Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Greetings, and thanks for joining us today. Two studies are needed to briefly examine King Solomon since there is much to know about this complex man. This first study (like all studies in this five-year series) encourages further Bible reading and research. We begin with some questions and answers:
Q. Who were King Solomon’s parents?
A. Solomon was the second child born to Israel's King David and his wife, Bathsheba. God orchestrated their first son to die shortly after birth to punish David for the scandalous and immoral circumstances surrounding the baby’s conception. (See Vol. 99.)
Q. When did King Solomon reign? What was his age when he became king?
A. After the death of King David, and then with the help of Mother Bathsheba, Solomon ascended to the throne between the ages of 12 and 20. He ruled for approximately 40 years between 970 and 931 BC.
Q. What were the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament books written by Solomon?
A. He is credited with Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
Q. For what is King Solomon best known?
A. Two achievements stand out among many accomplished with God’s Hand. First was his wisdom. God endowed Solomon with such an abundance of brain power that today, the phrase “Solomonic wisdom” means someone is “marked by notable wisdom, reasonableness, or discretion especially under trying circumstances,” according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. (More on this below.)
Second, God chose Solomon to build the Temple in Jerusalem after the Lord denied that honor to his father, David. Why? David explained the Lord’s reason to Solomon:
“David said to Solomon: ‘My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: “‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever’” (1 Chronicles 22:7-10).
I love that passage since it is rich in God’s love for His people, as channeled through King David. Remember when and how God chose David? (See Vol. 158 for a refresher.) And now we read that He has chosen Solomon to “establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever,” physically and spiritually. Moreover, never forget God saying the word “forever” applies to this day, given that Jesus was descended from Solomon. Therefore, 1 Chronicles 22:7-10 is a Messianic prophecy! (Loyal readers know I am fond of pointing out Messianic prophecies, given my Jewish heritage.)
Let’s move to a passage of dialogue from the dying King David to young Solomon as David appointed him king:
“‘You shall be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes and His commandments and His testimonies. As it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn’” (1 Kings 2:2-3).
Today, those words that David spoke to Solomon are often recited by Jewish fathers at the Bar Mitzvahs of their 13-year-old sons.
As previously mentioned, now we will explore the depth, meaning, and origin of Solomon’s wisdom — his divine gift. The following passage (1 Kings 3:5-15) is about an event that impacted Solomon’s reign and forever impacts God’s people. Solomon loved the Lord, and upon becoming King, he had a dream where the Lord appeared:
“God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ And Solomon began with a Godly thanksgiving for his life circumstances, saying:
“‘You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.’”
In the dream, young King Solomon tells God that he is unprepared to rule:
“‘And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.’”
Solomon humbly recognizes that he is over his head to rule a large nation, telling God:
“‘And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.” Solomon is now ready to answer God’s question, “What shall I give you?” and requests the following:
“‘Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?’”
God was pleased that Solomon only asked for the intellect needed to govern God’s people and not earthy riches or great power:
“It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.’”
God granted Solomon wisdom because Solomon acknowledged that is how he could best serve God and God’s people. Moreover, not asking God for what kings would typically ask for impressed the Lord, who said:
“‘I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you all your days. And if you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.’ And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream” (1 Kings 3: 5-15).
King Solomon received abundant wisdom, and with it, he reigned, built the Temple, and Israel prospered. However, being human, Solomon sinned and stumbled. Stay tuned! See you next week. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
She is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit, dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. The National Shroud of Turin Exhibit recently hosted a four-day exhibit (with a VIP guest) at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Contact: <MyraAdams01@gmail.com>