SAMSON
(See also Judges)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. His mission.
A. Samson’s mother was visited by the angel of the Lord, who told her of his future birth (Judg 13:2–3).
B. This heavenly messenger instructed the parents that their child was to be raised a Nazarite (Judg 13:4–5). According to Numbers 6:1–6, the Nazarite had three restrictions placed upon him.
1. He was not to touch wine or any other product of the vine.
NOTE: Samson’s mother was also commanded not to drink wine or eat any product of the vine (Judg 13:4, 14).
2. His hair was to remain untouched by a razor.
3. He must not touch a dead body.
C. On this occasion Samson’s parents prayed a prayer all expectant Christian parents should pray (Judg 13:8, 12).
D. Samson was born and empowered by the Holy Spirit even as he grew up (Judg 13:24–25).
II. His marriage.
A. He determined to marry an unbelieving Philistine girl, to the dismay of his parents. Already Samson’s carnal nature was coming to the surface. In spite of his sensuality, he was still used for God’s glory (Judg 14:1–4).
B. En route to Philistia he killed a lion (Judg 14:5–6).
C. Later, he discovered that a swarm of bees had chosen the carcass of the lion to make honey in it. At his wedding feast Samson used this experience as a basis for a riddle (Judg 14:12–14).
D. The guests eventually dishonestly solved this riddle, getting the answer from Samson’s bride. He was furious at this and paid his debt to the wedding guests, but only at the expense of 30 Philistine victims (Judg 14:15–19).
E. He then went home in anger, leaving his wife with her father.
F. He returned the following harvest, only to find that the girl’s father had given his bride to Samson’s best man! The Hebrew strongman sought to get revenge (Judg 15:4–5).
III. His miracles.
A. He then killed many Philistines (Judg 15:8).
B. After this, the Philistines threatened to destroy the tribe of Judah unless they delivered Samson bound to them. Samson meekly allowed himself to be tied up, but as the enemy came in view he broke the ropes, grabbed the jawbone of a donkey, and slaughtered 1,000 Philistines (Judg 15:9–17)!
C. He prayed one of his only two recorded prayers. Both were totally carnal and self-centered (cp. Judg 15:18 with Judg 16:28).
IV. His misconduct.
A. At Gaza (a Philistine city) Samson once again avoided capture, this time by tearing off the gate of the city (Judg 16:1–3). His purpose in going to Gaza was to visit a prostitute!
B. Samson was finally done in by a Philistine woman named Delilah, who discovered the source of his great strength (Judg 16:4–20).
NOTE: At this point, Samson had probably violated all three Nazarite vows:
1. He had touched the carcass of a lion (Judg 14:8–9).
2. He may have drunk wine at his wedding feast (Judg 14:10).
3. He had allowed his hair to be cut (Judg 16:19).
V. His misery.
A. Samson now learned the high cost of low living (Judg 16:21).
B. In prison he regained his strength as his hair grew out again.
C. He was then allowed by God to destroy thousands of Philistines who had gathered in their heathen temple for a drunken orgy. In the following destruction Samson himself perished (Judg 16:22–31).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Samson was the first of three famous biblical Nazarites.
A. Samson (Judg 13:4–5).
B. Samuel (1 Sam 1:11–28).
C. John the Baptist (Luke 1:13–17).
II. His faith is referred to in Hebrews 11:32.
STATISTICS
Father: Manoah (Judg 13:2)
Spouse: Unnamed wife (Judg 14:10–18)
First mention: Judges 13:24
Final mention: Hebrews 11:32
Meaning of his name: “Little sun”
Referred to: 36 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (Judges, Hebrews)
Occupation: Judge (Judg 15:20)
Place of death: At the arena at Gaza (Judg 16:21–30)
Circumstances of death: He was crushed by a falling building (Judg 16:30).
Important fact about his life: He was history’s strongest man (Judg 14:6, 19; 15:14).
SAMUEL
(See also Judges)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The pre-ministry of Samuel—a boy in the Tabernacle.
A. Hannah was his mother.
1. Her prayer for her son.
a. Samuel was born as a result of God answering Hannah’s prayer and touching her barren womb (1 Sam 1:2, 19–20).
b. He was promised to the Lord even before his birth (1 Sam 1:10–12).
c. He became the second of two famous Old Testament Nazarites. Samson was the first (Judg 13:7, 13–14; 1 Sam 1:11).
2. Her presentation of her son.
After he was weaned, Hannah dedicated him in the Tabernacle (1 Sam 1:23–28).
B. Eli was his mentor.
1. He then was raised for God’s service by the old priest Eli in the Tabernacle (1 Sam 2:11, 18, 21).
2. He was visited yearly by his mother and presented with new clothes (1 Sam 2:19).
II. The ministry of Samuel—a prophet in the land.
A. Samuel, the anointed—Samuel and God.
1. His call.
a. Samuel, like Jesus in the New Testament, grew in stature and in favor with God and men (cp. 1 Sam 2:26; 3:1 with Luke 2:52).
b. God spoke to Samuel one night as the lad lay on his cot in the Tabernacle (1 Sam 3:1–14).
(1) He mistook the voice of God for that of Eli on the first two occasions.
(2) Realizing what was happening, Eli advised Samuel to answer the mysterious voice on the next occasion with the words, “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam 3:9).
(3) Samuel did this and heard a fearful message from God concerning the future divinely caused deaths of Eli’s two wicked sons.
c. The next morning Samuel related all this to Eli (1 Sam 3:15–18).
d. Samuel now began a very fruitful ministry as a prophet (1 Sam 3:19–21).
(1) God let none of his words fall to the ground.
(2) All of Israel recognized him as a great prophet.
(3) God continued to reveal himself to Samuel.
2. His covenant.
Samuel led Israel in a great revival (1 Sam 7:1–13).
a. He ordered the people to assemble at Mizpeh.
b. The Philistines attacked this assembled crowd but were destroyed by God.
c. Samuel then set aside a large rock to commemorate all this, naming it Ebenezer, meaning, “hitherto hath the LORD helped us.”
3. His circuit.
He established a circuit-riding ministry, traveling from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpeh, judging Israel in all these places (1 Sam 7:15–16).
4. His city—Ramah became his home and headquarters (1 Sam 7:17).
B. Samuel, the anointer—Samuel and Saul.
1. Events leading to the crowning of Saul.
a. The request by Israel.
(1) When he grew older, Samuel unwisely appointed his ungodly sons, Joel and Abiah, as judges over Israel (1 Sam 8:1–3).
(2) Because of this and other reasons, the leaders of Israel demanded that Samuel appoint a king to rule over them (1 Sam 8:4–5).
b. The revelation from God.
(1) Samuel was displeased at this request, but was told by God that Israel had rejected their heavenly king and not their earthly prophet (1 Sam 8:6–7).
(2) God then instructed Samuel to grant their request, but to warn them of the consequences (1 Sam 8:8–21).
(a) The king would make soldiers of their sons.
(b) Others would be forced into farming the ground.
(c) Their daughters would become the king’s cooks and bakers.
(d) He would take the best of their fields, vineyards, and olive groves.
(e) They would have a 10–percent tax enforced upon them.
(3) In spite of all these warnings, Israel still demanded a king!
(4) God told Samuel a man from the tribe of Benjamin would knock on his door the next day seeking information concerning some lost animals. The man’s name was Saul, and he would become Israel’s first king (1 Sam 9:1–18).
c. The reassurance to Saul.
(1) When Saul arrived, Samuel told him all this and anointed him with oil (1 Sam 9:19–10:1).
(2) Samuel then gave Saul four signs to confirm his divine selection (1 Sam 10:2–7).
(a) Two men would greet him at Rachel’s tomb.
(b) Three men would greet him by the plain of Tabor.
(c) A procession of prophets would greet him at Gibeah.
(d) Finally, Saul himself would be led by the Holy Spirit to prophesy with them.
d. The review by Samuel.
(1) Samuel publicly anointed Saul at Mizpeh (1 Sam 10:17–24).
(2) He then explained and reviewed for the people the regulations of the kingship and wrote them down (1 Sam 10:25).
(3) After Saul had proven himself in battle (1 Sam 11:1–11), Samuel once again gathered the people, this time at Gilgal, to reaffirm the kingship (1 Sam 11:14–15).
(4) At this time he delivered his final public speech (1 Sam 12:1–25).
(a) He reminded Israel of his faithful service to their nation.
(b) He reminded them of God’s faithfulness in the past and chided them for demanding a king.
(c) He urged them to serve God from that day on.
(d) He warned them of the consequences of disobedience.
(e) He promised to pray for them.
(f) He validated his message by praying down a storm of thunder and rain.
2. Events following Saul’s coronation.
a. The rejection of Israel’s first king.
Saul was set aside by God for two reasons.
(1) For doing what he should not have done.
Samuel severely rebuked Saul at Gilgal for intruding into the office of the priesthood by offering up a burnt sacrifice (1 Sam 13:8–14).
(a) Samuel told him his kingdom would not continue.
(b) God himself had sought out a man after his own heart.
(2) For not doing what he should have done.
By order of the Lord, Samuel instructed Saul to attack the Amalekites and destroy everything, both people and livestock (1 Sam 15:1–35).
(a) Saul disobeyed by sparing Agag, king of the Amalekites, and the best of the livestock (1 Sam 15:7–9).
(b) Samuel learned of all this from the Lord, who was grieved over Saul’s disobedience. This caused the prophet to weep all that night (1 Sam 15:10–11).
(c) When Samuel confronted Saul about this on the following day, the disobedient king lied about it (1 Sam 15:12–13).
(d) He then attempted to shift the blame to the people concerning why he had saved the best of the animals (1 Sam 15:15).
(e) Upon hearing this Samuel utterly condemned Saul (1 Sam 15:22–23).
(f) As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of his robe and tore it. Samuel told him God would likewise tear the kingdom from him and give it to one of the king’s neighbors (1 Sam 15:27–29).
(g) Samuel then personally executed King Agag (1 Sam 15:32–33).
(h) This was the final meeting between Samuel and Saul before the death of the prophet (1 Sam 15:34–35).
b. The selection of Israel’s finest king.
(1) Samuel was instructed to visit the home of Jesse in Bethlehem and anoint a new king (1 Sam 16:1).
(2) Following Samuel’s instructions, Jesse paraded his seven sons before the prophet, but none were selected by God (1 Sam 16:4–10).
(3) Jesse’s youngest son was finally brought in from the sheep pasture. At God’s command, Samuel anointed this lad, David, as Israel’s new king (1 Sam 16:11–13).
(4) Later, David visited Samuel during that time when Saul was attempting to kill him (1 Sam 19:18).
III. The post-ministry of Samuel—a voice from the grave.
A. The desperation of Saul.
1. All Israel’s leaders assembled at Ramah when Samuel died to mourn and honor their great prophet (1 Sam 25:1; 28:3).
2. Sometime later a desperate Saul succeeded in contacting Samuel from the grave that he might ask the prophet concerning the outcome of a battle with the Philistines (1 Sam 28:10–14).
B. The condemnation by Samuel.
Samuel’s stern answer was devastating to Saul (1 Sam 28:15–20).
1. He reminded the king that God had rejected him because of disobedience.
2. He stated David would soon be Israel’s new king.
3. He predicted Saul would not only be defeated in battle, but that both he and his sons would be killed!
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Samuel probably wrote most of the material found in 1 Samuel and 1 Chronicles (1 Chr 29:29–30).
II. The psalmist mentioned Samuel along with Moses and Aaron as three examples of God’s faithfulness (Ps 99:6).
III. Jeremiah referred to Samuel, along with Moses, to emphasize Israel’s tragic sinful condition (Jer 15:1).
IV. Simon Peter used Samuel as a source of authority concerning the Messiah during his sermon by the Temple gate called Beautiful (Acts 3:24).
V. Paul referred to Samuel during his message to the Jews in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:20).
VI. The author of Hebrews referred to the great faith of Samuel (Heb 11:32).
STATISTICS
Father: Elkanah (1 Sam 1:19–20)
Mother: Hannah (1 Sam 1:19–20)
Sons: Joel and Abiah (1 Sam 8:1–3)
Brothers: Three brothers (1 Sam 2:21)
Sisters: Two sisters (1 Sam 2:21)
First mention: 1 Samuel 1:20
Final mention: Hebrews 11:32
Meaning of his name: “Hand of God”
Referred to: 134 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Seven books (1 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Jeremiah, Acts, Hebrews)
Occupation: Prophet and priest (1 Sam 3:1, 20)
Place of birth: Near Mount Ephraim (1 Sam 1:1, 19–20)
Place of death: Ramah (1 Sam 25:1)
Important fact about his life: He anointed both Saul and David as kings over Israel (1 Sam 9:27–10:1; 16:13).
SANBALLAT
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The hostility of Sanballat.
A. He was a Horonite who lived in Beth-horon, an area north of Jerusalem (Neh 2:10).
B. He held a post in the Persian government during the days of Nehemiah (Neh 2:10).
C. He conspired with Tobiah the Ammonite and with Geshem the Arabian in attempting to prevent Nehemiah from rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem (Neh 2:10, 19).
II. The harassment by Sanballat.
A. He began by ridiculing the project (Neh 2:19; 4:1–2).
B. He then became furious as the work progressed (Neh 4:1–7).
C. He plotted to attack the workers (Neh 4:8).
D. He attempted on five occasions to meet with Nehemiah, intending to harm or assassinate him (Neh 6:1–9).
1. On the fifth occasion, Sanballat threatened to accuse Nehemiah of treason against the king of Persia.
2. On every instance, however, Nehemiah refused to meet with Sanballat, saying he was far too busy with the work of the Lord to dialogue with an envoy of Satan.
E. Sanballat finally hired a friend of Nehemiah by the name of Shemaiah to betray him, but Nehemiah quickly saw through this plot (Neh 6:10–13).
F. Sanballat did succeed in arranging for one of his daughters to marry a grandson of the Jewish high priest Eliashib (Neh 13:28).
STATISTICS
First mention: Nehemiah 2:10
Final mention: Nehemiah 13:28
Meaning of his name: “Sin [the moon-god] save the life”
Referred to: 10 times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Nehemiah)
Occupation: An official in the Persian government (Neh 2:9–10)
Important fact about his life: He was the chief troublemaker who opposed Nehemiah (Neh 4:1–2).
SARAH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Sarai, her first name.
A. Sarai and her husband.
1. The trip to Canaan.
a. She was originally known as Sarai (Gen 11:29).
b. She was, along with her husband Abraham, probably born and raised in the city of Ur of the Chaldees.
c. She was barren until God touched her womb (Gen 11:30).
d. She was probably converted to God about the same time Abraham became a believer.
e. She followed her husband to Haran, and then to Canaan (Gen 11:31; 12:5).
f. She was 65 at this time (Gen 12:4–5; 17:17).
2. The trip to Egypt.
a. She was taken by Abraham to Egypt in a time of famine.
b. Because of her great beauty, Abraham required that she pretend to be his sister, and not his wife, fearing Pharaoh might kill him in order to marry her.
c. Believing this deception, Pharaoh did indeed consider marrying her, but was warned by God in a dream not to do this.
B. Sarai and her handmaid.
1. In her frustration, the barren Sarai presented Hagar, her handmaid, to Abraham, planning to adopt the first son born by her (Gen 16:1–3).
2. Upon becoming pregnant, however, Hagar’s attitude angered Sarai, who mistreated Hagar until she fled into the desert (Gen 16:4–6).
3. At the command of God, Hagar returned to the camp and submitted herself to her mistress. Sarai was 76 at this time (Gen 16:7–15).
II. Sarah, her final name.
A. Sarah and God.
1. Her name was changed by God from Sarai, meaning “contentious,” to Sarah, meaning “princess.” This occurred when she was 89 (Gen 17:1, 15–17).
2. God again told Abraham that Sarah would bear him a child in his old age. Both the gender and name of the baby were predicted (Gen 17:19).
a. It would be a boy.
b. He would be called Isaac.
3. Sarah and Abraham were visited by God and two angels. Sarah baked bread for them (Gen 18:6).
4. As she sat in the tent, Sarah laughed in unbelief upon overhearing God tell Abraham that Isaac would be born the very next year (Gen 18:9–15).
B. Sarah and Abimelech.
She was once again forced to assume the role of sister to her fearful husband when the couple visited in Gerar, a Philistine city (Gen 20:1–2).
C. Sarah and Isaac.
At age 90, Sarah gave birth to Isaac (Gen 21:1–7).
D. Sarah and Ishmael.
1. On the day of Isaac’s weaning, old hostilities between Sarah and Hagar once again surfaced (Gen 21:9).
2. Sarah’s reaction was both swift and stern (Gen 21:10).
Sarah died at age 127 in the city of Hebron and was buried by Abraham in the cave of Machpelah (Gen 23:1–2, 19).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Sarah was looked upon by God as being the mother of the nation of Israel (Isa 51:1–2).
II. The New Testament writers referred to Sarah on several occasions.
A. To illustrate the power of God (Rom 4:19).
B. To illustrate the sovereignty of God (Rom 9:6–9).
C. To illustrate the faithfulness of God (Heb 11:11).
D. Peter commended Sarah for her obedience to Abraham and her inward beauty (1 Pet 3:1–6).
STATISTICS
Father: Terah (Gen 11:26; 20:12)
Spouse: Abraham (Gen 11:29)
Son: Isaac (Gen 21:1–7)
First mention: Genesis 11:29
Final mention: 1 Peter 3:6
Meaning of her name: “Princess”
Referred to: 56 times
Biblical books mentioning her: Five books (Genesis, Isaiah, Romans, Hebrews, 1 Peter)
Place of death: Hebron (Gen 23:1–2, 19)
Age at death: 127 (Gen 23:1–2)
Important fact about her life: She was Abraham’s wife and Isaac’s mother (Gen 11:29; 21:1–7).
SARGON II
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Sargon and Shalmaneser V.
Sargon seized the Assyrian throne when Shalmaneser died during the siege of Samaria.
II. Sargon and Isaiah (Isa 20).
A. When Sargon captured the Philistine city of Ashdod, God told Isaiah the prophet to take off his clothes and walk around barefoot.
B. This action would illustrate what Sargon would later do to both Egypt and Ethiopia, literally stripping those nations of all their wealth.
