1 Kings 9 -- More Disturbing Things

God once again appeared to Solomon.  That can be a scary thing, depending on what transpires.  God’s first comments sound goo:  “I have heard your prayer and what you have asked me to do.  You built this Temple, and I have made it a holy place.  I will be worshiped there forever and will watch over it and protect it always…” (So far so good, but wait for it …)

 

“But you …”  (Here it comes)  “… must serve Me as your father David did … You must obey all I have commanded and keep My laws and rules.  If you do, I will make your kingdom strong …”

 

(I kind of imagine Solomon weighing all this in his mind, probably thinking, “Okay, that’s do-able, but could crimp my lifestyle somewhat.”) 

 

God continues:  “But you and your children … (there’s that ominous ‘but’ again) must follow Me and obey the laws and commands I have given you.  You must not serve or worship other gods.”

 

I almost bet Solomon felt a twinge here.  After all, he had to have known that his collection of wives had come with some idols packed in their baggage, and he was certainly concerned with keeping those wives happy.  That part about children also likely caused a twinge, for he was busy being a diplomat more than a dad, and those wives would likely be doing most of the child-raising.  God knew his weakness and graciously warned him ahead of time.

 

With the brand new Temple still gleaming with polished gold, I wonder if Solomon choked when God said next, “If you do [serve or worship other gods] … I will leave this Temple… If the Temple is destroyed….”  (That really got his attention.  After all, he’d just spend seven years building it.)

 

I saw something else in here that made me wonder about Solomon, and my commentary came up with it, too.  We’d known that Hiram provided lumber and workers to help build the Temple, but there’s mention of 4.5 tons of gold as well here.  Had Solomon’s plans gotten so extravagant that he’d overspent on the Temple and his palace?  It sounds like he had to offer 20 Israelite cities as collateral until the “loan” could be repaid.  But when Hiram inspected his collateral, he declared it worthless.

 

Solomon had no right to give away Israelite land, for even land that was “sold” had to be returned to the tribe and family during the Year of Jubilee.  Also, what does it say about Solomon’s character that he gave such poor collateral to someone who’d been such a generous friend?

 

Father, success is no guarantee of obedience, and it sure seems like that applies to Solomon here.  Help me to always obey You, especially in business matters, because my character is reflective of You and I don’t want to represent You poorly.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford