1 Kings 9-10

1 Kings 9 – Solomon’s Choice

The Lord first appeared to Solomon in 1 Kings 3 at the beginning of Solomon’s reign when he prayed for wisdom.  Solomon finished the temple and prayed and dedicated the temple to the Lord in 1 Kings 8.  When he finished the temple and his palace and achieved all he had desired to do, the Lord appeared to him a second time.  He told Solomon that He had heard his prayers and had consecrated the temple.  The Lord told him that His eyes and heart would always be there, but the Lord gave him a warning.  If Solomon walked with integrity of heart and uprightness as David did and did all the Lord commanded and observed the Lord’s laws, the Lord would establish his royal throne over Israel just as He promised David.  If Solomon did not observe the laws and commands and walk with integrity, the Lord would cut off Israel from the land and reject the temple.  Then Israel would become an object of ridicule among all peoples.  When this happens, the people would know it was because they had forsaken the Lord and served other gods.

What is keeping you from listening to God’s warnings?

What other gods are you serving?

God provided Solomon with all he needed and He provides us with all we need.  He provides us with the gift of salvation, but we have choices to make.  We can choose to serve Him or serve ourselves, but we can’t serve both.  “No one can serve two masters.” – Matt. 6:24.

Principle:  God wants our whole hearts.

It took 20 years for Solomon to build the temple and his palace.  Afterwards Solomon gave Hiram of Tyre 20 towns.  Hiram was not pleased, because he thought these towns were not important towns.  He called them “good for nothing towns”. 

Was Solomon taking advantage of him?  Is he beginning to abuse his power?  What’s going on in Solomon’s heart?  Is he getting stingy?  We can’t know what is in Solomon’s heart, but it looks like it’s shifting in the wrong direction.

Does your success come before your faithfulness to God?

How are you taking advantage of others to get what you want?

Solomon continues to build up his empower and cities to store his chariots and horses.  He built whatever he desired in Jerusalem, Lebanon and throughout the territory.  He did this by using forced labor.  The laborers were all the people left from the descendants of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites – all who were not Israelites.  The Israelites were not slaves, but supervisors.  They were his fighting men, his government officials, his officers, his captains, and his commanders.  There were 550 officials who supervised the working men.

Pharaoh’s daughter who was now Solomon’s wife was brought from Jerusalem to the palace that he had built for her.  Solomon offered burnt sacrifices and fellowship offerings to the Lord 3 times a year.

Solomon build ships and Hiram sent his sailors to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s men.  They sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 talents of gold to King Solomon.

1 Kings 10 – Solomon’s Witness

Solomon’s wisdom was the topic of conversations all over the world.  Queen Sheba heard of Solomon’s wisdom, prosperity of his kingdom, and his faith of the Lord so she decided to go see for herself.  She asked Solomon many questions and was very impressed with him and his answers.  She realized it was far greater than she had heard.  She saw how happy his servants and officials were in serving Solomon.  She saw the temple, the palace, all the fine food that was provided, and all his achievements.  She gave praises to God and knew it was Him who placed Solomon on the throne to maintain justice and righteousness.  She gave Solomon 120 talents of gold, spices, and precious stones increasing his wealth even more.  Hiram’s ships brought gold and cargos of almugwood and precious stone to Solomon.  He used the wood to make supports for the temple, the palace and to make harps and lyres for the musicians.  He gave the queen more than she desired.

Where do you seek wisdom?

What impresses you about other Christians?

What impresses you about God?

Are you joyful in serving Jesus?

Sheba came a great distance to seek Solomon.  She came with gifts.  She took her questions to an imperfect king.  She saw the riches of the king.  She told what was in her heart.  If she sought Solomon so diligently, shouldn’t we seek Jesus and the glory of His Kingdom even more?  The perfect King invites your questions.  His perfect Word can stand up to your doubts and questions.

Do you take your questions and concerns to King Jesus?

Principle:  God’s wants us to seek Him.

Solomon had gold of 666 talents, which is the same as $281,318,400.  He received much more gold yearly.  He made shields of gold and gathered chariots and horsemen.  He did all this which was a direct contradiction to God’s instructions.  In Deuteronomy 17:14-20 God gave warnings to kings of Israel – they must not acquire a great number of horses, not take many wives, and not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.  God blessed Solomon with riches, but Solomon allowed it to turn into a danger.  He disobediently multiplies gold and horses for himself.

He made silver as common as stones and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees.  He imported horses and chariots from Egypt.  He also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.

All of Solomon’s wealth reminds us of our human desires and sins.  God’s law contained rules for kings of Israel.  Solomon didn’t obey these rules.  He was still serving God, but had begun to care more about his own wealth than he cared about God’s law.  Partial obedience is disobedience.

How are you tempted by wealth and possessions?

Are you partially obedient?  We may not see anything wrong, but if it’s against God’s rules it’s wrong.  Do you do what’s right by the world’s standards? 

Do you tell yourself that it’s okay to:  have sex outside marriage, have a live-in boyfriend, not tithe because you have too many bills this month, tell a little lie, gossip, tell off-color jokes because it’s all in good fun, or call it prayer when it’s really gossip?

Principle:  Obedience results from a heart surrendered to God.

Next time we will continue with our last study of 1 Kings.  We will end with the death of Solomon.  Hope to see you here.

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