C. Sargon was killed in 704 BC and succeeded by his son Sennacherib.
STATISTICS
Son: Sennacherib
First mention: Isaiah 20:1
Final mention: Isaiah 20:1
Meaning of his name: “Lawful king”
Referred to: One time
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Isaiah)
Occupation: King of Assyria (Isa 20:1)
Important fact about his life: He completed the sacking of Samaria.
SAUL
(See also United Kingdom)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Saul, the seeker.
A. The servant and Saul.
1. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Sam 9:1–2).
2. He was very tall and equally impressive (1 Sam 9:2).
3. He was sent by his father to look for some donkeys that had strayed away (1 Sam 9:3).
4. After a futile search, Saul determined to return home, lest his father begin to worry about him.
5. Saul’s servant, however, suggested they ask Samuel the seer (prophet), who lived in a nearby town, if he could help them.
B. The seer and Saul (1 Sam 9:15–10:8).
1. The announcements.
a. God’s announcement to Samuel.
(1) On the previous day, God had told Samuel he would send a man to the prophet from the tribe of Benjamin within 24 hours.
(2) Samuel was to anoint this man as Israel’s first king.
b. Samuel’s announcement to Saul.
(1) At the meeting of the two men, God revealed to Samuel that Saul was the one.
(2) Samuel greeted the astonished Saul with a twofold message. “Your father’s donkeys have been found!” “You will become Israel’s first king!”
2. The anointing.
a. Saul agreed to have supper with Samuel and stay with him for the night.
b. Before the men parted on the following day, Samuel anointed Saul with oil.
3. The assurance.
The prophet gave Saul a threefold sign to prove he would indeed become king.
a. Samuel predicted Saul would meet two men near Rachel’s tomb who would tell him his father’s donkeys had been found.
b. Three men en route to Bethel would meet him under the great tree at Tabor and offer him two loaves of bread.
c. Near the town of Gibeah, he would meet a procession of prophets, playing musical instruments and prophesying. Saul himself would [p. 1000] then join in and prophesy with them in the power of God.
All three signs were fulfilled.
4. The acclamation.
Saul was proclaimed king over all Israel by Samuel during a ceremony at Mizpeh (1 Sam 10:17–27).
5. The abasement.
At the beginning of his reign, on three separate occasions, Saul demonstrated great humility and seemed actually reluctant to assume the throne.
a. When Samuel first told him he was God’s choice to be king, Saul replied, “Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?” (1 Sam 9:21).
b. When it came time to be crowned, Saul disappeared and hid himself (1 Sam 10:21–22).
c. When he became established in power, Saul displayed a merciful spirit, refusing the request to punish those who had previously ridiculed him (1 Sam 11:12–13).
II. Saul, the sovereign.
Saul was confirmed in the kingship when he rescued the Israelite city of Jabesh-gilead (1 Sam 11:1–11).
A. The terrible demand by Nahash.
1. Nahash, an Ammonite king, had surrounded Jabesh-gilead.
2. When the city attempted to make peace, he imposed the following conditions:
a. What he demanded.
He stated his intention to gouge out the right eyes of all the citizens.
b. Why he demanded this.
Nahash knew this would bring disgrace upon all Israel.
B. The total destruction of Nahash.
1. Upon hearing of this, an angry Saul quickly raised an army of 330,000 men.
2. He did this by cutting a pair of oxen into pieces and sending them throughout the land, threatening to do the same to the oxen of anyone not following him.
3. Saul separated his army into three divisions and utterly destroyed the Ammonite enemy.
III. Saul, the sinner.
Israel’s first king was guilty of at least five grievous sins.
A. He was guilty of disobedience.
1. Before a battle (1 Sam 13:1–15).
At this time the king was rebuked by Samuel the prophet.
a. The background of this rebuke.
(1) Saul had attacked a small Philistine outpost with 3,000 Israelite soldiers and had aroused the anger of his bitter enemy. Jonathan attacked the outpost and defeated it with 1,000 men.
(2) The Philistines thus assembled a vast army of foot soldiers along with 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, creating great fear among Saul’s troops, causing many of them to flee in panic.
b. The basis for this rebuke.
(1) Saul was instructed to wait for Samuel in Gilgal for seven days, at which time the prophet would appear, sacrifice an offering, and bless the troops.
(2) At the end of the seven days the impatient king offered up the sacrifice himself, only to see Samuel appear!
(3) Samuel told Saul two tragic things would result from his act of disobedience.
(a) His kingdom would not endure.
(b) God had sought out a man after his own heart.
2. After a battle.
In spite of his first act of disobedience, Saul was allowed by God (for the sake of Israel) to defeat his various enemies, including the Moabites, Edomites, Ammonites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines (1 Sam 14:47). However, once again disobedience entered his life.
a. The king of Israel set aside the God of Israel (1 Sam 15:1–9).
(1) Saul was commanded to utterly destroy the Amalekites and their king because of past hostility against Israel.
(2) Not even their animals were to be spared.
(3) Saul disobeyed, however, sparing Agag, the Amalekite king, plus the best of the sheep and cattle.
b. The God of Israel set aside the king of Israel (1 Sam 15:10–35). Upon being asked by Samuel why he spared the animals, Saul weakly replied, “The people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal” (1 Sam 15:21).
(1) The rebuff (1 Sam 15:22).
(2) The remorse (1 Sam 15:24).
(3) The request (1 Sam 15:25).
(4) The rejection (1 Sam 15:26–28).
B. He was guilty of self-will.
Saul ordered the death of his own son Jonathan for disobeying his command (1 Sam 14:24–46).
1. The stupidity of Saul’s command.
a. Saul forbade his soldiers as they went into battle against the Philistines to eat any food whatsoever until he had exacted full revenge upon his enemies.
b. The hero of this battle, Jonathan, unaware of the order, ate some honey.
2. The sin caused by Saul’s command.
a. Following the victorious battle, the famished Israelite troops quickly butchered some sheep and oxen and ate the raw, bloody meat, thus breaking the Mosaic law, which prohibited the eating of blood.
b. Upon learning what Jonathan had done, the self-willed Saul ordered his execution. The Israelite soldiers refused, however, to allow the death of Jonathan.
C. He was guilty of hatred.
Saul turned against David, hating him with a passion.
1. The root of his hatred.
a. The background.
During their first two meetings, the two men got along quite well.
(1) Saul and David the singer (1 Sam 16:14–23).
(a) Saul was troubled by an evil spirit.
(b) A search was conducted for a skilled harpist whose music would hopefully soothe the troubled king.
(c) David’s fame reached Saul, and he was brought to the royal court.
(d) At the playing by David the evil spirit left Saul.
(2) Saul and David the soldier (1 Sam 17:1–58).
(a) Saul and Goliath.
During a battle with the Philistines, Israel had been challenged for 40 days by mighty Goliath to send out a champion to fight him. Neither Saul nor any of his soldiers were willing to do this.
(b) Saul and David.
David convinced a reluctant Saul that he be permitted to fight Goliath. The king offered David his own armor, but David refused to wear it. With only a sling in his hand, David slew Goliath.
b. The basis.
What was it that turned Saul’s affection for David to hatred? The answer is very clear: The people honored David more than Saul (1 Sam 18:6–9).
2. The fruit of his hatred.
Saul displayed his loathing of David through both private and public attempts to kill him.
a. Private attempts to kill David.
(1) He began by demoting David from a high-ranking army officer to that of a lower rank (1 Sam 18:5, 13).
(2) He attempted on two occasions to kill David with a spear (1 Sam 18:10–11; 19:9–10).
(3) He tried to arrange for David to be killed in battle (1 Sam 18:20–30).
(a) Aware of David’s love for Michal, Saul’s daughter, the king offered her hand in marriage, but only if David could bring proof that he had killed 100 Philistines in battle, secretly hoping the young man himself would be killed in the attempt.
(b) David, however, soon presented Saul with evidence that he had killed 200 enemy soldiers! (1 Sam 18:25–27).
(4) He put pressure on his own son Jonathan to kill David (1 Sam 19:1).
(5) He then pretended to have a change of heart (or was temporarily sorry) and assured Jonathan no harm would come to David (1 Sam 19:6).
b. Public attempts to kill David.
(1) Saul and David—the malice.
(a) He sent soldiers to arrest David in his own home, but Michal helped her husband to escape (1 Sam 19:11–17).
(b) He dispatched three companies of soldiers to capture David in the home of Samuel. Each attempt was unsuccessful, however, for the troops wound up prophesying (1 Sam 19:18–21).
(c) He himself then went to Samuel’s house, only to end up also prophesying as the soldiers had done (1 Sam 19:22–24).
(d) He attempted to trap David in the city of Keilah, but God revealed to his servant the king’s wicked intentions (1 Sam 23:7–13).
(e) On one occasion Saul was closing in on David, but was forced to break off pursuit upon learning the Philistines had invaded Israel (1 Sam 23:26–28).
(f) Time and again, for some years Saul vainly and publicly sought out the life of David (1 Sam 23:14).
(2) David and Saul—the mercy.
Saul’s life was spared by David on two occasions.
(a) In a cave (1 Sam 24:1–22).
During one of his pursuits of David, Saul entered a cave down by the Dead Sea to go to the toilet. David and his men were in the cave and watched Saul, who was utterly unaware of their presence. David refused to allow his men to kill Saul, but secretly cut off a corner of the king’s robe. From a safe distance David later showed Saul this piece of cloth and demanded to know why the king was trying to kill him. Realizing his life had indeed been spared, Saul responded, “Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. . . . And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house” (1 Sam 24:16–17, 20–21).
