1 Kings 19

Hoyt W. Brewster Jr. wrote -

"The Lord has counseled to "clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace" (D&C 88:125). A mantle is a robe or a cloak and the term is often used symbolically to express a covering that characterizes a trait or the authority which an individual possesses." (Doctrine and Covenants Encyclopedia)

When Elijah the prophet heard the still small voice

"...he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave..." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 19:13)

...to hear the instructions of the Lord. In wrapping his face in his mantle, Elijah understood that he had been called of God. With this great mantle or burden upon him, you can sense his frustration as he wonders -

"...I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 19:14)

It would be difficult to wear this mantle believing that there is no one that believes and will follow. The Lord knows the hearts of men and tells Elijah -

"...Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 19:16)

Elijah then learned that Elisha would serve with him and eventually also became a great prophet as Elijah -

"...found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 19:19)

In the modern day Church, we too symbolic use the same analogy as leaders are called and released.

1 Kings 18

In modern day, the Lord taught -

"...behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth—
3 And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 68:2 - 4)

As Elijah challenged the so called prophets of Baal, we sense that this was not the makings of the mind and will of Elijah. As Elijah was about to call down the powers of heaven -

"...at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 18:36)

The saying "I have done all these things at they word" suggests the by the power of the Holy Ghost, Elijah was so moved. This was the mind and will of the Lord and the power of God unto salvation. Elijah knew that this was the Lord will before he ever proposed the challenge to Ahab and his wicked prophets.

The same is and ensample, as stated by the Lord, unto those ordained to the priesthood.

1 Kings 17

I was recently in a home of a single sister that was very interested in family history and had a great desire to temple work for her ancestors. The problem is that she felt that she could not afford to pay tithing and as a result, could not get a temple recommend. I thought of her as I read this morning of the widow of Zarepheth who responded to Elijah -

"...As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 17:12)

To this widow who seems to have lost all hope, Elijah counsels -

"...Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 17:13 - 14)

The test was to pay the Lord first or in case, His prophet. As a result of great faith -

"...she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 17:15)

Malachi gave much the same charge and promise to all faithful saints that they should first -

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts." (Old Testament | Malachi 3:10 - 12)

Do we have the faith of the widow of Zarepheth?

1 Kings 13

As with many of the stories in the Old Testament, very little is given to full understanding of the story of the "man of God from Judah" and the "Old Prophet". Trying to read between the lines, there may be some lessons learned. In the case of the "man of God from Judah", it is apparent that there was a covenant or commitment made between he and the Lord. A covenant or commandment in this case -

"For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 13:9)

The man of God failed to keep that promise as he was enticed by another "old prophet" to go out of the way to eat with him. The consequence was devasting.

One would have to assume the "old prophet" was a righeous man. But even a good hearted, righteous man who may be lonely, who greatly desires company with another good man may lead one from promises and covenants made. What is interesting is they may have ended up being good friends for the old prophet (probably with some guilt) arranged -

"When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones..." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 13:31)

1 Kings 12

As I read the 12th Chapter of Kings, I couldn't help but think of political divisiveness of our day. Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam reveal foolishness in their day as we may in our day. First, Rehoboam -

"...consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 12:6 - 10)

As a result of over taxation and less freedoms, the majority of Israel rebelled and the great nation was split. As Jeroboam became the leader of the northern tribes he was concerned that faithful Israelites would continue to worship in Jerusalem which may result with political pressure to join with Rehoboam for he -

"...said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 12:26 - 27)

In an unrighteous effort to maintain control and power, Jeroboam -

"...took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
29 And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan.
30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Beth-el the priests of the high places which he had made.
33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 12:28 - 33)

In both cases, these leaders failed to consider the King of all and His commandment to -

"...serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 4:2)

1 Kings 9

At the point in time when the temple or House of the Lord was completed -

"...the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.
3 And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 9:2 - 3)

The Lord's promise was conditional to Soloman for -

"...if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:
5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 9:4 - 5)

Great promises were given to the Israelites with the building of the temple. But just as with the Ark of the Covenant, having a House of God in Israel does not alone guarantee blessings. The Lord warned both Solomon and Israel -

"But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:
7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people..." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 9:6 - 7)

The same is true today with the building of temples. The saints must be faithful in attending the temple and keeping covenants made there. If not it will be just as it was of old, where -

"...every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?
9 And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 9:8 - 9)

1 Kings 8

As one reads the temple dedicatory prayer of King Solomon, one cannot but compare the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith of the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 109). We read with the completion of the temple of Solomon that -

"...it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD..." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 8:10)

In modern day, the Lord said of His house -

"Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 110:8)

I was particulary touched with the words of Solomon -

"That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 8:58)

"That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 8:60)

This again follows the first and great commandment -

"Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 59:5)

1 Kings 7

In the temple of Solomon, we read that Hiram of Tyre -

"...made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
24 And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.
25 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 7:23 - 25)

In the beginning of the gospels, we read that -

"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." (New Testament | Mark 1:4)

Does one think this was a brand new doctrine with John? I'm sure if it was, the writers would have suggested there was a strange new doctrine called baptism. But baptism for remission of sins does not seem to be new to the gospel writers.

As we read of the molten sea in the temple of Solomon, one must wonder if this was a baptismal font. Modern day temples are also built with a so called "molten sea" set on twelve oxen.

