Solomon: King of Israel from 941-901 BC
So give your servant a
discerning heart to govern your
people and to distinguish between
right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? 1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)
READ: 2 Chronicles 1; 1
Kings 8, 11:1-13
Solomon
was the son of David, the third king of Israel.
Saul and David were born from the common people and grew up among
everyday people in the villages and countryside but Solomon was born into the
palace at Jerusalem and grew up alongside men of power. He was well educated and never knew poverty
or hunger but he did witness the rebellion and violent deaths of several of his
older brothers. At the end of David’s
life he left Solomon a united kingdom.
Solomon was not the obvious heir to the throne as he was not David’s
oldest son yet David named him to succeed him as king as the Lord had indicated
to him. A significant spiritual
experience occurred in Solomon’s life when he was worshipping at Gibeon when
God appeared to him by means of a dream.
God asked him what he wanted from Him and Solomon asked for wisdom from
God so he could rule his people properly and justly. He could have asked for wealth and for
political and military conquests but instead he saw his need for God’s wisdom
to rule well. God was pleased and
granted Solomon’s request and also granted him wealth and fame. The only condition was that Solomon was to
live according to God’s commands. So,
Solomon began his reign committed to God with the blessing of God upon him. During Solomon’s reign Israel experienced an
improvement of living conditions and economy.
Solomon determined that only the best was good enough for God’s house
and gathered craftsmen to work on the temple.
While the temple was being built Solomon also built an elaborate
palace. Solomon also made many trade
considerations which were closely tied to political alliances with surrounding
nations. Upon the completion of the
temple there was an elaborate ceremony and celebration. The Ark of the Covenant was transferred to
the temple by the priests while numerous sacrifices were being offered. Solomon then dedicated the temple to
God. God then appeared to Solomon again
expressing His acceptance of the temple and also laying out a clear-cut
condition that obedience to the laws of God was essential to the fulfillment of
the divine promise to David about the continuity of the throne. To be obedient would mean God’s abandonment
of the temple, and the people to destruction and to captivity. Under Solomon Israel experienced peace and
prosperity for the first time. For the
first time the people had a place to worship in the capital city and the
influence of the priests became more powerful.
The temple gave the people a sense of national pride and of
security. As great as times were,
Solomon’s reign was not without blemish.
His wisdom was profound but it possessed serious flaws. The administrative structure of Solomon’s
government lacked adequate checks and balances which make it easy for his
leaders to wipe-out mistakes and suffocate dissent. There were also no proper checks on
government spending, taxation policies, trade policies or foreign affairs. Each of these areas became out of control
therefore when he died chaos broke out in every area. Also, under Solomon’s rule there were also
the beginnings of a spiritual decline as many of his political alliances
accumulated a total of 700 wives and 300 concubines which was in conflict with
the law of God. Solomon allowed his
pagan wives to worship their pagan gods leading God to appear to him a third
time rebuking him saying that in his son’s day the kingdom would be torn
apart. These pagan shrines plagued
Israel until they were destroyed centuries later by Josiah.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