(b) On a hillside (1 Sam 26:1–25).
Under cover of night, David and a soldier secretly visited Saul’s camp and removed from the sleeping king his spear and water jug. Standing on a nearby hill David then called out and awakened Saul, showing him the spear and jug that had been taken. Once again David demanded to know why Saul was trying to kill him. Saul responded, “I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly” (1 Sam 26:21).
D. He was guilty of murder.
Saul instigated a terrible slaughter at the town of Nob (1 Sam 22:6–19).
1. Whom he had killed.
At the king’s order, Ahimelech, Israel’s high priest, along with 84 other priests, plus all the men, women, children, and livestock at Nob were put to the sword in a bloody massacre.
2. Why he had them killed.
Saul learned that Ahimelech had innocently befriended David (who had lied to the high priest, claiming he was on a secret mission for Saul), providing him with food and a weapon.
E. He was guilty of apostasy.
Saul visited the witch of Endor (1 Sam 28:3–25).
1. The reasons for the visit.<
a. He was faced with a vast and imminent Philistine invasion.
b. The prophets could not offer him advice or assurance.
c. The Lord would not offer him advice or assurance.
2. The results of his visit.
a. The king’s trickery.
Disguising himself, Saul visited the witch and requested that she put him in contact with the dead Samuel.
b. The witch’s terror.
Two events quickly filled her with fear.
(1) She recognized Saul.
(2) She saw an old man wearing a robe ascending up from the earth. This was Samuel.
c. The prophet’s testimony.
Samuel told Saul the what and the why of the future.
(1) The what.
(a) Saul would lose the battle the next day.
(b) Both he and his sons would be killed.
(c) The kingdom then would go to David.
(2) The why.
All this would happen because of Saul’s disobedience.
d. Upon hearing this, the nearly fainting Saul accepted some food from the witch and left.
IV. Saul—the suicide (1 Sam 31:1–13).
A. The place of his death.
He died during the battle with the Philistines on Mount Gilboa.
B. The particulars of his death.
1. The method.
a. He was critically wounded by the Philistine archers.
b. He fell upon his sword to escape being captured alive by the enemy.
2. The mutilation involved.
a. The Philistines cut off his head.
b. His body was then nailed on the city wall of Beth-shan.
c. Saul’s body was later recovered by the men of Jabesh-gilead and given a decent burial.
C. The pain over his death.
Upon learning of Saul’s death, David lamented over him (2 Sam 1:17–27).
D. The perversion that caused his death (1 Chr 10:13–14).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Saul did not revere the Ark of God (as did David) during his reign (1 Chr 13:3).
II. He was mentioned in the titles of the following psalms:
A. Psalm 18.
David wrote this psalm after God had delivered him from the hand of Saul.
B. Psalm 52.
David wrote this psalm after Saul had killed the priests at Nob (see 1 Sam 22).
C. Psalm 54.
David wrote this psalm when the Ziphites attempted to betray him into Saul’s hand (see 1 Sam 23).
D. Psalm 57.
David wrote this psalm when hid in a cave from Saul (see 1 Sam 22).
E. Psalm 59.
David wrote this psalm when Saul attempted to kill David in his own house (see 1 Sam 19).
III. Saul was referred to by Paul the apostle during his message in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:21).
IV. The Saul of the Old Testament can be both compared and contrasted with the Saul of the New Testament.
A. The Old Testament Saul.
1. Was tall and impressive (1 Sam 9:2).
2. Was from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Sam 9:1–2).
3. Began as God’s friend (1 Sam 9:16; 10:6–7).
4. Ended as God’s enemy (1 Sam 28:6).
5. Went to the witch in the hour of death (1 Sam 28:7).
6. Took his own life in great fear (1 Sam 31:4).
7. Was characterized by disobedience (1 Sam 13:13; 15:22–23).
B. The New Testament Saul.
1. Was short and unimpressive (2 Cor 10:10; Gal 4:13–14).
2. Was from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5).
3. Began as God’s enemy (Acts 9:1).
4. Ended as God’s friend (2 Tim 4:18).
5. Went to the Word in the hour of death (2 Tim 4:13).
6. Gave his own life with great expectation (2 Tim 4:6–8).
7. Was characterized by obedience (Acts 26:19).
STATISTICS
Father: Kish (1 Sam 9:1–2)
Spouse: Ahinoam (1 Sam 14:50)
Sons: Jonathan, Ishui, Melchi-shua, and Abinadab (1 Sam 14:49; 1 Chr 8:33)
Daughters: Merab and Michal (1 Sam 14:49)
First mention: 1 Samuel 9:2
Final mention: Acts 13:21
Meaning of his name: “Asked for”
Referred to: 388 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Six books (1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah, Acts)
Occupation: King of Israel
Place of death: At the base of Mount Gilboa (1 Sam 31:1–2)
Circumstances of death: He was killed by the Philistines as a direct judgment by God (1 Sam 28:16–19).
Important fact about his life: He was Israel’s first king (1 Sam 8–10).
SENNACHERIB
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Sennacherib and Sargon II.
He succeeded to the Assyrian throne in 704 BC when his father, Sargon II, was killed.
II. Sennacherib and Hezekiah.
A. The compromise of Hezekiah.
When Sennacherib invaded Northern Israel, Judean King Hezekiah foolishly attempted to appease him with a huge bribe, hoping Jerusalem would be spared (2 Kgs 18:13–16).
B. The contempt of Sennacherib.
Ignoring this attempt for peace, the Assyrian king . . .
1. Surrounded the city of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 18:17).
2. Sent a letter to Hezekiah demanding his surrender (2 Chr 32:17; Isa 37:9–13).
It read:
a. Don’t be deceived by the empty promises of your God to deliver Jerusalem from me.
b. I have already defeated the gods of other nations.
c. Your God is no different!
III. Sennacherib and God (2 Kgs 19:21–28, 35–37; Isa 37:22–29, 33–38).
A. The pride involved.
God told both Isaiah the prophet and Hezekiah that he was angry over the pride of Sennacherib and his insults.
B. The prophecy involved.
A threefold prediction was now given against Sennacherib.
1. He would not enter Jerusalem.
2. His troops would not build a siege ramp against the city, nor would an enemy arrow fall inside.
3. The Assyrian king would quickly leave the same way he came.
C. The punishment involved.
That very night the angel of the Lord put to death 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.
D. The panic involved.
Sennacherib immediately broke camp and quickly withdrew.
IV. Sennacherib and his sons (2 Kgs 19:37; 2 Chr 32:20–21; Isa 37:37–38).
A. Upon his return to Nineveh, the king entered the temple of Nisroch to worship his pagan god.
B. Here he was murdered with a sword by two of his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer.
C. He was succeeded by another son, Esar-haddon.
STATISTICS
Father: Sargon II
Sons: Adrammelech, Sharezer, and Esar-haddon (Isa 37:37–38)
First mention: 2 Kings 18:13
Final mention: Isaiah 37:37
Meaning of his name: “The god Zin has multiplied brothers”
Referred to: 13 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Isaiah)
Occupation: King of Assyria (2 Kgs 18:13)
Place of death: In a pagan temple at Nineveh (Isa 37:37–38)
Circumstances of death: He was murdered with a sword by two of his sons (Isa 37:38).
Important fact about his life: His armies were destroyed at Jerusalem by the death angel (2 Kgs 19:32–35).
SERAIAH (1)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
He was Israel’s chief priest when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem (2 Kgs 25:18). He was dragged before the Babylonian king and killed (2 Kgs 25:18–21; Jer 52:24–27).
STATISTICS
Father: Azariah (1 Chr 6:14)
Son: Jehozadak (1 Chr 6:14)
Significant descendant: Ezra (Ezra 7:1)
First mention: 2 Kings 25:18
Final mention: Jeremiah 52:24
Meaning of his name: “Jehovah has persevered”
Referred to: Four times
Biblical books mentioning him: Four books (2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Ezra, Jeremiah)
Occupation: High priest (2 Kgs 25:18)
Place of birth: Jerusalem
Place of death: Riblah (2 Kgs 25:20–21)
Circumstances of death: He was killed by order of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs 25:1, 21).
Important fact about his life: He was Israel’s final high priest before the Babylonian captivity (2 Kgs 25:21).
SERAIAH (2)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Seraiah and Zedekiah the king.
He was the chief officer to Judean King Zedekiah, and accompanied him into the Babylonian captivity (Jer 51:59).
II. Seraiah and Jeremiah the prophet (Jer 51:59–64).
A. Seraiah was the brother of Baruch, Jeremiah’s personal scribe (Jer 32:12; 51:59).
B. Jeremiah gave him a scroll that contained God’s scheduled punishments upon Babylon.
C. Upon reaching Babylon, Seraiah was to tie a rock to the scroll and cast it into the Euphrates River.
D. This action would symbolize that Babylon would eventually sink, never to rise.
STATISTICS
Father: Neriah (Jer 51:59)
Brother: Baruch (Jer 32:12; 51:59)
First mention: Jeremiah 51:59
Final mention: Jeremiah 51:61
Meaning of his name: “Jehovah has persevered”
Referred to: Three times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Jeremiah)
Occupation: Officer to King Zedekiah (Jer 51:59)
Place of birth: Jerusalem
Place of death: Babylon
Important fact about his life: He was the brother of Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, and he carried a prophetic message for Jeremiah to Babylon (Jer 32:12; 51:59–64).
