Read: 1
Kings 9
When the festivities fade and the revelers go home,
we are left with silence. In the silence, the true quality of our relationship
with God is revealed. Were our hearts filled with joy because of the corporate
merriment or because of God? God, the revealer of all truth, will help us find
the answer if we will listen. After the temple dedication, God appears to
Solomon at Gibeon. Solomon’s heart blessed God, and such his prayers were
heard. God reminds Solomon of the promised blessings that will arise from
obedience. He also reminds Solomon of the necessary discipline if Solomon and
Israel turn to sin. God knows mankind is quick to forget, so He is quick to
remind us.
Solomon continues on in his kingly duties. His
agreement with Hiram of Tyre is completed, and Solomon gives Hiram an
additional twenty cities in Galilee. As these cities were not mentioned in the
original contract, we do not know definitively why Solomon gives them to Hiram.
It is possible that they are a goodwill offering between neighbours, or that
they were part of a different agreement seeing Hiram gain the cities in
exchange for 120 talents of gold (v 14). Rather than accepting the cities,
Hiram rejects them, even naming the region “Calum” or “as good as nothing.”
The chapter closes with a further account of
Solomon’s greatness. We are reminded of his impressive building accomplishments
(v 15-19 and 24), his workers and servants (v 19-23), his personal devotion to
God (v 25), and his merchant fleet (v 26-28). Solomon’s splendour as king
benefitted Israel’s international reputation. All eyes were on God’s chosen
people.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Often people swing to one extreme or another in
mindset. We are either entirely negative, forgetting that there is always hope
in Jesus, or entirely positive, not acknowledging the reality of our
situations. God offers us a balanced, true
perspective. When He spoke to Solomon, God offered encouragement and warnings,
knowing that Solomon needed both. Do you tend to lean to pervasive negativity
or idealistic positivity? Confess this to God and ask Him to renew your mind.
2. Reflect on a difficult situation you are currently
facing (or one you recently walked through). Ask God how your natural
tendencies toward positivity or negativity have affected how you have
approached this situation. Then ask Him to speak His true perspective to you.
3. Praise God – He hears our prayers! “This is the
confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His
will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). What are your deepest desires? Perhaps you
are facing a family crisis or a difficult season at work. Maybe someone you
love is facing illness or has walked away from God and His Church. Maybe your
heart yearns to see God transform our nation. Present these longings to God.
Ask Him how you can pray, listen to His response, and then pray what He shows
you. When we submit our desires to God and pray in accordance with Scripture
and His direction, we are promised our prayers will be heard!
