Class time: Sep 9 – Dec 2, Wednesday evenings, 7:45 – 8:30
Brief devotional starting at 7:30
Teacher: Jerrold Mathis
Location: Room 101

First Kings is a story of kings and prophets told for a purpose. Rather than chronicling the royal events as they happened, 1 Kings uses the history of the kings of Judah and Israel as a tool of education, warning, and comfort. The authors of 1 Kings attempt to explain the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE to those experiencing exile in Babylon. With these stories, the authors encourage a new national self-understanding. There are stories of the failure of Israel’s kings and other power players. With their failure came deserved divine judgment, according to 1 Kings. But the tale also offers a story of God’s unrelenting, loving commitment to God’s people. Through divine words of hope, judgment, summons, and warning, God seeks to maintain the deep and meaningful covenantal relationship with God’s people. We, too, need to hear that a patient and merciful God awaits our response, delights in our attention, and listens to our prayers.

Zoom available. Please contact the office for Zoom information.