Solomon

*Solomon’s story is told in 2 Samuel 12:24-1 Kings 11:43

Who is Solomon?

  • The son of King David and Bathsheba.
  • The third king of Israel, ruling after his father, David.
  • Known for his unparalleled wisdom, which was a divine gift from God.

Strengths and Accomplishments

  • Gifted with exceptional wisdom by God when he asked for discernment rather than riches or power (1 Kings 3:5-14).
  • Famous judgment of the two women claiming to be the mother of the same baby. Solomon’s solution to split the baby in half exposed the real mother (1 Kings 3:16-28).
  • Constructed the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem as a dwelling place for God (1 Kings 6).
  • Credited with writing much of the biblical book of Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes.
  • Fostered a period of peace and prosperity, making Israel a leading regional power.
  • Formed alliances through marriage with foreign princesses and established trade relationships.

Weaknesses and Mistakes

  • Influenced by his foreign wives, Solomon turned away from God and allowed the construction of high places for idol worship (1 Kings 11:1-8).
  • Imposed heavy labor and taxation on the people, sowing seeds of discontent that would later lead to Israel’s division.
  • Some of his actions, like killing potential rivals, hint at despotic tendencies.

Lessons from His Life

  • Even the wisest among us are susceptible to mistakes and sin. Wisdom alone isn’t enough; one needs a steadfast commitment to righteousness.
  • Compromising on core principles, especially spiritual faith, can lead to one’s downfall.
  • As penned in Ecclesiastes, the relentless pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and power is ultimately meaningless without a focus on God.

Key Verses (NIV Version)

  • 1 Kings 3:12: “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.”
  • 1 Kings 9:3: “The Lord said to him: ‘I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.'”
  • Ecclesiastes 1:2: “Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'”
  • Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”