Solomon, the wisest man of his time

TEACHER

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Lesson 4

BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT

1 Kings 4.29-34

2 Chronicles 9.1,2

BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT

1 Kings 4.29-31

29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.

30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

31 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.

BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT

1 Kings 4.32-34

32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.

33 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.

34 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.

BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT

2 Chronicles 9.1,2

1 When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind.

2 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her.

GOLDEN TEXT

The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart..

1 Kings 10.24

AIMS

Know the history of King Solomon and his main achievements

Understand the results that divine wisdom yielded to Solomon;

Understand the mistakes made by Solomon and their consequences.

INTRODUCTION

In this lesson, we will study about King Solomon, his fabulous kingdom and the wisdom God gave him. Many crisis in today’s world could be avoided if leaders asked God for wisdom to exert their authority with justice.

Divine wisdom helps us to put in practice the ethernal commandments of the Bible, understand His will and walk according to his plan.

1. LORD’S CHOICE

David was elder and would die soon. Adonijah would be the successor, but this wasn’t the choice made by God.

In chronicles 28.3, Davi says God didn’t allow him to edify His house for he was a war man, who had shed too much blood, and He had chosen Solomon to assume the throne of Israel,

1.1. A request for wisdom

When Solomon was in Gibeon to offer sacrifice, the Lord offered him the opportunity to ask anything, and Solomon requested for a wise heart to judge and discern good from bad. This request looked good to the eyes of the Lord, who gave him a wise heart, wealth and glory, adding up that there wouldn’t be a man as wise as him.

1.2. God confirms the kingdom to Solomon

Solomon followed God and his dad’s orientations , sparing Israel. His heart solidified his kingdom. God made Solomon such a prosperous king, the borders of Israel expanded to the limit He had promised Abraham.

2. EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR THE KING

The wisdom and prosperity of the kingdom made Solomon famous internationally. His ability to face the questions of the people with justice was spread very fast. People everywhere came to hear him, taste from his knowledge and meet his greatness.

2.1. A wise manager

Just like David, Solomon was an exceptional manager. Solomon knew he needed help to treat matters of the nation by himself. The consequence of a good management could only be the progress of Israel.

2.2. A wise constructor

God designated him to edify the temple in a peaceful period. King David prepared him for this task and gave him every instruction and project as he received from the Lord. David and the people gave voluntary contribuitions in abundance to edify the house of God. He edified the temple in seven years.

2.2.1. A house of prayer

Israelites and gentiles worked in the construction of the temple, as it should be a house of prayer for every people.

The Lord adverted Solomon that he doesn’t sensibilize from our job if we don’t obey him.

2.3. A wise writer

Solomon wrote 3 thousand proverbs and wrote 5 thousand songs: reflections about life, death, marriage, wisdom, and spiritual truths.

3. SOLOMON’S TRANSGRESSIONS

God gave Solomon exceptional wisdom, great wealth and opportunities, but, as he got older, the king got away from God, took decisions which were not sensible and it didn’t go well.

3.1. The nature of transgressions

God had set the way to choose a king and the qualifications he had to fulfill centuries before in Deuteronomy. From these, Solomon transgressed three: he had too much wealth, too many women and thousands of horses.

3.2. Consequence of transgressions

God brought enemies against him, his kingdom had many internal uprisings and trouble. God told Solomon he would take the kingdom from his son and would give it to someone else, leaving just part of the land for his lineage to rule.

4.RESTORATION OF THE KING

In the history books, there’s not evidence there was a restoration to Solomon’s heart. It is hard to imagine that such a wise king would have finished his days without confessing his sins and being away from God. That’s why it is imagined he repented. Analysing his writings, that are some indicators there was a transformation to his interior.

CONCLUSION

Solomon followed a path that conducted him to be ruined, but this didn’t happen suddenly. His mistakes happened gradually and when he realised, he had already agreed with his many wives and built temples for them to adore.

In our walk with God, we must follow what Jesus said: Watch and pray. This way we won’t be envolved by sin and won’t lose the victory the Lord has prepared for us. Ask God for wisdom, read His word, obey his will, pray and depend on the Holy Spirit. May God’s wisdom bless us all!

May God Bless

your life!

EBD ADVEC

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