March 17, 2003
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for March 30
Solomon refused to be distracted from worship
___1 Kings 9:10-10:29
___By Jim Perkins
___Madison Hills Baptist Church, San Antonio
___Imagine how frustrating (and frightening): A set of goggles have been developed that distort your vision to the extent that you move and respond as if you're inebriated.
___In our lives of hectic work, overwhelming commitments and juggled priorities, however, the busyness and stresses of life can be just as effective at blurring our focus--especially concerning the Lord's plans and purposes for our lives.
___Solomon's construction projects
___Solomon stands as a model of faithfulness to the Lord. Even though he was tremendously busy with the demands and opportunities of life, still he was able to guard his focus on the Lord in the midst of that myriad of distractions.
___1 Kings 9:15-19 presents an overview of the tremendous building projects Solomon undertook as king. These projects included the Lord's temple, the royal palace, a significant expansion of the city of Jerusalem and rebuilding several cities. Solomon had to bear up to the demands of his everyday responsibilities as Israel's leader and the added pressure of numerous construction projects. Notice the wisdom of Solomon as he developed an administrative team to which he could delegate the supervision of governmental activities, military operations and construction projects (9:22-23).
___The king faced the danger of losing his focus on the Lord's purposes and priorities. Note two vital factors in Solomon's life, however, that worked to guard against yielding to such distractions.
___Solomon demonstrated his faithfulness to the Lord by choosing the temple as his first construction project--it occupied first place in his priorities. Also, Solomon remained active in a worship that evidenced his devotion to the Lord.
___As a result of his decision to prioritize worship of the Lord, the king participated in worship during the three major religious celebrations of the year (9:25--Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks and Feast of Tabernacles). In addition, 2 Chronicles 8:12-14 informs us Solomon was active in the weekly worship opportunities at the temple and also the administrative organization of those who worked to maintain the temple and its worship structure.
___Solomon's good reputation
___Although we have no evidence he sought international recognition, nevertheless, Solomon's reputation as a wise person who walked in a close relationship with the Lord began to spread. The text posits the queen of Sheba's primary motivation for traveling such a great distance to visit the courts of Solomon (some would say she traveled up to 1,500 miles) was to test his wisdom (10:1). The queen was not disappointed--in fact "she was overwhelmed" by his wisdom in answering her questions and was quick to announce the "report I heard in my own country about your achievements and wisdom is true" (10:5, 6).
___Solomon had asked the Lord for wisdom in order to be an effective leader (3:9), and the Lord had promised to give that wisdom, plus an added portion of "honor" (3:13). Note, though, that although Solomon had now gained unsought international acclaim, it is the Lord who received the honor in the queen of Sheba's own testimony: "Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you. ... Because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king" (10:9). At least for now, the focus appears to center on bringing glory to the Lord.
___Solomon's material wealth
___Again, Solomon had asked the Lord for wisdom to lead his nation, yet God also promised to add that which the king did not seek: "I will give you what you have not asked for--both riches and honor" (3:13).
___This text offers testimony to the extent of Solomon's great wealth. Not only did the king receive 25 tons of gold every year, the passage indicates he had other significant sources of income in the "revenues from merchants and traders from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the land" (10:15). Just to make sure we haven't missed the point, the author noted, "King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth" (10:23).
___Remember, though, that this same man of great wealth wrote Proverbs 22:4, "Humility and fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor in life" and 3:9, "Honor the Lord with your wealth." At this point in his life, Solomon would have agreed with our Savior's assessment of wealth: "No one can serve two masters. ... You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6: 24, see also 6:19-23).
___Solomon's business ventures
___King Solomon acted to enhance Israel's commerce as he greatly expanded the international trading and maritime shipping of Israel in cooperation with Hiram, king of Tyre (9:26-28, 10:22). That investment in commerce apparently was an additional source of great wealth for the king and the nation.
___Solomon also was highly successful in purchasing and trading horses and chariots (10:26-29). This was one more business venture that succeeded because of Solomon's business acumen and the blessings of the Lord. It also appears that at this time, Solomon was still able to maintain the delicate, challenging balance of a vital worship of the Lord and a financial success of astounding proportions.
___Questions for discussion
___
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