Praise and Worship in 1Kings

Praise in 1Kings

Wisdom and discernment (3:9)

Capable leaders and helpers (4:1-6)

Times of peace and prosperity (4:20-21)

Purpose and vision for our life (5:5)

His faithful love (8:23-24)

His attentiveness to repentant hearts and his willingness to forgive (8:28-53)

His faithfulness to his promises (8:56)

The abilities and accomplishments he grants us (10:23-24)

His provision (17:14)

Help and strength when we are weak and discouraged (19:4-5).

Worship in 1Kings

How could a people turn from worshiping the true God to worshiping idols in a little over one person’s lifetime? How could their leaders become so corrupt that they built a temple for Baal and began killing off God’s prophets? This is exactly what happened in 1 Kings, which recounts Israel’s history from the appointment of Solomon as king to the reigns of Ahaziah (son of Ahab) and Jehoshaphat.

We come away from 1Kings with a harsh lesson: Idolatry and wickedness gently lure us with promises of pleasure and excitement, but they are deadly to the spirit. True worship is far more costly to practice and uphold, but ultimately it gives life.

The leaders in Israel had become so wicked under Ahab’s reign that they were willing to falsely accuse a prominent citizen, whom they probably knew very well, and stone him to death. Corrupt leaders have always been a part of society—from the days of Sodom and Gomorrah to the present day. How should we respond to this problem? First, we must be certain of our own motives and loyalties.

Do we seek after God’s desires in all we do? Worshiping God can help us readjust our focus when we begin to lose sight of his will for us. As we draw closer to God, we will begin to desire justice and be filled with compassion for the victims of corruption. We will be less inclined to bow to public pressure when we honor God more than powerful leaders. Finally, we will be compelled to speak out against the evil practices of corrupt leaders, and we will work to install leaders with integrity and a desire for justice.

Our respect for God can be expressed through creative and beautiful works in our places of worship (6:14-38).

Worship recalls God’s great deeds for us (8:56).

As we worship, we participate together with the larger family of God (8:62).

God jealously demands our singular devotion to him (9:6-9).

If we allow our affections for other people to rival our love for God, we are headed for disaster (11:14).

God hates idolatry (12:28-31; 14:22-24).

True worship demands that we follow God with all our heart (18:21).