1 Kings 19 & 20: God Of Hills And Plains
Verse of the Day: (20:23) And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.

1. The Plowing (19:1-21)
So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. (19:19)

When wicked Queen Jezebel commanded her men to kill Prophet Elijah, the latter ran away from her and then suffered depression. God sent His angel twice to encourage and feed him. Though a great wind, an earthquake and a fire passed by him, but it was the still small voice that he heard God spoke to him. God encouraged him and told him that he was not alone as He had 7,000 men who had never bowed to Baal. God then used him to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, and Jehu to be the king over Israel, as well as Elisha to be his successor. Elijah would have thought that his successor would be another prophet, but never a busy farmer like Elisha plowing his land. Elisha obeyed God’s call, and forsook all and followed him. Indeed, God only bless those who are busy in their work and ministry for His glory as idle minds are the devil’s workshop. (Proverbs 31)

2. The Prophet (20:1-21)
And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. (20:13)

God sent His prophet to tell Ahab that he would have victory over Benhadad, King of Syria, though Ahab was the most wicked of all the kings of Israel, and the army of Syria outnumbered that of Israel, because He desired that all should repent their sins, and believe in Him, the God of Israel, who is the true God. However, Israel many times failed God, and this was why He sent His Son to not only die for the sins of the world, but to build His church to replace Israel in sharing His great love for the world. (Matthew 16:18)

3. The Plain (20:22-43)
And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. (20:27)

The army of Syria thought that the God of Israel was only the God of the hills, so they fought with them over the plains. However they were still soundly defeated, as they failed to realise that the God of Israel was the true God. Indeed, let us know that we can do all things through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who shall strengthen us. (Philippians 4:13)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are the God of hills and plains and everything.

1 Kings 17 & 18: Will You Follow The LORD?
Verse of the Day: (18:21) And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinion? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 

1. Feed (17:1-24)
And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. (17:4)

God sent His Prophet Elijah to tell the wicked King Ahab that there shall be drought in Israel for many years until they would repent their sins and turn to Him. Before God mightily used Elijah, He would have to test his faith in Him. God commanded him to go to the east to hide by the brook before Jordan, and to drink from the brook, and be fed by the ravens. By faith, Elijah went, and drank from the brook, and was miraculously fed by the ravens. God then commanded him to go to Zarephath so that a widow could feed him. By faith, he went and discovered that the widow and her son were having their last meal. He then commanded her to feed him first, and told her that God shall provide them. God miraculously provided them, as the oil and meal were never depleted, and she could use them for many days. Soon the widow’s son fell sick and died. By faith Elijah prayed to God, and her son was miraculously revived. The widow realised that Elijah was truly a man of God. Indeed, let us walk by faith in God, and never by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)   

2. Follow (18:1-40)
Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. (18:38)

Elijah asked Ahab to gather Israel, and then he challenged them whether they would follow God or Baal. However Israel remained silence. He then asked them for two bullocks; one for the 450 prophets of Baal, while the other for himself, so that they would call for fire from heaven to burn the bullock. The 450 prophets called their Baal, and did everything they could, but still no fire came. Elijah then called to his God, and fire came and burnt the bullock, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. Indeed, let us thus follow the God of Elijah who is the true God. (John 14:6)

3. Face (18:41-46)
So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees. (18:42)

Elijah went to the top of Carmel casting himself on the ground and putting his face between his knees, and prayed to God for rain. He then asked his servant to keep going and looking toward the sea, and on the 7th time, the latter saw a little cloud and then a great rain. Indeed, God answers prayers as we pray earnestly in His will. (James 5:16-18)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to follow You and walk by faith and not by sight.

1 Kings 15 & 16: The Heart Of David
Verse of the Day: (15:1-34) And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 

1. Heart (15:1-34)
Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. (15:5)

God used King David as the spiritual standard for all the kings of Israel and Judah as the latter truly repented his sins of adultery and murder. Abijam of Judah succeeded Rehoboam, his father, and he like his father did evil against God. However, when Asa succeeded Abijam, his father, he followed David, his ancestor, and did right before God. In the meantime, there was continual civil war between the kings of Israel and Judah, as Asa of Judah fought with Baasha of Israel. Baasha, the son of Ahijah, of the tribe of Issachar, succeeded Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, by conspiracy and murder of the latter’s family, thus fulfilling God’s prophecy against Jeroboam. Again, Baasha did evil like all his ancestors. Indeed, let us flee from evil and only follow after God’s heart. (Acts13:22)

2. Hand (16:1-7)
And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him. (16:7)

While Asa remained the king of Judah, there were many successions for the kings of Israel because of conspiracy and murder. Baasha killed Prophet Jehu who prophesied against his evil work of his hands. Subsequently God judged Baasha, and he died, and Elah, his son, took over the throne. Indeed, we shall reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7)

3. House (16:8-34)
And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king’s house, and burnt the king’s house over him with fire, and died. (16:18)
 
Elah reigned for 2 years, and while he was drunk, his servant, Zimri, captain of half his chariots, killed him, and reigned Israel. Zimri then killed all the families and friends of Elah. Zimri’s reign was only 7 days, as Israel chose Omri to be their king and besieged Zimri in his city, and the latter went into the palace and burnt himself in his house. Israel was divided as half followed Omri while the rest followed Tibni. Omri then prevailed as Tibni died. Omri did evil and he died, and Ahab, his son, reigned. Ahab was the most evil of all the evil kings of Israel. Indeed, let us repent our sins and turn to God. (1 John 1:9)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to have the heart of David which is after Your heart.

1 Kings 13 & 14: Will You Flee From Evil?
Verse of the Day: (13:33) After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.

1. Eat (13:1-32)
For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. (13:9)

A man of God was at altar of God’s house when he cried out to King Jeroboam that Josiah, a child, shall be born to the family of King David, and he shall destroy all the false gods that Jeroboam had caused Israel to worship and sinned against the true God of Israel. Jeroboam was angry with his prophecy and raised his hand for his soldiers to arrest the man of God when suddenly his hand became paralyzed. He then pleaded with the man of God and eventually his hand was restored to him. Jeroboam then invited the man of God for a feast in which the latter declined, and told him that God’s command was that he should refrain from eating and drinking and going back the same way he came from. However, as the man of God left Jeroboam, he met an old prophet who deceived him and told him that God had spoken to him through an angel to invite him to his house to eat and drink. The man of God then disobeyed God by going back the same way he came from, and ate and drank at the old prophet’s house. As he left the house, he was eaten by a lion. Indeed, let us be sober and vigilant, and only trust and obey God. (1 Peter 5:8-11)   

2. Evil (13:33-34)
And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth. (13:34)

God gave Jeroboam many chances to repent of his evil ways, but he never take heed of the warnings, and subsequently, He judged and punished him and the rest of the kings after him, a total of 19 kings, of the northern kingdom, who all did evil against Him. As for the kings of the southern kingdom, only 8 of the 20 kings were godly kings. Indeed, let us repent of our sins, and do what is right before our righteous God. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

3. Eyes (14:1-31)
And Jeroboam’s wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age. (14:4)

Though Ahijah, the prophet, was blind due to his old age, yet he could spiritually see the future of Jeroboam’s sick son that he would eventually die. Whatever Jeroboam and his wife tried to do, by disguise and deceit, to restore their son’s life, they failed, because they could never escape from God’s will. Indeed, let us only look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, as only He shall never fail or forsake us. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to flee from evil, and do what is good before You.

1 Kings 11 & 12: Is The LORD Angry With You?
Verse of the Day: (11:9) And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice

1. Angry (11:1-13)
Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen. (11:13)

God was angry with Solomon because he succumbed to his lust as he had 700 wives and 300 concubines when He had intended that man should have only one wife as in the beginning of time, He created Eve from Adam’s one rib. (Genesis 2:20-25) Though God loved Solomon that He appeared to him twice; once to grant him his desire, and the second to sanctify His house and promised Israel that He shall be with them forever, yet he failed Him. God then pronounced judgment upon him that his kingdom shall be divided. His servant, Jeroboam, shall remove from him 10 tribes, while his son, Rehoboam, shall be left with only 2 tribes, the tribe of Benjamin, and his own tribe, Judah, for David’s and Jerusalem’s sake. Indeed, let us only please God. (Galatians 1:10)

2. Adversary (11:14-43)
And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom. (11:14)

God stirred 3 adversaries against Solomon; one was Hadad the Edomite prince, the second was Rezon who reigned over Syria, and the third was Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant. After Solomon knew that Jeroboam would divide his kingdom, he sought to kill him, and the latter fled to Egypt. After Solomon’s death, (who reigned in Jerusalem for 40 years, the same duration as David, his father) Jeroboam returned to Jerusalem and led a rebellion against the new King Rehoboam. Though God blessed Solomon yet he sinned and only repented at the end of his life. In his lifetime, God inspired him to write 3 books, namely, Song of Solomon, Proverbs and lastly, Ecclesiastes, in which he summed up man’s life purpose is to fear God and keep His commandments. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

3. Advice (12:1-33)
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? (12:6)

After Solomon’s death, Israel chose Jeroboam to lead them in demanding that King Rehoboam reduce their taxes. Rehoboam then consulted 2 groups of people; one was the veterans who advised him to reduce them, while the other was his contemporaries who advised him to charge them with more taxes. He listened to the latter, resulting in strife and the split of his kingdom. Let us only seek God, and not man, for advice. (Psalms 133)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to flee from sins, and to only please and obey You.

1 Kings 9 & 10: Are You Happy?
Verse of the Day: (10:8) Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.

1. Hallow (9:1-28)
And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. (9:3)

God appeared to Solomon the second time, (the 1st time was when He asked Solomon what he desired) and told him that He had heard his prayer, and had hallowed His own house, and promised him and Israel that He shall be with them for all eternity. (1 Kings 3:5-15) Subsequently Israel fell apart, and the only time that she shall be restored to her glorious days is during the Millennium, which is right after the Rapture, and the 7 years Tribulation, when Christ shall return and reign in new Israel. Indeed, though man may fail yet God never fails and He shall keep His Word and promises forever. (2 Peter 3:9-18)

2. Happy (10:1-13)
Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. (10:9)

Queen of Sheba was so overwhelmed by Solomon’s godly wisdom, and the beauty and splendour of God’s house and his palace, that she stood in awe and was speechless. What she saw surpassed what she had heard of him. However what impressed her most was that his people were happy with life because they had God’s Word through their king. Indeed, true happiness is when we have God and His Word, as our helper and hope, as only He can forgive our sins, and save our souls from eternal condemnation. (Psalms 146)

3. Heart (10:14-29)
And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. (10:24)

Not only God put wisdom in Solomon’s heart but He also blessed him with abundance of gold that everything he had was made of gold, and silver became like stones. He also had 1,400 chariots, and 12,000 horsemen whom he stationed in the cities for chariots and palace and also an impressive navy to protect him and Israel. People from all over the world visited and presented him with gifts so that they could not only hear God’s Word through him but also admire the beauty of God’s house and his palace. He was living almost like heaven on earth until he succumbed to lust and pride. Indeed, to be happy with God is not only to hear His Word, but to fully trust and obey Him. (1 John 2:15-17)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am happy always hearing and obeying Your Word.

1 Kings 7 & 8: The Glory Of The LORD
Verse of the Day: (8:11) So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

1. Gold (7:1-51)
And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the showbread was, (7:48)

King Solomon hired many craftsmen from Tyre, such as Hiram, one of the outstanding craftsmen, to assist him in not only the construction of God’s house which took him 7 years, but also his own house which took him 13 years. The houses, in particular God’s house, including the altar, pillars, lattices, basins and furnishings were beautifully and elaborately constructed and covered with gold, that people from all over the world visited Israel to admire the beauty of these houses, and also to hear God’s Word from Solomon. Indeed, whatsoever we do, let us do our best, as we have only one life. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

2. Glory (8:1-27)
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? (8:27)

After Solomon had brought God’s ark into the holy place of His newly constructed house, and after the priests who brought it in had left the place, His glory immediately filled His entire house. Solomon then prayed to God before Israel, and worshipped and praised Him for who He was, and what He had done for them, and confessed that even His own house could never contain Him. Solomon and Israel offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep as sacrifices to God, and dedicated His house in His own name. This was the zenith of the entire history of Israel, even until today. The only time that Israel shall surpass this zenith is when after the Rapture (All Christians shall be caught up with Christ in heaven), and the 7 years of Great Tribulation (Satan shall rule the world and torture the people), that Christ shall return, and cast out Satan to hell for 1,000 years, and rule the new earth during this period known as the Millennium, before finally God release Satan, and destroy him and all who rebelled against Him forever in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20)

3. Good (8:28-66)
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. (8:56)

Indeed, every promise of God is good, and if He spares not His own Son, Jesus Christ, shall He not freely give us all things to enjoy? And if God is for us, who shall be against us? Let us claim upon God’s promises, and reflect upon His goodness, grace and glory, knowing that one day we shall give an account of all our works before Him. (Romans 8)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always live to reflect Your goodness, grace and glory.

1 Kings 5 & 6: Finished It
Verse of the Day: (6:14) So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

1. Father (5:1-18)
And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. (5:1)

Behind every successful man is a great father. King Solomon managed to build and even finish the house of God in 7 years, because his predecessor, King David, his father, not only encouraged and prepared the design and building materials, but he also had friends like Hiram, King of Tyre, who supported his construction. (1 Chronicles 28:10-21) Hiram generously provided Solomon with cedar and fir trees from Lebanon for the construction in return for the yearly supply of 20,000 measures of wheat, 20 measures of pure oil and 30,000 labour force from Israel. Indeed, how good and pleasant it is for our loved ones and fellow churches to dwell together in unity and harmony for God’s glory. (Psalms 133)

