Class Member Study Guide: Lesson 26
1 Kings 3 1 Kings 5 1 Kings 6 1 Kings 7
1 Kings 8 1 Kings 9 1 Kings 10 1 Kings 11
This Ensign article explains how King Solomon's story can help us understand and obtain wisdom from God:
The Quest for Wisdom
Introduction to 1 Kings, 2 Kings, and Proverbs
Books 1 and 2 of Kings are "regarded by the Jews as forming one book.
The Greek version divided the book of Samuel and the book of Kings each into two parts, calling the four portions the four books of the Kings.The Latin and English versions have followed the division though not the names of the Greek version.The books of Kings narrate the history from the rebellion of Adonijah to the final captivity of Judah, including the whole history of the northern kingdom from the separation till its disappearance in 721 B.C.The succession of events can be found under Bible Chronology in the appendix. The books were compiled by some unknown writer from a variety of written documents, including the state chronicles" (from the LDS Bible Dictionary)
"1 Kings
reports the death of King David and continues with the account of the
reign of Solomon, his son. During the reign of Solomon, the temple of
the Lord was built and dedicated. After his death, a schism between the
tribes and their leaders resulted in the division of the kingdom into
two separate nations—Israel and Judah. The record continues with a
seesaw and fragmented account of the kings of both kingdoms. Numerous
prophets are mentioned, but particular notice is given to Elijah. The
book concludes in the midst of the reign of King Ahab’s family over the
kingdom of Israel.
Proverbs is mostly attributed to Solomon, although other authors are mentioned
in the compilation itself. It is generally considered “wisdom
literature,” more practical and experiential than revelatory.
2 Kings continues the summary of the events of the divided kingdoms down to the
fall of the kingdom of Israel or the northern tribes at the hands of
the Assyrians. It then proceeds until the capture of Jerusalem and the
kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians. Only a few of the prophets of this
period are mentioned in this narrative, notably Elijah and Elisha" (Book by Book: Exodus to Malachi, Ensign Oct 1973)
Solomon's World
Solomon's World
Solomon: Man of Great Gift
“We
generally think of Satan attacking us at our weakest spot. … But weakness is
not our only vulnerability. Satan can also attack us where we think we are strong—in
the very areas where we are proud of our strengths. He will approach us through
the greatest talents and spiritual gifts we possess. If we are not wary, Satan
can cause our spiritual downfall by corrupting us through our strengths as well
as by exploiting our weaknesses” (“Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,”
Ensign, Oct. 1994, 12).
Solomon Seeks Wisdom
Solomon Builds a Temple
"Solomon prayed that the temple would help lead unbelievers to the Lord" (OT Gospel Doctrine Manual).
“In the peace of these lovely temples,
sometimes we find solutions to the serious problems of life. Under the
influence of the Spirit, sometimes pure knowledge flows to us there. Temples
are places of personal revelation. When I have been weighed down by a problem
or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart
for answers. These answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways” (“What I
Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple,” Ensign, Aug. 1985, 8)
Font
Elder James E.
Talmage explained how the prophetic warning was ignored and came to
fulfillment:
“The
glorious pre-eminence of this splendid structure was of brief duration.
Thirty-four years after its dedication, and but five years subsequent to the
death of Solomon, its decline began; and this decline was soon to develop into
general spoliation, and finally to become an actual desecration. Solomon the
king, the man of wisdom, the master-builder, had been led astray by the wiles
of idolatrous women, and his wayward ways had fostered iniquity in Israel. The
nation was no longer a unit; there factions and sects, parties and creeds, some
worshipping on the hill-tops, others under green trees, each party claiming
excellence for its own particular shrine. The Temple soon lost its sanctity.
The gift became depreciated by the perfidy [betrayal] of the giver, and Jehovah
withdrew His protecting presence from the place no longer holy.” (House of the
Lord, pp. 6–7.)