SETH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Seth in the Old Testament (Gen 4:25; 5:3).
A. He was the third son of Adam and Eve.
B. His line, eventually leading to the Messiah, replaced that of Abel, killed by Cain.
C. He was one of 10 major patriarchs listed in Genesis 5 as living before the Great Flood (Gen 5:3).
D. He was born when his father Adam was 130 (Gen 5:3).
II. Seth in the New Testament.
He is included by Luke in the genealogy leading to Mary and the Messiah himself (Luke 3:23–38).
STATISTICS
Father: Adam (Gen 4:25)
Mother: Eve (Gen 4:25)
Son: Enos (Gen 4:26)
Brothers: Cain and Abel (Gen 4:1–2)
First mention: Genesis 4:25
Final mention: Luke 3:38
Meaning of his name: “Appointed”
Referred to: Nine times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Luke)
Important fact about his life: He was Adam’s third son, whose line led to Christ (Gen 4:1–2, 25; Luke 3:38).
SHADRACH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Shadrach and the king’s food (Dan 1:1–20).
A. His resolve.
1. He was one of the four Jewish youths among the thousands who were taken from Judah to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 606 BC (Dan 1:1–7).
2. He was also called Hananiah. The names of his three friends were:
a. Daniel (also called Belteshazzar).
b. Azariah (also called Abednego).
c. Mishael (also called Meshach).
3. Shadrach determined (along with his three friends) not to defile his body with the king’s food and wine, but instead requested a special, simple diet (Dan 1:8–14).
B. His reward.
1. God honored Shadrach’s decision, and gave him great ability to master all the literature and science he was taught in Nebuchadnezzar’s school (Dan 1:17).
2. Upon completion of his three–year training program, Shadrach was found by the king to possess 10 times the knowledge and wisdom of those who had remained on the royal diet (Dan 1:18–20; see earlier note in entry “Meshach”).
II. Shadrach and the king’s frustration (Dan 2:1–19).
A. Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed a dream that he could not understand.
B. Shadrach joined Daniel and his friends in asking God to reveal the content and meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
C. God answered their request that very night.
III. Shadrach and the king’s furnace (Dan 3:1–30).
A. His resolve.
1. Shadrach, along with Abednego and Meshach, refused to bow down and worship a golden pagan statue Nebuchadnezzar had built.
2. After rejecting the final offer of the king (who had given them a second chance), the three Hebrew youths were bound and cast into a fiery furnace.
B. His reward.
1. Christ himself joined his three faithful servants in the fire, protecting them from all harm.
2. The three men stepped from the fire without even the smell of smoke upon them.
3. Shadrach received a promotion from Nebuchadnezzar and prospered greatly.
STATISTICS
First mention: Daniel 1:7 (His Jewish name was Hananiah.)
Final mention: Daniel 3:30
Meaning of his name: “Command of Aku, the moon god”
Referred to: 20 times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Daniel)
Occupation: Political leader (Dan 3:30)
Place of birth: Judah (Dan 1:1–6)
Place of death: Babylon
Important fact about his life: He was preserved in the fiery furnace by Christ himself (Dan 3:23–25).
SHALLUM
(See also Chaotic Kingdom)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Shallum, the murderer.
A. He was the fifteenth ruler of northern Israel.
B. He only reigned one month (2 Kgs 15:13).
C. He murdered King Zechariah to obtain the throne (2 Kgs 15:10).
II. Shallum, the murdered.
He was murdered in Samaria by Menahem, an especially brutal man (2 Kgs 15:14).
STATISTICS
Father: Jabesh (2 Kgs 15:10)
First mention: 2 Kings 15:10
Final mention: 2 Kings 15:15
Meaning of his name: “Recompenser”
Referred to: Three times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (2 Kings)
Occupation: King of northern Israel (2 Kgs 15:13)
Place of death: Samaria (2 Kgs 15:14)
Circumstances of death: He was murdered by Menahem (2 Kgs 15:14).
Important fact about his life: He reigned only one month (2 Kgs 15:13).
SHALMANESER V
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. He bound the king of northern Israel.
A. Shalmaneser seized the throne when Tiglath-pileser III died and became king over Assyria.
B. He then invaded Israel, deposed Hoshea, and forced him to pay heavy annual taxes (2 Kgs 17:3).
C. When Hoshea conspired against him, Shalmaneser put him in prison (2 Kgs 17:4).
II. He besieged the capital of northern Israel.
A. Shalmaneser surrounded the capital city of Samaria, which held out for three years (2 Kgs 18:9–10).
B. He died during the final part of this siege and was succeeded by Sargon II.
STATISTICS
First mention: 2 Kings 17:3
Final mention: 2 Kings 18:9
Meaning of his name: “Sulman is leader”
Referred to: Two times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (2 Kings)
Place of death: Outside the city of Samaria
Important fact about his life: He invaded northern Israel and carried off the people into Assyria (2 Kgs 17:6).
SHAMGAR
(See also Judges)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Shamgar was the third judge mentioned in the book of Judges (Judg 3:31).
II. He killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad and delivered Israel (Judg 3:31).
III. He was mentioned later by Deborah and Barak in their victory song (Judg 5:6).
STATISTICS
Father: Anath (Judg 3:31)
First mention: Judges 3:31
Final mention: Judges 5:6
Meaning of his name: Uncertain, possibly “foreigner,” “stranger,” or “sojourner”
Referred to: Two times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Judges)
Occupation: Soldier (Judg 3:31)
Important fact about his life: He killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad (Judg 3:31).
SHEBA
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The foolish act of Sheba.
A. He was a troublemaker from the tribe of Benjamin (2 Sam 20:1).
B. He instigated a second revolt against David immediately after the king had put down the rebellion led by Absalom (2 Sam 20:1–2).
C. Of all the tribes, only the tribe of Judah remained true to David (2 Sam 20:2).
D. David ordered his commander–in–chief Joab to crush Sheba’s revolt (2 Sam 20:6–7).
II. The fatal act of Sheba.
A. He took refuge in the city of Abel, located north of the Galilean Sea at the base of Mount Hermon. This city was famous for the wisdom its citizens possessed (2 Sam 20:14, 18).
B. Joab and his troops surrounded Abel, but upon conferring with a wise old woman within its walls, he agreed to withdraw if the city would deliver up the head of Sheba (2 Sam 20:15–21).
C. This was done and the city was saved (2 Sam 20:22).
STATISTICS
Father: Bichri (2 Sam 20:1)
First mention: 2 Samuel 20:1
Final mention: 2 Samuel 20:22
Meaning of his name: “Oath, covenant”
Referred to: Seven times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (2 Samuel)
Place of death: City of Abel (2 Sam 20:15–22)
Circumstances of death: His head was chopped off (2 Sam 20:22).
Important fact about his life: He led a revolt against David (2 Sam 20:1–2).
SHEBNA
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Reasoning with Rab-shakeh.
A. Shebna was the scribe and secretary for King Hezekiah (2 Kgs 18:18).
B. He attempted in vain to negotiate with Rab-shakeh, field commander under King Sennacherib when the Assyrians had surrounded the city of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 18:26).
II. Reporting to Isaiah.
Shebna, along with the palace administrator and the royal recorder, broke the bad news to both Hezekiah and Isaiah (2 Kgs 18:37; 19:2).
STATISTICS
First mention: 2 Kings 18:18
Final mention: Isaiah 37:2
Meaning of his name: “Youthfulness”
Referred to: Eight times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (2 Kings, Isaiah)
Occupation: Scribe (2 Kgs 18:18)
Important fact about his life: He was Hezekiah’s scribe (Isa 37:1–2).
SHECHEM
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The transaction from Shechem.
A. Shechem was a Canaanite chief whose father, Hamor, sold Jacob the patriarch a plot of ground for 100 pieces of silver (Gen 33:19).
B. Centuries later, when Joshua entered Canaan, he buried the bones of Joseph (Jacob’s son), which Israel had carried out of Egypt, on this very spot of ground (Josh 24:32).
II. The transgression of Shechem.
A. Shechem sexually violated Dinah, Jacob’s daughter (Gen 34:1–2).
B. He then requested that Hamor seek her for his wife (Gen 34:3–4).
III. The treachery against Shechem.
A. Shechem and his men were tricked by Jacob’s sons into circumcising themselves before this marriage could be allowed (Gen 34:11–24).
B. Three days later, when he and his men were swollen and helpless to defend themselves, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, walked in and slaughtered them like wild animals (Gen 34:25–29).
STATISTICS
Father: Hamor (Gen 34:2)
First mention: Genesis 33:19
Final mention: Judges 9:28
Meaning of his name: “Shoulder”
Referred to: 15 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (Genesis, Judges)
Occupation: Hivite tribal leader (Gen 34:2)
Place of death: In the city later named Shechem
Circumstances of death: He was murdered by Simeon and Levi (Gen 34:25–26).
Important fact about his life: He seduced Dinah, Jacob’s daughter (Gen 34:1–3).
SHEM
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Shem and his father.
