- Weekend: 1 Kings 1 - 4
- Monday: 1 Kings 5 - 8
- Tuesday: 1 Kings 9 - 11
- Wednesday: 1 Kings 12 - 16
- Thursday: 1 Kings 17 - 19
- Friday: 1 Kings 20 - 22
Solomon's wisdom is what made him so famous. In the beginning of his reign, he did the right thing by asking God for wisdom instead of wealth. But as God granted his wish and was pleased with him, later on in his life, the fame and wisdom led to narcissistic and sinful behavior. Everyone wanted to see and listen to Solomon, and everyone brought gifts... and women, I suppose. The poor man ends up with 700 wives and 300 concubines!! Can you imagine that! Despite God's warning that women from foreign religions would lead his people astray, the Bible tells us: "Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love". And as Solomon grew old, these women lead him astray with their idols, and his heart was not fully devoted to God anymore.
As ridiculous as that story may sound, and as stupid as we may think Solomon is by doing this, this story might be closer to home than you think. How many of us take our wealth for granted, and how many times has it led you astray from God? I cannot count my own mistakes on two hands any longer...
Solomon's sin ultimately leads to the division of the nation of Israel into two parts, the tribe of Judah for Solomon's descendents, and one tribe for Jeroboam and his descendents, one of Solomon's adversaries. We read about all the kings that reign either part, both good kings and bad kings. One bad king in particular, Ahab and his interactions with the prophet Elijah are described in detail.
Enjoy the reading, as we celebrate the Lord's death and resurrection this weekend as well. Because of Him, we have found grace and mercy in God's eyes, and even our worst mistakes are washed clean by His blood. What an amazing God and Lord and Savior we have!
Dick
I couldn't help but notice that during Solomon's dedication prayer (I Kings 8) he focused on forgiveness. Solomon has a view of God that has an emphasis on his mercy. He asks God to forgive the people when they realize their mistakes and come to him. He points out that God knows us from the inside (v. 39). True it is more of a corporate view than a personal view, meaning God views "his people" as one rather than as individuals coming to God the way we do now, but there is a sense of God's forgiveness in this prayer that is refreshing after all the battling and killing in David's reign.
ReplyDeleteI had a bit of a personal revelation reading about Solomon's beginning of the temple. For you can actually see the wall in Jerusalem to this very day. It is hard to put into words but from this point, and on, the Bible seems to be the authoritative history of the region.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to imply that prior to this point it is not, but I have previously conceded in debates with secularists the argument that my belief in the Bible was supported upon faith alone and I am now not so willing to concede that point.
Dane-
ReplyDeleteThe secularists will have everybody believe that what you cannot see is not real. Where there is no physical proof of reality there only exists myth. The Garden of Eden and Noah's Ark are great stories for kids and all that, but since there is no proof of their existence they should remain great stories.
Faith in God means believing that through God all things are possible. Secularists dismiss possibility in favor of their own personal reality.
Taking that step in faith can be a process, or it can be like a lightswitch turing on...
Glad to see that you are being transformed by engaging in the word on a regular basis- thanks for your thoughts!!!