1 Kings 5

1 - 14 Solomon's Royal State (Continued)

Solomon has quite a spread - lots of land, supplies and chariot horses. He's also the wisest man in land (3000 proverbs & 1005 songs) He knew a lot about plants and animals, and people came from all the earth to hear him.

15 - 32 Preparation for the Temple

Solomon writes to Hiram that since his father's enemies are gone, he will be able to build a temple. Hiram agrees to supply the lumber. In return, Solomon gives Hiram's family wheat and oil, and there is peace between them. Solomon consecrates 30,000 workers, 70,000 carriers and 80,000 stonecutters, 3,300 overseers. Large blocks are quarried for the foundation.

1 Kings 4

1 - 6 Chief Officers of the Kingdom.

Solomon was king over all of Israel, and then we have a list of officials. (Cool names like Zadok, Jehoshaphat, and Adoniram (superintendent of the forced labor - I'd hate to be on his bad side).

7 - 19 Solomon's Royal State

Solomon had twelve commissaries for all Israel who supplied food for the king and his household, each having to provide for one month of the year.

My notes: "The administration of the kingdom thus initiated by Solomon continued in its main features for the duration of the monarchy in Israel and Judah.

1 Kings 3

1 - 15 Wisdom of Solomon

Solomon marries the daughter of Pharaoh. Solomon goes to Gibeon to sacrifice and the Lord speaks to him: "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon asks for "an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong." (This is a good thing to pray for). The Lord gives him "a heart so wise and understanding that there has not been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." Oh, and he also gives Solomon riches, glory, and a long life.

16 - 28 Solomon's Judgment

Here is the famous story of two women who are fighting over a child, and Solomon orders the child cut in half. He declares the child's mother is the one who protests.

1 Kings 2

1 - 11 David's Last Instructions and Death

Before he dies, David is reminded of God's Promise: "If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel." (2 Sam. 7: 11-16) The length of David's reign was 40 years (7 in Hebron and 33 in Jerusalem).

12 - 46 The Kingdom Made Secure

After Solomon's Ascension to the throne, Abinijah asks Bethsheba to persuade Solomon to grant Abishag the Shumanite as his wife. Instead, Solomon as Abinijah put to death. My Notes: "Abishag had been the concubine of King David. His successor, Solomon, inherited his father's harem. When Adonijah requested Abishag as his wife, he was subtly undermining the security of Solomon's throne and exposing himself to the suspicion of insurrection." Solomon lets Abiathar the priest go back home to Anathoth. Then Solomon has Joab struck down at the tent of the Lord. Solomon puts Shimei under house arrest in Jerusalem. When Solomon discovers that Shimei has gone to Gath, he has him executed. (This all reminds me of the last few minutes of The Godfather when Michael has to prove himself more ruthless than his father.)

1 Kings 1

1 - Rise of Solomon

King David is older and sickly. His servants get Abishag the Shunammite to wait on him. Although she's very beautiful, there's no hanky-panky.

Adonijah, son of Haggith thinks he's going to be king. He sacrifices sheep, oxen, & fatlings by the Serpent's Stone.

Nathan warns Bathsheba, Solomon's mom, that their lives are in danger if Adonijah becomes king. She goes to David and reminds him that he promised that Solomon would reign after him. Nathan comes in and tells David of Adonijah. David tells Bathsheba that Solomon will reign after him. He calls Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah together to anoint Solomon and shout "Long live King Solomon!" They do this, causing Adonijah to flee. When Solomon finds out about Adonijah's fear of him, he states, "If he prove to be a worthy man, not one of his hairs shall fall to earth; but if wickedness if found in him, he shall die."

Philippians 4

1 - 23 Paul's urges unity within the congregation, joy, prayer, and the Christian outlook on life. Euodia and Syntyche need to reconcile their differences. Paul turns over everything to Christ, and even though he doesn't have earthly goods, he is rich: I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.
He closes the letter with greetings in the name of Christ.

Philippians 3

1 - 6 Paul begins his concluding remarks by warning against legalistic teaching. He states that Christians are the circumicision, or the outward sign of God's covenant with his people. "We . . . do not put our confidence in flesh."

7 - 21 Righteousness from God: "Whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ." Paul warns against putting store in earthly goals. Paul looks forward in Christ - "the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus." Paul invites the Philippians to imitate him, not the enemies of the cross of Christ (materialists). My favorite description: "Their God is their stomach; their glory in their "shame." Remember: "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body . . . "

Philippians 2

1 - 11 Plea for Unity and Humility

Be humble - regard others as more important than yourself. He describes Jesus as the example of humility.

12 - 18 Obedience and Service in the World

Be obedient (even when others aren't watching) without grumbling or questioning.

19 - 24 Timothy and Paul

Paul plans to send Timothy to Phillipi.

25 - 30 Epaphroditus

My note: Epaphroditus: sent by the Philippians as their messenger (literally, "apostle") to aid Paul in his imprisonment, he had fallen seriously ill; Paul commends him as he sends him back to Philippi.

Philippians 1

1 - 11 Introduction

Paul and Timothy address those in Philippi. He notes that gifts come from Christ the Lord (not just the God the Father.

12 - 26

Paul describes his present situation (his imprisonment) and that Christians still go on preaching the gospel (though some with hostility toward Paul and others out of personal ambition.

My notes: Paul earnestly debates his prospects of martyrdom or continued missionary labor. While he may long to depart this life and thus be with Christ, his overall and final expectation is that he will be delivered from this imprisonment and continue in the service of the Philippians and of others. In either case, Christ is central; if to live means Christ for Paul, death means to be united with Christ in a deeper sense.