A. He was Noah’s first son, born when his father was 500 years old (Gen 5:32).
B. He was one of eight human beings saved from the Great Flood by being on board the ark (Gen 7:13).
C. He was 97 when he boarded the ark.
D. He was 100 when his final son, Arphaxad, was born, two years after the Great Flood (Gen 11:10).
E. He helped his brother Japheth cover the nakedness of Noah after their father had become drunk (Gen 9:20–23).
II. Shem and his future (Gen 9:24–27).
A. After Noah had sobered up, he made the following prophecy concerning Shem:
1. God would personally bless and prosper him.
2. The Canaanites would be the servants of his descendants.
3. The descendants of Japheth would share in his prosperity.
B. Shem thus became one of the three ancestors of all men living today, particularly the Jewish race (Gen 9:18–19; 11:10–27).
STATISTICS
Father: Noah (Gen 5:32)
Sons: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram (Gen 10:22)
Brothers: Ham and Japheth (Gen 5:32)
First mention: Genesis 5:32
Final mention: 1 Chronicles 1:24
Meaning of his name: “Honored one”
Referred to: 18 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Luke)
Age at death: 600 (Gen 11:10–11)
Important fact about his life: He was one of Noah’s three sons from whose line the Jewish people came (1 Chr 1:24–27).
SHEMAIAH (1)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The reprimand from Shemaiah.
He was a prophet of God who warned Judean King Rehoboam not to wage war against northern Israelite King Jeroboam I (2 Chr 11:1–4).
II. The repentance brought about by Shemaiah.
A. He later explained that the Egyptian siege against Jerusalem was a divine warning and also punishment, because both Rehoboam and his people had forsaken God (2 Chr 12:1–5).
B. His preaching brought about a temporary repentance and respite for Jerusalem (2 Chr 12:6–12).
III. The record by Shemaiah.
He wrote a book about the reign of Rehoboam (2 Chr 12:15).
STATISTICS
First mention: 1 Kings 12:22
Final mention: 2 Chronicles 12:15
Meaning of his name: “Jehovah has heard”
Referred to: Five times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles)
Occupation: Prophet (2 Chr 12:15)
Important fact about his life: He was God’s chief prophet to Rehoboam the king (1 Kgs 12:22–24).
SHEMAIAH (2)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Shemaiah, the corrupt prophet.
A. He was a false prophet of Judah who was taken into captivity in the days of Jeremiah, the true prophet (Jer 29:24).
B. He wrote a lying message from Babylon to the Jewish high priest Zephaniah, and other priests (Jer 29:24–28).
1. He said God had set aside Jeremiah and wanted Zephaniah to become the chief prophet.
2. He said Jeremiah should be thrown in prison.
3. He said the Babylonian captivity would be very short.
II. Shemaiah, the condemned prophet.
God instructed Jeremiah to respond by writing a letter to those Jews already in the Babylonian captivity (Jer 29:29–32):
A. Informing them that Shemaiah was a false and lying prophet.
B. Predicting both Shemaiah and his seed would be cut off for teaching rebellion against God.
STATISTICS
First mention: Jeremiah 29:24
Final mention: Jeremiah 29:32
Meaning of his name: “Jehovah has heard”
Referred to: Four times
Biblical books mentioning him: One book (Jeremiah)
Occupation: False prophet (Jer 29:31)
Place of birth: Judah
Place of death: Babylon
Important fact about his life: He was a false prophet who predicted the Babylonian captivity would last only two years.
SHIMEI
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Shimei under the reign of David.
A. The malice he displayed against David.
1. He was a relative of King Saul (2 Sam 16:5).
2. He cursed David and threw rocks at him as the king was fleeing from the rebellion led by Absalom (2 Sam 16:5–6, 13).
3. He falsely accused David of bloodletting against the house of Saul and claimed Absalom’s revolt was in reality a punishment sent by God (2 Sam 16:7–8).
B. The mercy he received from David.
1. David refused the requests of his soldiers to kill Shimei at this time (2 Sam 16:9–12).
2. After the king had crushed Absalom’s revolt, he was met once again by Shimei, who now begged for his life (2 Sam 19:16–20).
3. Once again, over the objection of his men, David spared the life of Shimei (2 Sam 19:22–23).
4. Later, however, on his deathbed, David warned Solomon his son concerning Shimei’s treachery (1 Kgs 2:8–9).
II. Shimei under the reign of Solomon.
A. His disobedience.
1. Solomon warned Shimei not to leave Jerusalem upon pain of death. Shimei agreed (1 Kgs 2:36–38).
2. Three years later, however, Shimei disregarded this command and went to Philistia to bring back some runaway servants (1 Kgs 2:39–40).
B. His destruction.
Upon his return, Shimei was put to death by order of King Solomon (1 Kgs 2:41–46).
STATISTICS
Father: Gera (2 Sam 16:5)
Significant ancestor: Saul (2 Sam 16:5)
First mention: 2 Samuel 16:5
Final mention: 1 Kings 2:44
Meaning of his name: “Jehovah has heard”
Referred to: 18 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (2 Samuel, 1 Kings)
Place of death: Jerusalem (1 Kgs 2:41–46)
Circumstances of death: He was executed by order of King Solomon (1 Kgs 2:46).
Important fact about his life: He cursed David during the king’s retreat from Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam 16:5–13).
SHIPHRAH
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Shiphrah and Puah (Exod 1:15–16).
These two courageous women were the chief midwives, who were ordered by the Egyptian pharaoh to kill all Hebrew baby boys at birth.
II. Shiphrah and God (Exod 1:17–21).
A. Her resolve.
She feared God and refused to carry out Pharaoh’s command.
B. Her reward.
God blessed her greatly, giving her children of her own.
STATISTICS
First mention: Exodus 1:15
Final mention: Exodus 1:15
Meaning of her name: “Handsome”
Referred to: One time
Biblical books mentioning her: One book (Exodus)
Occupation: Midwife (Exod 1:15)
Important fact about her life: She feared God and refused to kill the male Hebrew babies in Egypt (Exod 1:17).
SIHON
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The foolish attack of Sihon.
A. The request.
1. Sihon was an Amorite king who occupied the land area north of Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan River during the time of the Exodus march (Num 21:21, 26).
2. Joshua approached him, saying, “Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king’s high way, until we be past thy borders” (Num 21:22).
B. The refusal (Num 21:23).
II. The fatal attack on Sihon.
A. Israel counterattacked and totally defeated Sihon, occupying Heshbon, the capital city, and his entire kingdom (Num 21:24–26).
B. This utter destruction wrought upon Sihon by Israel gave birth to an ancient proverb (Num 21:27–28).
C. Moses then gave Sihon’s land to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh (Num 32:33).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. This event had far-reaching influence upon Israel and the surrounding nations.
A. Moses referred to it during his final address, reminding the Israelite leaders that “Sihon . . . would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand” (Deut 2:30).
B. Rahab the prostitute had heard of it (Josh 2:10).
C. The pagan Gibeonites referred to it (Josh 9:10).
D. Jephthah the judge mentioned it (Judg 11:19).
II. The event was still a significant memory centuries later.
A. The Levites spoke of it in their prayer during the days of Nehemiah (Neh 9:22).
B. The psalmist called it to our attention (Pss 135:11; 136:19).
C. Jeremiah wrote about it (Jer 48:45).
STATISTICS
First mention: Numbers 21:21
Final mention: Jeremiah 48:45
Meaning of his name: “Great, bold”
Referred to: 37 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Eight books (Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1 Kings, Nehemiah, Psalms, Jeremiah)
Occupation: Amorite king (Num 21:21)
Important fact about his life: He refused Israel’s request to pass through his land during the Exodus march (Num 21:23).
SIMEON
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Simeon, the heartless.
A. His retaliation.
1. He was the second son of Jacob and Leah (Gen 29:33).
2. He married a Canaanite woman (Gen 46:10).
3. He and a younger brother, Levi, slaughtered some helpless pagans, whom they had tricked into being circumcised, to avenge the sexual seduction of their sister (Gen 34:25).
B. His rebuke.
1. Jacob, their father, later severely rebuked Simeon and Levi for this brutal act (Gen 34:30).
2. On his deathbed years later, Jacob reminded both men of their cruel action (Gen 49:5).
II. Simeon, the hostage.
He was kept as a hostage by Joseph during the first trip the 10 brothers made to buy food in Egypt (Gen 42:24).
STATISTICS
Father: Jacob (Gen 35:22–23)
Mother: Leah (Gen 35:22–23)
Spouse: A Canaanite woman (Gen 46:10)
Sons: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul (Gen 46:10)
Brothers: Full brothers: Reuben, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun (Gen 35:22–23); half brothers: Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher (Gen 35:24)
Sister: Dinah (Gen 30:21)
First mention: Genesis 29:33
Final mention: Exodus 6:15
Meaning of his name: “Hearing”
Referred to: 13 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Two books (Genesis, Exodus)
Place of birth: Mesopotamia
Important fact about his life: He was Jacob’s second son, who helped butcher some circumcised pagans (Gen 34:25–29).
SISERA
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. He was defeated by Barak the soldier.
