And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.  1 Kings 16:30
 
    Taking to wife Jezebel, "the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians" and high priest of Baal, Ahab "served Baal, and worshiped him.  And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria" (Verses 31, 32).
 
    Not only did Ahab introduce Baal worship at the capital city, but under the leadership of Jezebel he erected heathen altars in many "high places," where in the shelter of surrounding groves the priests and others connected with this seductive form of idolatry exerted their baleful influence, until well-nigh all Israel were following after Baal.  "There was none more like unto Ahab," who "did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.  And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel" (1 Kings 21:25, 26).
 
    Ahab was weak in moral power.  His union by marriage with an idolatrous woman of decided character and positive temperament resulted disastrously both to himself and to the nation.  Unprincipled, and with no high standard of rightdoing, his character was easily molded by the determined spirit of Jezebel.  His selfish nature was incapable of appreciating the mercies of God to Israel and his own obligations as the guardian and leader of the chosen people. (Prophets and Kings, 115)
 
Reflection:  Ahab's influence as king led much of the nation into apostasy; whereby they lost sense of reverence and godly fear.

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites.  1 Kings 11:1
 
    So gradual was Solomon's apostasy that before he was aware of it; he had wandered far from God.  Alost imperceptibly he began to trust less and less in divine guidance and blessing, and to put confidence in his own strength.  Little by little he withheld from God that unswerving obedience which was to make Israel a peculiar people, and he conformed more and more closely to the customs of the surrounding nations.  Yielding to the temptations incident to his success and his honored position, he forgot the Source of his prosperity.  An ambition to excel all other nations in power and grandeur led him to pervert for selfish purposes the heavenly gifts hitherto employed for the glory of God.  The money which should have been held in sacred trust for the benefit of the worthy poor and for the extension of principles of holy living throughout the world was selfishly absorbed in ambitious projects.
 
    Engrossed in an overmastering desire to surpass other nations in outward display, the king overlooked the need of acquiring beauty and perfection of character.  In seeking to glorify himself before the world, he sold his honor and integrity. (Prophet and Kings, 55)
 
Reflection:  Solomon equated greatness with wealth and luxury, but the greatest thing we can ever possess is a noble character.

 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.  1 Kings 8:9
 
    The ark in the tabernacle on earth contained the two tables of stone, upon which were inscribed the precepts of the law of God.  The ark was merely a receptacle for the tables of the law, and the presence of these divine precepts gave to it its value and sacredness.  When the temple of God was opened in heaven, the ark of His testament was seen.  Within the holy of holies, in the sanctuary in heaven, the divine law is sacredly enshrined--the law that was spoken by God Himself amid the thunders of Sinai and written with His own finger on the tables of stone.
 
    The law of God in the sanctuary in heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch were an unerring transcript.  Those who arrived at an understanding of this important point were thus led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law.  They saw, as never before, the force of the Saviour's words: "Till heaven and earth pass, not one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law" (Matthew 5:18). (The Great Controversy, 434)
 
Reflection:  The Law of God is a revelation of His character.  Since God does not change, His Law will endure forever. 

And the house which king Solomon built for the Lord, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.  1 Kings 6:2
 
    Of surpassing beauty and unrivaled splendor was the palatial building which Solomon and his associates erected for God and His worship.  Garnished with precious stones, surrounded by spacious courts and burnished gold, the temple structure, with its broidered hangings and rich furnishings, was a fit emblem of the living church of God on earth, which through the ages has been building in accordance with the divine pattern, with materials that have been likened to "gold, silver, precious stones,"..."polished after the similitude of a palace" (1 Corinthians 3:12; Psalm 144:12).  Of this spiritual temple Christ is "the chief Cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:20, 21).
 
    At last the temple planned by King David, and built by Solomon his son, was completed.  "All that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the Lord," he had "prosperously effected" (1 Chronicles 7:11).  And now, in order that the palace crowning the heights of Mount Moriah might indeed be, as David had so much desired, a dwelling place " 'not for man, but for the Lord God" (1 Chronicles 29:1), there remained the solemn ceremony of formally dedicating it to Jehovah and His worship. (Prophets and Kings, 36)
 
Reflection:  On this very spot Abraham was willing to offer his son in obedience to God.  Here God renewed His covenant with Abraham.  Here was also the crucifixion of God's own Son.  What an awesome thought!  Through all the ages, no man or woman could have devised such a plan.

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?  1 Kings 3:9
 
    Those who today occupy positions of trust should seek to learn the lesson taught by Solomon's prayer.  The higher the position a man occupies, the greater the responsibility that he has to bear, the wider will be the influence that he exerts and the greater his need of dependence on God.  Ever should he remember that with the call to work comes the call to walk circumspectly before his fellow men.  He is to stand before God in the attitude of a learner.  Position does not give holiness of character.  It is by honoring God and obeying His commands that a man is made truly great.
 
    The God whom we serve is no respecter of persons.  He who gave to Solomon the spirit of wise discernment is willing to impart the same blessing to His children today.  "If any of you lack wisdom," His word declares, "let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).  When a burden bearer desires wisdom more than he desires wealth, power, or fame, he will not be disappointed.  Such a one will learn from the Great Teacher not only what to do, but how to do it in a way that will meet with the divine approval. (Prophets and Kings, 31)
 
Reflection:  We are not to strive for supremacy.  We are to ask for an understanding heart, to discern between good and evil, and to receive strength and enlightenment.

Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?  2 Samuel 7:18
 
    David knew that it would be an honor to his name and would bring glory to his government to perform the work that he had purposed in his heart to do, but he was ready to submit his will to the will of God.  The grateful resignation thus manifested is rarely seen, even among Christians.  How often do those who have passed the strength of manhood cling to the hope of accomplishing some great work upon which their hearts are set, but which they are unfitted to perform!  God's providence may speak to them, as did His prophet to David, declaring that the work which they so much desire is not committed to them.  It is theirs to prepare the way for another to accomplish it.  But instead of gratefully submitting to the divine direction, many fall back as if slighted and rejected, feeling that if they cannot do the one thing which they desire to do, they will do nothing.  Many cling with desperate energy to responsibilities which they are incapable of bearing, and vainly endeavor to accomplish a work for which they are insufficient, while that which they might do, lies neglected.  And because of this lack of co-operation on their part the greater work is hindered or frustrated. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 71)
 
Reflection:  We are the body of Christ, and each one has a specific duty in the Lord's work.  May each one of us rejoice in the abilities of others and show our appreciation for their contributions.  God has a purpose for us each and every day.  May we come to know His will for our lives more fully.

 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.  2 Samuel 7:2
 
    The tabernacle built by Moses, with all that appertained to the sanctuary service, except the ark, was still at Gibeah.  It was David's purpose to make Jerusalem the religious center of the nation.  He had erected a palace for himself, and he felt that it was not fitting for the ark of God to rest within a tent.  He determined to build for it a temple of such magnificence as should express Israel's appreciation of the honor granted the nation in the abiding presence of Jehovah their King.  Communicating his purpose to the prophet Nathan, he received the encouraging response, "Do all that in is thine heart; for the Lord is with thee."
 
    But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, giving him a message for the king.  David was to be deprived of the privilege of building a house for God, but he was granted an assurance of the divine favor to him, to his posterity, and to the kingdom of Israel. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 771, 712)
 
Reflection:  Even though David was not to build the temple, he gathered much of the materials.  Likewise, we may work very hard for something, but never enjoy the fruits of our labor; they may come after we die.  Let us never become discouraged when things don't happen exactly the way we want them to.  May we be content with what God has given us to do today.

 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.  2 Samuel 5:3
 
    Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh."  They declared, "Thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.  So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and King David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord."  Thus through the providence of God the way had been opened for him to come to the throne.  He had no personal ambition to gratify, for he had not sought the honor to which he had been brought.
 
    More than eight thousand of the descendants of Aaron and of the Levites waited upon David.  The change in the sentiments of the people was marked and decisive.  The revolution was quiet and dignified, befitting the great work they were doing.  Nearly half a million souls, the former subjects of Saul, thronged Hebron and its environs....The hour for the coronation was appointed; the man who had been expelled from the court of Saul, who had fled to the mountains and hills and to the caves of the earth to preserve his life, was about to receive the highest honor that can be conferred upon man by his fellow man. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 701)
 
Reflection:  David had been running for his life for years.  From a human standpoint, it seemed as though he would never be king, but he had waited patiently upon the Lord.  Now David was the King of Israel, scepter in hand.  It was a divine appointment.

And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.  2 Samuel 1:12
 
    Twice David had had Saul in his power; but when urged to slay him, he had refused to lift his hand against him who had been consecrated by the command of God to rule over Israel.  Yet the Amalekite feared not to boast that he had slain the king of Israel.  He had accused himself of a crime worthy of death, and the penalty was inflicted at once.  David said, "Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed" (2 Samuel 1:16).
 
    David's grief at the death of Saul was sincere and deep, evincing the generosity of a noble nature.  He did not exult in the fall of his enemy.  The obstacle that had barred his access to the throne of Israel was removed, but at this he did not rejoice.  Death had obliterated the remembrance of Saul's distrust and cruelty, and now nothing in his history was thought of but that which was noble and kingly.  The name of Saul was linked with that of Jonathan, whose friendship had been so true and so unselfish. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 695)
 
Reflection:  Though we must stand for truth as it is found in scripture, we should be like David when it comes to our so-called enemies.  Let us pray for them and not try to hurt them in any way.  This is part of having a noble character like Christ's.

Then said Saul unto his armour bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me.  But his armour bearer would not; for he was sore afraid.  Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.  1 Samuel 31:4
 
    On the plain of Shunem and the slopes of Mount Gilboa the armies of Israel and the hosts of the Philistines closed in mortal combat.  Though the fearful scene in the cave of Endor had driven all hope from his heart, Saul fought with desperate valor for his throne and his kingdom.  But it was in vain.  "The men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in Mount Gilboa."  Three brave sons of the king died at his side.  The archers pressed upon Saul.  He had seen his soldiers falling around him and his princely sons cut down by the sword.  Himself wounded, he could neither fight nor fly.  Escape was impossible, and determined not to be taken alive by the Philistines, he bade his armour-bearer, "Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith."  When the man refused to lift his hand against the Lord's anointed, Saul took his own life by falling upon his sword.
 
    Thus the first king of Israel perished, with the guilt of self-murder upon his soul.  His life had been a failure, and he went down in dishonor and despair, because he had set up his own perverse will against the will of God. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 682)
 
Reflection:  The start of Saul's downfall was when he began to reign independently from God.