Term 1 – Week 9

Big Idea – God gave King Solomon a wise heart to help him govern God’s people.

1 Kings 2-3

Outcomes

Implications

Introduction 

In 1 Kings 2, David’s time to die had drawn near (v.1a), and his hope for the promised kingdom of God was in his son Solomon, the heir to throne. ‘When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom (2 Sam 7:12), So, David gives a final charge to his son Solomon. First he describes the characteristics of this promised king (vv.2-4), then he outlines certain actions Solomon must take as king (vv.5-9), then for the rest chapter 2 we see God firmly establish Solomon as king (vv.12, 46).Following this, in chapters 3:1-11:43, we see the story of King Solomon played out and it begins really positively. Solomon’s rule is marked with wisdom from the Lord (1 Kgs 3), he builds the temple of the Lord (1 Kgs 7-9), and his kingdom becomes greater than even his father David’s kingdom (1 Kgs 1:47; 10). But we soon learn that Solomon is not the promised forever King and his kingdom is not the promised forever kingdom because in chapter 11 Solomon’s heart turns away from the Lord (1 Kgs 11). Ultimately, David’s expectation for the promised king was only partially realised in King Solomon. It wasn’t realised until the coming of The True Heir, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.  

In 1 Kings 3:4, King Solomon goes to Gibeon to offer sacrifices to the Lord and while he’s there, Lord reveals himself to Solomon in a dream, just as he did to the prophet Nathan (2 Sam 7:4, 17) and speaks some astonishingly remarkable words. God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you’ (v.5b). This is a partial fulfilment of God’s promise to David, ‘I will be his father, and he shall be my son’ (2 Sam 7:14a; Psalm 2:7-8). Solomon seems to be God’s promised king of 2 Samuel 7. His response to God’s invitation is also remarkable as we see Solomons’ genuine love for the Lord and his faith in him. His response has three aspects: 

  1. Solomon saw God’s kindness (vv.6-7a) 

Solomon sees the establishment of his kingdom (2:12, 46) in the light of God’s promises to David in 2 Samuel 7. God promised to David, ‘I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom…. my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you’ (2 Sam 7:12, 15). God also showed undeserved kindness (grace) to David, by forgiving him of his sin and restoring him as man & king. Now God has made Solomon his servant in the place of David, which is an expression of God’s great kindness.  

  1. Solomon saw His own weakness (vv.7b-8) 

Solomon was deeply aware of his limited experience (perhaps as a leader and also as a military commander). He also understood both the size of the task (the people are many!) and the seriousness of the task (the people are God’s chosen people [cf. Gen 5:5; 22:17])! Because he understood God’s promises concerning his chosen people (Israel), this magnified his sense of inadequacy for the task.  

  1. Solomon saw what he needed (v.9) 

Solomon knew that what he needed for ruling God’s chosen people was a discerning (hearing/listening) heart. This resource for the task ahead would not come from looking within himself, but from listening to God and his word. In order to govern God’s people i.e. bring justice & put things right for God’s people, Solomon needed what the bible calls wisdom, which is a listening heart (a heart turn towards to Lord in obedience) and the ability to distinguish between good and evil (to discern the will of the Lord).  

The Lord is pleased with Solomon’s request (vv.10-14) because he didn’t ask for health and wealth or the death of his enemies, but instead asked for wisdom. So, God gives Solomon a listening heart, so that he can do what is right for God’s people. But God doesn’t leave it there, because also shows generosity to Solomon and gives him long life and riches, which is conditional of Solomon listening to and obeying the word of Lord. 

Solomon, the promised king and heir to God’s kingdom foreshadows King Jesus, for the relationship between God and his promised king came into its full expression in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son in whom the Lord is well pleased (Matt 3:17), the Son in whom God has given ‘all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18), the Son who fully listened to God’s word and obeyed him fully, who was filled with all wisdom and understanding (Lk 2:40, 52). Jesus said, ‘By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me (John 5:30).

Memory Verse

1 Samuel 16:7b

The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 

Songs

Jesus, when you died (Awesome Cutlery) – YouTube

Leaders PDF

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Dundonald Kids

Dundonald Kids is the team led by our Children's Minister Natasha Small that aims to partner with parents in growing young disciples of Christ.

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