Topic: Lessons from King Solomon
Solomon reigned as king over Israel for 40 years. He achieved a great deal during the first half of his reign. The construction of the temple of the Lord began in Solomon’s fourth year and was completed in his eleventh. He also constructed a giant palace, which began in his seventh year and was completed in the twentieth. His reign over Israel saw the nation at the height of its influence and power, renowned across the world, wielding massive armies, huge treasure troves, and unparalleled wisdom in King Solomon himself.
God blessed King Solomon and his wisdom was unmatched in the ancient world. According to 1 Kings 4:32-34: “He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish. Men came from all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.”
We see a great downturn in 1 Kings 11, Solomon’s marriages with many women of foreign kingdoms began to change who Solomon was as a king. The Bible says“…his wives turned his heart away” (1 Kings 11:3). First Kings 11:5-6 shows how far Solomon's heart strayed from God: “For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites. Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done.”
Despite all of Solomon’s wisdom, the seduction of his wives, along with their false gods successfully turned his heart away. The Lord spoke to King Solomon indicating His anger, and declared that the kingdom would be torn away from him, and he would be replaced by an unworthy subordinate (1 Kings 11:11-13).
What can we learn about who God is from the life of King Solomon?
1. Wisdom is important, which Solomon wrote in Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
2. Sin is exceedingly seductive, especially sexual sin. If the wisest man who ever lived could be seduced and carried away by sin’s seductiveness, then it is clear that sin is exceedingly appealing.
3. Sin has serious and long-lasting consequences. The sins of one man, King Solomon, deeply impacted the history of Israel. The sins of Solomon can be directly attributed to the division of the nation into Judah (South) and Israel (North).
4. It is never too late to repent. Solomon repented of his foolish ways at the end of his life.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
See you Sunday,
Dr. Scott Kallem