1 Kings #04: an exposition of 1 Kings 4:1-34. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, February 8, 2015.
Intro:
I have a high view of Scripture. I believe this book to be the inerrant and infallible Word of God. Further I’m convinced of the sufficiency of Scripture. When the apostle Paul says that, “All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, reproof and training in righteousness,” I believe him. Then I put myself in the position of preaching through books of the Bible and I find myself saying things like, “Paul, did you read 1 Kings chapter 4?” “Would you like to revise your previous statement?” Further I’m in agreement with our statement of faith, The Baptist Faith and Message that says, “All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.” I’ve yet to see a Gospel tract that used a single verse from 1 Kings 4!
Do I really need to know who was in charge of the district of Argob nine centuries before Christ? Is it a pressing Gospel matter how many horses Solomon had in the royal stable? When we say that all Scripture is profitable we are not saying every text is of equal value or importance. When we say Christ is the focus of revelation that does not mean every verse has a direct Gospel application. Further the term Gospel is not limited to the plan of salvation. The Gospel is the good news of the whole work of God. Thus the Gospel stretches back even beyond the Garden of Eden into eternity past and stretches beyond the completion of the New Testament canon. So we are saying the whole of Scripture is profitable in that it reveals the truth of God to us. It speaks of who He is and what He has done for us and His promises yet to be fulfilled.
With that said, let’s skip over chapter 4 of 1 Kings and look at chapter 5. No, I’m kidding. Our text this evening is 1 Kings 4:1-34.
Text: 1 Kings 4:1-34
At first glance this seems to be a random listing of cabinet members, district governors and a list of what it took to supply the king’s table for a day. On closer examination we discover that what we actually have in this text is a list of cabinet officials, district governors and supplies for the king’s table! What are we to make of this? How is this helpful?
We start with understanding chapters 3 and 4 go together.
In chapter 3 the Lord asked Solomon what he wanted Him to do for him?
Solomon pleased the Lord when he asked for wisdom to rule God’s people well.
The 3rd chapter ends with a demonstration of the wisdom given to Solomon.
2 women come with a complaint about a baby.
Each claiming to be the child’s mother.
Solomon asks that a sword be brought – cut the child in two and give half to each.
One woman says, “No, let the baby live and give it to her.”
The other says, “No, that’s a good plan.”
Solomon says give the child to his mother, the first woman.
I’m convinced that chapter 4 is a continuation of chapter 3. The point being further illustration of the wisdom God had granted to Solomon. The truth of the passage being…
Thesis: Godly wisdom speaks to the practical as well as the extraordinary, it points to the faithfulness of God and is ultimately to the praise of His glory.
Let me point out 3 things along the way.
- Godly wisdom extends beyond the theological to the mundane and everyday demands of life. (4:1-19)
- Godly wisdom leads to joyful stability while revealing the faithful fulfillment of God’s promises. (4:20-28)
- Godly wisdom proves to be superior to all worldly wisdom and thus brings glory to God. (4:29-34)