1 Kings
1:5–14
The Lord had promised David that Solomon would be the next king. But Solomon’s older brother, Adonijah, wanted to be king. Solomon and his supporters had to move quickly to prevent Adonijah from taking the throne. In the end, Solomon had his enemies as well as his father’s enemies killed.
2:1–3
David was nearing the end of his life. So he gave his son Solomon some advice. What did David tell Solomon to do?
Inny’s grandfather often gives him good advice. Has your grandmother or grandfather ever given you good advice? Or has an aunt or uncle given you advice? What did they tell you?
Compare their advice with David’s advice. Was it the same or different? Inny wants you to think about the wise advice David gave to Solomon. That advice is important for you to remember and follow.
3:16–28
Solomon asked God for wisdom and God made him a wise man. The two women with their babies came for advice. And so did many other people. All the Israelites heard about it.
Thinky would like you to read verse 28 again. When the Israelites heard about Solomon’s wise advice, they respected him. They knew who gave Solomon his wisdom. Who is it? What did the Israelites know Solomon would do for them?
4:29–34
The Lord gave Solomon wisdom and insight. He wrote many proverbs. We can find them in the book of Proverbs. Solomon also composed songs. He wrote about plants and animals. Even the kings from other countries heard about Solomon’s great wisdom. They sent their wise people to learn from him.
8:10–11, 27 (Thinky)
Sometimes wonders where the Lord lives.
When Solomon’s temple was completed, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. Read about it in verses 10 and 11. The Israelites called the temple the house of the Lord.
Even now many people also call their church the house of the Lord. Is that where the Lord lives? What does Solomon say? What does Paul say in his prayer in Ephesians 3:16–17? Where do you believe the Lord lives?
11:26–40
Solomon reigned for 40 years. During his reign, the kingdom prospered and there was peace. But Solomon’s reign didn’t end peacefully. Solomon along with the people of Israel worshiped false gods. They didn’t follow the Lord’s commands. The Lord was angry with them, and there would be a consequence for their disobedience.
Thinky asks you to read 2 Kings 11:26–40.
What did the prophet Ahijah do to Jeroboam’s coat? What did that mean?
But the Lord is also faithful to his promises. What had the Lord promised to Solomon’s father, David? So what did he say to Solomon because of that promise? Do you believe it’s important to follow the Lord’s commands?
12:1–19
Israel became two separate kingdoms in approximately 931 BC. At first only one tribe, Judah, accepted Solomon’s son Rehoboam as king. Later the tribe of Benjamin also came under Rehoboam’s rule. All the other tribes made Jeroboam their king. Jeroboam ruled the northern kingdom or Israel. And Rehoboam ruled the southern kingdom or Judah.
16:30–33
The first seven kings of Israel worshipped false gods. They had no respect for the Lord. They didn’t obey or serve him. The seventh king was Ahab. He did more evil things than any of the kings before him. He married Jezebel. She worshipped the god named Baal. Jezebel tried to kill everyone who worshipped the Lord. She wanted all the Israelites to worship Baal.
17
Zarephath was far away in the north of a country called Phoenicia. Today it’s called Lebanon. It was Jezebel’s home country. The people who lived there worshipped the god named Baal. It was there that Elijah showed the Baal worshippers that the Lord is the only true God. He made sure that the widow had enough oil and flour. Then when her little boy died, the Lord brought him to life again. God has all power and authority over everything. And that is true not only in Israel but all over the world.
17:1
The Lord sent Elijah, the prophet, to Israel. He showed the Israelites that the Lord was mightier than Baal. Elijah convinced the people to turn back to the Lord. He performed many miracles.
How did Elijah do all these things?
Inny knows it was because Elijah served the Lord.
How important is it to you to serve the Lord and to obey him?
18:26–37
The prophets of Baal shouted loudly. They thought shouting was the only way for Baal to hear them. But Elijah knew the false god Baal couldn’t hear them. And Elijah also knew that the Lord hears prayers. Read verses 36 and 37 to find out what Elijah did.
Hummy was thinking about the Lord hearing us. Get your group together. Sing one of your favorite songs. Sing it as loudly as you can. Does the Lord hear you? Now hum the song softly. Does the Lord hear you? Then everyone must whisper a prayer. Does the Lord hear your voice among all the other voices? What happens when you say a prayer in your thoughts? Does the Lord hear you then? It doesn’t matter how loudly or softly you pray. The Lord will hear and answer your prayers.
19:1–3
The Lord had an important task for Elisha, the son of Shaphat. God wanted him to continue Elijah’s work. So the Lord sent Elijah to go and call Elisha. Elisha found Elisha ploughing in his father’s field. Elijah threw his coat around Elisha and invited him to join him.
Elisha willingly obeyed the Lord’s call to him to continue Elijah’s work. He even burnt his plough and roasted his oxen for the people to eat. Elisha did this to show that he was done with farm work. He left his farm and his parents to become Elijah’s servant.
Elisha became an important prophet in Israel. The Lord was with him and he obeyed the Lord.
19:3–8
Elijah did great things for the Lord. There were also times when he became tired and discouraged. We also become tired and discouraged sometimes.
Hearty wonders if you remember a time when you were discouraged. Why did it happen? Elijah prayed to the Lord. He told the Lord how discouraged he was. So the Lord sent an angel to encourage Elijah. The angel also gave Elijah food and water. How do you think Elijah felt after that happened?
When you are discouraged, you can also pray to the Lord. You can tell him how you feel. And the Lord will take care of you. How does knowing that make you feel?
19:8–15
Where did Elijah meet the Lord? Inny knows we don’t always think correctly about this. We expect to see or hear miraculous happenings. Actually we hear him best when everything is very quiet.
Have you ever felt the Lord’s presence? How did it happen?
What happened when Elijah felt the Lord’s presence?
The Lord gave him a new task.
