Solomon: The World's Wisest Made Bad Choices Lesson 8 Series

A. SOLOMON

1. Wisest. God asked Solomon in a dream, “Ask, what I shall give you” (1 Kings 3:5). “All Israel saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgements” (1 Kings 3:16).

2. Queen of Sheba. “I believed not … until I came and saw … behold half was not told me, thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth your fame” (1 Kings 10:7).

3. Built Solomon’s Temple for God’s presence. It was one of the largest, most ornate temples and contained a complex of preparation rooms for thousands of worshippers. It was constructed from many resources, by thousands of workers, costing untold riches. “Solomon decided to build a temple to honor the name of God … 70,000 laborers, 80,000 men to quarry stone, 3,600 foremen” (2 Chronicles 2:1-2, NLT).

4. Solomon wrote his principles for living in: Proverbs – his wisdom, Song of Solomon – his passion, and Ecclesiastes – his decline.

5. Solomon ruled in peace. “Throughout the lifetime of Solomon, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety; and each family had its own home and garden” (1 Kings 4:25, LB).

6. Solomon ruled an area larger than the Holy Land. “Israel and Judah were a wealthy, populous, contented nation at this time. King Solomon ruled the whole area from the Euphrates River … down to the borders of Egypt. The conquered peoples … sent taxes to Solomon and continued to serve him throughout his lifetime” (1 Kings 4:20-21, LB).

7. Improved standard of living for all. David’s people were simple farmers. A yearly salary for a Levite minister was 10 shekels (Judges 17:10). Solomon paid a vineyard keeper 600 shekels (Song of Solomon 8:11).

8. Protected people by forts, towers and armies.

9. Solomon’s symbol of power. “He also made a huge ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold. It had six steps … there was no other throne in all the world so splendid” (1 Kings 10:18, 20, LB).

10. Solomon’s wealth. “Each year Solomon received gold worth a quarter of a billion dollars” (1 Kings 10:14, LB). “All of King Solomon’s cups were of solid gold … silver was not used because it wasn’t considered to be of much value” (1 Kings 10:21, LB).

11. Solomon’s failure, he didn’t understand the real values in life. “I had greater possessions … I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought … behold, all was vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:7-8, 11).

12. His father David, pursued God through his failures. Solomon’s successes pulled him from God. “His wives turned his heart after other gods …” (1 Kings 11:4). “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord” (1 Kings 11:6).

B. LESSONS TO LEARN FROM SOLOMON

1. Just because God used you at a young age does not guarantee His usefulness in middle age or old age.

2. Be careful of the good things for which you pray, they could dilute your faith or take away your passion.

3. The most valuable things in life are not bought with money. “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, NLT). The desires of your heart are more important than your money. Your desires reveal who you are.

4. What is the main lesson to learn from Solomon?

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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