A. Sisera was commander of the army of Jabin, a Canaanite king (Judg 4:2).
B. He had at his disposal 900 iron chariots (Judg 4:3).
C. His troops had oppressed Israel for 20 years (Judg 4:3).
D. Sisera was lured into battle with Barak the Israelite commander who had 10,000 soldiers (Judg 4:6–10).
E. He was then totally routed by Barak at the base of Mount Tabor (Judg 4:15).
II. He was destroyed by Jael, a housewife.
A. Sisera escaped the battle on foot and took refuge in a tent of a Kenite woman named Jael (Judg 4:17–18).
B. After feeding him and waiting for him to fall asleep, Jael killed Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple (Judg 4:21).
C. Following this, Barak and Deborah the prophetess composed and sang a song of praise to God that depicted both Sisera’s defeat and death (Judg 5:20–30).
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Samuel the prophet made mention of this event during his farewell speech to the nation of Israel (1 Sam 12:9).
II. The psalmist Asaph referred to this event (Ps 83:9).
STATISTICS
First mention: Judges 4:2
Final mention: Psalm 83:9
Meaning of his name: Unknown
Referred to: 19 times
Biblical books mentioning him: Three books (Judges, 1 Samuel, Psalms)
Occupation: Canaanite military commander (Judg 4:2)
Place of death: In a tent (Judg 4:21–22)
Circumstances of death: He had a tent peg driven through his head (Judg 4:21–22).
Important fact about his life: He was attacked and defeated by Barak and Deborah (Judg 4:14–16).
SOLOMON
(See also United Kingdom)
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. The tender years of Solomon.
A. Chosen by God.
1. He was the second son born to David and Bath-sheba (2 Sam 12:24).
2. Their first son (unnamed) had died in infancy as a punishment for their sin of adultery (2 Sam 12:15–18).
3. Solomon was also called Jedidiah, meaning “beloved of the Lord.”
4. Even before David met and married Bath-sheba, God had already revealed to the king several prophecies concerning his yet–to–be–born son (2 Sam 7:12–16).
a. He (and not David) would build the Temple of God.
b. There would be a father–and–son relationship between God and Solomon.
c. God’s mercy would not depart from Solomon as it had from Saul.
d. Through Solomon, David’s kingdom would be established forever.
B. Challenged by David.
1. The king’s words to his subjects.
David ordered the entire nation to help Solomon.
a. The sojourners in Israel (1 Chr 22:2, 5).
b. The key princes in Israel (1 Chr 22:17–19).
c. The religious, military, political, and financial leaders in Israel (1 Chr 28:1–8).
2. The king’s words to his son (1 Kgs 2:2; 1 Chr 22:11–13; 28:9, 20).
3. Along with these challenging words to Solomon, David made a presentation and offered up a prayer.
a. The presentation.
He gave Solomon the blueprints for the Temple that God had given him (1 Chr 28:11–19).
b. The prayer (1 Chr 29:19).
II. The triumph of Solomon.
A. His two anointings.
1. The first anointing (1 Chr 23:1).
2. The second anointing (1 Kgs 1:39; 1 Chr 29:22).
This second anointing, ordered by the dying David, and carried out by Zadok the high priest and Nathan the prophet, was done to counteract the attempted coup by Adonijah (Solomon’s half brother) to steal the throne.
B. His four adversaries.
After Solomon’s reign was firmly established, he found it necessary to punish four enemies who had continued to demonstrate a rebellious spirit.
1. Adonijah.
He was executed for his attempt to marry Abishag, David’s final concubine. This was viewed by Solomon as Adonijah’s first attempt to secure the throne (1 Kgs 2:13–25).
2. Abiathar.
He was banished from the priesthood for joining in with Adonijah’s original revolt (1 Kgs 2:26–27).
3. Joab.
David’s former military leader was executed for his part in the rebellion and for past crimes (1 Kgs 2:28–34).
4. Shimei.
This rebel, who had once cursed David, was executed for disobeying the conditions of his parole (1 Kgs 2:36–46).
III. The talent of Solomon.
A. Requesting this talent from God (1 Kgs 3:4–9; 2 Chr 1:3–10).
1. At the beginning of his reign, Solomon went to the city of Gibeon, where the Tabernacle was located, to sacrifice.
2. He offered up 1,000 burnt sacrifices on the brazen altar and spoke to Israel’s assembled leaders.
3. It was at Gibeon that God spoke to Solomon, promising to give the king anything he wanted.
4. Solomon responded by asking God for a wise and understanding heart (1 Kgs 3:9).
B. Receiving this talent from God (1 Kgs 3:10–15; 2 Chr 1:11–12).
1. God promised Solomon that his request for wisdom would be granted. In fact, he would become the wisest man who ever lived.
2. God would also give the king honor and riches.
C. Revealing this talent from God (1 Kgs 3:16–28).
1. Solomon soon had the opportunity to reveal his gift of wisdom when two prostitutes appeared before him.
2. Both prostitutes lived in the same house, and both had recently given birth to infant sons, one of whom had just died.
3. Each prostitute claimed that the living infant was her son.
4. Solomon proposed to divide the living baby by a sword and give half to each woman.
5. One prostitute agreed, but the other was so horrified at this suggestion that she was willing to give up her claim as the mother so the baby might be saved.
6. Solomon quickly awarded the baby to this woman, correctly concluding that she was the true mother.
7. The king’s fame quickly grew following this court decision.
IV. The total and tranquil reign of Solomon.
A. The source of this reign (1 Kgs 2:12; 1 Chr 29:25; 2 Chr 1:1).
B. The extent of this reign.
He reigned from the Euphrates River on the east to the Mediterranean on the west, the borders of Egypt on the south to the Lebanon border on the north (1 Kgs 4:21, 24).
C. The nature of this reign (1 Kgs 4:20, 24–25).
D. The appointed officials during this reign.
1. Eleven chief cabinet members over political matters (1 Kgs 4:1–6).
2. Twelve key men, one from each tribe, to be responsible for food supplies (1 Kgs 4:7–19).
3. Jeroboam, to govern over the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (1 Kgs 11:28).
V. The Temple of Solomon.
A. The preparation.
1. The co-contractors for the Temple.
Solomon appointed two men to supervise the overall construction of the Temple. Both men had the same name, Hiram. One was a king, while the other was a craftsman.
a. Hiram the king (1 Kgs 5:1–12; 2 Chr 2:1–10).
(1) He was the ruler of Tyre.
(2) He provided the cedar and fir trees from Lebanon.
(3) In return for his services, Solomon sent him an annual payment of 100,000 bushels of wheat and 110,000 gallons of pure oil.
(4) Hiram also helped build a home for Solomon.
(5) Seven years after the construction of both the Temple and the royal palace, Solomon gave 20 cities in the land of Galilee to King Hiram as final payment for all the cedar, cypress lumber, and gold that had been furnished for these two houses (1 Kgs 9:10–11).
(6) Hiram, however, for some reason was not satisfied with these cities, calling them Cabul, meaning “the wasteland” (1 Kgs 9:12–14).
b. Hiram the craftsman (1 Kgs 7:13–14; 2 Chr 2:14).
(1) He also was from Tyre.
(2) He was half Jewish, the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali.
(3) This Hiram was “filled with wisdom, and understanding” (1 Kgs 7:14).
(4) He was highly skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, wood, and linen.
2. The location of the Temple.
It was constructed atop Mount Moriah, on the threshing floor once purchased by David from a Jebusite named Oman (2 Chr 3:1).
3. The time involved in building the Temple.
a. It was begun on the second day of the second month of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (2 Chr 3:2).
b. This was 480 years after Israel’s exodus from Egypt (1 Kgs 6:1).
c. It was completed seven and a half years later (1 Kgs 6:37–38).
4. The workers assigned to the Temple.
a. Solomon indentured many non-Jewish Canaanites living in the land (2 Chr 2:17–18): 70,000 common laborers, 80,000 loggers, and 3,600 foremen.
b. In addition to these, he drafted 30,000 Israelite laborers (1 Kgs 5:15–16).
B. The dedication.
1. Solomon brought into the Temple all the gold and silver objects his father David had previously given (1 Kgs 7:51; 2 Chr 5:1).
2. He assembled the spiritual leaders of Israel and together they carried the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple (1 Kgs 8:1–11; 2 Chr 5:2–14).
C. The explanation.
Solomon reviewed before the people both the persons and purpose connected with the building of the Temple (1 Kgs 8:12–21; 2 Chr 6:1–11).
1. The persons involved.
a. David had desired to build the Temple.
b. Solomon, however, had been chosen to build it.
2. The purpose involved.
It was to serve as a shelter and dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant.
D. The supplication.
Solomon knelt before the altar on a seven–and–a–half–foot elevated bronze platform in full view of the crowd and raised his hands toward heaven. His prayer involved both a review and a request (1 Kgs 8:22–53; 2 Chr 6:12–42).
1. The review.
He acknowledged the faithfulness, mercy, and omnipresence of God.
2. The request.
That the very presence of the Temple would cause Israel to seek God’s protection, justice, and forgiveness in the following areas:
a. When an oath was made at the altar.
b. In times of defeat.
c. In times of drought, famine, and pestilence.
d. In showing kindness to the stranger.
e. In the hour of battle.
f. In time of captivity.
E. The consecration.
At the end of his prayer, the king consecrated to God a twofold offering.
1. He offered up the people as a living sacrifice to God (1 Kgs 8:55–61).
2. He offered up some animals as burnt sacrifices to God. This consisted of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep and goats (1 Kgs 8:62–64).
F. The manifestation.
At this point God supernaturally intervened, demonstrating his divine approval of Solomon’s Temple (2 Chr 7:1–2).
G. The celebration (2 Chr 7:3, 8–10).
VI. The treasure of Solomon (1 Kgs 10:23).
A. The nature of his wealth.
Solomon apparently possessed great quantities of virtually every precious object on earth. This included:
1. The purest silver and gold.
a. Gold (1 Kgs 10:10–11, 22; 2 Chr 9:10, 14, 21, 24).
b. Silver (1 Kgs 10:22; 2 Chr 9:14, 21, 24).
2. Precious stones of all kinds (1 Kgs 10:10–11; 2 Chr 9:10).
3. Beautiful and fragrant sandalwood, from which were made harps and psalteries (1 Kgs 10:11–12; 2 Chr 9:10–11).
4. Rare spices (1 Kgs 10:10–11, 25; 2 Chr 9:24).
5. Ivory (1 Kgs 10:22; 2 Chr 9:21).
6. The finest of clothes and armor (1 Kgs 10:25; 2 Chr 9:24).
7. Linen (2 Chr 1:15).
8. Abundant and exotic foods (1 Kgs 4:22–23; 10:5).
9. Imported animals and birds.
a. Apes (1 Kgs 10:22; 2 Chr 9:21).
b. Peacocks (1 Kgs 10:22; 2 Chr 9:21).
10. Horses.
a. Solomon owned 40,000 (or 4,000?) stalls of horses (1 Kgs 4:26; 2 Chr 9:25).
b. He also commanded 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen (1 Kgs 10:26; 2 Chr 1:14).
c. Many of these horses were brought out of Egypt (1 Kgs 10:28; 2 Chr 1:16; 9:28).
11. Mules (1 Kgs 10:25; 2 Chr 9:24).
B. The source of his wealth.
Solomon received his vast riches from at least six sources.
1. From King Hiram’s navy of sailing ships (1 Kgs 10:11, 22; 2 Chr 9:10, 21).
2. From an annual Israelite income-tax revenue (1 Kgs 10:14; 2 Chr 9:13).
3. From the queen of Sheba (1 Kgs 10:2; 2 Chr 9:1).
4. From various traders and merchants (1 Kgs 10:15; 2 Chr 9:14).
5. From various foreign kings (1 Kgs 10:24–25; 2 Chr 9:23–24).
6. From his sale of horses and chariots (1 Kgs 10:29; 2 Chr 1:17).
C. The employment of his wealth.
On what and for what did Solomon use his vast wealth?
1. His palace usage.
a. The meals involved.
Solomon’s daily food requirements for his staff alone were staggering (1 Kgs 4:22–23).
(1) Fine flour: 150 bushels.
(2) Bushels of meal: 300.
(3) Ten oxen from the fattening pens; 20 oxen from the pasture; 100 sheep.
(4) Assorted game food including deer, gazelle, roebuck, and plump fowl.
b. The majesty involved (1 Kgs 10:16–21; 2 Chr 9:15–19).
(1) Solomon made 200 pieces of golden armor and 300 golden shields, which he kept in his palace in the hall of the forest of Lebanon.
(2) He constructed a huge ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold. It had six steps, a rounded back with arm rests, and a lion standing on each side. In addition, there were two lions on each individual step. His was thus the most splendid throne in the entire world.
(3) All of the king’s cups and vessels were made of solid gold, as were all the furnishings in his forest of Lebanon room.
2. His public usage.
During his 40–year reign, Solomon caused silver and gold to be as plentiful in Jerusalem as rocks on the road, and expensive cedar lumber was used like common sycamore (1 Kgs 10:27; 2 Chr 1:15; 9:20, 27).
VII. The testimony of Solomon.
The king’s brilliant employment of both his wealth and wisdom was universally known and acknowledged.
A. Publicly attested to.
He excelled in the following ways:
1. Jurisprudence (1 Kgs 3:16–28).
2. Administration (1 Kgs 4:1–19; 11:27–28).
3. Architecture and engineering.
This is seen by the Temple and his own magnificent palace.
4. Construction.
a. He built the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer (1 Kgs 9:15).
b. He also built cities for various reasons (1 Kgs 9:19).
(1) For grain storage.
(2) For keeping his chariots.
(3) For his cavalry and chariot drivers.
(4) For resort purposes.
5. Commercial enterprises.
a. He had a shipyard in Ezion-geber near Eloth on the Red Sea in the land of Edom, where he built a fleet of ships (1 Kgs 9:26–28).
b. His merchant fleet was in partnership with King Hiram’s ships (1 Kgs 10:22).
6. Forestry (1 Kgs 4:33).
7. Zoology (1 Kgs 4:33).
8. Music and poetry (1 Kgs 4:32).
9. Literature (1 Kgs 4:32).
10. Drama and play-writing—Song of Solomon.
11. Philosophy—Ecclesiastes.
12. Counseling and psychology—Proverbs.
B. Privately attested to.
Solomon was visited by the queen of Sheba (1 Kgs 10:1–13; 2 Chr 9:1–12).
1. The reason for her visit.
She came to find out if Solomon was indeed as great as she had heard. The queen would test him with hard questions.
2. The revelation during her visit.
a. She listened to the wisdom of Solomon.
b. She looked upon the wealth of Solomon.
3. The results of her visit.
The queen concluded that the actual greatness of Solomon far exceeded anything she had previously heard.
VIII. The transgressions of Solomon.
A. The caution against his sins.
God himself had previously appeared to the king with a promise and a warning (1 Kgs 9:2–9).
1. The promise.
a. God would honor the Temple.
b. He would establish the kingdom.
c. He would forgive confessed sin.
2. The warning.
a. For unconfessed sins, he would destroy the Temple of Israel.
b. For unconfessed sins, he would deport the people of Israel.
B. The cause of his sins (1 Kgs 11:4).
1. The polygamy involved.
a. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kgs 11:3).
b. These women were taken from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and the land of the Hittites (1 Kgs 11:1–2).
2. The paganism involved.
a. His first marriage was to the daughter of Pharaoh (1 Kgs 3:1).
b. It was apparently a politically arranged marriage.
c. The woman was not a believer, for Solomon later built a separate house for her, away from the Temple area, lest she defile it (1 Kgs 9:24; 2 Chr 8:11).
d. He also built various temples for his pagan wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods (1 Kgs 11:8).
e. Finally, Solomon committed the ultimate transgression when he himself sought out those horrible idols. The king worshiped the following (1 Kgs 11:5, 7):
(1) Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians.
(2) Milcom, the vicious and vile god of the Ammonites.
(3) Chemosh, the depraved god of Moab (Solomon even built a temple on the Mount of Olives for this idol).
(4) Molech, the god of the children of Ammon.
C. The consequences following his sins.
1. God predicted a coming civil war (1 Kgs 11:9–13).
a. Much of Solomon’s kingdom would be torn away from his successor and given to another.
b. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin would be left for his family to rule over.
c. For David’s sake, however, this would not occur until after the death of Solomon.
2. God permitted a current civil unrest (1 Kgs 11:14–40), allowing three adversaries to trouble Solomon.
a. Hadad the Edomite.
He was a member of the royal family of Edom who had previously fled to Egypt to escape death at the hands of David during a war between the two nations.
b. Rezon.
He was the leader of a gang of bandits and made his headquarters in Damascus.
c. Jeroboam.
(1) He had been Solomon’s former governor over Ephraim and Manasseh, and he had also fled to Egypt.
(2) The king had attempted to kill Jeroboam upon learning that this was the man to whom God would later give over much of Solomon’s kingdom.
(3) Jeroboam continued to exert influence over 10 of Israel’s 12 tribes even from Egypt.
THEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
I. Josiah referred to Solomon during his great Passover celebration (2 Chr 35:3–4).
II. Nehemiah rebuked some Jewish men of his day who had married pagan wives, reminding them of how Solomon had once allowed this terrible sin to wreck his testimony for God (Neh 13:25–27).
III. Matthew included Solomon’s name in his royal genealogy leading to Christ (Matt 1:6–7).
IV. Jesus referred to Solomon on two important occasions.
A. To emphasize the faithfulness of God (Matt 6:28–30).
B. To emphasize the faithlessness of Israel (Matt 12:42).
V. Stephen referred to Solomon during his defense before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:47).
STATISTICS
Father: David (2 Sam 12:24)
Mother: Bath-sheba (2 Sam 12:24)
Spouse: Naamah (among the many) (1 Kgs 11:3; 14:21)
Son: Rehoboam (1 Kgs 14:21)
Brothers: Full brothers: Shammua, Shobab, and Nathan (1 Chr 3:5); half brothers: Amnon, Daniel (also called Chileab), Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet (2 Sam 3:2–5; 5:13–16; 1 Chr 3:1–8; 14:3–5)
Sister: Half sister: Tamar (2 Sam 13:1)
First mention: 2 Samuel 5:14
Final mention: Acts 7:47
Meaning of his name: “Peace”
Referred to: 297 times
Biblical books mentioning him: 14 books (2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Nehemiah, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Jeremiah, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts)
Occupation: King of Israel
Place of birth: Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:14)
Place of death: Jerusalem (1 Kgs 11:43)
Important fact about his life: He was the world’s wisest man (1 Kgs 3:11–12).
