This quarter we will be studying the books of Kings and Chronicles. We will be covering some significant events and people from the Old Testament. We will begin with Solomon, and then progress through the quarter with other kings such as Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Joash, and Hezekiah. We will study the lives of Elijah and Elisha. This first lesson deals with Solomon's request for wisdom to rule the people of Israel. Men in the world may appear wise, however, their knowledge, and the way they apply it, is not the "wisdom that is from above" (James 3:17). God desires to impart His wisdom on every child of His. We only need to ask. (James 1:5)
Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He was brought up in luxury and wealth, with few hardships that helped develop the character of his father. When he assumes the throne, the kingdom of Israel was at its highest glory. Everything in the government was organized and there was no war. Solomon wanted to inaugurate his reign with a great religious festival. They met at Gibeon, where the ancient tabernacle was constructed by Moses. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings with a purpose of unifying the people and to show that Solomon stood by the religion of his father. This is the backdrop of the first lesson.
The first section is entitled, "God's Offer vv. 5." Can you imagine having a dream with God Almighty asking you what you want Him to give you? Some might ask for riches, power or control. However, Solomon already had youth, wealth, prosperity, glory and greatness. This seems too good to be true, but it was true. How does that apply to us today in 2020? Consider what our Lord Jesus Christ said to His believers, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." In the storehouse of heaven, their awaits everything we need to live an abundant life here and now. Often, we ask too little and live beneath our privileges in Christ. We need to know what it means to abide in Christ:
1. "He that abideth in me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." John 15:5 This that abide bring forth fruit.
2. "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked." 1 John 2:6 There is an ancient saying that stated that discipleship meant you walked in the dust of your master. That means you walk so closely to him that the dust he kicks up when walking will land on you.
3. "Whosoever abideth in Him sinners not." 1 John 3:6 If you have sin in your life, you are not abiding.
4. "He that keepers His commandments dwellers in Him." 1 John 3:24
Every true believer has the following offer: "Ask what I shall give thee."
The second section is entitled "Solomon's Request vv. 6-9." Solomon in response to God's offer considered four viewpoints:
1. He thought of God's mercy to his father David. That mercy was going to be continued in Solomon.
2. He realized that he was in the will of God and therefore he was free to ask and expect God's blessings.
3. He considered his youth and inexperience, "I am but a little child."
4. He realized that there was a great work to be done and he would need God's help.
Today, we have the same reasons why every child of God should make a wise choice. There is great work to be done today. The world is becoming more and more evil. Solomon displayed wisdom in his choice and we need to do the same. Our first and most sincere choice should be for wisdom to serve God acceptably, to fulfill the work He has given, and to be a blessing to others.
The third section is "God's Gifts vv. 10-15." God was pleased with Solomon's choice and granted it. Then, God gave Solomon more than he had asked. This is a fulfillment of a divine law: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) God delights in giving us the best things, but also He adds the lesser things. God will fill our cup with earthly good as He sees best for us. The same promises are to us if we will seek Him first. We are to always make God and His righteousness first in our lives, and other things will be added to us. This is the essence of entire sanctification. God is first. There is no competition in our hearts. The old man has been crucified and eradicated. With the old man gone, God will be first! That will open the door to wonderful blessings as the Lord deems in our best interest.
Solomon was promised long life, but died at 59 or 60. Why? Because he forfeited God's blessings. Read 1 Kings 11: 1-8 for the details. This proves we can forfeit God's best for us.
The Golden Text is: "Wisdom is better than rubies." (Proverbs 8:11) "True wisdom consists in the knowledge and love God, and an entire conformity to all the intentions of His truths, providences, and laws."
My summary points:
1. God will allow us to make choices. We are not robots. We have free will.
2. We should always put and seek God first. When we do, everything we need will be provided to us.
3. We can forfeit God's plan and blessings for our life through sin.
Read the Sunday School Beacon for inspiration and encouragement.
Next week's lesson: "Solomon's Fall" (1Kings 11: 4-13).
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