I Kings 3 - Solomon's Great Wisdom

I Kings 3

When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king; for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. (verse 28)

Message: Solomon's Great Wisdom

Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah. 

What the Lord is Saying: Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter signifies a political alliance to secure peace and strengthen ties between Israel and Egypt. However, Deuteronomy 7:3-4 states to not intermarry for the Lord's anger will burn against you. Solomon would eventually have 700 wives and those wives would turn his heart to other gods, not making wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord. What started with one wife multiplied into many wives and many problems. 

He brings this wife to the city of David (Jerusalem), The Israelites adopted from the Canaanites high places for sacrifice. David loved the Lord and walked in the way of his father David, but he also used the high places (not optimal). Solomon offered burnt offerings at Gibeon. Burnt offerings were a form of sacrifice that symbolized atonement and dedication to God, as the entire animal was consumed by fire. God wants to bless Solomon and in his dream he hears God say, "Ask and it will be given to you." Solomon responses by speaking to God, acknowledging God's steadfast love and kindness towards David, his father. David's life, though marked by sin, was characterized by a sincere commitment to God. God's faithfulness to His promises is evident in Solomon's ascension to the throne. Solomon recognizes that his kingship is not by his own doing but by divine appointment. God assures David that his lineage will continue to rule. But Solomon sees himself as inadequate. Abraham's descendants were promised to be too numerous to count (Genesis 22:17). Solomon wraps up his prayer by asking God to "judge Your people to discern good and evil." In essence Solomon's request to God is that he would be led to differentiation right and wrong. Solomon has a great responsibility and He asks God for help in this. Should all kings and people offer this same prayer it would be great for all. 

God is pleased with Solomon for Solomon doesn't ask for riches or long life or that his enemies would be conquered, but instead he asks something sort of unselfish, discernment for the decisions he is to make as king. God grants this request and "I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you." But then he also gives him more. We are to seek God and His ways and let God bestow on us riches and honor in His timing. 

In addition to burnt offerings, he also offerings peace offerings which symbolize gratitude and fellowship. 

This he has an opportunity to display this discernment when two women come to him, two harlots with each having a child, but one child dies while the other lives but the women do not know which child belong to whom and asks Solomon for their help. Solomon says he will split the child in two but the woman who knows it is his child comes forward to say “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” When Solomon sees the one that isn't willing for harm to come to the child then he knows the real mother. Thus Solomon has God-given wisdom. 

Note: This chapter is echoed in 2 Chronicles 1. 

Summary: Solomon begins to intermarry from other nations, then prays to God that He would give him discernment in making decisions and is given practice in this between two harlots and their babies. 

Promise: God desires to give wisdom to not only Kings but to all. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for giving people discernment, giving me discernment between right and wrong. We so badly still need this today. Even as we read headlines in society it seems there is difficulty in life in understanding what is right and what is wrong. There is confusion in people. I pray that we would look to you for discernment. I look to you. Most of the time I feel like I know what is the right thing to do and often I choose selfishness or personal entertainment rather than working hard. I too often want breaks and want ease. Rather than following through and finding ways to meet with others I keep choosing the easy way out. Lord, help me to not be this way. I can meet with my son and other men to help them. Lord, every day I have opportunities and I pray that I would go toward these opportunities to help others and hopefully give them the wisdom that only comes from you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:29 - The Path of Righteousness

Proverbs 10:29

The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright,

But ruin to the workers of iniquity. 

Message: The Path of Righteousness

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: NIV - The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless. NLT - The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity. Good News - The way of the LORD is a fortress for an innocent person but a ruin to those who are troublemakers. Matthew 22:16 mentions "The way of God in truth." The Way of the Lord is strength to one, but ruin to the other. 

This Way of the Lord is religion. It is the way in which God wants people to walk. In the New Testament is even the idea that the followers of Jesus were called the Way. There is a modern church that is called the Way. God in His sovereign will has as His intent a Way for man to talk. Proverbs 14:12 is a famous verse, "There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death." This verse captures the same meaning but is even more specific to that Way being of the Lord. It is a way that is a refuge, a stronghold, a fortress. As we come to understand and know this Way it brings peace and contentment to our lives. We are no longer striving after wind (Eccl. 1:14). 

Yet, is this verse talking about the way of the Lord that I am walking or is it rather speaking of God's way that He is on. Alexander Maclaren says it is the way the Lord is on. He says this way is one continuous, connected, consistent mode of operation from beginning to end. Thus, not multiple paths at different seasons, but one unified way of operation. He is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). That Romans verse is taking on the meaning more of all things together for good instead of the way I think of often and that is all groupings of things for many different groupings of good. Again, it is not ways - plural but "the Way." 

This Proverb states that Way is a stronghold for the upright. It makes for righteousness. We hold on to this promise and we need this promise because the promise does not always make sense to us. It is hard for us to understand. It is perplexing and difficult. We get bogged down in the negative modes or routes of it. We get lost. 

And this same way that is upright is in the reverse, the inverse or other way is against them that do evil. The overarching evil ways have an evil outcome for man. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). What we earn by going our own way, the opposite way is death. And this verse in Proverbs is clear in that it is ruin. At times it appears to make sense but it has no outcome. 

I think the atheist agrees there is no outcome but all we have is today. Thus, they would probably agree the way of the Lord is a ruin to them. 

Try to stop a train, and it will run over you and murder you; get into it, and it will carry you smoothly along. - Alexander Maclaren

Prayer: God, you are holy and true. Thank you for your sovereign way and I submit and surrender to You. Help me to continue to run the race and to live in a manner and way that is pleasing to You. Help me. Give me strength. Help me to make good decisions and help me going forward to honor You. Forgive me for my sins. I pray my sins will not continue to affect my children. Do good things in them. Help them to see their error and take the other road. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.