 Typified the civil government, symbolically called the "dragon" in Revelation. OV268:3; Dii; R4730:4 Ahab's name signified "like his father." Surely he was. His was a reign still more successful in unrighteousness. R4729:3
[1 Kings 16:30]
Did evil —For 22 years he devoted himself to the further undermining of true religion and to the introduction of the worst forms of licentious, heathen idolatry. R4730:4, R4729:5
[1 Kings 16:31]
To wife Jezebel —Typical of the apostate Church of Rome. R5629:1; B256 The improper marriage of Ahab and Jezebel, contrary to the Jewish Law, typified the marriage, or union, of church and state. R4730:4, R234:3 Typified a religious system. She was a desperate character, used to symbolize the great mystery of iniquity in the book of Revelation. (Rev. 2:20) R3399:4 In marrying her Ahab secured an able accomplice in evil. R3399:4 Her name signifies "chaste"; yet she used her great influence for the furtherance of unchastity in connection with the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth. R4729:5 The effect of the prosperity of Ahab and Jezebel was two-fold: degrading one class, while separating from itself another class—the true worshippers of God. So it is today. R4730:1
Ethbaal —A priest of Baal who murdered his father, the king of Tyre, and then succeeded him. R3399:4
Served Baal —Or Bel; type of the god of Babylon, the Pope. D40
[1 Kings 16:32]
An altar for Baal —The ordained worship in the Temple was neglected and image worship established. Thus was the true Temple and priesthood counterfeited. Similarly, we have in nominal spiritual Israel a great counterfeit system. PD46/56; R3399:5
[1 Kings 17:1]
And Elijah —Type of the true Church in the flesh—The Christ, Head and Body. B256; R5629:1, R5569:5, R5741:3, R5857:4; Q259:1
Said unto Ahab —Worldly system, to which this professed nominal church of Christ is united. R5741:6 Type of the Roman empire. R3408:3; B256 He reproved King Ahab, Jezebel and the ten tribes. R4730:3 The king doubtless considered this a vain boast. R4731:2
God of Israel liveth —Whom you seem to think is dead. R2326:1
Before whom I stand —Whose representative I am. R3400:1 True prophets of God are not boastful; they speak merely as divine mouthpieces. R5741:2
Not be dew nor rain —A declaration of a divine judgment. R2326:1 Intended to be corrective. R5741:2 A drouth which was a retribution of punishment upon Israel. R4730:6 The 3 « year drouth and resulting famine of 1260 days were prophetic of the 1260 years from 539 AD to 1799 AD, when there was a famine in the world for the hearing of the word of the Lord (Amos 8:11, 12) under Papal domination. R5742:1, R5741:6, R5751:5, R234:6 The word for rain is that which refers to the principal rain, which comes in the fall of the year. R3400:2
[1 Kings 17:3]
And hide thyself —Keep his whereabouts unknown to the king. R3400:2 Representing the flight of the true Church into a condition of isolation during the three and one-half symbolic "times" of Papal supremacy. B256
Brook Cherith —On a mountainside, on the road leading from Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea, a lonely spot. R5741:2
[1 Kings 17:4]
Ravens to feed thee —Our Heavenly Father was quite able to use the ravens in supplying the needs of his servant, and we are told, "He careth for you" (1 Pet. 5:7); "My God shall supply all your need." (Phil. 4:19) R3400:3, 4
[1 Kings 17:5]
Dwelt by the brook —For about two years. R2326:2
[1 Kings 17:6]
Ravens —Exhibit not only extraordinary intelligence, but sometimes also sympathy. R2326:2 The food for Elijah was probably stolen from the bazaars of Jerusalem or Jericho. R2326:3
Bread and flesh —Typifying the Lord's care of the true Church during the time she was hiding from Papacy. B256
[1 Kings 17:7]
No rain in the land —Typifying the lack of truth the living water, during the 3 « symbolic "times" of papal persecution. B256
[1 Kings 17:9]
Zarephath —Outside the kingdom of Israel. R3400:5
A widow woman —A godly Gentile who had respect to Jehovah. R3400:5, R2326:4
[1 Kings 17:10]
