A King’s Glory and Corruption

MEMORY VERSE: “But if ye shall at all turn from following Me, ye or your children, and will not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for My name, will I cast out of My sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people.” —I Kings 9:6,7

I KINGS 4:20, 21, 29, 30, 32-34

WHEN Solomon became king of Israel he asked the Lord to give him wisdom. His prayer was, “Give … thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and had: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (I Kings 3:9) We read that “the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” “And God said unto him, Because thou hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hest asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.”—I Kings 3:11,12

Solomon reigned over all twelve tribes of Israel. Ten of these tribes, dwelling in the northern section of the Promised Land were known as Israel; and two of the tribes, dwelling more toward the south, were known as Judah. Altogether this was a large aggregation of people—“as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.”—I Kings 4:20

Because God had granted special wisdom to Solomon, and “largeness of heart,” he ruled the people well, and there was much joy and happiness throughout the nation. Solomon’s fame spread abroad, and people from many countries came to observe his wisdom. These included kings.—I Kings 4:32-34

However, as time went on, Solomon began to turn away from strict obedience to the God of Israel. In this he was very unwise; and he became very corrupt. His three hundred wives and seven hundred concubines led him into idolatry.

God had promised David, Solomon’s father, that “there shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.” (I Kings 8:25) To this the Lord added the warning found in our memory verse.

Jesus spoke of “Solomon, in all his glory,” but this once wisest of all kings lost his glory by permitting his heart to be turned away from serving the true and living God. While Solomon became renowned, and accumulated vast riches, and was a world trader, he lost the most precious possession which he once enjoyed, and that was the favor and fellowship of Jehovah, the true and living God of Israel.

James wrote, “If any of you [Christians] lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5) The wisdom here referred to is the ability to discern God’s will, and to conduct oneself in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. Today God supplies this wisdom through his spirit by his written Word, and it is available for his dedicated people who study his Word prayerfully and with a true spirit of reverence.

James further wrote, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation [conduct] his works with meekness and wisdom.” (James 3:13) James further wrote, “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”—James 3:17,18

Solomon was given the wisdom by God that enabled him to rule and judge Israel righteously. To make the proper use of this wisdom required that he keep his heart pure and devoted to the doing of God’s will. This he failed to do, and lost God’s favor. God will give us wisdom to do his will, but if we are to remain pleasing to God we must keep our hearts pure before the Lord, and maintain a true spirit of consecration.

QUESTIONS

What was the source of Solomon’s wisdom?

What brought about Solomon’s downfall before the Lord?

How did James describe the wisdom that is from above?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |