Proclaimer Blog
Applying 1 Kings
It seems pretty clear to me that 1 Kings is all about the kingdom advancing. It advances despite messy and complicated situations; it advances through godly men and women and it advances even when enemies seem strong (I think you can work out my outline). But how do we apply that today? I think it is wrong – especially at the start of a 1 Kings series – to launch straight to the church. It needs to be Christological before anything else. The simplest way to do that, and the most faithful, is to say that we see the advance of the kingdom despite messiness, through godliness and even when the enemies seem rampant in the life and death of Christ. After all, as Adonijah looked impressive, didn’t death look impressive on Good Friday? Our experiences are parallel not because we’re ourselves are in the 1 Kings story but, supremely, because Christ is in the 1 Kings story and we are in him.
Bob Fyall’s new PT book is excellent on all this stuff, I heartily commend it. It’s worth getting hold of and having on your shelf even if you’re not planning a 1 Kings series soon. This one’s a keeper.