Why should women read 1 Kings?
As the reader awaits the coming of the true David, the One who would reign forever (2Sm 7:12-16), she sees the string of David’s descendants who failed to “walk in the ways of David,” beginning with the splendor of Solomon and ending with the anarchy of Ahaziah. Despite the repeated moral failures of earthly kings, Yahweh God continues to keep His covenant by preserving Davidic succession in the kingdom of Judah and ultimately by coming as the Messiah, the King of kings, who was also from the tribe of Judah and a “son of David” (Mt 1:1-17; Rm 9:4–5).
Hard Question: In a culture that does not worship physical idols, how do God’s warnings against idolatry apply to you today?
Anything or anyone who becomes your supreme love, surpassing your allegiance to God, quickly compromises your loyalty toward God. Solomon elevated his liaisons with foreign women as being most important in his life, which led directly to his disobedience of God and thus apostasy (11:7-13, cp. Dt 4:15-20). Idolatry is not expressed primarily in what your speech affirms or what you bow down to worship but in the source of your affection and highest loyalty. Anything in your life, good or evil, that you love, cherish, and serve with honor and devotion worthy of God alone is an idol. Ultimately, everyone follows what she truly loves. Thus, Jesus ascribed as the greatest and most important commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt 22:37).