A little water —The gift of water to the thirsty is regarded as a sacred duty. R2326:4 The streams of that vicinity, from the mountains of Lebanon, had evidently not completely dried up. R3400:5
[1 Kings 17:12]
An handful of meal —Even so, small amounts of consecrated funds can greatly spread the gospel. R2549:5
Eat It, and die —What she presumed would be her last meal. Your meal and oil may run low, but God knoweth it and will provide with spiritual blessings accompanying, if you will trust him. R2326:5, R2021:4
[1 Kings 17:13]
Fear not —This was a severe test to the woman's faith and generosity. R4731:4
A little cake first —If the woman had the faith necessary to obey she would be esteemed worthy of the Lord's assistance through the prophet. The Lord tests our faith, too. R2326:5, R3400:6
[1 Kings 17:14]
Barrel of meal —Symbol of the bread of truth, of which our supply is continued from day to day. R2326:6
Neither shall ... oil fail —You will increase your own store of spiritual food as you give it to others. CR302:3 Representing the holy Spirit, which helps to make the truth nourishing and profitable to us. R2326:6
[1 Kings 17:15]
She went and did —She had faith enough to share her little remnant with him, resulting in a miracle. R5741:3 A lesson that, even in our extremities, we should exercise sympathy toward others.R4731:5 Is thy cruse of comfort failing? Rise and share it with another. R2326:6*
Did eat many days —The Lord's people have great need to cultivate a large generosity, not only of thought, but of deed. R2326:4, R3400:6
[1 Kings 17:22]
And the soul —Nephesh, being, life, existence. R366:6
And he revived —Awakening, not resurrection, of the dead. R2618:2, R360:2; F704 Thus foreshadowing the Times of Restitution. (Isa. 25:6-9) R4758:5, R62:1*; HG336:1
[1 Kings 18:1]
Elijah —Type of the true Church in the flesh—The Christ, Head and Body. B256; PD46/56
Third year —Either the third of Elijah's sojourn at Zarephath, or after his original announcement to Ahab. R4740:1 The entire period of the drouth was 3 « years. (Luke 4:25; Jas. 5:17) R4740:2
Shew thyself —Prefigured the coming out of the true Church of God from her wilderness hiding after the year 1799 AD. R5857:4
Unto Ahab —Type of the Roman empire. B256 Representing the governments of earth. PD46/56
I will send rain —Showing return of divine favor. A sufficiency of punishment had come upon Israel for their iniquities. R4740:2, 6
[1 Kings 18:2]
A sore famine —Typifying the spiritual famine during the Dark Ages. B256; R5741:6 For 3 « years, typical of the "time, times, and a half,"—1260 years, of the famine "not of bread, nor of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord." (Amos 8:11) R5993:3 Typical of the period in which the true saints of God were hidden from the eyes of the world in a wilderness condition. R4741:2
[1 Kings 18:3]
Governor —Royal superintendent, or prime minister. R4740:2
Now Obadiah —Represents partially consecrated ones. R3401:5
Feared the LORD —But must have failed to let his light shine properly, else he would not have been an acceptable servant in the house of Ahab. R3401:3 He was a true worshipper of the Lord, but timid. R3401:3 Such as are ashamed of the Lord will lose the great prize. R3401:5
[1 Kings 18:4]
When Jezebel —Typical of the apostate church of Rome. B256 Symbolizes the great mystery of iniquity. R3399:4; PD46/56
Cut off the prophets —The first religious persecution on record. R2325:6
Hid them —Evidently at the risk of his all. R4740:2
Fifty in a cave —The experiences of God's prophets, for the most part, were far from enviable. A54
Fed them —Josephus connects Obadiah's widow with the woman of 2 Kings 4:1-7 and her debt with the funds needed to feed the prophets. R3430:6
[1 Kings 18:5]
Horses and mules —Apparently he was more solicitous for his beasts than for the poor of the people. R3401:2
[1 Kings 18:6]
Ahab went —Probably with a good retinue of servants. R3401:2
[1 Kings 18:12]
He shall slay me —He surmised that Elijah would in some manner disappear during his absence and that, in consequence, the king's anger would be against his servant. R3401:5, R4740:2
[1 Kings 18:13]
Slew the prophets —See comments on 1 Kings 18:4.
