Seeds of Faith Podcast

Key Points

• Solomon, though wise, needed what we and all sinners need: Christ, Wisdom Himself, and the forgiveness He brings.
• Law: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, yet, in my sin, I fear many things more than I fear the Lord.
• Gospel: Jesus is wisdom personified, who gives to me and all who believe in Him a share of His wisdom, that is, Himself.

Context

Solomon, the second child of David and Bathsheba, was Israel’s third king. A self-described “little child” when be assumed the throne (1 Kings 3:7), he reigned forty years (tenth century BC). Right after becoming king, he settled some old political scores relating to his father’s reign (1 Kings 2:13–46); then “the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon” (1 Kings 2:46). Though the nation expanded its borders, there was money galore, the temple was built, and Israel was relatively at peace with its neighbors, all was not well. Solomon, though “he was wiser than all other men” (1 Kings 4:31), foolishly overtaxed and overworked his citizens and contracted alliances with Gentile nations. Worst of all, his pagan wives “turned away his heart after other gods” so that he “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (1 Kings 11:4, 6). As a result, after his death the nation split into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah).

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Discussion Questions

1. In contrast with God’s definition, discuss what is considered wisdom in our modern culture. How has the human quest for wisdom gone wrong?
2. What is the connection between wisdom and morality?
3. As long as there has been idolatry, sinners have had the notion that gods are more accessible from “high places” than on plains and in valleys. What was God’s attitude towards the “high places”?
4. Describe the structure and tone of Solomon’s prayer recorded in 1 Kings 3:6–9.
5. What caused God’s “great and steadfast love” to David?
6. According to 1 Kings 3:10–14, what about Solomon’s prayer pleased God? What do we learn from Solomon about prayer?
7. In 1 Kings 3:15, Solomon awakes from his dream and then presents offerings to the Lord. Why had the location of his sacrifices changed? What were his offerings for?
8. Solomon was his own worst enemy and became the Lord’s enemy. What did he do, and how did the Lord respond? What glimmer of hope does God offer to Israel in 1 Kings 11:13?
9. Jesus’ sinlessness obviously set Him head and shoulders above Solomon, but how else does Jesus exceed Solomon’s greatness?
10. What makes Christian prayer different than simply making wishes?
11. The Christian Gospel is not a matter of practical wisdom. What is that Gospel, and what does the unbelieving world think of the wisdom of the Gospel?