Saturday

18-May

1 Kings 3-4; Ps 64; Acts 27

1 Kings 3: Why did the people sacrifice to God in the high places? What did Solomon ask God for? What was God’s response?

1 Kings 4:  How did Solomon begin to move away from walking in God’s will?

Acts 27: What was Paul’s destination and who accompanied him? What happened on the voyage?

Journal Prompt: Re-read carefully 2 Kings 3:7-9. Then after reading through chapter 4 consider the influence that wealth and wisdom have upon Solomon’s decisions.

Answers:

1 Kings 3: The people sacrificed in the high places, because there was no temple or apparently officially designated place.  Solomon asked for an understanding mind to govern the people, and the ability to discern between good and evil.  God promised to give Solomon a wise and discerning mind, riches and honor and a long life (if he were to be obedient.)

1 Kings 4: In the previous chapter we read about a king that loved the Lord and was humbled and obedient. God promised him wisdom and wealth.  But he also married a second wife and she was the daughter of Pharaoh.  In this chapter, we read of his administrative abilities, and the peace and prosperity that the nation enjoyed under his leadership.  However, we read that he acquired 40,000 horses. “Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ (Deuteronomy 17:6)

Acts 27:  Paul was going to Italy – to Rome for trial.  Luke obviously accompanied him (note the use of  ‘we’) as did Aristarchus from Macedonia, and Julian, an Augustan cohort. The voyage was a disaster – ending in shipwreck but all the people on board were saved.