Elijah performed a miracle for the widow woman and her son whom he was staying with. He declared that her grain and oil would not run dry if she gave him a meal first.

Putting the Lord first in all we do was a theme Jesus highlighted. He said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all these things … your basic needs … will be provided.”

Putting God’s interests above ours is the distinctive characteristic of a Godly person. You will be known by the fruit of such a life.

READ/HEAR:  1 Ki. 16,17

Despite the fact that God had raised him up and gave him the Kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam did evil in God’s sight. He paid dearly for his transgressions. God caused his entire family to be eliminated. He could have done right and brought honor to his family name. God had given him a leadership platform and he trashed his opportunity.

God raises up leaders and gives them the choice to either follow His Ways or their own. He gifts them with leadership ability from the womb. Parents have a unique opportunity to cultivate godliness within their children, and those called to leadership have great potential to impact the world for Christ.

READ/HEAR: 1 Kings 14,15

Jeroboam, the evil king of Israel after Solomon had died, set up substitute altars and recruited non-Levitical priests whom God had not called. He essentially established a false religion for his subjects. Because of this great sin, setting up idols for Israel for Israel to worship led to his downfall.

Corrupt leaders who displace God with any sort of idol are severely destroying their rule and authority. The single greatest decision a leader can make is to honor the Lord and serve Him according to the principles outlined in God’s Word.

READ/HEAR: 1 Ki. 12,13

Solomon began well but later in life turned to idol worship through the influence of his many foreign wives. God left him on the throne until he died out of tribute to his father, David, but the kingdom was to be given to Rehoboam. Solomon walked away from God’s sovereign protection and blessing.

We often forfeit God’s blessings through our idolatries. The way of a transgressor is hard.

READ/HEAR: 1 Ki  11

Replete with gold, order, and every form of wealth, Solomon’s kingdom overwhelmed the Queen of Sheba when she visited him. Although its appearance what’s overwhelming, the core of Solomon’s heart began to stray from God because of the many women his heart chased after. The lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes were his downfall.

Christ’s kingdom had very little appearance of wealth on the outside. His was a kingdom of the heart. Some more like Christ would become, the less we are concerned about outward appearance.

READ/HEAR: 1 Ki. 9,10

Upon the completion of the new Temple, Solomon brought a sizable offering and let a prayer in front of the nation. The temple, it’s furnishings, and the extravagant sacrifice where’s the best Israel could offer to the Lord.

God is not impressed with our buildings or sacrifices. He wants us to offer to Him our lives.  What more can we give?

READ/HEAR: 1 Ki. 8

For Solomon’s Temple, no expense was spared in its construction.

We are God’s temple now. He spares no measure in our preparation for His service. God wants us as pure gold.

READ/HEAR:  1 Kings 7

The temple Solomon built for God was certainly one of the most magnificent structures ever assembled. Nothing but the finest materials available were used. Everything within was either solid gold or overlaid with gold. All you could see was gold.

The splendor of heaven will even exceed the beauty and quality of Solomon’s Temple. We shall walk on streets of gold. If we have very little splendor and value here on Earth, we have a reward waiting for us in heaven. We will enjoy God’s best and his regal splendor forever in heaven.

READ/HEAR: 1Kings 5,6

Solomon asked God for help in conducting his leadership duties. He was no doubt overwhelmed by the responsibility of being king and he wanted to do it well. The Lord was pleased with his request and blessed him with everything he needed and more. Leaders are wise to ask for the same wisdom in executing their duties. Solomon mainly wanted to know the difference between right and wrong and make decisions that would please the Lord.

READ/HEAR: 1 Kings 3,4

As David neared his death, his son Adonijah assumed the throne of Israel under ambition. There was a scramble to anoint Solomon who had been designated by David to succeed him. Upon Solomon’s anointing and coronation, there was a process enacted to eliminate those who would conspire against his kingdom. Eventually those who had or would conspire against him lost their lives. This they deserved as they had lived lives that crossed the lines of absolute obedience to the Lord’s purposes. God protected Solomon’s throne because he was God’s choice to not only rule Israel but we to write most of the proverbs.

When God anoints you for a ministry, He will protect you and often identify the threats to your well-being. Trust hHm and watch Him work.

READ/HEAR: 1Kings 1,2