1 Kings 3

Like David, his father, the Lord seemed prepared to give Solomon any righteous desires when -

"...the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 3:5)

"O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" (Old Testament | 1 Kings 3:7 - 9)

You can sense that Solomon was overwhelmed with this great challenge of being king. But -

"...the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 3:10)

So in response -

"...Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 3:11 - 13)

These types of blessings are not reserved for just kings. The Lord has promised but -

"...to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 46:11 - 12)

Such gifts are conditional upon obedience and pleasing the Lord.

2 Samuel 12

When is enough, enough?

David seemed to have everything one would want. The Lord even said -

"...I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things." (Old Testament | 2 Samuel 12:7 - 8)

The Lord is suggesting that he would give David anything that his righteous heart would desire. It is apparent that the Lord had given him several wives. But for David the one thing the Lord would not give him was another man's wife. It seems to me that as time went on, David's appetite couldn't be satisfied. And because of lust and covetnous, he fell because of bathsheba. One of the Lord's most simple commandments to the children of Israel was -

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." (Old Testament | Exodus 20:17)

The lesson here is that we should be content with all the Lord blesses us with. When is enough, enough?

1 Samuel 24

We learn a great deal of honor and forgiveness with David in his relationship with Saul. Saul was greatly obsessed desire to end the life of David. David knew it and was continually fleeing from Saul. It is apparent that David's fleeing was not that of fear but of honor to the King of Israel. As Saul was delivered into David's hand, even though being justified, David kept his honor saying -

"...The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 24:6)

Having already demonstrated that his -

"...heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 24:5)

Where we see honor and forgiveness is the words of David the following day as Saul is departing -

"...My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 ¶ And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.
11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it."
(Old Testament | 1 Samuel 24:8 - 11)

David's forgiveness had a great affect on Saul, even though it proved to be temporary in that -

"...Saul lifted up his voice, and wept." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 24:16)

And -

"...said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 24:17 - 19)

It seems when we have the opportunity to take revenge but choose to forgive, greater blessings flow.

1 Samuel 18

We read in 1 Samuel -

"...that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 18:1)

Even to the point that -

"...Jonathan and David made a covenant..." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 18:3)

I'm sure this was a promise of great friendship. In modern day, we read somewhat of the same covenant that the priesthood should have one with another -

"Let him offer himself in prayer upon his knees before God, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant.
132 And when any shall come in after him, let the teacher arise, and, with uplifted hands to heaven, yea, even directly, salute his brother or brethren with these words:
133 Art thou a brother or brethren? I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant, in which covenant I receive you to fellowship, in a determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother through the grace of God in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving, forever and ever. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:131 - 133)

This covenant is no different from the Savior's charge, that is -

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (New Testament | John 13:34 - 35)

1 Samuel 17

As David witnessed the fear of the army of Israel of the giant Goliath, he asked -

"...Is there not a cause?" (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 17:29)

How often do we not open our mouths to bear testimony of the truth because of the fear of men. Is there not a cause? David had great faith in the Lord. He knew of the promise -

"...for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:88)

The real question is - is there not a cause?

1 Samuel 16

Though Samuel was well known as a prophet of God, I found it interesting as as the Lord said to Samuel -

"How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 16:1)

Samuel was not being disobedient when, after some thought, questioned the Lord -

"How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 16:2)

Samuel realized he had a problem if he proceeded as instructed so he approached the Lord on how it would be best to do so. In response, the Lord counseled -

"...Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 16:2 - 3)

Simple question, simple answer - even for a prophet of God. But what seems even more significant and that which has always been a pattern given to His priesthood leaders is spiritual guidance in choosing those who are called to serve. As Samuel pondered the first several candidates to be king, the Lord told Samuel of each -

"...Neither hath the LORD chosen this." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 16:9)

And in doing so taught Samuelthat -

"...the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 16:7)

But as Samuel obediently followed the Spirit, with the young David, the words came -

"...this is he." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 16:12)

This is the pattern given of the Lord as one ponders the candidates for callings and positions. I have found those same unexplainable feelings that come - "this is he".

1 Samuel 15

Saul was commanded of the Lord -

"...go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 15:3)

The commandment of the Lord was very clear, but as Saul did so -

"...Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 15:9)

He justified his disobedience by rationalizing that he coudl us the best as a sacrifice to the Lord. But the Lord does not want sacrifice as much as he wants obedience as Samuel said -

"...to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 15:22)

I believe many in our day do the same in suggesting there charity or sacrifice more than justifies their obedience and behavior.

1 Samuel 13

While the Prophet Joseph Smith was incarcerated in Liberty Jail, the word of the Lord came saying -

"Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:34 - 40)

We witness the truthfulness of these words with Saul. Even though Saul was given a new heart and enpowered by the Spirit to great success, we also see that man has a tendency when given authority, exercise unrighteous dominion. Even though Saul was king, he was never given authority to administer sacrefices for the people. Because Samuel, the prophet who held authority, was delayed, the impatient Saul said -

"...Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 13:9)

The consequence for unrighteous dominion was great as Samuel asked -

"What hast thou done?" (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 13:11)

And then declared -

"Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." (Old Testament | 1 Samuel 13:13 - 14)

"Hence many are called, but few are chosen." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:40)