Solomon - A Wise Fool - pt. 1

Introduction

I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing on the person’s character throughout. But don’t forget that these were real people, with real lives that made real choices that had real consequences.

I. Solomon’s Nature

((What is their History / Background?)

The Second Son of David & Bathsheba (2Sam. 12:14-24)

David & Bathsheba first became pregnant due to an adulterous affair. The man of God would come forth and - by the Word of God - rebuke David for his sin.

Given God’s divine intervention in the life of Davide, David was seen by man as in essence bearing the image and blessings of God. Because of that, much was expected by God: Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

This was a great sin - not just because of the sin (& the series of sins) that transpired, but because it gave cause for the heathen to blaspheme God! 2 Samuel 12:14 “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”

Following this: (Summarize 2Sam. 12:15-23)

Then once this episode is over, we see something in the following verse: 2 Samuel 12:24 “And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.”

What we see here, is a demonstration of the Grace of God

A Demonstration of Grace

While David’s sins were grievous, God didn’t ‘throw the clay away’. God showed great Grace unto David & Bathsheba in giving them another son.

Notice a couple things:

This is the 2nd time whereas Bath-sheba’s name is used.

The first is 2Sam. 11:3.

In that passage she’s called the ‘wife of Uriah the Hittite’

Here in 2Sam. 12:24, God refers to Bath-sheba as ‘David’s wife’.

These two got together in the wrong way. But I’m thankful for the Grace of God!

(Ill.) My wife & I got together in the wrong way. We were not Christians at the first, we ended up moving in together then having a child out of wedlock. We’re not proud of this, but we are thankful for the Grace of God - the God which gives 2nd chances!

(Ill.) Some of you may be in marriages that didn’t begin the right way. Aren’t you thankful that you have a God that can forgive?

Secondly, notice that Solomon had two names - both are significant:

God called him ‘Jedidiah’ (def) Beloved of the LORD

His Daddy called him ‘Solomon’ (def) Peaceful

Now, the point that God said he was ‘Loved of the LORD’, it doesn’t mean that God loved him to the exclusion of others - but rather, he was simply ‘Loved of the LORD’.

In other words, God’s Judgment of David had ended, and Solomon would enjoy God’s Favor instead

Secondly, David called him ‘Solomon’ meaning ‘peaceful’ to express the truth that peace was established between he and God AFTER David’s sins.

I said that Solomon was a demonstration in God’s Grace because God didn’t have to give Solomon to comfort or console both David or Bathsheba, because neither of them deserved it. But God’s Grace is Great!

Solomon was a Demonstration of God’s Grace

The Third King of Isreal (United)

The first king in the flesh was Saul who reigned 40 years

The 2nd was David who reigned 40 years

Now we see that Solomon would succeed David - not after controversy though.

As David lay on his deathbed, Adonijah, David’s fourth-born son attempted to exalt himself and take the kingdom. But the wise prophet Nathan consulted with Bathsheba these things and David had promised the kingdom to Solomon (1Ch. 22:9;17-18; 28:5-6)

Solomon would spare Adonijah at the first, but would eventually have him killed for trying to marry David’s concubine (1Ki. 2:13-25)

Likewise, Joab - David’s former army leader, & part of the conspiracy would be slain at the altar (1Ki. 2:28-35)

Once the conspiracy was taken care of, Solomon ruled the kingdom as it’s 3rd king

Reigned for 40 years (1Ki. 11:42)

Like the his previous successors, Solomon would reign for 40 years:

1 Kings 11:42 “And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.”

Reigned 40 years

II. Solomon’s Notoriety

(What they are known for?)

His Wisdom, Wealth & Women

Mainly the ‘three W’s - Wisdom, Wealth & Women

Wisest Man to Ever Live (1Ki. 3:12; 4:29-31; 2Ch. 1:12)

Read the text (1Ki. 3:5-15)

While Solomon had great wisdom, it’s one thing to have wisdom, yet it’s another to employ wisdom.

It’s been said that Solomon was the ‘wisest fool who ever lived’.

Wisest Man to Ever Live

Wealthiest & Most Revered Man of His Day (1Ki. 3:13)

Not only did he have wisdom, but he had great riches as well - some of which was laid up from David, other was given by God.

In describing the wealth and wisdom of Solomon, 1Ki. 11 is a great place to examine - in here, we see:

The testimony of the ‘Queen of Sheba’ (1Ki. 11:1-7)

We see some of his wealth detailed:

Facts:

1 pound = $24,500 apx.

1 talent = 125 lbs.

1 talent = over 3 million dollars

36,000 talents a year came to Solomon

3 million x 36,000 = annually

Had Seven Hundred Wives and Three Hundred Concubines (1Ki. 11:3)

Some were political marriages - wives given to keep peace between countries & communities

Builder of the Temple (and Palace) (1Ki. 6; 7)

All the way through 1Ki. 6, we see only one real questionable decision of Solomon (1Ki. 3:1). But it’s the beginning of 1Ki. 7 where we get the sense that something is not quite right.

Two things:

Solomon built twice the house for himself than he did for God

Solomon spent twice as long building his own house than that of God

Which do you think was more important to Solomon?

Prolific Writer, Poet & Composer (1Ki. 4:32)

1 Kings 4:32 “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.”

Penned Three Books of the Bible

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon

All three would fall under the ‘poetry’ category - yet all three are drastically different in content and tone.

Proverbs - Practical Wisdom

Understanding the tenuous relationship between wisdom & foolishness (Pro. 9)

Various applicable nuggets of wisdom:

Pro. 10:19; 11:24; 12:15; 13:7; 20, etc.

Solomon wrote MOST but not ALL of Proverbs

Song of Solomon - Love & Longing

(Read Song 2:1-7)

Revealing the joy of an intimate relationship in the proper context, and the intimacy between man and God

Ecclesiastes - Lamentations

(Read Ecc. 2:1-11)

It’s within these pages whereby we see the wisdom and the foolishness that illuminate the life of Solomon

Eliciting ‘Peace through Strength’ (and Marriage)

Solomon would build up not only wealth, but a great army.

It’s with this army that wasn’t needed, but was used rather as a deterrent more than anything.

In addition to superior firepower, Solomon made league w/ his enemies by marrying brides of the heathen

Solomon’s kingdom was a peaceful one - but a peace that came at a cost.

Began the Fulfillment of Samuel’s Prophecy (1Sam. 8:7-18; 1Ki. 5:13-14)

Samuel tried to warn (by the prophecy of God) what kind of King they would have - and we see that Solomon - even in all his glory - would be unto them.

Last King to Rule over a United Israel

Solomon would be the last king to reign over all 12 tribes. Due to his falling away, God would rend 10 of the 12 tribes away from the line of David and give to others.

III. What Makes him Noteworthy

(What Lessons we can Learn from them?)

Conclusion