Sermon Tone Analysis

Solomon’s prayer grows out of His recognition of three things:

Solomon’s prayer grows out of His recognition of three things:

Solomon’s prayer grows out of His recognition of three things:

1.

He freely admits and recognizes that God is the cause of his rise to power: No doubt the obvious didn’t escape Solomon that there were other family members perhaps better suited for, equipped, and better liked by the religious establishment and tribal leaders than an illegitimet child has to the throne.

1.

He freely admits and recognizes that God is the cause of his rise to power: No doubt the obvious didn’t escape Solomon that there were other family members perhaps better suited for, equipped, and better liked by the religious and military establishment as well as the tribal leaders than an illegitimate child has to the throne.

Solomon recognizes God’s sovereignty over the events in .

1.

He freely admits and recognizes that God is the cause of his rise to power: No doubt the obvious didn’t escape Solomon that there were other family members perhaps better suited for, equipped, and better liked by the religious and military establishment as well as the tribal leaders than an illegitemet child has to the throne.

Solomon recognizes God’s sovereignty over the events in .

Key Take-Aways:

2. He recognizes that he is NOT qualified to meet all the demands of the “job” of leading Israel and dealing with all the complexities of the job - within Israel and beyond or outside of Israel politically with other nations: Whether Solomon is voicing the obvious or reflecting his own inner self-givings and poor self-image the reality is he feels unprepared to take the reigns of leadership from historic figures like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and David.

We’d do wise to look at events with a greater understanding of and recognicition of God’s Sovereignity played out in the day to day matters of our own lives and our organizitional life together.

There is also this ever-present undercurrent at play that he, Solomon, doesn’t come to the table with the fame, reputation, or popular following his father David had.

He doesn’t even have the personality of his father to aid him.

David had earned the right to lead and had incredible influence over men who were more skilled in battle and accomplished even greater feats than David had (see the listing of David’s mighty men and their accomplishments in ????).

Solomon correctly describes himself and his skill set, capabilities and qualifications for this level of leadership as unqualified - look for someone else! Solomon describes himself as a small child who does not know “how to carry out my duties.”

This last statement in Hebrew literally says, “I do not know how to go and come,” an idiom referring to the skills of leadership (cf.

; ; ; , ; ; ).

We’d show ourselves wise if we’d truly live each day with the knowledge that we are ill suited for the position we are in if not for God.

Therefore we rely upon Him daily for decision making, leading, understanding, power to change things, and comprehension of His desire in all things.

2.

He recognizes that he is NOT qualified to meet all the demands the “job” of leading Israel requires nor its complexities - within Israel and outside of Israel politically with other nations: Whether Solomon is voicing the obvious or reflecting his own inner self-givings and poor self-image.

The reality - he knows and acteuly feels unprepared to take the reigns of leadership from his father let alone walk in the shoes of historic figures like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel.

Key Take-Aways:

In contrast to his own personal and experiential lack of stature, Solomon must lead a people whose greatness is first measured by the fact that they were chosen by God.

Solomon now becomes the head of the nation once led by Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and David.

According to , he must embody God’s standards for the people.

Israel’s greatness is also measured by its growing population.

Solomon senses that perhaps old ways of governing may not meet the curre nt needs of his subjects.

3.

He recognizes that he doesn’t possess the capabilities either to lead lead: Given the magnitude of his responsibilty and that he was taking over the leaadership of a people chosen bu God and whom the likes of Abraham, Moses, and recently David his father led werehuge shoes to fill.

Only a braggard would not be overwhelmed and walk into this situation without fear and trembling that you’ll screw it up.

personal dilemma, Solomon requests “a discerning heart.”

This phrase literally means “a listening heart” or “an obedient heart.”

In the Old Testament “hearing” and “obeying” come from the same word, a linguistic trait with practical implications.

Only those who obey authority figures have really heard them.

Solomon must obey the Lord by keeping God’s commands in order for his heart to be prepared to lead others.

This listening to God will also enable him to listen to others.

Lack of Personal Experience: Solomon hadn’t seen any actual battles or participated in any or lead men into battle.

A nation at peace was David’s legacy.

David had earned the right to lead and had incredible influence over men who were more skilled in battle and accomplished even greater feats than David had (see the listing of David’s mighty men and their accomplishments in ????).

Solomon didn’t carry into his “job” a level of influence earned by reputation and accomplishments.

Personal knowledge of this could effect his judgement, and decision making if not held in check by a more powerful knowledge - that God had selected him to serve as king.

Nothing more matter in the mind of men and the will of God.

We’d do wise to look at events with a greater understanding of and recognition of God’s Sovereignty played out in the day to day matters of our own lives and our organizational life together.

Solomon’s desire for an obedient, listening heart is based on his wish to administer justice in Israel.

Justice can only emerge when the king is able “to distinguish between right and wrong” (lit., “good and evil”).

Justice can become a quite complicated goal, as 3:16–28 proves.

Only knowledge of what God considers fair and unfair can guide the king to act justly with any consistency.