LORD'S prophets —The worthy servants of Mark 12:3-5. R1796:1
[1 Kings 18:16]
Ahab went to meet Elijah —Prophetic of the great contest between Catholicism and Protestantism in the Reformation period. R5751:5
[1 Kings 18:17]
Ahab —Type of worldly governments claiming to be Christ's kingdom. R5751:2, R389:2*
Elijah —Type of the true Church of Christ in the flesh, this side the veil. R5751:3 Although the true Church is indeed represented symbolically by a woman, it is also represented sometimes by a man—when the picture includes the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church. R5751:3
Art thou he —Implying that all the trouble was properly chargeable to Elijah. R3401:6 This is the worldly custom. R4740:3
That troubleth Israel —The valiant for the truth have always been considered enemies by the nominal mass. R577:5, R234:6 We would trouble Israel by showing the Lord's people their transgressions. R234:6
[1 Kings 18:18]
Baalim —Bel, type of the God of Babylon: the Pope. D40
[1 Kings 18:19]
Prophets of Baal —So the priests and the religious representatives of a great church system have been the obedient servants of the great false institutions, pictured by Ahab and Jezebel. R5751:3
Jezebel —A false Christian church system married to earthly governments. R5751:2, R389:2*
[1 Kings 18:20]
Mount Carmel —About seventeen miles from the palace at Jezreel, an ideal place for such a spectacle. R3406:1
[1 Kings 18:21]
Elijah —Here representing Jehovah. R3402:1, R4740:3
How long halt ye —"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." (Josh. 24:15) R2950:4, 6 "Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Heb 3:15) R2950:6 Coming to a positive decision is a great blessing, and a great help in the formation of character. R2950:4
Two opinions —"Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." (Matt. 6:24) R2950:3 A contrast to the present dominant religious sentiment of compromise. D190
[1 Kings 18:24]
Your gods —Infidelity in our day is calling upon many to worship the god of nature; and, through Higher Criticism and Evolution theories, the priests of error are misleading many. R3407:5
That answereth by fire —Elijah challenged the priests of Baal to a public test as to which god could answer prayer. PD46/56
[1 Kings 18:26]
Called on ... Baal —Noted for being preeminently the sun god, the god of nature, fertility, etc. R3406:2 To accept the offering and vindicate his cause. PD46/56 If Baal were powerful enough to answer their prayers, then the people might understand that it was because Baal was offended with them that they had experienced the drouth. R2332:5
[1 Kings 18:28]
They cried aloud —Yelling and cutting themselves, claiming they had committed sins, chastising themselves, that Baal be propitiated and answer them. R3406:3
[1 Kings 18:31]
The sons of Jacob —Typifying the twelve apostles. B246
[1 Kings 18:33]
Barrels —Earthen jars. R3406:3
Water —From a never-failing spring which is to be found on the slope of Mt. Carmel. R3406:3
Pour it on —No one could say that there was a secret smouldering of fire beneath. R4740:5; PD46/56
[1 Kings 18:36]
Came near, and said —This prayer is beautiful in its simplicity, manifesting no boastful spirit. R3406:4
[1 Kings 18:37]
Hear me, O LORD —Elijah prayed to God to vindicate his cause. PD46/56
Turned their heart —Recalling them again by their experiences, and by these signs, to be thy people. R2332:6
[1 Kings 18:38]
Fire of the LORD fell —The fire descended and consumed the sacrifice, licking up even the water in the trench. PD46/56
[1 Kings 18:39]
All the people —Representing the world. R5629:1
Fell on their faces —A lesson for us is that the masses of Christendom are deceived today, as were the masses of Israel. By and by, when God shall open their eyes, every knee shall bow. R4740:5
The LORD —Jehovah, He is God. PD46/56
[1 Kings 18:40]
Prophets of Baal —Public teachers of idolatry. A55
