Pastor Marshall Ochs | July 14, 2024
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 3-4. These chapters cover the early years of Solomon’s reign over Israel. The chapter begins with Solomon forging an alliance with Egypt and marrying foreign women. He also offers sacrifices to the Lord, but he makes his offering at the high places of worship. The author portrays Solomon as one who loves the Lord, but is also deeply conflicted with competing alliances. The Lord shows grace to Solomon in hearing and answering his prayers, but the expectation is to forsake worldliness and embrace godliness.
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Last week we studied 1 Kings 2 and David dies and his son Solomon takes over as the new King. The last words in 1 Kings 2 were, “So, the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.” Today we took a look at what happened next.
Read 1 Kings 3-1-3. Solomon makes an alliance with the Pharoah of Egypt by marrying one of his daughters. This was the beginning of his downfall. Although Solomon’s marital alliances built friendships with surrounding nations, it also became the pathway for pagan worship and practices. Solomon’s foreign wives eventually lured him into idolatry. Being unequally yoked in marriage can become an obstacle in our relationship with God. Trying to please both man and God leads to making compromises and a divided heart. Solomon chose his own selfish desires over God’s instruction. While Solomon loved God, he loved other desires more.
As you reflect on this truth, how have you compromised your faith and obedience to God for personal desires?
Do you desire to please others or keep the peace with those who don’t share your faith and find yourself participating in conversations and activities you know are in direct contradiction to God’s word?
Are you willing to turn away from what is holding you back from complete surrender to God and His will for your life?
We cannot serve two masters. (See Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13.) We cannot hold hands with this world and God.
Read 1 Kings 3:4-15. After Solomon makes sacrifices to God in the high places – which was against God’s instruction to His people, God comes to him in a dream and tells him to ask for whatever he wants, and God will give it to him. Solomon asks for wisdom and God gives it to him. While this was a humble request, it shows the contrast between wanting his own personal desires and his desire to serve God. Unfortunately, this is a perfect example of the human condition.
If God were to ask you that question, what would your answer be? Be honest!
In this passage we see that even though Solomon’s faith is immature and weak, God hears and answers his prayer. This should be an encouragement to us that even in our weakness and brokenness, God hears and answers our prayers. God often blesses us in order to bring us closer to Him and away from the things that so easily entangle us.Read 1 Kings 3:16-28. This story is a classic example of the wisdom God had blessed Solomon with. The people in his land benefited greatly from his wisdom.
What blessings has God given you?
Have you used those blessings to bless others?
Have God’s blessings caused you to fall into the sin of greed? Do you continue to desire more and more from God without having a generous heart towards God and others?
Read 1 Kings 4. The blessings we see Solomon enjoy as a result of his wisdom were many. Solomon had greater territory, financial wealth, plenty of food, a strong military and great fame and popularity. The people of Solomon’s day were also prosperous. Verse 20 tells us that they were happy and had plenty to eat and drink. However, the most important thing was missing…a spiritual devotion to the Lord. We can have all kinds of blessings from God and yet be missing the most important blessing – a relationship with God through His son, Jesus.
As we reflect on this teaching today, the question we should be asking ourselves is, how have the blessings God has given me shaped my faith and my life?
Do I have a divided heart? What kind of person do I want to be?
Worldliness can consume us! It’s never too late to repent and turn back to God! He loves us and is kind towards us! Walk in His ways and enjoy the blessings of an abundant life in Christ Jesus!