February 24, 2003

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for March 9

God still grants wisdom for living to its seekers
___ 1 Kings 3-4
___By Jim Perkins
___Madison Hills Baptist Church, San Antonio
___One of the latest features in automobiles is a satellite tracking system that allows the driver to call for assistance to determine where they are and what route would be best to get to a particular destination. One thing this technology lacks, however, is sage advice on whether the trip itself is appropriate and wise! For that, we need another type of help, a source of wise counsel--God's type of wise counsel.
___Pray for wisdom
___In chapter 3 of 1 Kings, we find a young King Solomon (in his early 20s) seeking a source of wise counsel in order to establish and organize his rule in Israel. Remember, Saul and David conquered the land; now Solomon had to organize the building, political administration, defense and religious life of the nation.
___Much energy and wisdom were needed by the young king to meet the requirements of these demanding tasks. Solomon did indeed seek wisdom, and note two foundational elements of his search. First, King Solomon was a man who "showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David" and also "went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices," i.e., was an active worshipper (3:3-4). Second, within the context of that life centered on worship and obedience to God, we find Solomon admitting his need and seeking wisdom from the true source of all wisdom, God himself (3:7-9).
___God chose to appear to Solomon in a dream and grant him a prayer request during the king's time of worship at Gibeon (where the tabernacle and bronze altar were located--see 2 Chronicles 1:3-5). Solomon was candid in his admission of inadequacy for the tasks ahead, describing himself as only a "little child" (3:7, a word that could mean "a dependent child not yet financially independent").
___That need for God's guidance informed the content of Solomon's request, and it pleased God greatly that his servant did not ask for personal aggrandizement, riches and fame.
___Expect wisdom
___Solomon had expressed the earnest desire of his heart--to lead the people with appropriate discernment--and the Lord was pleased with the genuine selflessness of Solomon's request (3:10). Within that atmosphere of Solomon's willingness to invest his life in serving God's nation, the beneficent Father granted the young king what he earnestly desired (wisdom for leading the nation), plus the wealth and fame Solomon did not seek, but most other kings sought first and foremost (3:11-13).
___Please note, however, that these gracious gifts fit within the Lord's sovereign plan for Solomon's life and reign and were not earned by or the goal of Solomon's works and wisdom. Also note that one blessing--long life (3:14)--had been promised by God but was contingent on Solomon's faithful obedience to God's commands. That blessing was not realized by King Solomon.
___In a candid report on Solomon's life, 1 Kings notes the king struggled in later years with obedience to the covenant (11:4-10). Perhaps as a result of his failure to keep even the most basic demands of the covenant (see Exodus 20:2-5), Solomon lived only to the age of about 60.
___Live by wisdom
___God was faithful to his promise to Solomon, as "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight" (4:29). Even as 1 Kings 4:29-34 offers a broad overview of the wisdom God gave Solomon, 3:16-4:28 presents a sampling of the practical, everyday application of godly wisdom.
___Since our earliest days in Vacation Bible School, we all have been told and remember the practical wisdom Solomon used to discover the true biological mother in the dispute over the baby (3:16-28). According to verse 28, that exhibition of wisdom greatly elevated the stature of the young king in the eyes of the people. At the same time, let us not forget the great significance of Solomon's success in organizing and administering the government of a widespread and diverse nation (4:1-28).
___The Lord also blessed Solomon with a wisdom that was expressed in a multitude of proverbs (4:32), a portion of which have been preserved in the book of Proverbs (see especially 10:1-22:16; 25:1-29:27).
___How wise we will be when we read them for personal edification and application! The New Testament writers surely did so. Compare 10:12: "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs" with 1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
___Sage advice with the possibility of practical application--just what God offers today for those who seek him first as we establish life's priorities.
___Questions for discussion
___ How should Solomon's example change the way many people pray?
___ How would praying for wisdom daily help fend off many of the crises that often drive people to their knees?
___ How would a daily reading of Proverbs be an asset to a Christian's life? Do they still apply?

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