Friday, May 20, 2016

Friday, May 20th: 1 Kings 3:1-15, 2 Chronicles 1:2-13, 1 Kings 3:16-28, 1 Kings 5:1-18, 2 Chronicles 2:1-18 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: 1 Kings 3:1-15, 2 Chronicles 1:2-13, 1 Kings 3:16-28, 1 Kings 5:1-18, 2 Chronicles 2:1-18

 "Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places."  1 Kings 3:3

This verse stood out to me because I was not sure if this was to criticize or to show approval of Solomon's practice in sacrificing.  It indicated in our passage that Solomon performed many sacrifices to the Lord, but "high places" refer to altars for pagan gods.  I struggle with the idea of someone crossing the line of a "Christian walk" in order to meet the hearts of non-believers.  I'm no expert in this, and maybe it's because of my own inability to know my limits, but one would have to be careful as it could be a slippery slope.  If anyone has any insight on this thought, I would be interested in hearing it........  

"I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be."  1 Kings 3:12

Even in the position he was in, Solomon was able to recognize his short comings and inabilities, while at the same time he was able to recognize the significance of his role in leading God's people.  Solomon could have asked for anything, but he chose wisdom and a discerning heart.  What would I have asked for?  Money?  To be mortgage free?  Possessions?  A Nissan 370Z (just saying)?  Early retirement?  Travel the world?  Quite likely I would have asked for one of these.  God wants to give me all these things, but he wants my heart to be right first.  Solomon's heart was right, which is why he was also given riches and honor.  So much so, that in his lifetime no king would match him.

In verse 28, word of Solomon's judgement was getting around and the people could see it was wisdom from God.  This demonstrates that Solomon's prayer for a discerning heart had been answered.  I'm certain that Solomon had already recognized that his prayer was answered, but the people added confirmation of his answered prayer by demonstrating their awe of him.  When was the last time we received confirmation on an answered prayer?  

"Send me, therefore, a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, and in purple, crimson and blue yarn, and experienced in the art of engraving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem with my skilled workers, whom my father David provided."  2 Chronicles 2:7

Again, Solomon recognizes that despite being king, there are much more skilled people in the world than ourselves.  He has no problem asking for assistance in building the temple.  Something I am not good at is asking for help.  Part of it is because I can be particular on certain things and I want it done my way.  Well, Solomon didn't want it done his way.  He wanted it done God's way.  His vision was not on himself, it was on building a temple for the God that is greater than all the other gods (vs 5), where even the highest of heavens cannot contain Him (vs 6).  

We need to take our eyes off ourselves just as Solomon did in our reading today, and place our eyes on God; the giver of everything good and perfect.    


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage1 Kings 6:1-13, 2 Chronicles 3:1-14, 1 Kings 6:14-7:51, 2 Chronicles 3:15-4:22

2 comments:

Nathan said...

1 King's 3:26
Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, “Oh no, my lord! Give her the child—please do not kill him!”

These were the first words out if this women's mouth after King Solomon suggested to cut the baby in half, and they were the truth.

Often when we are in a heated exchange or under stress, we blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, and it's often something that we feel or have felt for awhile. These first words can sometimes hurt others, but are an indicator of how we feel, and therefore an indicator of what's in our hearts at that time. This can show where we are really at, in our spiritual lives, showing our true attitude, and it's not always good.

These situations give a good barometer on where we truly stand, and should serve as a reality check for us on where we need to change. I've often found out how I truly feel, or where my priorities truly lie, in situations where I have to make a quick decision. I pray I pay attention to myself in these situations to change where needed, or to keep going if my true feelings are in line with what God wants.

Tammy said...

I also noticed the verse about Solomon and the high places, I did not sound like that was a good thing. Neither was marrying a foreign wife, a mistake he would make over and over and over again.