Sunday School: I Kings 3 Bart Lester
The beginnings of Solomon's reign.
Of note: first off there are 2 ominous signs.
1. He forms an alliance with Egypt and takes a wife from there. Note the Deuteronomy passage that forbids a future king from 'returning to Egypt" or turning there.
2. He sacrifices on the high places. God had forbidden this.
(Note again, that everything reported by the writer is not commented on, or approved of. He is reporting the facts of the Kings of Israel. Later, we find out that these 2 things become prolific sins in his life, having long lasting, devastating consequences on the kingdom)
Yet, God favors him.
The second point above notes the need for a permanent place of worship. David had aspired to build the temple, but God forbid him, and declared that Solomon would do this after him. His heart was right.....in that he was sacrificing out of his wealth to the living God. Solomon loved the Lord, and his worship was sincere, if not regulated, and God was pleased.
When God appears to him in a dream and asks him what he would ask for.....Solomon's request again pleases God. He could have asked for wealth, a huge kingdom, or long life, but instead he asks for wisdom. Solomon humbly acknowledges his lack of wisdom and inexperience in judging and leading. God grants him this wisdom, declaring that none before him, nor any after him, will be as wise as he.
A particular example is given to demonstrate his wisdom. 2 prostitutes, one dead infant, 2 different stories about what happened, and 2 different requests for justice. Based on the report given, there is no way to discern the truth. There are not 2 witnesses as required by the Law. So, in the wisdom given by God, Solomon tests them, or 'smokes them out'. The true mother of the child is revealed! All heard of it and were in awe. They recognized his wisdom to judge rightly. Implied is that their anxieties were relieved. Thus God established a peaceful reign during the time of Solomon.
Reference: Colossian 2:1-4. In Christ can be found all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom.
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Sermon: Colossians 4:2-6 Billy Joseph "The forgotten power tool of evangelism: Prayer"
Note the state of the unbeliever: dead in sin.....incapable of even hearing God's Word unless God enable him to do so.
Note also, that we are not (here, anyway) instructed to pray for the unbeliever. But instead, we are exhorted to pray
1. with thanksgiving
2. for those proclaiming the gospel
3. for wisdom in our speech and behavior.
Referenced was Romans 10:1.....the only reference found that says to pray for the unbeliever.
Much more common is the command to pray for those boldly proclaiming the gospel, as called and gifted to do so by God.
In prayer, we acknowledge our need of God. We cannot do what He has commanded, or calls us to do without Him.
Thought for meditation: "Prayer for others is the supreme God ordained method in Evangelism...Until we see the incapacity of sinners and our helplessness to save them, we will not commit ourselves to prayer; prayer is pleading our helplessness before God." (Will Metzger,
Tell the Truth page 78)
Be steadfast. Always at it. Never wavering. Not weary, or even if weary, not giving up. I think of the Hebrews passage about pressing toward the mark. Keep going!
Am I praying that my speech will be gracious? seasoned with salt? and that I walk in wisdom toward outsiders (AND insiders?) Am I praying (preparing) to be able to answer each person according to godly wisdom?
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