And slew them there —Representing the punishments visited upon the Papacy at the end of the three and one-half symbolic "times" (1260 literal years). B256 It is not a divine command to us today to put all false teachers to death. R4740:5 It is for us to slay and utterly expose the errors and follies which are deceiving the people. R3407:5, R4211:3* Foreshadowing the Second Death of all who work iniquity after full opportunity. R4740:6
[1 Kings 18:41]
There is a sound —Might be understood better, "I hear from the Lord the message of an abundance of rain coming." R3407:1
Abundance of rain —Typifying the millions of Bibles published and issued shortly after the end of 1799. B256 Showing a return of divine favor. R4740:6 Nearly all of our great Bible Societies were organized within fifteen years after 1799. R5752:5, R4211:3* A spiritual drouth ended in 1798. R5751:3 From 325 AD, when the Nicene creed was promulgated, there was practically no Bible study for 12 centuries until 1526, when the art of printing had become common and Tyndale had published his manuscript. It was 1799 before the Bible came into great prominence. R5752:1-5
[1 Kings 18:42]
Down upon the earth —Elijah did not pray for rain until he understood that it was the Lord's due time for it to come. We are to pray for and confidently expect those things and only those things which the Lord has promised to give us.R3407:2-4
[1 Kings 18:45]
Great rain —Representing the wide circulation of the Bible since 1799. R5857:4
[1 Kings 18:46]
Was on Elijah —Enduing him with supernatural power. R3407:4
Ran before Ahab —An act of courtesy, showing that he recognized Ahab as the king of the nation. R3407:4
[1 Kings 19:1]
And Ahab —Type of the Roman empire. B256; R5629:1, R4741:1, R3408:2
Told Jezebel —Type of the apostate church of Rome and of the so-called Protestant sects. B256; R5629:1, R3408:3 Herodias was an advanced type of her. R3408:2
All that Elijah —Representing the true Church in the flesh. B256; R5629:1, R5857:4, R4741:1 John the Baptist was a type, corresponding to Elijah. R3408:2
Had done —Jezebel viewed the matter, not as a combat between the Almighty and Baal, but as between her prophets and Elijah. R4741:1
[1 Kings 19:2]
Jezebel —Representing the principles of Papacy in Protestantism. B256 Represents a form of godliness, great and boastful, and supported by earthly power. R5752:6
Sent a messenger —So the gospel Church has been persecuted and compelled to flee by a woman who sat as "a queen" (Rev. 18:7) and is called "Jezebel." (Rev. 2:20) HG69:4 The great social and religious upheaval of a century did not alter the attitude of the church nominal and the world toward the true Church. The Reformation was partial only. R5752:6
Of one of them —Declaring that he would be as dead as the priests of Baal within 24 hours. R3408:1 The queen did not persecute him, but threatened him. R5629:1
[1 Kings 19:3]
Went for his life —The message was a boast and threat designed to intimidate him and to cause him to flee, which it did. R3408:1 Antitypically, this implies a measure of fear and cowardice on the part of God's saintly people, and their becoming obscure for a time. R4741:4 The reformers of the 16th century fled the threats of the antitypical Jezebel, being caused to desert many prominent principles of righteousness for fear of the consequences. R2341:1 The complete separation of a class from the power of Jezebel in the interests of the new life, 1829 to 1846. R4211:3*
[1 Kings 19:4]
Into the wilderness —Not for a specified time, however. R5629:1 In fulfillment, Protestant sects compel the saints again to flee into the wilderness condition. B256
O LORD —Signifying his discouragement. R5629:4
Take away my life —Why thus flee from death, and yet pray the Lord for death? An illustration of how some of strong faith amongst the Lord's people at times become discouraged, panic-stricken, fearful. R3408:5
[1 Kings 19:5]
Arise and eat —God realized, better than did Elijah, the physical exhaustion experienced in the great work he had done. R2333:3 The "Miller Movement," with special food: the ransom, the return of the Lord, and an understanding of prophecy. R4211:3,6*
[1 Kings 19:6]
