Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh [at that time it was not common for Egyptian pharaohs to intermarry, this was a sign of an alliance between the nations of Egypt and Israel and a sign of Solomon’s unusual esteem.
Solomon then went to the high places at Gibeon and burned incense. At the High Places pagan worship took place (Arnon is referenced in Num 21:28, Baal in Num 22:41 and God told His people to destroy the molten images and high places in Num 33:52). In addition, he offered sacrifices to the Lord at Gibeon. Then when asleep, the Lord appeared to him:
Solomon was given a promise by David in 1 Kings 2:3 if he would walk in God’s ways, keep His statues, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies according to what is written in the Law of Moses, God would keep a man on the throne of Israel. This promise mirrored God’s promise to Solomon in 1 Kings 3:14, if you walk in My ways, keeping My statues and commandments you will have a long life.
• The word “way” in Hebrew literally means “a road”, figuratively it means “a course of life or mode of action”
The Lord then offered Solomon anything and Solomon chose wisdom and a discerning, understanding heart. God not only gave him wisdom, but wealth and honor as well.
After being granted wisdom, he displayed that wisdom to God when he went to Jerusalem and sacrificed burnt offerings and a peace offering before the Ark of the Covenant. He then displayed his wisdom to his kingdom in the judgment of the 2 harlot women arguing over the baby.
Question to Ponder: It was obviously important for Solomon to walk in God’s ways ~ David said it in chapter 2 and God reiterated it in chapter 3. What does it mean for you to walk in God’s ways?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment