The influences of his foreign wives and the allure of their gods proved too great. Solomon built high places for Chemosh, Molech, and other deities, allowing—and even participating in—idol worship within Israel. This was a direct act of disobedience to God’s clear commands.
The answer to the question, “Who was the first person filled with the Holy Spirit?” takes us back to the Old Testament and to the skilled hands of Bezalel. His example demonstrates that God’s Spirit has been at work from the very beginning, empowering ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
The root cause of envy in the Bible is often comparison—a human tendency to measure one’s value against others. When people see themselves as less favored, less blessed, or less successful than someone else, envy takes root.
In the ancient world, lineage and birthplace carried great importance. The connection to David through Bethlehem was essential in establishing Jesus’ messianic credentials to a Jewish audience.
Passover (Pesach) is the holiday most profoundly shared by Jews and Christians.