Bible Studies
The Kingdom Established in the Hands of Solomon (1 Kings 2:46b-3:5)
Series: Studies in First KingsIntroduction:
1. This statement (3:1-5) gives a synopsis of the situation as Solomon began his reign in Jerusalem. 2. The author(s) is intent on clarifying that things are still in the process of coming together.a. Alliances are being formed—Solomon forms an alliance with Egypt marrying the daughter of Pharaoh. (Inter-marriage with foreigners was specifically prohibited in the law. Note Deut. 7:3-4.)
b. The king’s house, the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem are not finished.
c. Solomon, and the people, are sacrificing on the high places. A practice prohibited in Deut. 12. (He was worshiping God and not idols.) The temple is not yet built, but the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem andSolomon, at least once, offered burnt offerings there (3:16).
3. While he is offering sacrifices in Gibeon the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask what you wish of Me to give you.” 4. Many people have imagined just such a time as this. There have been stories about magic lamps and genies granting three wishes. Perhaps you have wondered what you would ask for in such a situation.Discussion:
I. Before we address Solomon’s request observe two things.A. The author(s) of the text wants us to know that even though this is a transitional period that things are headed in the right direction.
1. He wants us to know that Solomon is headed in the direction that the Lord wants him to
2. He says that Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statues of his father David.
3. He wants us to know that Solomon was offering sacrifices to God.
4. He wants us to know that God was with Solomon and communicated with him in a dream at Gibeon.
B. The second observation that I would make is that David’s relationship with the Lord becomes the standard against which all kings are evaluated.
1. “Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David.” Thus loving the Lord is equivalent to walking in the statutes of his father David.
2. David is the model of good kingship. Later, Jeroboam will become the model of a poor
3. What were these “statutes of his father David?” David’s charge to Solomon defines them as what is written in the Law of Moses (2:3). Note the “statues of David” are the same as the “statutes of God.”
4. Walking in these statues carried the promise of an on-going dynasty for David (2:4). This harks back to 2 Sam. 7 and God’s promise to build a house for David and establish his throne forever. Note Psa. 132:11-12.
II. At Gibeon God said to Solomon, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.” Solomon asked for “an understanding heart to judge God’s people to discern good and evil” (3:5-9).A. Judging seems to be a continuing responsibility of God’s leaders.
1. Though Solomon is King judging continues to be a prominent aspect of that role.
2. No more judges, but kings, yet the need for judgments was continuing.
B. Isaiah refers to the last days during the Messianic kingdom when the Law of the Lord would go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and “He will judge between the nations and render decisions for many peoples” (2:2-4).
1. Christ judges with righteousness and justice in His kingdom and thus it is a kingdom of peace (Isa. 2:4; 11:4-10).
2. His lovingkindness, His equity, His will and His judgment combine with respect for His authority to bring such peace (cf. Eph. 2:14ff).
C. Solomon was humbly submissive to the Lord (1 Kings 3:7-8).
1. “I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.”
2. He wanted God’s leadership to judge “this great people of God.”
D. It is God’s judgments regarding good and evil that discipline our relationships to one
E. Submitting to God’s judgments is what it means to walk in His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances.
F. Our application is to respect what God has revealed to us in Scripture and do it.
G. James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given him” (1:5).
1. Solomon did this.
2. It is appropriate for us. But we do not have to expect an immediate miraculous infusion. Wisdom has its origin in the revelation that God has given. Cf. 1 Cor. 2:6-8, 12-13.
III. God responded to Solomon’s request—lavishly giving him more than he asked for (1 Kings 3:10-14).A. Notice the direction of Solomon’s kingship.
1. Not about self-advancement—long life, riches, the death of his enemies.
2. Solomon was not like Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phineas, who took from the people and lay with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting (1 Sam. 2).
3. He was not like Saul who rebelled against the Lord and acted in insubordination (1 Sam. 15:23).
4. Moses had given instruction about the king’s discipline (Deut. 17:14-20).
a. He was not to multiply horses, nor wives, nor increase silver and gold for himself.
b. He was to write a copy of the law and read it all the days of his life, “that his heart might not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he might not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, so that he and his sons might continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel” (Deut. 17:14-20).
5. The author of 1 Kings wants us to know that Solomon is headed in the right direction.
B. God granted him wisdom, and also what he did not ask for. God also gave him riches, and honor and long life.
IV. Solomon’s response was worship (1 Kings 3:15).A. “He came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.”
B. Is your worship a celebration motivated by your having been given the wisdom of God?
Conclusion:
1. Are you like Solomon? Are you in a state of transition? Headed in the right direction? 2. Or are you seeking things for yourself—wealth? long life? 3. Are you humbly asking for the wisdom of God? 4. Having received the wisdom of God are you ready to commit to following that wisdom?
