Who is Wise

Today’s featured photo courtesy of Sean Feeney

Seed Basket Devotional is launching a new Wednesday Bible study. This series will officially begin next week with the book of Proverbs, penned through the Holy Spirit by King Solomon.

Today, we will introduce King Solomon. Understanding Solomon helps us see how God guides people in their lives to grow in His amazing grace.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, we have already come.

The story of Solomon’s life begins in 2 Samuel 12:24. For context, read how his life came to be. However, we are going to jump ahead to 1 Kings when God gives him a special gift.

Solomon was known for many things. Among them were being the son of King David, the builder of the first temple, and the husband of too many wives, his downfall.

Solomon had already ascended the throne as king, when God came to him in a vision.

 Now Solomon became king after David, his father. And he was in control of his kingdom.

1 Kings 2:12 (ICB)

While he was at Gibeon, the Lord came to him in a dream during the night. God said, “Ask for anything you want. I will give it to you.”

Solomon answered, “You were very kind to your servant, my father David. He obeyed you. He was honest and lived right.

And you showed great kindness to him when you allowed his son to be king after him.  Lord my God, you have allowed me to be king in my father’s place.

But I am like a little child. I do not have the wisdom I need to do what I must do.  I, your servant, am here among your chosen people. There are too many of them to count. 

So, I ask that you give me wisdom. Then I can rule the people in the right way. Then I will know the difference between right and wrong. Without wisdom, it is impossible to rule this great people of yours.

1 Kings 3:6-9 (ICB)

Look at God’s response to Solomon’s request.

This request pleased the Lord … God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor … for riches for yourself, nor … for the life of your enemies,

but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 

…I have done according to your word.

…I have given you a wise and understanding heart, …there has been no one like you before you,

and after you none will arise like you. 

I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor,

… there will not be any among the kings like you for all your days. 

If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

1 Kings 3: 10-14 (WEB)

Then Solomon lived rightly before God but overtime he became unwise and began to put distance between himself and God.

Does that happen to believers today? Absolutely. The result can be tragic and is unnecessary. Solomon was lured away by women. Not even Hebrew women. He was lured by the world. Women from pagan nations replaced God. Solomon broke God’s laws of having only one wife and serving other gods. Solomon rebelled against God.

And so wise King Solomon became unwise.

He failed. Click the link to read how Solomon gave his heart away and turned from God.

 “…His wives turned his heart away.”

1 Kings 11:3

But we also believe that Solomon repented and as far as anyone can know about another person, he is in Heaven today.

Why do we believe that Solomon repented? Look at Ecclesiastes 12. Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes on the vanity and pointless pursuits of his life of wealth and self-indulgence. He had it all but ultimately confessed his disloyalty to God, declaring Him as the one true God and humbly submitting his heart.

Sometimes when we read snippets of his story, we ask ourselves, “Did this really happen?” If you believe that every bit of God’s Word is true, then you can easily trust what you read about Solomon. His story is more than interesting; like his father David, he was brave and devoted to following God.

What in your life has replaced God? Nothing can match His worth. If you are born again, repent. Read God’s Word daily, talk to Him, and turn away from the sin that has captured your heart. That heart belongs to God.

…Cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:2

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.