27 - 30

My notes: Ethical admonition begins at this early point in the letter, emphasizing steadfastness and congregational unity in the face of possible suffering. The opponents are those in Philippi, probably pagans, who oppose the gospel cause. This is proof . . . may refer to the whole outlook and conduct of the Philippians, turning out for their salvation but to the judgment of the opponents, or possibly the sentence refers to the opinion of the opponents, who hold that the obstinacy of the Christians points to the destruction of such people as defy Roman authority (though in reality, Paul holds, such faithfulness leads to salvation).

Ephesians 6

1 - 9 How those in Authority and under Authority Should Relate

Children, obey your parents - since "that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth." In turn, fathers must not provoke children, but train and instruct children of the Lord. Slaves (employees included, I suppose) must be obedient "as to Christ." In turn, Masters (those in authority) must not bully those under them. (Even the masters have a Master in heaven).

10 - 20 Courage and Prayer

My notes: Paul describes the Christian in terms of the dress and equipment of Roman soldiers. He observes, however, that the Christian's readiness for combat is not directed against human beings but against the spiritual powers of evil Unique importance is placed upon prayer.

21 - 24 Postscript

If Ephesians is addressed to several Christian communities, it is understandable that no greetings to individual members of these communities should have been included in it.

Ephesians 5

1 - 5 Rules for a New Life

Continued from Ch. 4 - Imitate God as Children - live in love. Don't mention immorality among each other. No "silly or suggestive talk which is out of place, but instead thanksgiving." Avoid impurity.

6 - 20 Duty to Live in the Light

Avoid the disobedient. Live in the light instead of the darkness. Live as the wise, not foolish.

21 - 33 Wives and Husbands

My notes: The apostle exhorts married Christians to a strong mutual love. Marriage is a divine institution, and Paul sees Christian marriage as taking on a new meaning symbolic of the intimate relationship of love between Christ and the church. The wife sould serve her husband in the same spirit as that of the church's service to Christ, and the husband should care for his wife with the devotion of Christ to the church.

Ephesians 4

1 - 16 Unity in the Body

Paul urges the Ephesians to live in a manner worthy of the call (humility, gentleness, patience, bearing). Grace was given to each of us according to Christ's gifts. There's a diversity in everyone's call; evangelists, pastors, teachers, etc. We are to grow the knowledge of Christ from the head down (Christ is the head).

17 - 24 Renewal in Christ

We must put away our old selves and desires and put on the new self, "created in God's way in righteousness and holiness and truth."

25 - 32 Rules for the New Life

Put away falsehood, speak the truth. Be angry, but don't sin. Don't steal. No foul language, but only that which is needed for "edification". Forgive others.

Ephesians 3

1 - 13 Commission to Preach God's Plan

Paul describes himself as a "prisoner of Christ" - He emphasizes that Gentiles are" "coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promises in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Paul attributes his ministry to God's grace.


14 - 21 Prayer for the Readers

Paul prays for his readers' strength and for them to know Christ's love.

Ephesians 2

1 - 10 Generosity of God's Will

All Christians *were* dead in their transgressions and sins and were by nature "children of wrath." But God in his mercy - despite our transgressions, "raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens next to Jesus Christ (by grace you were saved) . . . for it is not by works, so none may boast.

11 - 22 One in Christ

Jesus, through his flesh, abolished the old law. No longer are there separate clans, but everyone is to be one through Christ - "members of the household of God."

1 Ephesians

My notes: Ephesians is Paul's great letter about the church. It deals with the worldwide church, the head of which is Christ, the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making God's plan of salvation known throughout the universe.

1 - 14 Greeting and Hymn of Praise

God chose us in him, "to be holy and without blemish before him." (remember the sacrificial lambs in Moses' day. Also remember that Jesus died in order to make us without blemish). God has chosen us - through his grace.

We have been redeemed through Jesus' blood - we were chosen - "so that we might exist for the prose of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ (12). Hearing the word and believing is the first installment (down-payment) "of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession."

15 - 23 The Church as God's Body

Paul reaffirms that God raised Jesus from the dead adn setated him at his right hand in the heavens - above "every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name this is named not only in this age but also in the one to come." He put everything beneath his feet and is the head of the church, which is his body, "the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way."

1 Samuel 31

The Philistines fight. They kill all of Saul's sons (including Jonathan). Saul commands his armor bearer to kill him. When the armor bearer refuses, Saul runs himself into his sword. The armor bearer kills himself too. Saul's body is desecrated by the Philistines at Beth Sham. The Isrealites recover his body and bury him at Jabesh.

1 Samuel 30

David returns from Ziklag to discover it destroyed and 2 of his wives taken captive. He asks God if he should pursue the raiding party and is given the go-ahead. David takes 600 men. An abandoned Egyptian slave revives him and leads David to the raiding party. David recovers everything and makes everyone share - even those who stayed behind.

1 Samuel 29

The Philistines are angry with Achish when they discover who David is. Achish dismisses David.

1 Samuel 28

1 - 25 Saul and the Witch of Endor

Achish makes David a bodyguard. The Philistine army scares Saul. He prays, but God doesn't answer. Saul disguises himself and visits the Witch of Endor. He asks her to bring up Samuel. he tells the spirit of his distress & asks what to do. Samuel tells him the Lord has departed from Saul and become his enemy and that David has been given the kingdom. Also, the next day Saul and his sons will die. He falls in fear and refuses to eat. The Witch of Endor eats in front of him.

1 Samuel 27

1 - 12 David among the Philistines

David realizes that one day he will be killed by Saul. David and 600 men go on the road. Achish gives him Ziklag. David raids the Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites, completely razine each area. Achish believes that David's actions will make him his servant forever.