Lesson 20: Solomon - Part 1

Tonight we are going to look at King Solomon. We are not going to do an all in look at Solomon and his writings, in this study we are looking at him from the Bible to see what it says about him historically.

There is probably no greater man in Israel in his wisdom, power, and reach - but at the same time, there is also no greater waste of potential.

But in it all, God had a plan.

I. SOLOMON BECOMES KING

Most of the kings we will cover do not have much of a story about how the new king became king. Many of them were either kings for a short time, or their time was uneventful for the most part as far as the Word of God goes. While other are amazing stories such as Saul, David, and even Josiah, who became king at the age of 8.

But Solomon’s ascent to the throne was not without controversy or drama as we talked about last week - especially concerning Adonijah. So let’s look at this first part and some key points surrounding it.

A. The Davidic Covenant

Let’s look at 2 Samuel 7:8-16

Remember the three things that God promised in the Davidic Covenant:

1. The kingdom would be established through David’s seed v.12

One of the Psalms that is not of David, and is likely of Solomon, is Psalm 132. In Psalm 132:11:

Psalm 132:11 AV

The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

God keeps his promises. This part of the covenant was already fulfilled in the next generation.

2. The son of David would build the temple for God v.13

This part of the covenant is also quickly fulfilled. David prepared much himself the building materials of the temple, but it was king Solomon, David’s son that built it. In 1 Kings 8:20 we have Solomon confirming that it was completed.

1 Kings 8:20 AV

And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

3. The kingdom established would last forever v.13

Psalm 89:4 AV

Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

4. God’s mercy would sustain the kingdom forever though there would be sin vv.15-16

B. God chose Solomon to be king

I’ve said this before about Saul, we can apply it to David, and to Solomon as well, God chose the king. These are who God wanted at those times.

2 Samuel 12:24 AV

And David comforted Bathsheba 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.

Here is a quick note about marriage and about being a husband. Men you need to comfort your wives. You need to comfort each other, but men especially their wives.

1 Peter 3:7 AV

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Now verse 25 goes on to say:

2 Samuel 12:25 AV

And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

Jedidiah means beloved of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 28:5–6 AV

And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.

C. The Promise Kept

Not without trepidation as we saw in our last study when Adonijah decided to take the kingdom.

Bathsheba and Nathan both came to David in a coordinated effort to remind him of what he had promised.

Adonijah was the next in line by blood, but God is not a respecter of persons, He had Solomon chosen to succeed David as king.

Of course, as we saw, David said:

1 Kings 1:29–30 AV

And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.

D. The Approval of Solomon

– 1:39-48

One of the reasons I believe that Solomon was so blessed was because they everyone got behind the him and his leadership. Everyone got with the plan. I don’t want to be one of these that is rejecting things because I don’t like this or that. Nitpicking actually shows my own critical spirit as well as my refusal to get along and be one mind.

1 Peter 1:22 AV

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1. Anointed by the priests v. 39

2. The rejoicing of the people vv.40-41

3. Riding on the kings mule v.44

4. Assuming the throne v.46

5. The bowing of David v.47

6. The approval of David v.48

7. The submission of Adonijah – vv.49-53

1 Kings 2:23 AV

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.

E. The Encouragement of David

2:1-9

The Bible uses the word “charge.”

1. Be strong

Leaders should be strong. That is not a hard saying to understand. It requires strength, determination, stick-to-it-iveness. Seek to be producive; don’t obsess with not making a mistake, just do your best and then when something needs fixed - fix it!

Ephesians 6:10 AV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

2. Be a Man

No excuses; no one to blame; take on responsibilities now.

1 Corinthians 16:13 AV

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

3. Keep the charge of the Lord

There is no more important charge you have in this life - no bigger command, no other priority more above following the Lord.

a. Walk in His ways

Psalm 37:23 AV

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 128:1 AV

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

b. Keep His commandments

We have the wrong view of the commandments of the Lord. It is a carnal Christian that despises the commandments of God.

Psalm 119:47 AV

And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

Psalm 119:4 AV

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

c. In all ways with all your heart

In everything, in every way, with all of your heart - that was good counsel from David to his son; that is great counsel from the pastor to the members; that is great counsel from any of to one another.

Mark 12:30 AV

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

4. Deal with the problems

Slay Joab-vv.5-6

Bless Barzillai v.7

Away with Shimei vv.8-9

E. The establishment of his kingdom

The establishment of any kingdom, presidency, even pastorate, or a executive position at company usually comes as the result of some trial or trouble.

President

1. Adonijah’s doom

1 Kings 2:12-25

But Solomon was wise to it and had him executed.

His submission was short lived of course, in chapter 2:13-25 he tries to use Bathsheba into allowing him to marry Abishag, the idea of this is possibly in order to get some legitimacy of some sort to the throne, by Solomon’s estimation at least, and possibly overthrow the authority of Solomon.

a. Solomon’s care for his mother

vv.18-19

b. Solomon will not allow himself to be manipulated

Now, while Solomon respected and cared for his mother - he did not play any games with right or wrong, or be manipulated by her especially while she was manipulated by Adonijah v.22

But Solomon was wise to it and had him executed.

2. He thrusts Abiathar from the priesthood

vv.26-27

3. The execution of Joab

vv.28-34

4. Sets up leadership

v.35

5. Shimei brings his own destruction

vv.36-46

So, in all this evening - We see God keeps his promises, David keeps his Word. The people with one heart and mind recieved the God chosen new king of Israel, Solomon - and Solomon establishes himself with wisdom early on in his kingdom.

I’ve started one church, restored one church and restarted this church. There is an old statement that I have always remembered from either when I was a young adult or Bible college - either way it is this:

Start a church in a way you plan to keep the church.