Sunday Message , Seraph July 11, 2010
Series : Walk through the Bible - 1 Kings
Title : Solomon Wise yet Wayward
Scripture: 1 Kings 2: 1-4 ; 1 Kings 3: 6-9 ; 1 Kings 4: 29- 34 ; 1 Kings 11: 1- 13
We were introduced to David last Sunday the greatest King to rule Israel A man after Gods own heart a quality we need to have if we want to be Men and women of God.
We have to know Gods heart he is for us loves us deeply and wants to lead guide us as we trust him with our lives this is what a personal relationship is all about.
We have looked at two key individuals as we continue our journey through the Bible 1and 2 Samuel
Saul the first King no heart for God disaster ruled he spent a great deal of his reign trying to take out David who had been appointed as King once Saul was removed.
The more Saul tries to eliminate David the more David gains favour with the people- he became a national hero when he defeated Goliath - as he grew more powerful in battle the people had a song Saul has killed a 1000 David 10,s of thousands.
How would you like that to be on the top 10 for the week.
This only fuelled Sauls jealousy, envy and rage toward David.
Most of 1 Samuel deals with Saul his downward spiral into disaster and his attempts to remove David.
2 Samuel deals with David he finally takes over the throne when Saul and his son Jonathon who was Davids best friend, are killed in battle. This made for some interesting family dynamics between Saul and his son- Jonathon knew David was Gods choice and David was Godly and he knew his father was not suited to rule and would be removed- who do you support, align yourself with.
On more than one occasion Jonathon tips off David that his father was on the warpath close behind him. Interesting because Jonathon knew if his father was defeated and David took over his chances of being King would not take place if he wanted to be selfish seek only prosperity power and popularity he would have conspired with his father to remove David- yet he sided with David which was really his choice to side with God he desired Gods plan over his own self interest of power and prosperity
Two men same role position and opportunities but very different hearts and very different outcomes David continually sought out God - he wrote about his deep intimate relationship with God he did not forget God when he was secure and successful and popular a temptation we all are challenged with when we live in peace and prosperity.
You and I are challenged and tempted to forget God everyday- we are told to make it our own be a self made man or women give yourself to other interests which are more appealing than seek God and following God- God warned this is always the case when he blesses - we tend to forget about how he has provided thinking we did it on our own take the glory for ourselves and live as if we have no need or desire for God- David seemed to overcome this trap and through out his life.
He remained dependent on God and was reminded through his praise of God that what he had and all he enjoyed was a direct blessing from God.
Today we look at the third person who makes up the remaining part of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings David has a son-
Because his kingdom is not taken away from him it will endure it is stated there will always be one to sit on the throne- usually the kingly lines go the oldest son next in line for the throne.
But there is one major twist - last week we dealt with Davids sin he was not perfect he had an affair he sought God to forgive him God did forgive him he remained King this is the amazing grace of God- he is willing to forgive us if we come to him and repent acknowledge our failure and turn to him and away from our sin that so easily entangle us.
This is what marks a Man and women of God when we fall and fail we are humble to admit our failures and seek Gods forgiveness seeking to follow him and honour him.
Our hearts desire is have this relationship restored to know Gods power and presence working through us.
But even when God forgives there are still consequences for our mistakes.
Drunk driving roll your car your child dies you can ask for forgiveness but it will never bring your child back you have to live with that loss for the rest of your life.
Davids affair had consequences the child that was conceived died after 7 days-
David took Bathsheba as his wife and had another child with her Solomon he promises Bathsheba that this son would succeed him as king possible guilt from the first son dying possible to spare her life it was not uncommon for the next King to remove all others who may posed a threat if one of Davids other sons took the throne Bathsheba and her children would have been done away with.
This caused great family conflict and all out conspiracies to take the throne from David.
His own son rallies a small army around himself to depose David as King David has to flee the city running for his life.
His son Absalom is killed in battle David returns to the city.
Adonaja the next one when David is old and about to die places himself on the throne David is old and to frail to rule I make myself King blows the trumpet to proclaim his coronation.
Bathsheba comes and reminds David of his promise and tells him what his son has done-
David quickly gathers the people and anoints Solomon as King Solomon is 12 years old.
1 Kings 2: 1-4 David final appeal to Solomon Man up - be a man a true hearted man following after God.
- vs 4 if your descendants watch how they live
do not be caught unaware be on guard the devil prowls around seeking those he can devour
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8,
The message- 8-11Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.
he can only devour those who are open and available to him they are not watching on guard but complacent compromising.
Evaluate - Is my life lining up with Gods truth? Watch - flee temptation keep short accounts
Are we seeking to know and follow Jesus with deep devotion?
If they it is a choice all true relationships need to be a choice it is not true loving relationship if you need to force someone to love you.
They walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul love the Lord our God with all our heart soul and mind this is the path to true success in life - they will never fail to have a man ion the throne of Israel.
Solomons throne is established secured did away with opposition cleaned house - those who were not faithful to his father and those who were trying to manipulate the power structure.
