Lesson 3 Solomon

   Lesson 3 

Solomon

 

Portion to read: 1 King 1 - 11, 2 Chron. 1 -9 

Memory Verse: 2 Chro. 7: 14

Introduction: What are the things that give happiness to man/woman? 

Don't men/women desire power, honor, riches, wisdom, etc.? But none of this can give us internal satisfaction. Who is known as the wisest of the Wisemen? Who was his father? Who was his mother? 

In his last days, King David appointed Solomon, his son in Bathsheba, as his successor. But Adonijah, his other son, tried to sit on the throne but could not succeed. Immediately David anointed Solomon as the King even before his death, with the help of prophet Nathan. Soloman was then only 19 years old. His rule was the golden era in the history of Israel. 

SOLOMON'S WISDOM 

Immediately after ascending the throne, young Solomon gathered all the Israel in Gibeon at the tabernacle and offered prayers and sacrifices. God appeared to him in the night. But Solomon asked God for only wisdom to lead the people. God was pleased with this, and he blessed him with unparalleled wisdom and gave other blessings along with it. Thus Solomon became a great and rich king. He compiled 3000 proverbs and wrote 1005 songs. He spoke about plant life. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations, people came to listen to Soloman's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE 

Solomon started building the Jerusalem temple in the 4th year of his reign, according to the plan proposed by David, his father. Hiram, the King of Tyre, helped Solomon in this. So a mighty temple of 60 cubits length, 20 cubits width, and 30 cubits height was built within seven years. According to law, priests brought the Ark of Covenant and kept it in the holiest of holies. After that, the King and the priests sang and praised Lord loudly, and the temple was filled with the Glory of God. 

God appeared to Soloman again at night and gave him promises and warnings. God asked him to obey His commandment and never to worship other gods. 

House for Solomon

After building the temple, Solomon builds a palace for himself in 13 years. He also built palace in the forest of Lebanon. 

 

Area of Solomon's country

His country was about 60,000 cubic miles which was about 10 times the country of David. 

Solomon's wealth and fame

King Solomon's wealth and fame were astonishing. He had trade relations with foreign countries. Big merchant ships brought gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks to his country. His throne was made up of gold and ivory. He had 1400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen. Queen Sheba heard about Soloman's riches and came to see it with many gifts. She was astonished to see Solomon's wisdom, his palace, the food at his table, his butlers and their behavior, his servant's dress, and his procession to the temple. ("Here is one greater than Solomon "Mat. 12:42) Jesus's glory is eternal. Let us see it and fall at his feet like John, the apostle. 

Fall of Solomon

The wisest of wise, Solomon also backslid from God and led to the nation's downfall. Solomon's experiences are an example for us to escape from his follies. Solomon's failures are as follows. 

1. Solomon's heart was not as sincere towards God as his father's. He built a temple for God, but he never gave God a place in the temple of his heart. The place we offer God in our hearts is more important than what we do for God. 

2. Solomon's cruelty and desire to take revenge. 

        Solomon took revenge on his brother Adonijah, the commander Joab and Shimei. Beniah killed them according to the order of Solomon, But David dealt totally in a different way with them.

3. Soloman took pride in his wealth and fame and utilized it for his name's sake. He built large mansions, thrones and increased his comforts.

4. Solomon married the daughter of Paroh and other princesses against the counsel of God. In love, he became united to them, and they took his heart to other gods. Thus Solomon forgot the Almighty God who appeared to him twice, and he worshipped the gods of Sidonians (Asthoroth) and Ammonites.

5. Soloman's end was Pathetic. We can see his words of disappointment in the book of ecclesiastics. He teaches us from his experience that worldly riches, fame, and honor will not satisfy us. But Solomon's significant failure was that he could not practice the knowledge he got in his own life. 

In his last days, Solomon's servant Jeroboam rebelled against him. Solomon died after 40 years of reign, and the kingdom was divided into two. His servant Jeroboam became the King of Israel (10 tribes), and his son Rehoboam became the King of Judah (2 tribes).