A Kingdom Established: The Foolishness of a Once-Wise King

A Kingdom Established: The Foolishness of a Once-Wise King      

1 Kings 11:1-13  

Proverbs 18:2-3 - “Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” 

Proverbs 1:5-7 - “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser… fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Proverbs 12:15 - “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that listens to counsel is wise.”

Proverbs 10:23 - “Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the wise.

Proverbs 28:26 - “Those who trust in themselves are fools… 

Psalm 53:1 -“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

I. Refusing to trust on God and His guarantees.  (Vs.1-3)

Genesis 12:3 “And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

II. Rejecting God’s Word and authority.  (Vs.1-3)

Deuteronomy 17:17-18 - (The king) shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself…

Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll… 

III.  Relying on the wrong people.  (Vs. 4-8)

Proverbs 5:1-8 - “My son, give attention to my wisdom... the lips of an adulteress drip honey…Her steps take hold of Sheol… Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house…”

Proverbs 13:20 - “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Jeremiah 2:13 - “…my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and made cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

IV. Returning to old ways of living.

Psalm 86:11 - “Unite my heart to fear your name.”

Colossians 3:5 - “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

V. Relaxing in prime time.   (Vs. 9-13)

2 Timothy 4:7 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.

Faith Sheet for Family and Friends This Week

 1. When have you been disappointed by a godly leader who did something foolish? How did you handle your disappointment?

2. What are some signs that a person has a “divided” heart?

3. Why is idolatry bad for us and those around us?

4. Why does God demand for exclusive worship and what does He want for us? (Psalm 37:4, 86:4, 104:5, 119:62 & Philippians 4:4)

5. How can the life and wisdom of Jesus speak to some of the most common hopes and fears that you hear from non-Christians?