In complying with the request of the author for an introduction to his truly practical commentary on the books of Kings and Chronicles, I shall attempt to briefly summarize the histories of the three kings of the undivided monarchy, and that only so far as they are set before us in Kings and Chronicles. The lives of Saul and David are much more fully revealed in the books of Samuel, but others have written at length on them as there portrayed, and their writings are still available.
Chronicles opens with the genealogies of the children of Israel, tracing the chosen race right back to Adam. With his name the record begins and, so far as nature is concerned, every name that follows is but another addition of the first man. “The second man is the Lord from heaven.” For His coming the world was yet waiting. However, God was indeed quickening souls from the first. There can be no doubt that Adam had obtained divine life when he took God at His word. Accepting the declaration made to the serpent about the seed of the woman (Gen. 3:1515And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)), he called his wife’s name Eve, “Living,” believing that God had found a way to avert the terrible doom their sin had justly deserved. In believing that first gospel message Adam exercised faith; where there is faith, there is of necessity eternal life, and thus a new nature. In many of his offspring, therefore, the same blessed truth is present. And so through these lists, which God has seen fit to preserve and which will be forever kept on high, we see in some the fruit of the new life revealed to the glory of Him who gave it.
There is something intensely solemn in being permitted to go over such a record of names long forgotten by man, but every one of which God has remembered, with every detail of their pathway through this world. Some day our names likewise will be lost to mankind, but neither we nor our ways will be forgotten by God.
Esau’s race, as well as that of Israel, is kept in mind; a race from which came mighty kings and princes before any king reigned over Israel (1 Chron. 1:4343Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city was Dinhabah. (1 Chronicles 1:43)). For “that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual” (1 Cor. 15:4646Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. (1 Corinthians 15:46)). Then, too, some in Israel are only remembered because of some fearful sin that was their ruin, and often the ruin of those associated with them. Those such as Er, and Achan the troubler of Israel (called here Achar), Reuben, who defiled his father’s bed, and the heads of the half tribe of Manasseh, who “went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land.”
On the other hand, it is sweet and edifying to the soul to notice the brief comments which, if this were a human book, would seem so out of place in the midst of long lists of names. What divine grace had been demonstrated as they trod their oftentimes lowly ways, with faith in exercise and the conscience active. Of this character is the lovely passage about Jabez, who was more honorable than his brethren because he set the Lord before him. His prayer tells of the longings of his soul: “Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” We do not wonder when we read that “God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chron. 4:9-109And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:9‑10)). The sons of Reuben and their allies who overcame the Hagarites are cited as another instance of the power of faith when “they cried to God in the battle, and He was entreated of them, because they put their trust in Him,” (5:18-20). Nor does God forget Zelophehad, the man who had no sons to inherit after him, but who claimed a portion for his daughters, and learned that the strength of the Lord is made perfect in weakness (7:15).
There are precious lessons too of an illustrative nature that become evident as we patiently search this portion of the word of the Lord. Who can fail to see the lesson of “the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work” (4:23)? Surely this represents all who seek to care for the tender plants of the Lord’s garden, as well as those who minister to hardier Christians that constitute the hedges. It is only as the servants dwell with the King that they are fit to carry on His work (4:23).The lesson of 1 Chron. 9:26-3426For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. 27And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them. 28And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. 29Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices. 30And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. 31And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans. 32And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the showbread, to prepare it every sabbath. 33And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. 34These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 9:26‑34) is similar.
Saul’s genealogy begins with 1 Chron. 8:3333And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal. (1 Chronicles 8:33), but his whole life is passed over in silence, and only his lamentable end recorded in chapter 10. He it was of whom God said, “I gave them a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath” (Hos. 13:1111I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. (Hosea 13:11)). It was a desire to be like the nations that led Israel to ask for a king; in giving them their request the Lord sent leanness into their souls. Saul was the man of the people’s choice, but he was a dreadful disappointment. His dishonored death is on a par with his unhappy life, which is only hinted at in the closing verses of 1 Chron. 10. All the sorrowful details have been left on record in the books bearing Samuel’s name—the prophet who loved him so dearly, but who could not lead him in the ways of God. As another has well described Saul, he was “the man after the flesh.” This tells the whole story. In all his life he seemed to have never truly been brought into the presence of God. His activities were all of the flesh, and his way of looking at things was only according to man, and the garish light of man’s day. Defeated on Mount Gilboa, he finally committed suicide, and after his death became the laughingstock of the enemies of the Lord.