There was a cake —A loaf of bread, somewhat like a pancake; symbol of the Church's spiritual food, the unleavened bread of life, Christ. R2333:5 The special message that is now feeding the people of God. R5629:4
A cruse of water —Symbol of truth, the water of life. R2333:5
[1 Kings 19:7]
Angel of the LORD —The Lord thus gave him a special message of comfort and food which lasted forty days, until he came to the mount of God—Horeb. R5752:3 The messenger whom the Lord has been using since 1874. R4211:6*
The second time —Second awakening, 1874 to 1914. R4211:6*
Arise and eat —However earnest and zealous the Lord's people may be, they need rest and food. R3408:6 Represents the special blessings and refreshments of the truth in the experiences of the Church. R3408:6
The journey —The hope of our calling, to be joint-heirs with our Lord. R4211:6*
Too great for thee —Unless strengthened by the special food provided. R4211:6*
[1 Kings 19:8]
That meat —Present truth. R4212:1*
Forty days —1874 to 1914. R4212:1*
Unto Horeb —Mt. Sinai, a type of the Kingdom of God. R3408:2, 6 Represents the Messianic Kingdom. R5629:4, R5752:6, R4212:1* Elijah's reaching Mt. Horeb typifies the Church at the incipient establishment of the Kingdom in 1878. R3408:6 Coming of Elijah to it shows that the Church will be in and under the Kingdom administration while still in the flesh, although the last members will not fully participate in the Kingdom honors and blessings. R5752:6
[1 Kings 19:9]
He came thither —Chronologically Messiah's Kingdom began its operation in the world in 1878 while the last members of the Church are still in the flesh. R5753:1
Unto a cave —The cave of Moses. R3414:1
Lodged there —No special aim or purpose before his mind. R2333:5
What doest thou —It may be asked, What are we doing for the Lord and for his cause? R2334:1
Here —Not in a place to do anything. R2334:1
[1 Kings 19:10]
I only, am left —As Elijah was discouraged, so it has been with the Church. There was much discouragement felt until the Lord began to make clear the divine plan. R5753:5, R3414:2
They seek my life —The experiences of God's prophets, for the most part, were far from enviable. A54
[1 Kings 19:11]
Stand upon the mount —The final overthrow of present institutions will not take place until the Elijah class has reached the mount of God—actually changed. R4212:4*
Before the LORD —The Lord gave him illustrations of different ways of accomplishing results. We need, and are getting, such a lesson. R3414:2,3 To us he makes clear the divine plan by which Messiah's Kingdom will be inaugurated. R5753:5, R2333:5
And strong wind —Not the Lord's manifestation of himself, but merely an illustration of power. R4741:4, R3414:2 Winds of strife, symbol of wars.R5753:1, R2334:4 Windy strife of words, not the voice of God, but the voice of humanity. R4741:4, R2333:6 Quite probably they are already (1904) being let loose. R3414:3 Represents the present (1915) war. R5629:4, R5753:1
Rent the mountains —Mountains represent kingdoms; a great weakening of the nations, governments of the earth, by wars; and increased knowledge and discontent among the people. A318;SM795:3; R5601:2, R5629:4
Not In the wind —God's Kingdom will not follow the epoch of war. R2334:4
An earthquake —Symbolically represents a social revolution. R5629:4; SM795:3; R5753:2, R2334:4,R3414:3, R5649:5, R5601:2; A336, D528 The earthquake of Rev. 16:18. R3414:3, R2334:5 When the kings and captains of industry, finance and politics will, in self-defense, exalt the power of religious leaders. R5601:3 Another power by which, ultimately, the present order of things will give way before the Kingdom of God's dear Son. R4741:4 This will not come as soon as the war begins, but the war might continue while the earthquake is on. R5629:4, R5753:2
Not in the earthquake —Revolutionary experiences will not be sufficient to prepare men to hear the voice of God. R2334:4 In none of these great experiences coming to the world will God be manifest. They will all be merely to fit and prepare man for the voice of Eden. R5753:2, R2334:4
[1 Kings 19:12]
