Living The Blessed Life: God Blessed Solomon

 

God Blessed Solomon 

1 Kings 3:3-5,9-10,13

"And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee...

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing....

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."

King Solomon was known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem. His father was King David and mother was Bathsheba, and he ruled the united Kingdom of Israel from around 970 to 931 BCE. Solomon's reign is often considered a high point in Israel's history due to his successful administration, extensive trade networks, and cultural achievements. He is also traditionally credited with authoring several biblical texts, including Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. If one does not take the time to carefully observe, it will not be noticed how he actually made his wealth. There was a force behind his wealth, God was behind it. It was more like his life was scripted and all he was doing was following the script. 

Even though that God was behind his achievements, there was also an opposing force trying to vere him away so as to take the credit. How did the opposite forces play in his life and what access did they use to gain access?

"And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places..."

Love is the most powerful force on earth. What you truly love has the power to control your life for either good or evil. Love can make you rich or poor. Love can make you die before your time or make you live longer. Love can make you blessed or curse. What did Solomon love and how did it affect his life?

""And Solomon loved the LORD..."

The force behind Solomon's success was love for the Lord. He truly loved the Lord. How did he come to love the Lord? He must have been taught by his parents to love the Lord. He must have seen by himself how good it is to love the Lord. He must have experienced the Lord first hand how that the Lord is good. So the first thing we noticed is that Solomon loved the Lord. This love however can be polluted if not followed through according to knowledge. The love he had for the Lord was demonstrated in many ways 

"...he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar..."

If you say that you love someone or something, you will show it either consciously or unconscious. For Solomon, he demonstrated this love by sacrifice. The quality and quantity of the sacrifice was enormous and God has to act. When in the archives, it is written about Solomon that he was the richest, it was not just by name, it was something to pay attention to.

What do you love passionately? Do you know that what you love can change the course of your life? Do you know if you love someone, the person can preoccupy your mind and affect your actions? Do you know that you can choose who you love? Do not allow anyone or anything to force himself or itself on you. Make the choice to love the Lord and not be blown away by every wind of doctrine. If you love the Lord as Solomon did, you will demonstrate it by your actions. Solomon demonstrated it by sacrifice. How are you demonstrating your love? God was moved by Solomon's sacrifice. Is he moved by yours?

"...the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee..."

God could not resist Solomon's sacrifice. He (God) was moved by love and asked him (Solomon) to make a wish. Is there anything too hard for God to do? God can go any length for you. All the silver and gold belongs to Him. All power belongs to Him. You can not contain if God should visit you in the fullness of His glory. God gave Solomon an open cheque. What Solomon did with the open cheque also shows another thing he loved.

"...Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people..."

Solomon asked for wisdom to lead the people. He loved the people. He loved the people because he loved the Lord. The people were the people of God. By loving the people, he was loving the Lord. It was a cycle of love for the Lord. God was pleased with this show of love and you can see the outcome.

Solomon Was Blessed By The Lord 

"...And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing....

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."

Now we know the root of Solomon's blessing. It was rooted in love for God. God blessed him. God gave him wisdom to solve problems, administer justice, create inventions and do many great works and projects. This brought Solomon great wealth. You may see yourself to be different from Solomon but it is the same Lord. It is the same principle. Great successes are traceable to their roots. It does not just happened. Check the root of your success. Put matters right. Address the root motive of the things you love and the things you do. Is the Lord pleased?

Solomon's Successes 

1 Kings 4:29

"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore."

Wisdom is the principal thing. By wisdom, Solomon succeeded. When you know and understand the root of a problem and unravel what appears as mystery, it will give you an edge. Solomon had wisdom. That was his success advantage. It was given to him by the Lord. He used the wisdom given to him and it brought him great success and wealth. The love for the Lord triggered God to give him a word and it came to pass

"...I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."

King Solomon's wealth, according to the Bible, came from various sources, including trade, tributes, and resource management. Here are a few key references:

1. Trade and Commerce: Solomon established extensive trade networks. 1 Kings 10:22 mentions that Solomon's fleet of ships brought gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks every three years.

    "For the king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, bringing gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons."

2. Tributes and Gifts: Other rulers and dignitaries brought Solomon gifts and tributes. 1 Kings 10:24-25 describes how people from all over the world came to hear Solomon's wisdom and brought him gifts.

    "The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules."

3. Mining and Resource: Management: Solomon's wealth also came from the management of resources like gold and other precious materials. 1 Kings 9:26-28 talks about Solomon's men bringing back gold from Ophir.

   "King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. And Hiram sent his men—sailors who knew the sea—to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s men. They sailed to Ophir and brought back 420 talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon."

4. Taxation and Trade Tariffs: Solomon's administrative policies included taxes and tariffs. 1 Kings 4:21 mentions that he ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt, and they brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

   "And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life."

These biblical accounts provide a picture of Solomon's vast wealth and the various means through which he accumulated it.

King Solomon is credited with writing songs in the Bible. One prominent reference to Solomon's songwriting is found in 1 Kings 4:32, which states:

 "He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five."

Additionally, the "Song of Solomon" (also known as the "Song of Songs"), a book in the Old Testament, is traditionally attributed to Solomon. The opening verse, Song of Solomon 1:1, introduces the book:

 "The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s."

Queen Of Sheba

1 Kings 10:4-10

"And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,

And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.

Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.

Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.

And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon."

Queen Sheba heard about Solomon and she came and saw it practical first hand. She brought gifts and gave to Solomon adding to his wealth. All of this because he loved the Lord and God blessed him. We can access the same benefit today if only we will tap into heaven's resources in Christ Jesus.

Jesus speaking about himself said:

Matthew 12:42

"The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here."

In essence, Jesus was saying that he was greater than Solomon. Just as queen Sheba came from a far county to hear the wisdom of Solomon, your saccess is tied to your going the length to be at the feet of Jesus to get wisdom for life. We can flow in a higher frequency than Solomon by Christ Jesus. We can enjoy great benefits in Christ Jesus. By him and through him, we can be blessed beyond measure if we will love the Lord and keep His word. He can provide for us and bless us. You can place a demand today and God will answer.

Luke 12:27-28

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

God wants you blessed. He wants you to place a demand on Him and enjoy heaven's resources. God will do it for you.

While Solomon loved the Lord and succeeded, the success took over his time and desires and gradually drifted under the influence of another force. While he used to burn sacrifices to the Lord, now success took his heart from the Lord and his sacrifices turned to other gods apart from the true God. He began to make deals and treaties displeasing to the Lord. He seal deals in exchange with wives and concubines. He drifted.

1 Kings 11:4

"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father."

Will you stand through to the end without drifting? Will you remain faithful no matter the level of success? Will your love for the Lord remain unpolluted? Will you begin to love other things apart from the Lord? Remember who gave you the success in the first place. Remember your first love.

Pray:

My father and my God, the giver of true success, help me and teach me to love You with the whole of my heart. Just as Solomon loved You, help me to love You. Just as You taught him through his parents, teach me to love You always. Give me success so that I will serve You and fulfill Your purpose for my life.

I will not drift from You. I will not worship success nor other gods. I dissociate from influences that may distract and derail me. In Christ Jesus, I receive wisdom for life. I am blessed in Christ Jesus. Amen!