1 Kings 3 (Click to read chapter)
Synopsis
Solomon had a heart after God and did everything as David did, almost. Solomon committed two major mistakes of which both were against God's clear instruction. The first was that he offered sacrifices to God himself (instead of having the priests do it) and in places not accepted by God. The second was to marry foreign wives.
Still God gave him wisdom to rule the nation. And because he had asked for something that was for God instead of for his own benefit, God added the extras - wealth and a long life.
Major Verses
V1-2 - During a time when marriage between royal families was common as it secured peace, it seemed that Solomon was wise to marry the Pharaoh's daughter. Subsequently, Solomon married many more foreign wives. Though these unions allowed Solomon to build friendships with the surrounding nations, they were also the beginning of his and the nation's downfall. The foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-2) brought with them their pagan ideas and practices and their gods to Jerusalem and eventually lured Israel into deep idolatry.
What I learn
When God gives us a standard to follow, we must follow it diligently. While it may be easy to oversee and accept seemingly minor differences in order to encourage the building of friendship or a relationship, such differences can have an major negative impact.
V3 - While Solomon showed his love for God by walking in the statue of David, he did one thing wrong - he personally offered sacrifice and burn incense. God's laws decreed that this was the duty of the priests (Deut 12:13-14), and for good reasons. If every one was to start offering sacrifices in their own way, then it will allow pagan practices to creep into their worship. As such, only the priests, who were trained, could offer sacrifices. However, Solomon, as wise as he was, decided that he will do it himself. Not only that, he also offered the sacrifices in the surrounding hills instead of at the place that God had chosen. Solomon loved God, but this was an act of sin.
What I learn
God has a reason for everything that He instructs us to do. We may not fully understand the reason but it would be foolish to do otherwise. In this case, the Israelites were worshiping in their own ways, instead of how God wanted it to be.
It would be interesting to note that God did not appear to him at the place of Solomon's offering but in a dream at night in Gibeon. While God honored his prayer, He did not condone his practice.
V6-9 - Solomon could have asked for something that benefited himself but he asked for wisdom to lead God's people. Note that Solomon asked for wisdom to carry out his role and job as king; he did not ask God to do the job for him.
What I learn
We should ask God to give us wisdom to fulfill our role for Him and not to ask Him to do the job for us. More importantly, we should and must ask for the courage to complete the job according to His way.
V10-14 - Because Solomon had the welfare of God people before his own when he asked for wisdom to rule them, God was pleased. As such, He also granted Solomon wealth and long life.
What I learn
God will always take care of us if we seek His interests and His kingdom first (Mattew 6:31-33).
Summary
While Solomon was the wisest man ever as God had decreed, he did not have the strength to carry out all of the instructions of God. He must have known that performing the sacrifice himself and marrying the pagan wives were against God's law, being the wisest man. Yet he decided to deviate from the boundary for his own pleasure.
Over to you...
Please share you learning by clicking the "Comment" link below.
Up next....
Chapter reveals the wisdom of Solomon as he organised his government. Coming up on 12th Nov.
Solomon had a heart after God and did everything as David did, almost. Solomon committed two major mistakes of which both were against God's clear instruction. The first was that he offered sacrifices to God himself (instead of having the priests do it) and in places not accepted by God. The second was to marry foreign wives.
Still God gave him wisdom to rule the nation. And because he had asked for something that was for God instead of for his own benefit, God added the extras - wealth and a long life.
Major Verses
V1-2 - During a time when marriage between royal families was common as it secured peace, it seemed that Solomon was wise to marry the Pharaoh's daughter. Subsequently, Solomon married many more foreign wives. Though these unions allowed Solomon to build friendships with the surrounding nations, they were also the beginning of his and the nation's downfall. The foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-2) brought with them their pagan ideas and practices and their gods to Jerusalem and eventually lured Israel into deep idolatry.
What I learn
When God gives us a standard to follow, we must follow it diligently. While it may be easy to oversee and accept seemingly minor differences in order to encourage the building of friendship or a relationship, such differences can have an major negative impact.
