Solomon (Early Years)
Category: Humility in leadership & pursuit of wisdom
Could avoid: Rely on power, wealth, and politics like other kings.
“Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter.” (1 Kings 3:1)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 17:16–17; Isaiah 31:1.
Chose: Asked God for wisdom to govern.
“Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:9)
Cross-Refs: 2 Chronicles 1:10; James 1:5.
Endured: The heavy responsibility of judging Israel.
“They held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God.” (1 Kings 3:28)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 2:6; Ecclesiastes 2:26.
Why: Desired to serve God’s people well.
“Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father.” (1 Kings 3:3)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 119:97; Matthew 6:33.
Result: God granted wisdom, riches, and honour.
“I will give you a wise and discerning heart… Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for.” (1 Kings 3:12–13)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 3:20.
Elijah
Category: Prophetic courage & endurance in loneliness
Could avoid: Remain silent under Ahab and Jezebel’s wicked rule.
“Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him.” (1 Kings 16:30)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 20:9; John 15:20.
Chose: Confronted idolatry, declared drought, challenged prophets of Baal.
“Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him.’” (1 Kings 18:21)
Cross-Refs: James 5:17–18; Romans 11:2–4.
Endured: Threats, hiding in the wilderness, depression under a broom bush.
“He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.” (1 Kings 19:4)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 20:14; 2 Corinthians 1:8–9.
Why: Zeal for the LORD consumed him.
“I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty.” (1 Kings 19:10)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 69:9; John 2:17.
Result: God answered with fire, sustained Elijah, and preserved a remnant.
“Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice.” (1 Kings 18:38)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 2:11; Malachi 4:5–6.
Widow of Zarephath
Category: Sacrificial obedience & faith in God’s provision
Could avoid: Keep her last meal for herself and her son.
“As surely as the LORD your God lives… I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” (1 Kings 17:12)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 6:31–33.
Chose: Fed Elijah first in obedience to God’s word.
“She went away and did as Elijah had told her.” (1 Kings 17:15)
Cross-Refs: Luke 4:25–26; Philippians 4:19.
Endured: Extreme poverty, fear of starvation.
“There was no food in the land, for the famine was very severe.” (1 Kings 18:2)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 33:18–19; Habakkuk 3:17–18.
Why: Trusted the prophet’s promise.
“For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour will not be used up.” (1 Kings 17:14)
Cross-Refs: 2 Corinthians 9:8; Hebrews 11:35.
Result: Her household was sustained throughout the famine, and her son restored to life.
“The jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry.” (1 Kings 17:16)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 4:1–7; Matthew 10:41–42.
Obadiah (Ahab’s Servant)
Category: Hidden faithfulness & courageous risk
Could avoid: Serve Ahab without secretly protecting prophets.
“Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace administrator. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.)” (1 Kings 18:3)
Cross-Refs: Daniel 1:8; Matthew 5:14–16.
Chose: Hid 100 prophets in caves and fed them.
“Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves… and had supplied them with food and water.” (1 Kings 18:4)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 11:38; Acts 5:29.
Endured: Fear of Jezebel’s wrath, secrecy, risk of discovery.
“You say, ‘Go to your master and say, “Elijah is here.”’ What have I done wrong?” (1 Kings 18:9)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 56:3–4; Proverbs 29:25.
Why: Feared the LORD greatly.
“I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth.” (1 Kings 18:12)
Cross-Refs: Ecclesiastes 12:1; Luke 1:6.
Result: Preserved God’s prophets during persecution.
“Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel was killing the prophets of the LORD?” (1 Kings 18:13)
Cross-Refs: Romans 11:3–4; Revelation 12:17.
Micaiah the Prophet
Category: Bold truth-telling against falsehood
Could avoid: Prophesy good to please King Ahab.
“All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing.” (1 Kings 22:12)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 28:1–4; 2 Timothy 4:3.
Chose: Spoke only what God revealed.
“As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what the LORD tells me.” (1 Kings 22:14)
Cross-Refs: Amos 3:8; Acts 4:19–20.
Endured: Imprisonment, mockery, isolation.
“The king of Israel then ordered, ‘Take Micaiah and send him back… Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water.’” (1 Kings 22:26–27)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 37:15–16; Matthew 5:11.
Why: Feared God more than kings.
“Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?” (1 Kings 22:18)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 1:10; Proverbs 29:25.
Result: His words proved true; Ahab died in battle.
“So the king died and was brought to Samaria.” (1 Kings 22:37)
Cross-Refs: 2 Chronicles 18:27, 34; Ezekiel 33:33.