1 Kings 3: 6-9 makes an alliance with Pharaoh King of Egypt by marrying his daughter -
- Solomons dream God appears and says ask whatever you want me to give you-
- Solomons humble response
Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong
Wisdom understanding to hear intelligently to give attention to - give ear to to really listen and seek to discern what is really going on-
Like today you are certainly here and you know someone is up here talking but for some of you you are not really listening oh you hear words but it is coming out as bla bla bla when will this be over.
Understanding means to pay attention listen with the desire to know
Understanding heart an overall attitude of hearing and submitting to Gods word.
Attuned and aware to what is going on around me pay attention to what is going on watch guard our life.
There is a lot going on around us that if we do not pay attention we will be led down a path that is not helpful or productive it can be destructive
today many believers are not paying attention
They do not want to hear the word of God it is boring why read a book 1000s of year old I have better things to do than come every Sunday and listen to the Bible- in the last days many will be drawn away to deceitful lying spirits
Solomon knew if he was to live well lead well he need to listen well- pay attention to what was going on around him and listen to what God had to say about what was going on.
Discerning to separate mentally - in my mind I know what is right and wrong which action to take
I can distinguish between a right and wrong choice to make good decisions about life situations.
Wisdom is the application of truth making the right decision the right choice.
Wisdom is not mere knowledge we can have all the knowledge we want but if we never use it in productive way it is useless- or if we use it in a wrong way it can be destructive.
That is why when you go for your driver license you have written test you may get 100 percent but fail the practical test you may be the worst driver when you try to apply.
You may know the drivers manual but violate all the rules and be destructive force on the road.
James tells us - If you lack wisdom ask of God who gives generously God want us to make right choices this is his desire for us those who are men and women of God ask often they seek Godly wisdom all the time.
Listen know understand - and then do. If you miss one of these steps wisdom will not be yours.
Solomon was given great wisdom as well as all the rest he never asked for- power - riches - fame
Two prostitutes come one lost her baby in the night she rolled over on it so she took another prostituted baby they come to court ask for a decision by Solomon cut the baby in half the real mother say no she is given the baby.
1 Kings 4: 29- 34 his fame was world renown people from all over came to hear him expound on many topics his wisdom exceeded all others in history
3000 Proverbs - life lessons great counsellor given practical advise read proverbs nuggets of wisdom -
He forms a stable government he was a wise administrator- leader politician-
He built the temple his own palace wise architect.
He dedicates the temple to God Brings in the ark the tabernacle is now the temple same layout.
He gives a great dedication celebration 14 days long he achieved all he desired to do
God is pleased but gives a warning the same as David gave to Solomon- 9: 3- 9
The Queen of Sheba comes and is amazed at his wisdom and riches
He was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth, 10: 23
The 40 years of Solomons reign were the most prosperous years for the nation Israel peace riches and world wide influence -
What could go wrong???
One thing remember before he had his dream he married the daughter of the King of Egypt to gain an alliance women were his downfall he had many wives 300 of them 700 concubines
Wives were a status symbol more wives greater power wives were exchanged when a treaty was entered into Solomon entered into many treaties everyone wanted his favour so many wives.
It was allowed by God- cultural? David had a number of wives (6) blessed of God shows Gods forgiveness and mercy- were they foreign wives?
Deut God says the rules should not have great riches or many wives it tends to lead them away from God-
God had said clearly to his people when you enter the land do not marry those who are not of your people those who do not know me because they will lead you away from me to serve and worship their gods.
This was one huge area of his life where Solomon decided wisdom would not rule or he thought he was so wise he could handle it- he knew what was right but chose not to follow he may have rationalized all kings have many wives kings can have what they want.
I am in control I will not let my wives tell the king what to do
A little compromise when I have done so much good surly God will over look a few harmless wives
or a few 100 wives did it really get that many where did they come from???
If Saul had no heart David had a whole heart Solomon had half a heart- compromise.
Bad company can lead to bad choices who is influencing who? His wives lead him away form God he accommodates them build high places worshipped their gods the detestable gods of the Amorites.
Paul appeals to Timothy 1 Timothy 1: 18-19
18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,
19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.
The message- I'm passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in. There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith.
When we think we have accomplished all we set out to do when we think our relationship with God is all about our doing and not about our being God says I want your heart not your achievements - we can become complacent
Solomon was influenced by his wives David did not allow his wives to lead him away possible they were not foreign wives
Because Solomon compromised God say this kingdom will not last because of David I will let you live out your life but the next generation will not enjoy the prosperity- and peace.
Conflict in house family fighting takes over the kingdom is divided Israel and Judah ruled by various kings good and evil kings weakened their position subject to outside forces and eventual defeat.
Disunity is a mark of compromised faith that is why Jesus prays that we would be one united unity is so essential without it our influence dies out we are weak subject to outside influences.
When we compromise we are not unified with our self internal conflict guilt shame hiding blaming others for our failures hypocrisy disconnected form God we hinder his power form working in us and through us - we become ineffective-
Compromise it show up in relationships conflict with others jealousy in house fighting e spend all our energy on internal conflict that the world goes by and we have no real influence where ewe should be concentrating our efforts.
There is much to learn from Solomon seek wisdom with all your heart but watch for compromise and how others can influence you.
Reflection questions. Who influences you?
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