Let's begin our study in the book of first kings. Last week we finished 2nd Samuel and we're

continuing on book by book and chapter by chapter and verse by verse. So tonight Lord willing,

we'll finish chapter one as we begin this new book, the book of kings. It actually at one time used to be one book.

They divided it into two as they did with Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.

But it is a continued narrative of the history of the nation of Israel.

We're going to sort of hit the ground running with where David is at now

as he's much older. Actually, sadly, next week, he will in chapter two die. So just wanted to

give you that as a little heads up, I guess. So, but it's kind of sad, as we're going to see here in a moment, to see David like this.

But it's believed that Jeremiah authored the books of first and second kings.

And it is a record that spans about 400 years, 450 years of Israel's kingship.

So we're going to look at the kings of Israel during this period.

Very fascinating study that we're in store for in the books of kings.

We're going to find that of all of the kings of Israel and Judah,

there were only nine, nine kings that did that which was right and pleasing in the side of the Lord.

All the other kings did that which was evil in the side of the Lord and some of the kings were just

I mean unspeakably evil kings so that's what we're in for but let's pray before we jump in to our

study so father thank you thank you for this study that we have on Thursday nights. It's a retreat for us, really, from all the busyness of the week and all the stresses of life.

Lord, it's just really a sanctuary for us, a solace in a way where we can come to this

place and we can just focus our attention on you and on your word. So Lord, as we do, would you

minister to us tonight? We pray in Jesus' name. Amen name amen all right let's jump in verse one

now king David was old advanced in years some translations render that stricken in years which

I like a lot better because it kind of packs a little more punch.

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