A fire —Anarchy, symbolically represented by St. Peter as consuming the ecclesiastical heavens and the social, financial and political earth. (2 Pet. 3:10-13) R5753:2, R3414:3 The great time of trouble (Dan. 12:1) is prefigured also by a tidal wave, a whirlwind and the loosing of the four winds. R5863:6 Celestial fire, lightning, symbol of anarchy, consuming and destroying the present order of things. R2334:4, R5753:2, R5567:4, R5601:2, R5629:4, R5649:5, R2333:6 The third great phase of the calamity. SM795:3 Anarchy—Armageddon experiences. I think the Church will be gone before the Armageddon experience, but cannot be sure. Q617:4
Not In the fire —The fire, representing consumption, destruction, anarchy, is not the Lord, but merely human passions which he will permit. R4741:5
After the fire —These calamities having completely exhausted and humbled mankind. R2334:5, R5649:5
A still small voice —The voice of truth, love, wisdom. R3414:3 The voice of God, the divine power, which will bring the blessings to the world. R5629:4, R5601:2 The "pure language" (Zeph. 3:9) or pure message of God's Word. R3414:5 Corresponding to the "Be still" of Psa. 46:10. R3414:6, R2334:5 Not by earthly might nor by earthly power will the Lord establish his rule. R3414:6 The King will take his great power with the result that the fires of anarchy will be extinguished. SM795:3 Which Luther's translation renders, "The voice of Eden." God was in the voice—it really and truly represented him. R5752:3"It shall come to pass that every soul that will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from amongst the people." (Acts 3:23) R2334:5 Elijah had expected his reformation to go forward like a windstorm, or an earthquake or lightning; and when it did not, he fled. Now he was to understand that it would be more secret and quiet in the hearts of men, before giving outward manifestation. R2340:3,6 The voice of God's Word speaking to his people today. R4741:5
[1 Kings 19:13]
Went out —The type here changes to teach lessons of our present privileges and responsibilities. R4212:4*
[1 Kings 19:16]
And Elisha —Probably a type of the Great Company until he re-crossed Jordan. Q260:3; R3416:4, R4758:2, R5771:6 A class that will come into deep sympathy with the Elijah class, and follow the Lord's leading with it, yet a class that will not expect to be glorified. B265 We have no positive proof in the Scriptures that he was a type at all. Q259:2; R3429:2
Prophet in thy room —To prepare and instruct Elisha, representing those who shall succeed the overcomers as the Lord's mouthpiece on the earth. R557:6
[1 Kings 19:18]
7,000 in Israel —Similarly there are thousands in the nominal system who are not in sympathy with the errors they are taught, but are confused and blinded. R3415:1 Similarly today there are two classes in spiritual Israel: one class is in the wilderness condition; another, a larger class, is still more or less associated with, and bound up in, Babylon. R4741:5 The "Little Flock" may be rather difficult to discern. We are to look for them everywhere—in all denominations, and outside all. SM702:1
Unto Baal —The Papal "Beast" and the Protestant "Image." (Rev. 13) R290:6
Hath not kissed him —Which was the custom. R3415:1
[1 Kings 19:19]
Elisha —Signifying, "God is deliverer." R3428:3
With twelve yoke —Indicating that he was the son of a wealthy Israelite. R3428:3
[1 Kings 19:21]
Ministered unto him —For more than 10 years. R3428:3
[1 Kings 20:1]
Ben-hadad the king —Overlord of Syria, who had under him 32 kings. R4758:3
[1 Kings 20:4]
King of Israel answered —Recognizing the greatness of Syria's army and his unpreparedness for resisting. R4758:3
[1 Kings 20:11]
Let not him —The test of endurance is one of the severest to which the elect Church is subjected. R1656:1
Boast himself —Applicable, not only to every new recruit in the Lord's army, but similarly to all who have not yet finished the good fight of faith. R1656:1
Putteth it off —We are forewarned of the great necessity of the whole armor of God. R1656:2 To put on the robes of glory in the first resurrection. R3125:2