V3 - While Solomon showed his love for God by walking in the statue of David, he did one thing wrong - he personally offered sacrifice and burn incense. God's laws decreed that this was the duty of the priests (Deut 12:13-14), and for good reasons. If every one was to start offering sacrifices in their own way, then it will allow pagan practices to creep into their worship. As such, only the priests, who were trained, could offer sacrifices. However, Solomon, as wise as he was, decided that he will do it himself. Not only that, he also offered the sacrifices in the surrounding hills instead of at the place that God had chosen. Solomon loved God, but this was an act of sin.
What I learn
God has a reason for everything that He instructs us to do. We may not fully understand the reason but it would be foolish to do otherwise. In this case, the Israelites were worshiping in their own ways, instead of how God wanted it to be.
It would be interesting to note that God did not appear to him at the place of Solomon's offering but in a dream at night in Gibeon. While God honored his prayer, He did not condone his practice.
V6-9 - Solomon could have asked for something that benefited himself but he asked for wisdom to lead God's people. Note that Solomon asked for wisdom to carry out his role and job as king; he did not ask God to do the job for him.
What I learn
We should ask God to give us wisdom to fulfill our role for Him and not to ask Him to do the job for us. More importantly, we should and must ask for the courage to complete the job according to His way.
V10-14 - Because Solomon had the welfare of God people before his own when he asked for wisdom to rule them, God was pleased. As such, He also granted Solomon wealth and long life.
What I learn
God will always take care of us if we seek His interests and His kingdom first (Mattew 6:31-33).
Summary
While Solomon was the wisest man ever as God had decreed, he did not have the strength to carry out all of the instructions of God. He must have known that performing the sacrifice himself and marrying the pagan wives were against God's law, being the wisest man. Yet he decided to deviate from the boundary for his own pleasure.
Over to you...
Please share you learning by clicking the "Comment" link below.
Up next....
Chapter reveals the wisdom of Solomon as he organised his government. Coming up on 12th Nov.
The issue of God appearing to Solomon at Gibeon is complexing. Does it show that God approved of Solomon offering at the high place that God would say to him in a dream at Gibeon “Ask for whatever you want me to give you”? (1Kings3:5)
ReplyDeleteI think this is a case of God testing Solomon rather than approving. But Solomon just like us probably thought that God was approving of his practice and ways. God can test us by our success just as much as He does through our failures. The fact that God blesses our ignorant presumption points to the work of God’s grace in our life.
Many great men of God have not realized that the grace of God was a test from God rather than his approval on their ignorance and sin. How many times have well known pastors fallen into obvious sin and yet thought they had done nothing wrong. We need to watch ourselves and test ourselves by His Word to see whether we be in the faith. Our own heart can deceive us as Solomon’s heart did with regard to marrying the daughter of Egypt’s king and sacrificing at the high place. So how do we know if we are walking in a way that pleasing God? By obeying His word plain and simple. Just because God’s favor is evident in our life does not mean that God approves of all our ways.
Blessings Pastor Peter. Anyone got a comment on this? Please discuss
It is interesting to note that God did not appear to Solomon during the offering but at night. This showed that God did not approve of Solomon’s doings (firstly to offer the sacrifice himself and secondly, at a place not directed by God). I totally agree with you that His grace is simply, His grace. We have the responsibility to respond and act rightly and not take it that it His approval. Thank you for pointing out this important point.
ReplyDeleteSteven
The high place in Gibeon was not the same as the other high places used for idols. It was the dwelling of the tabernacle of Moses (2Chr 1). That was why God could appear to Solomon. He was still in obedience.
ReplyDeleteDavid did not return the ark of the covenant to the tabernacle.
Thank you very much for your comment. Please keep them coming.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the place was where the tabernacle was, Solomon committed the mistake of performing the sacrifice himself instead of allowing the priests to do it. God had specific instructions that only the priests were to offer sacrifices.
God can appear to Solomon any where, not necessarily only in Gibeon. It is interesting that God did not appear to Solomon when he was sacrificing but later at night.
God bless.
Steven