This may seem strange to those of you that don’t attend a Bible Church, but we have now entered into the book of Kings 1 and the story of Solomon. Coming from a Methodist church myself, this order and or sense of jumping around is new and strange to me also. I’ll try to share the message as it was delivered today by Pastor Troy Godwin, while John is taking a Sabbatical.

Wisdom is Not Enough

We will be sharing about Solomon in Kings. 1-8

1. Solomon’s first acts as a King (1-2)

Solomon was favored by God yet it was a rocky relationship and difficult journey to actually become blessed by Him and received by Him and therefore, this is the beginning parts of the journey we will be talking about. (I say we, because I am not a minister, I’m simply sharing Troy’s message. So we, is me and the church.)

His first act as a King was to take an Egyptian wife, yet this was a marriage not of love, but a political alliance. He loves God, yet he relied on his own cunning and also worshipped other gods before being blessed by Him. His new wife basically got him to the throne by reminding King David that he was the right heir to the throne. David made it so and Solomon then becomes King.

II. Solomon is blessed by God. Kings I (3-6)

Pastor Troy relates that this part of the message is to express that even though we may say that we are Believers, we commit small sins that we need to admit to the Lord. ( like speeding) He is kind and forgiving, but again, this doesn’t give us a free pass into Heaven! We have to ask God to forgive us of our sins after admitting that we do before asking to be forgiven.

Solomon doesn’t immediately change his ways, and instead starts relying more on his intelligence and power not giving all grace to God for all he has. He then offers sacrifices to the Lord and builds Him a great temple. It’s grand, expensive, bejeweled, and takes three years to build. He thinks he has done enough to please God.

III. Solomon focuses on his own glory. Kings I (7-8)

After building God’s temple, he takes 13 years to build his own home which is even more grand. Then has the nerve to ask God for more blessings! He has broken his vows by making sacrifices to or her gods, and building this huge house, and he becomes more powerful and even more wealthy and focuses on these things. Many men were also struck down during this time as Solomon thinks this would be pleasing to God.

So the takeaway here is that we should walk in the ways of the Lord, and follow all if his rules and ordinances, not rely on our own power, intelligence or anything else we do unless we always acknowledgethat all good things in our lives come from the blessings and grace of God.

Next week, I’m sure we will find out what happens next in the life of Solomon. Stay tuned!