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Lessons from the Life of Solomon
Lessons from the Life of Solomon
In studying Solomon’s life, one can see a stark contrast in his life from obedience to God to his falling away from God. Solomon’s story provides many examples and warnings through the course of his life. In this study, my goal is to look at specific events in Solomon’s life and to ask questions for consideration applicable to our walk with God.
Instructed by David, his father: “Keep the charge of the Lord your God. “to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgements, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.” (I Kings 2:3)
Do we accept counsel from those who may be wiser and take an interest in our spiritual well-being so long as it is in keeping with God’s will? David instructed Solomon on how to be pleasing in the sight of the Lord, which should be the most important endeavor that any person undertakes.
Acknowledged that he didn’t have the knowledge to lead. “…..but I am a little child; I do not know how to come out or go in.” (I Kings 3:7).
Do we recognize and acknowledge our own shortcomings or lack of knowledge? Do we pray to God for strength, wisdom, and guidance to lead our families and to live in accordance with His will for lives? Solomon knew enough to know that he needed God. He didn’t try to go it on his own, and he took that which the Lord had charged him with very seriously.
Asked God for wisdom and understanding to lead His people. Solomon did not ask for longer life, wealth, or the lives of his enemies, but an “understanding heart.” This pleased God and made Solomon unique in the fact that there was no man like him before or since in regard to his wisdom and discernment of God’s people. God blessed Solomon beyond what Solomon asked in the form of riches and honor. “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.” (I Kings 3:9) SEE ALSO II Chronicles 1:10.
Do we ask God for merely the things that we want or think we need? Or do we take the time to ask God for the things that will make us pleasing in His sight? Solomon’s focus was on being pleasing in God’s sight and having the proper perspective on leading God’s people. God blessed Solomon beyond what he asked because Solomon’s request for wisdom pleased God.
The people of Israel recognized Solomon’s attitude and obedience toward God in the way he lived and led. “And all Israel heard of the judgement which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.” (I Kings 3:28)
Do people that we come in contact with recognize attributes that we have toward God’s will? As God’s people, we are to be a light, and we are to stand out as examples of God’s love.
God blessed Solomon with wisdom, understanding, and benevolence. “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” (I Kings 4:29). God blesses us every day physically and spiritually. Are we taking the time to understand His will, to thank Him, and to use those blessings to His glory?
Solomon’s wisdom exceeded all the known world to the point where men/kings from the nations of the earth sought to hear his wisdom (I Kings 4:30-34). We read that the queen of Sheba traveled many miles to test Solomon’s wisdom, and that her impression of Solomon exceeded the stories which she had been told of his wisdom and prosperity (I Kings 10:1-9).
Have we grown, or are we growing to a point where we can teach, instruct, and advise others on how God would have us to live and serve Him? Are we a good example that others can look to for guidance?
Solomon instructed and oversaw the building of the house of the Lord. (I Kings 5:5-I Kings 6:39, II Chronicles 2:4-II Chronicles 5:1) The text indicates that the finest of materials were used and no expense was considered in constructing the house of the Lord. Are we giving the Lord the best of all that He has provided us with? What do we give to the Lord each day in the form of our time, money, and effort?
Despite God’s blessings and warnings to Solomon (I Kings 3:14, I Kings 9:4-9, II Chronicles 7:19-22), Solomon’s heart was turned away from God by him marrying foreign women, who God had instructed the children of Israel not to marry. God knew that these women would turn His peoples’ hearts away from Him into the pursuit of foreign gods and idols (I Kings 11:2). Solomon would go after other gods and burn incense/worship these gods despite the commandments of the Lord.
We see that as a result of Solomon’s actions, he tore the majority of the kingdom away from him and gave it to his servant, Jeroboam. This was to occur after Solomon’s death out of respect to David, his father. Do we listen and heed the warnings that God provides us in His word? Do we believe that God knows what is best for us, even when we might not? Do we realize the impact that our sin can have, not only in our lives, but in the lives of those around us?
In conclusion, Solomon’s life is an example of how much care we should exercise in our daily lives. Solomon was virtually bound by nothing on this earth and considered the wisest man to have lived, and yet he fell away from God due to the influence of earthly desires. We can also be susceptible to a similar fate if we are allured by the people or things of this world.
Be on guard!
Seth Potter