[1 Kings 20:13]
That I am the LORD —God would demonstrate his power by protecting his covenant people, reviving their faith and loyalty. R4758:6
[1 Kings 20:16]
Thirty and two kings —Benhadad and his host would correspond to Satan and his various hosts of unrighteousness. R4759:1 May represent various trusts, political grafters, various preying vices. R4759:1
[1 Kings 20:32]
Let me —Nephesh, soul, sentient being. E334
[1 Kings 20:35]
Of the prophets —Gatherings of young men desirous of studying the Law and appreciating the divine will. R3415:1
[1 Kings 21:3]
Give the inheritance —Jewish Law forbade the selling of family inheritances; but he could have given a lease for a time to the king's pleasement. R5770:6, R4741:3
[1 Kings 21:4]
And Ahab —Type of the Roman empire. B256; R3408:3
[1 Kings 21:5]
But Jezebel —Type of the apostate church of Rome and her false spirit in Protestant sects. R5629:1; B256
[1 Kings 21:6]
Give me thy vineyard —The crime of covetousness is now not only general and common, but almost approved as proper. It seems to be generally practiced. R2340:1
[1 Kings 21:8]
With his seal —The emblem of authority. R360:4*
Unto the elders —Ahab's covetousness was of the most approved kind, in that it sought to act through others, and stoned Naboth by proxy. R2340:3
[1 Kings 21:9]
Proclaim a fast —To make a mockery of religion. R4741:5 Seemingly in honor of God's laws and his justice. R5771:2
Set Naboth on high —Religion has often been injured by being made the tool of hypocrisy and covetousness. R2340:4, R4741:6
[1 Kings 21:11]
Even the elders —It is doubtful whether our disgust should be greater with the queen who instigated the evil, or with the elders who so supinely became the tool to accomplish it. R2339:6
[1 Kings 21:12]
Set Naboth on high —Covetousness sometimes strikes the dagger of scandal under professions of love and esteem, or of pity and sympathy. R2340:2
[1 Kings 21:13]
Naboth did blaspheme —Sometimes covetousness has the hypocritical mask of duty, religion and fidelity to God. R2340:2
And stoned him —Jewish Law provided that any blasphemy against God's name should be punished by stoning. R5771:1, R4741:6
That he died —Wars of commercialism show a spirit of willingness to kill our neighbors in order to enlarge our own properties. R5853:2, R4741:6Sharp, competitive business practices are covetousness of the same kind. R4741:6
[1 Kings 21:16]
To take possession —Thus he fully endorsed the conduct of Jezebel. R2340:3 As though he did not recognize that there is a God of justice to whom he must ultimately account. R4742:4
[1 Kings 21:17]
Came to Elijah —Type of the true Church in the flesh. B256; R5629:1
[1 Kings 21:19]
Thou shalt speak —So it is our place to speak the word of God that the antitypical Ahab shall be slain. R235:5
Dogs lick thy blood —This prophecy was fulfilled to the letter very shortly after. R4742:4
[1 Kings 21:20]
Ahab —The Roman empire. R235:5
Hast thou found me —Inclined to ignore the Lord and to think merely of the prophet. R4742:4
Sold thyself —If God denounced Ahab, what would the Lord's verdict be on some of the customs of our day? R4742:1 Covetousness is one of the most crying evils of our day. R4742:4
[1 Kings 21:21]
Thy posterity —Empires succeeding the Roman. R235:5
[1 Kings 21:23]
The dogs —The degraded. R235:5
Eat Jezebel —The church and world united system shall be cast down and consumed. R235:5
[1 Kings 21:29]
Because he humbleth himself —On account of this degree of repentance. R2340:5
In his son's days —A mark of God's patience and forbearance. R2340:6
[1 Kings 22:22]
A lying spirit —One of the fallen angels. R2173:4, R2171:3
[1 Kings 22:24]
Micaiah —One of the worthy servants of Mark 12:3-5. R1796:1
[1 Kings 22:40]
Slept with his fathers —Death is a condition of rest, quiet, or peaceful unconsciousness. R5605:4, R5059:6, R4794:2
[1 Kings 22:41]
In the fourth year —The total years of the reigns of Asa, Jehoshaphat and Jehoram of Judah agree with the total of Ahab, Ahaziah and Jehoram of Israel; though the details do not show the closest harmony. R4601:5*