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse(10:13-14).
Upon the fall of the people’s choice, God’s man appears on the scene. There is no mention here of the early experiences of David, except that the mighty men are those who went down to the rock to him when he was in the cave of Adullam, and others also who came to him when he was at Ziklag (1 Chron. 12:11Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. (1 Chronicles 12:1)).
The account here given begins with the coming of all Israel to David at Hebron to make him king (1 Chron. 11). The seven year reign over Judah is not mentioned. Acknowledged by the whole nation as God’s appointed ruler, he begins at once the work of enlarging Israel’s borders and delivering them from their enemies. Jebus, the fortress of the Jebusites, is taken and converted into the city of David, where he reigns in power, growing greater and greater, thus demonstrating the fact that the Lord of hosts was with him. The mighty men who had shared his rejection are now the sharers of his power and glory. It is a picture of the true David, God’s beloved Son, who is yet to be presented in authority over all the earth. Then those who now cleave to Him in humility will be exalted with Him when He takes His great power and reigns.
The ark is brought up to the city of David, but only after the lesson has been learned that God will be sanctified in them that draw close to Him. We learn that, though Philistine carts may do for those who know not the mind of God, where His word is given it must be searched and obeyed. Great are the rejoicings of the people when the symbol of the covenant of the Lord is installed in the place prepared for it, and burnt sacrifices and peace offerings ascend in a cloud of fragrance to God (1 Chron. 15-16). But when the king would build a house for the God of Israel, though encouraged by the prophet Nathan in his pious purpose, both king and prophet had to learn that the thoughts of God are above the thoughts of the best and most devoted men. Nathan has to inform him that it cannot be for him to build the house, because he has been a man of blood. When David’s son is established in peace on the throne, he will build the house, and all will be in keeping with the times. David then is seen to picture the establishment of the kingdom through the destruction of the enemies of the Lord, while Solomon depicts the reign of peace that is to follow for the thousand years. Bowing in obedience to the word of the Lord, David begins to prepare for the work of the temple by gathering in abundance all the materials that he is able to obtain.
But it is made evident that the ideal King has not yet come. Before he resigns his crown to his son, failure is found in the man after God’s own heart. His personal sin, which left so dreadful a blot on his character, is omitted in 1 Chronicles, as befits the character of the book. But his official failure in numbering the people is told in all faithfulness, as also the fact that it was Satan who provoked him to act as he did. But in amazing grace God overrules all to make David’s sin the means of showing the site for the future temple of the Lord (1 Chron. 21). Finally, having set all in order, and arranged even the courses of the priests and Levites who are to officiate in the glorious house of Jehovah, the aged monarch appointed Solomon, his son through Bathsheba, to be king in his stead. After solemnly instructing him both about the kingdom and the house that is to be built, “he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead” (29:28).
In the opening chapters of 1 Kings we see that his last days were not all bright. His failure to properly control his household brought him much sorrow, and embittered his cup when he was too feeble to exert himself as he would have desired. Adonijah’s effort to secure the crown for himself resulted in disaster, and eventually in his own death, and Solomon’s title is indisputably established.
Solomon’s reign begins most auspiciously. He went to Gibeon, where the altar still remained with the tabernacle, to offer sacrifice. God appeared to him in the night with the wondrous message, “Ask what I shall give thee” (1 Kings 3:55In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. (1 Kings 3:5)). It was as though He placed all His resources at the disposal of faith. The young king prayed for wisdom and knowledge in order that he may care for the flock committed to him. It was a most remarkable prayer for one placed in his position, and the Lord displayed His pleasure by conferring on him exceeding abundantly above all that he asked or thought. His wisdom, celebrated to this day, was admired by his people and the surrounding nations wherever his fame was carried.
