The book of 1 Kings is a historical narrative that covers the reigns of various kings of Israel and Judah. It also reveals some of the amazing aspects of God’s character and how he interacts with his people. In this article, we will explore some of the attributes and characteristics of God that are displayed in the book of 1 Kings. We will see how God is faithful, powerful, wise, holy, gracious, and sovereign.
## God is faithful
One of the most prominent attributes of God in the book of 1 Kings is his faithfulness. God keeps his promises and fulfills his word, even when his people are unfaithful and disobedient. Some examples of God’s faithfulness are:
– 1 Kings 2:4: God confirms to Solomon that he will establish his throne and the throne of his descendants, as he promised to David.
– 1 Kings 6:11-13: God reminds Solomon that he will dwell among his people and bless them, as he promised to Moses.
– 1 Kings 8:15-21: Solomon praises God for fulfilling his promise to David and building a house for his name.
– 1 Kings 9:3-5: God appears to Solomon and assures him that he will establish his kingdom and his house, as he promised to David.
– 1 Kings 17:14-16: God provides food for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, as he promised through his word.
– 1 Kings 18:36-39: God answers Elijah’s prayer and sends fire from heaven, as he promised through his word.
## God is powerful
Another attribute of God that is evident in the book of 1 Kings is his power. God is able to do anything he wills and nothing can stop him or hinder him. He demonstrates his power over nature, nations, and supernatural forces. Some examples of God’s power are:
– 1 Kings 3:5-15: God appears to Solomon in a dream and grants him wisdom and riches, as he asked.
– 1 Kings 17:17-24: God raises the son of the widow of Zarephath from the dead, through Elijah’s prayer.
– 1 Kings 18:41-45: God sends rain after a long drought, in response to Elijah’s prayer.
– 1 Kings 19:11-13: God shows his presence to Elijah in a gentle whisper, after a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire.
– 1 Kings 20:13-30: God delivers Israel from the Syrians, twice, through his prophets.
– 1 Kings 22:19-23: God reveals his plan to deceive Ahab and send him to his death, through his prophet Micaiah.
## God is wise
A third attribute of God that is displayed in the book of 1 Kings is his wisdom. God knows everything and he acts with perfect understanding and insight. He gives wisdom to those who seek him and he exposes the folly of those who reject him. Some examples of God’s wisdom are:
– 1 Kings 3:16-28: God gives Solomon wisdom to judge between two women who claimed to be the mother of a living child.
– 1 Kings 4:29-34: God gives Solomon wisdom to speak proverbs, compose songs, and understand various fields of knowledge.
– 1 Kings 10:1-13: God gives Solomon wisdom to answer all the questions of the queen of Sheba, who came to test him.
– 1 Kings 12:1-15: God fulfills his word to Jeroboam and divides the kingdom of Israel, through the foolishness of Rehoboam.
– 1 Kings 13:1-10: God sends a man of God to prophesy against the altar of Bethel, and he refuses to be deceived by the old prophet.
– 1 Kings 22:41-50: God establishes Jehoshaphat as a good king of Judah, who walked in the ways of his father David.
## God is holy
A fourth attribute of God that is manifested in the book of 1 Kings is his holiness. God is separate from sin and evil, and he demands purity and obedience from his people. He punishes those who violate his commands and he rewards those who follow his ways. Some examples of God’s holiness are:
– 1 Kings 8:22-53: Solomon prays to God and acknowledges his holiness, his justice, his mercy, and his forgiveness.
– 1 Kings 9:6-9: God warns Solomon and his people that if they turn away from him and worship other gods, he will reject them and destroy the temple.
– 1 Kings 11:1-13: God is angry with Solomon for his idolatry and his disobedience, and he announces that he will tear the kingdom from him and give it to his servant.
– 1 Kings 14:1-18: God judges Jeroboam and his house for their wickedness and their idolatry, and he pronounces the death of his son and the end of his dynasty.
– 1 Kings 15:9-15: God approves Asa as a good king of Judah, who did what was right in his eyes and removed the idols and the high places.
– 1 Kings 21:17-29: God condemns Ahab and Jezebel for their evil deeds and their murder of Naboth, and he declares that he will bring disaster on them and their house.
## God is gracious
A fifth attribute of God that is shown in the book of 1 Kings is his grace. God is compassionate and kind, and he shows favor and mercy to those who do not deserve it. He hears the prayers of his people and he responds to their needs. He also offers opportunities for repentance and restoration to those who sin against him. Some examples of God’s grace are:
– 1 Kings 3:6-9: God is pleased with Solomon’s request for wisdom and he promises to give him more than he asked for.
– 1 Kings 8:54-61: God hears Solomon’s prayer and he accepts the temple as a place of sacrifice and worship.
– 1 Kings 17:8-16: God sends Elijah to the widow of Zarephath and he provides food for her and her son, during the famine.
– 1 Kings 19:1-18: God comforts Elijah and he reveals his plans and his purposes to him, after he fled from Jezebel.
– 1 Kings 21:27-29: God sees Ahab’s humility and he postpones the disaster that he had pronounced on him and his house.
– 1 Kings 22:51-53: God gives Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, a chance to repent and to do what is right in his sight, but he follows the ways of his father and his mother.
## God is sovereign
A sixth and final attribute of God that is illustrated in the book of 1 Kings is his sovereignty. God is the supreme ruler and the ultimate authority over all things. He controls the course of history and he accomplishes his will, despite the actions of human beings. He also works through his prophets and his servants to reveal his plans and his purposes. Some examples of God’s sovereignty are:
– 1 Kings 5:1-12: God gives Solomon favor with Hiram, the king of Tyre, and he enables him to build the temple and his palace.
– 1 Kings 11:26-40: God raises up Jeroboam as an adversary to Solomon and he appoints him as the king of the ten tribes of Israel.
– 1 Kings 12:16-24: God causes the rebellion of the people against Rehoboam and he prevents a civil war between Israel and Judah.
– 1 Kings 16:1-34: God removes and replaces various kings of Israel, according to his word and his judgment.
– 1 Kings 19:15-21: God instructs Elijah to anoint Hazael as the king of Syria, Jehu as the king of Israel, and Elisha as his successor.
– 1 Kings 22:1-40: God orchestrates the death of Ahab, the king of Israel, according to his word and his prophecy.
## Conclusion
The book of 1 Kings is a rich source of information and inspiration about God’s character and his dealings with his people. It reveals some of the attributes and characteristics of God that are essential for us to know and to worship him. As we read and study this book, we can learn more about God’s faithfulness, power, wisdom, holiness, grace, and sovereignty. We can also apply these truths to our own lives and our relationship with him. May God bless us as we explore his attributes and characteristics in the book of 1 Kings.
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