PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 2

Last time we did an introduction of Solomon. We talked about how Solomon became king and the charge that his father King David gave him. This became the foundation of the direction Solomon would eventually go. Today we are going to look into Solomon’s request to God and how God responded.

David knew who Solomon was supposed to become before he was born. God told David about his son. This is how David knew what instructions to tell Solomon. In 1 Chronicles 22:9 (NIV) New International Version it states: “But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.” God told David what his son’s name was going to be: Solomon. In Hebrew the name Solomon means peace. God identified to David who Solomon was going to be: A King. He told him who he was: a man of peace and rest.

Solomon did develop a relationship with God. Solomon did what David instructed for him to do before he died. In 1 King 3:3 (NIV) New International Version it states “Solomon show his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” God’s house hasn’t been built at this time. This is why Solomon offered sacrifices and burned incense on high places. David wanted to build it however God told David that his son Solomon will build his house. Solomon knew that the charge David gave him was too great for him to accomplish by his own might. The question was since Solomon knew this, would he continue with this charge or would he go a different path? God himself wanted to see what Solomon would do. So God decided to find out.

In 1 King 3:5 (NIV) New International Version it states “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” God was testing Solomon to see what he was thinking and to see if he knew who he was. Just like God said prove me in Malachi 3:10 (KJV) King James Version. It states “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” God will on occasion prove you to see if you will open the windows of obedience and pour out yourself toward him. The conversation continues in 1 King 3:6 (NIV) New International Version which states: Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart you have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to his throne this very day.” By telling God these facts, he’s confirming that he has observed how his father David lived. He also got another piece of his ID. He knew he was going to be a king and a servant to God like his father. In fact verse 7-9 (NIV) New International Version states: “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours.” In verses 10-15 (NIV) New International Version it states: “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for both wealth and honor so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” Then Solomon awoke and he realized it had been a dream. Solomon has passed the test. For being obedient, Solomon was awarded what he asked for and then some. God gave him the tools needed to accomplish the charge that David established with Solomon. In fact look what it says in 1 King 4:29-34. (NIV) New International Version it states “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.” I want to look closer at 3 verses that were quoted above.

In 1 Chronicles 22:9 (NIV) New International Version it states: “But you will have a son who will be A MAN OF PEACE AND REST, and I WILL GIVE HIM REST FROM ALL HIS ENEMIES ON EVERY SIDE. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.” Now look at 1 King 3:10-11 (NIV) New International Version again. It states: “THE LORD WAS PLEASED THAT SOLOMON HAD ASKED FOR THIS. So God said to him, “SINCE YOU HAVE ASKED FOR THIS AND NOT FOR LONG LIFE OR WEALTH FOR YOURSELF, NOR HAVE ASKED FOR THE DEATH OF YOUR ENEMIES but for discernment in administering justice. What’s interesting is that God said this about Solomon: you are a man of peace and rest. Also, I will give you rest from your enemies from every side. However later in 1 King 3 (NIV) New International Version God is pleased Solomon didn’t ask for death for his enemies. This tells me that Solomon knew what was on his I.D. He didn’t ask for death of his enemies because he knew who he was: a man of peace and rest. In addition he knew God was going to protect him from his enemies on each side. Also, God was pleased with the fact he didn’t ask for anything for himself. Solomon was more concern with the people he was king over welfare. This also tells me that God was use to hearing people asking for the same thing: wealth, long life and death of their enemies. God was saying can I get someone to pray for others?

It isn’t always about just you. There are other people who are suffering that you need to pray for. If you pray for them, then God may say to you “I will do what you have asked and I will give you what you didn’t ask for.” When you please God, he wants to show his appreciation by blessing you with something you didn’t ask for. Also, as I said you will be tested even by God. God has given you an I.D. He will tell you who you are in him. If you don’t know who you are, someone will try to give you an I.D. that suit their goals and purpose. Some of these people don’t have your best interest in mind. . They will try to give you a fraudulent or fake I.D. The I.D. God gave you didn’t say you were stupid, dumb, not worth anything, a loser or anything else that’s negative or degrading. This is the work of the enemy trying to keep you down and control you with force, words or manipulation. The only way this continues is if it’s allowed. This may be the reason why you’re hurting right now. You know this isn’t you. However, because you have been exposed for so long in this environment, you have adapted. The question I want to ask is do you know what God said about you when he I.D. you? If you don’t know you need to find out. God expects better and greater things from you!!! Next time we’ll go to part 3 of Solomon. Some people decide to check his I.D. Until next time may God continue to bless you and keep you.

 

 

Walt G.

PROVERBS: WHO IS SOLOMON PART 1

Last time I introduce you to the book of Proverbs. It’s a book of the bible in the Old Testament that deals with the practice and the theory of wisdom. Proverbs provides us with the wisdom and knowledge to help us with even today’s challenges. I want to now introduce you to the main author of Proverbs: Solomon.

Who is Solomon? Solomon is the son of David and Bathsheba. David was a great king of Israel. According to the bible, when David became very old, he made Solomon king. In 1 Kings 1:43 NIV (New International Version) it states “Not at all” Jonathan answered, “Our lord King David has made Solomon King.” After David made him king, he gave a charge to Solomon. In 1 Kings 2:2 NIV (New International Version) it states “I (David) am about to go the way of all the earth, so be strong, act like a man. In 1st Kings 2:3 NIV (New International Version) it states “And observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.” David knew that this charge was so great to Solomon that he couldn’t accomplish this alone. He knew that he was going to need the Lord’s help to do what he ordained. That’s why David emphasized the importance for Solomon to have a relationship with God. In order to do what God commands, you have to have a relationship with him.

David gave Solomon something very important: direction. 1st he told Solomon who he was: A King. 2nd he told Solomon how to act: be strong and act like a man. Solomon knew how to act like a man because he was shown and taught how to do so. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to have a father or a father figure involved in a son’s life. 3rd he told Solomon about serving God and being obedient: Observe what the lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations as written in the Law of Moses. Why was it so important for David to do this? Let’s look at the God U Said It verse and find out.

In Proverbs 22:6 KJV (King James Version) it states “train a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” David trained Solomon on the way he should go. Also, he taught him who God was and the importance of having a relationship with him. Our children aren’t being trained today like they should be. If we don’t train them, the enemy will. A child has to be trained, taught, shown and guided toward the right way to go. You as a parent or guardian have a responsibility of making this happen and also leading by example. If your child is not acting correctly or if there’s other issues you need to look at yourself and ask yourself some questions. What kind of example am I setting? Am I training my child or is the TV, music and the internet training them. Am I their main influence or is it their friends, classmates or people you don’t know anything about. With social websites like my space and facebook, a total stranger can get to know your child’s wants, needs and problems. Your child’s secrets and desires could be a text message away. The enemy will be more than happy to train your child or send someone to train your child up to the way HE wants them to go. The way that will lead them on a path to chaos, confusion and destruction. Your child will be trained by someone. It’s in their spiritual DNA. The choice is yours on who it will be. Next time we will go to part 2 of Solomon. What did he ask of God and how did God respond. Until next time, may God continue to bless you and keep you.

 

Walt G.