2. Finish (6:1-35)
And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold. (6:22)

Though David had a great part in the successful completion of the house of God, yet Solomon was also conscientious and diligent in making sure that every detail of the construction was according to God’s instructions. Before God’s Word, the Bible, was written and completed, God spoke to His people, just like He spoke to Solomon, and gave him specific measurements as to the construction of His house, and in particular, His altar. Almost everything of the building was to be overlaid with gold. In fact, they must get all the construction stones ready in exact size before bringing them into the construction site, so that there shall be no sound of hammer, axe or any iron tool in the site. Indeed, let us give our best to God, as He has given His best to us, when He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world, yours and mine. (John 3:16)

3. Foundation (6:36-38)
In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: (6:37)

Every building is as strong as the foundation. If the foundation is weak, then when an earthquake comes, the building may collapse. Solomon built a strong and deep foundation so that the house of God could stand sure amid any turbulence. By God’s grace, He took 7 years to finish it, as he started on the 4th year building the foundation and completing it on the 11th year. Indeed, let us build our faith on the foundation of God that is sure, so that we shall not be moved when crises come our ways. (2 Timothy 2:19)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to start and finish well my Christian life journey.

1 Kings 3 & 4: Solomon’s Wisdom
Verse of the Day: (4:30) And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

1. Woman (3:1-28)
Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. (3:26)

If there was only one weakness of Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest king of the world, it was his lust for beautiful women. This flaw not only made him fall from grace, but his kingdom, expanded by King David, his father, was almost razed to ground zero. He started well when in his dream, he replied to God that he desired only wisdom among other things, when asked as to what he required to lead Israel. His wisdom was soon put to the test, when 2 immoral women came to him claiming that a child was theirs. In order to prove the real mother, he ordered the child to be divided into two. The real mother then cried out to the other to have him, proving that she was the real one. From then on, Israel knew that he was blessed with God’s wisdom. However, subsequently, he sinned against God, when his heart followed his wives and their idolatry. Today, God only speaks to us through His Word, the Bible, and not dreams or any other means, unlike those days when the Bible was yet to be completed. Indeed, let us be wise, and fear God. (1 Kings 11:1-13)

2. Wall (4:1-25)
The son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars: (4:13)

Behind every successful leader are his lieutenants. Solomon had 12 lieutenants over Israel to assist him in leading and providing for him, each with one month in the year, and also for his people. One of them was the son of Geber who had 60 great walled cities with bronze bars. Indeed, let us as leaders, lieutenants and people be united in God’s wisdom even though we may have different gifts and talents. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31)   

3. Wisdom (4:26-34)
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. (4:29)

God blessed Solomon with excellent wisdom that all regarded him as the wisest man on earth. He, inspired by God, was also blessed with writing 3 of the 66 books of the Bible, namely, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, including 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs, covering many significant and vital aspects of life, such as life purpose and principles of life, that many from all over the world came to hear him. (Matthew 6:24-34)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please grant me wisdom to serve You with others for Your glory.

1 Kings 1 & 2: I Will Be King
Verse of the Day: (1:5) Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 

1. King (1:1-45)
The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: (1:33)

I believe the hardest thing in any organisation, and in particular, God’s church, is leadership succession. The organisation and the church may have done well in their present leadership, but after the leadership succession they fail miserably, why? They have not prepared well for it. As far as the church is concerned, God is with us and we must pray for His leadership in appointing His pastor. King David was now old and sick, and God had earlier spoken to him that his son, Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, shall be his successor. (1 Chronicles 22:6-10) However, another of David’s sons, Adonijah, the son of Haggith, who was older than Solomon, and by tradition should be the next king, began gathering support from Joab the captain and Abiathar the priest and all his brothers except Solomon, Nathan the prophet, Zadok the priest and Benaiah. However, David thwarted his plot, as he commanded Zadok and Nathan to anoint him as the next king of Israel. Indeed, God only calls leaders who truly love Him and His Word. (1 Timothy 3)   

2. Kingdom (1:46-53)
And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom. (1:46)

No matter how man strategizes, God always wins. As Adonijah’s plot failed, he feared for his life, and pleaded with Solomon by catching hold of the horn of the altar in the tabernacle. Solomon then spared his life. Indeed, let us submit to God and seek His kingdom and righteousness, and everything we need shall be fulfilled. (Matthew 6:33-34)

3. Keep (2:1-46)
And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: (2:3)

Before God promoted David, he charged Solomon to keep His commandments, and be kind to Barzillai who was a kind man, and warned him of Shimei who was an evil man. King Solomon then succeeded his father, and soon he ordered the death of Adonijah, as he had the audacity to ask him to give him Abishag, David’s concubine, to be his wife, confirming his suspicious that Adonijah was still eyeing on the throne. Solomon also ordered the death of Joab and Shimei as both of them had rebelled against him. Indeed, the conclusion of life is to fear God and keep his commandments. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to submit to You as the King and Saviour of my life.