Bible character overview - King Solomon
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Time to read 6 min
Who was King Solomon from the Bible?
Key facts
- When: roughly around 970-930 B.C
- Where: Israel
- Name meaning: 'Peace'
Glimpse: King Solomon is one of the greatest kings to have ever lived. His wisdom was a spectacle and wealth so incomprehensible, that people would travel from all around the world just to witness him in all his glory. Most importantly, King Solomon followed the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David. However, he had a weakness for women and allowed them to turn his heart away from God and into idolatry.
Solomon's ascension
King Solomon is the son of King David. As King David became very old and required care, his son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward as the next king, saying, “I will be king” (1 Kings 1:5). Most people approved of Adonijah as king, but the prophet Nathan, along with a few others, did not. So Nathan devised a plan to have King David declare Solomon as king and not Adonijah.
Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and said, “Go in to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to me, your servant: “Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and add my word to what you have said.” David heard what they had to say and declared that Solomon would become king after him.
Questions
→ Who played the biggest role in Solomon becoming king? How much do parents affect their children's future?
→ Why should you never give up, even if the situation seems impossible?
"I promised you by the Lord the God of Israel, saying, ‘Your son Solomon will be king after me. He will sit on my throne in my place.’ And I will even do so this day.” 31 Bathsheba put her face to the ground in front of the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever.”"
The most wise
Later on, the Lord appeared to King Solomon in a dream, saying, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon, being young and aware of the great responsibility of leading his nation well, asked God, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” God was pleased with his response and gave him a discerning heart far beyond anyone who has ever lived or ever will live. He also gave him all that he didn’t ask for, saying, “Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings” (1 Kings 3:13).
Solomon’s wisdom was tested when two prostitutes came to him, each claiming to be the mother of the same baby. To resolve the dilemma, Solomon asked for a sword to be brought so that the child could be cut in two and each part given to the women. The true mother cried out, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” while the lying woman said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” This revealed to King Solomon that the true mother was the one who wanted the baby to be spared.
Questions
→ What did God like about Solomon's answer?
→ Do you have an earthly mindset or an eternal one? What's the difference?
"The Lord came to Solomon in a special dream in Gibeon during the night. God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.” ''
Departing from the Lord
King David was never able to build the temple of God due to the unrest in the land caused by wars, but God gave Solomon peace, allowing him to build a palace for himself and also the temple of God. The queen of Sheba had heard of the wisdom and splendor of Solomon and went to see these things for herself. She brought large amounts of spices, gold, and precious stones and began questioning Solomon on all her hardest questions. Solomon answered with ease, and the splendor of the king and his palace overwhelmed her. King Solomon is arguably the richest man to have ever existed, receiving rough estimates of $1 billion per year in gold alone.
Even after all of this, King Solomon loved many foreign women and had 700 wives and 300 concubines. However, these women worshipped many foreign gods and therefore swayed Solomon's heart to other gods. God had promised that if Solomon kept his heart right before Him, He would establish his kingdom even after his death. However, Solomon turned away from God, and the Lord said, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates” (1 Kings 11:11).
Suddenly, many mighty men began to rise up against King Solomon, but the kingdom was not completely torn from him for the sake of David, his father. Solomon went on to write most of the Book of Proverbs and eventually died after reigning for 40 years.
Questions
→ How was Solomon so wise yet made such a silly mistake?
→ Why is it important to keep ourselves away/detached from anything/anyone that worships false gods?
“They were from the nations about which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “Do not take wives from them. And do not have them take wives from you. For they will be sure to turn your heart away to follow their gods.” But Solomon held on to these women in love. ”
Strengths:
- Wise: King Solomon was made the wisest man on the earth. More wise than anyone who has lived or ever will live
- Blessed: King Solomon was one of the wealthiest men to have ever lived and had all that he could desire
- Highly favoured: It is extremely rare that the Lord appears to anyone yet He appeared to Solomon twice
Weaknesses:
- Women: King Solomon had over 1000 women who eventually turned his heart away from God
- Disobedience: King Solomon also ended up disobeying God by not only marrying these women but also giving in to their idolatry and sacrifices
Conclusion
We can learn from the life of King Solomon, that our hearts are the most important thing to protect. King Solomon had everything you could ever want or imagine but he did not protect his heart and it was corrupted to the point of angering the Lord. God looks at the heart and not our status or wealth and we must therefore keep it pure and holy, protecting it at all costs.
''For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life''
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