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| INSIGHTS FROM THE SCRIPTURE Solomon was a son of David—the one that David promised would be the next King. It took some quick maneuvering by his mother Bathsheba, Nathan the prophet, and others, to make sure that Solomon’s brother Adonijah did not end up as king (1 Kings 1). So while David was still alive, he handed his throne over to Solomon. In 1 Kings 3 we see a Solomon who loved the Lord and who made many burnt offering to the Lord. At Gibeon the Lord came to Solomon in a dream, and of all the things that he could have asked God for, Solomon chose wisdom. God was so pleased with Solomon that he not only gave him wisdom, God also gave him what he had not asked for—both riches and honor. Solomon grew in wisdom and stature. He was known for the wise way that he handed out judgment (1 Kings 3:16-28). He became famous among the nations; he was wiser then the wisest of men. As a political figure, he helped Israel become a powerful nation in that region. He made many treaties by marrying foreign wives, the first being the Egyptian Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 3:1). He enlarged the government, and built up the military. He expanded on everything that his father David had done. His greatest accomplishment was the building of the Temple of the Lord (1K 5-6), which his father David dreamed of doing but was not allowed to by God. Solomon became the wealthiest of men, his wisdom was known throughout the nations, and people brought him gifts so they could sit and hear his wisdom. Solomon is given credit for writing most of the book of Proverbs, the book of Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. He had power, wealth, prestige, and wisdom that were unparalleled. And the only thing that God asked of Solomon was that he be faithful and walk in God’s way (1 Kings 3:14, 9:4-5). Continued... |
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