• Elijah and the Sealing Power of the Holy Priesthood -- Comments on 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2

"What would you think about a man who had the power to raise the dead, call down fire from heaven, cause the heavens to withhold rain, and render a barrel of flour inexhaustible?
"Elijah was such a man, a man of power, a man of miracles, a prophet so worthy that he was translated and taken from the earth in a chariot of fire.
"Small wonder that Elijah became one of the great heroes in Israel’s history. Small wonder, too, that in Jewish households a place is set for him at every Passover feast in anticipation of his return as predicted by the prophet Malachi (see Malachi 4:5–6).
"This material deals with the reasons Elijah is one of the greatest prophets of all time and why he was rejected by the people of his own day."

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

• A Kingdom Divided against Itself -- Comments on 1 Kings 12–16

"The Lord has said, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand' (Matthew 12:25). A great lesson to be learned in life is to live in harmony with others. Where there is disharmony, unhappiness and tragedy result. On the other hand, where there is harmony, happiness and progress follow. Not only is this true in nations or kingdoms, but it is also true in personal and family relationships. Harmonious relationships can be developed and enhanced by understanding and applying insights from the scriptures.
"Notice how the kings of Israel and Judah present both good and bad examples of the application of these principles."

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on 1 Kings 12–16 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

• Man of Wisdom, Man of Foolishness -- Comments on 1 Kings 1–11

"Many kings ascended the throne of Israel from the time of Saul to the dissolution of both the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom. None of these kings, however, obtained the power and prestige that Solomon did. Nearly a thousand years before Solomon, Abraham had been promised that his seed would receive the land of Canaan for their inheritance, including territory as far north as the Euphrates River (see Genesis 12:7 ; 13:15 ; 15:18 ). But not until Solomon’s time was this promise fully realized. Solomon extended the domain of Israel from the Red Sea on the south to the Euphrates River on the north. The golden age of Israel, started under King David, continued under Solomon. During the forty years that Solomon ruled as king of Israel, there was peace and unity throughout his vast domain.
"At the beginning of his reign, Solomon loved the God of Israel and covenanted with God that he would walk in obedience throughout his administration as king of Israel. Solomon was promised wisdom, riches, honor, and long life if he would continue in righteousness before the Lord. The promise was fulfilled. During his life, Solomon became famous for his wisdom. Great men and women from many nations came to hear him and test his understanding and knowledge. Solomon also acquired great wealth, and there were said to be no kings in all the earth who could compare to him. Under Solomon’s reign Israel reached her greatest point as a nation—honor, wealth, power, and respect were hers because of the administration of her greatest king.
"Nevertheless, at the end of Solomon’s reign, Israel became temporally and spiritually bankrupt. Deterioration and strife were everywhere. Within a year of Solomon’s death, the land was divided into two kingdoms, and the course of Israel’s history was permanently altered."

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on 1 Kings 1–11 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.