The main part of the chapters devoted to Solomon, in both Kings and Chronicles, is occupied with the account of the temple, every part of which was to depict the glory of the One greater than Solomon who was yet to come. The symbolism of this magnificent structure has been discussed at length by others, and would not properly belong in this introduction. At the dedication of the temple, which had gone up so silently, Jehovah entered in a manner that none might misunderstand, and took possession of the house as His own. Solomon’s prayer on that occasion is prophetic of the sad history later recorded in these books. He seemed to see all that his people would yet have to pass through.
But light and gift are not sufficient of themselves to keep one in step with God. For a time all goes well with Solomon. His power is unprecedented. His fame is carried into all lands penetrated by the trader’s caravan or touched by the ship of the voyager. The queen of Sheba conies from the uttermost parts of the earth to prove him with hard questions concerning the name of the Lord. She goes away with every question answered and her heart swelling with the glorious things that she has both seen and heard. The king’s knowledge in all matters seems to be limitless. “And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his heart” (1 Kings 10:2424And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. (1 Kings 10:24)). It is sad that so glorious a record had to be blotted by the account of failure that the book of Kings records, but which is passed over in Chronicles.
“But King Solomon loved many strange women... when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods” (1 Kings 11:1,41But 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)
4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. (1 Kings 11:4)). Such is the terrible fall of the man who was the most privileged of all the rulers that history, sacred or secular, records. He failed to keep his own heart. The Lord lost the place He had once had, and the result was that Solomon sinned grievously after all he had known and enjoyed of the things of God. Idolatry was established in the sight of the holy temple of the Lord. God was dishonored by the man who, above all, had received the most from Him. What a warning to everyone who has experienced His grace! May reader and writer lay it to heart!
As a result of Solomon’s sins the Lord stirred up adversaries against him, and in the days of his son tore the kingdom from the house of David, with the exception of the two tribes. The rest of this book will consider this period more fully.
We would only add a few remarks to trace the roots of the division that took place at the death of Solomon. The kingdom was torn in two, never to be reunited until the day of Israel’s regeneration still to come, when “the envy also of Ephraim shall depart...Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim” (Isa. 11:1313The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. (Isaiah 11:13)).
As descendants of Joseph, who (in Jacob’s and Moses’ blessings) was exalted above and “separate from his brethren,” Ephraim seems ever to have aspired to leadership in the nation. During the time of the Judges, Ephraim’s pride had twice broken out in an arrogant manner. After the mighty victory of Gideon’s little band over the Midianites that had invaded and ravaged the land, the men of Ephraim sharply criticized Gideon because he had not called them to the war—envying the fame of such a victory. Gideon’s gracious answer to their boastful criticism averted a catastrophe (Judg. 8:1-31And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. 2And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? 3God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that. (Judges 8:1‑3)). But their still more conceited rebuke of Jephthah on a later occasion brought upon Ephraim a terrible, though deserved, retribution (12:1-6).
When the Theocracy (God’s direct rule in Israel) gave place to the kingdom by Israel’s irreverent request, Saul, taken from “little Benjamin,” is acclaimed by all Israel. Benjamin having been nearly annihilated for their sin some time before, and being Joseph’s full brother, may for that reason have been more welcome to Ephraim. But when David, of the tribe of Judah, was revealed as God’s anointed in the place of rejected Saul, and at Saul’s death was made king in Hebron by Judah, he is not acclaimed. He was opposed by the other tribes, of whom Ephraim was chief, and a seven-year war followed. When the weak pretender of Saul’s house (Ish-Bosheth) fell before the rising power of David and Judah, Israel is reunited in one kingdom under David’s godly and righteous rule. The jealousy and strife that broke out on previous occasions is for the time forgotten and out of sight.
David’s sin, and his son’s wicked conduct, brought about upheavals in the kingdom. Later on, Solomon’s departure from God and oppression of His people, caused them, at his death, to make demands on the new king Rehoboam. His insolent and foolish answer brings about the crisis in which the unthankful and heartless cry is heard, “What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel! now see to thine own house, David” (1 Kings 12:1616So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. (1 Kings 12:16)).
Ephraim, headed by Jeroboam—an Ephraimite—then takes leadership of the ten tribes that had revolted from the house of David. Thereby a new kingdom is formed, in which everyone in the line of their nineteen kings is an apostate from Jehovah.
I now leave the reader with what my beloved fellow servant has penned, praying that he may have your anointed eye and submissive heart, which alone makes the truth living and real in the soul.