Godly fathers-ungodly sons-35

Solomon was now firmly established as king. There were no more ‘threats’ to his reign or were there? Maybe Solomon took his eyes off of the Lord and the real threats were inside his heart and kingdom.

1 Kings 3:1  Then Solomon formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her to the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. 

Not a good start, in fact, a sinful start. As we have studied previously, God forbade the Israelites from marrying outside of the nation. But, his first recorded marriage was to Pharaoh’s daughter. This will not lead to righteousness.

3:2  The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days. 3:3  Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 3:4  The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 

Here is an important contradiction. Solomon loved the LORD but still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. High places are never considered as good.

3:5  In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, "Ask what you wish me to give you." 3:6  Then Solomon said, "You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 3:7  "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 3:8  "Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 3:9  "So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" 

This prayer is a good example to all of us. He recognizes his humble position. He wants to be able to judge between good and evil. He wants God to give him the wisdom and perseverance to judge and rule.

3:10  It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 3:11  God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 3:12  behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 3:13  "I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 

Solomon was given gifts that were never given in such a manner as this. How would he use these gifts? Would such gifts slowly contribute to his moving away from the LORD? But, the LORD always puts conditions on all to whom He gives His gifts.

3:14  "If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days." 3:15  Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. 

If you walk, if you keep. This is as true for us as it was for Solomon. Unfortunately, theses gifts gradually changed Solomon and lead to his to disobeying the LORD and to do evil. Paul warns us about this happening to us.

Philippians 2:12  So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 2:13  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 

2 Timothy 2:20  Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  2:21  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 2:22  Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 

1Timothy 6:11  But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

1 John 2:15  Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 2:17  The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 

More next Saturday