National Glory and Decay

I KINGS 3: 5-9; 5:13-16; 11:4-9

GOLDEN TEXT: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”—Proverbs 3:5

THE nation of Israel reached its greatest height of glory during the reign of King Solomon. As a young man Solomon was humble, and he asked God to give him wisdom that he might exercise righteous judgment in his dealings with the people over whom he had been made king. This pleased the Lord, and Solomon was given both wisdom and riches, and he became renowned for both. His fame spread even to distant countries, and the Queen of Sheba, hearing about it, came to see for herself, and reported that the half had not been told.

Outstanding in the accomplishments of Solomon was his building of the temple. David had wanted to build a “house” for the Lord, but was not permitted to do so because he had been “a man of war,” and had shed blood. (I Chron. 28:3) The wealth of gold and other material which Solomon used in the construction of the temple was probably far beyond anything which David had in mind, although he had succeeded in gathering much of this material. Israel was engaged in war during much of David’s reign, and war saps the resources of a people and hinders progress in peaceful projects. Solomon’s reign, on the other hand, was one of peace, and under his wise leadership the nation prospered. Solomon’s reign is a good illustration of the peace and security which will come to all who, during the messianic kingdom period, acknowledge the sovereignty of Christ and obey the laws of his kingdom. Concerning conditions during Solomon’s reign, we read, “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.”—I Kings 4:25

How much like this is the language employed by the prophet to describe the peace and security of all nations during the reign of Christ, when the “law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Of that time we read, even as it is said of Israel during the reign of Solomon, that “they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.”—Micah 4:1-4

When Solomon was young and of “tender age” he depended upon the Lord for strength and wisdom, but unlike David, he did not continue in this God-fearing attitude of heart and mind. He permitted his heathen wives to turn him away from Israel’s God, and with them he offered sacrifices to false gods. Despite David’s mistakes, he continued to reverence the Lord and to acknowledge him as the, supreme Ruler of Israel. Shortly before his death David prayed, “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as Head above all.”—I Chron. 29:11

Because of old age and failing strength David gave place to Solomon to represent the Lord as king in Israel, so we read that “Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father.” (I Chron. 29:23) Solomon ruled well for a time, but as we have seen, in his old age “his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.”—I Kings 11:4

Because Solomon’s heart was turned away from the Lord, the Lord withdrew his favor from him. Only for David’s sake and because of the promise made to him, did God continue the messianic line through Solomon. Thus is emphasized again that the favors and promises of God are not unconditional. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you,” is a divine principle which governs all God’s dealings with his people.—James 4:8

The First Commandment of the Decalog was, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” and Jesus said, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10; Luke 4:8) Judging from God’s attitude toward those who violated this commandment, it would seem that he considers it the most important. It is true, also, that the weaknesses of the fallen flesh have much to do with the violation of the other commandments, hence with such violations God is more merciful. Certainly God was not pleased with Solomon for acquiring so many wives; particularly so when most of them were from heathen countries. However, it was the fact that Solomon permitted these wives to turn his heart away to the worship of other gods that stirred up the wrath of Jehovah against him.

Weaknesses of the flesh do not hinder one from a resolute determination to worship and serve the true God. And when the will of Jehovah becomes the supreme rule to govern one’s life, he will make an effort to bring all his thoughts, words, and deeds into line with divine law. Thus seen, the worship of God becomes the very hub of a godly life. Hence the importance of this first requisite in the lives of those who would be pleasing to Jehovah.

QUESTIONS:

In what manner did the reign of Solomon prefigure the reign of Christ?

Are the promises of God conditional or unconditional?

What was the great sin of Solomon which caused him to lose the favor of God?

Why is the First Commandment so important?

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