Follow Up with Clay - 10.16.24

Solomon:  (1 Kings 1-11)

David’s last accomplishment: Make Solomon king, advise him to walk with God, and…

1 Kings 2:1-3, When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies….

Are women also to walk in God’s ways, keep statutes, commandments? Of course, so it must be something other than that. What does David mean by, “show yourself a man?”

Jordan Peterson: “A harmless man is not a good man, a good man is a very dangerous man who has it all under control.”

Know that being a man is probably the total opposite of what the world says. Being a man is:

• Being watchful
• Standing firm in the faith
• Being strong
• Doing everything in love
• Repenting of sin
• Carrying a load
• Taking responsibility
• Fearing the LORD

1 Kings 3:12-13, …behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.

God is so pleased and He gives Solomon what he asked for, but also what he didn’t ask for.

1 Kings 10:23-24, Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.

An example of his wisdom: Two women had babies. One rolled over while sleeping, accidentally killing her child. Then she proceeded to swap babies with the other woman during the night.

The dispute was brought to Solomon who judged that a sword should be brought to divide the surviving child and give half to each woman. The true mother cried out and asked to have her child given to the other mother rather than to see the baby killed.

Story spread throughout the kingdom and people were amazed at his wisdom. In fact, other royalty came from all around the world to see and hear his wisdom.

There had never been anyone with the wisdom of Solomon. In addition, he was featured in scripture in many places.

• 1Kings: Survey of his life as king.
• Song of Solomon: Pretty specific love story.
• Proverbs: Possibly gathered over lifetime.
• Ecclesiastes: Near end of life and maybe a treatise repentant.

Here’s the transition:

Ecclesiastes 1:2, Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

How do you get from wisdom and blessing to meaningless and uselessness? You come to a crossroad and have to make a choice. Sometimes, that choice comes down to figuratively being willing to sell your soul to the devil.

What would it take for you to sell out, becoming blind to your own sin?

Here’s what it took for him….

1 Kings 11:1, Now King Solomon loved many foreign women…

Solomon couldn’t keep his pants on. 700 wives and 300 concubines… many of them be of foreign descent.

1 Kings 11:2, …the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.

God’s command came with a warning (That’s very helpful). However, Solomon disobeyed and ignored that warning. Perhaps he thought he was above it.

LESSON:  Wisdom does not make me immune to stupidity.

Just because I know what is right, true, and God’s will for living doesn’t mean that I can flirt with temptation. 

How do we flirt with temptation today?

1 Kings 11:4, For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God…

1 Kings 11:6, So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD.

God’s response….

1 Kings 11:9, And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel…

Is God’s response to us any different? Sometimes we forget that our sin angers God and comes with consequences.

1 Kings 11:11, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.

1 Kings 11:14, And the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon…

We will see where this path leads next week.

Questions:

• In what area are you most tempted to think yourself above temptation?
• How can we pray for you?
• Who do you know that needs this group?

Next Week: Rehoboam (1 Kings 12)

Let’s look to Solomon. If you know the story, keep in mind, he’s not all bad.

1 Kings 3:3, Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.

Still, God loves Solomon and wants him to succeed as a good king. God appeared in a dream and granted him this favor, “Ask what I shall give you.”

1 Kings 3:9, Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?

Solomon shows himself to be a man, asking God to give him what he needs to carry the heavy load of leadership.