DAVID and SOLOMON

 

David once prayed for Solomon:

1 Chronicles 29:18-19

King James Version

18 O Lord God of Abraham, 

Isaac, and of Israel, 

our fathers, 

keep this for ever in the imagination 

of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, 

and prepare their heart unto thee:

19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, 

to keep thy commandments, 

thy testimonies, and thy statutes, 

and to do all these things, 

and to build the palace, 

for the which I have made provision.

What a rich history between king David and his son, Solomon.

And how GOD loved both so much!

Anointing both, to be king.

One was a man of war.

The other, a "man of rest".

David ruled for 40 years.

Solomon ruled for 40 years, too.

Solomon was charged to build the HOUSE for GOD.

1 Chronicles 22:5-6

King James Version

5 And David said, 

Solomon my son is young and tender, 

and the house that is to be builded for the Lord 

must be exceeding magnifical, 

of fame and of glory throughout all countries: 

I will therefore now make preparation for it. 

So David prepared abundantly before his death.

6 Then he called for Solomon his son, 

and charged him to build an house 

for the Lord God of Israel.

King David couldn't build the house for this reason.

1 Chronicles 22:7-8

King James Version

7 And David said to Solomon, 

My son, as for me, 

it was in my mind to build an house 

unto the name of the Lord my God:

8 But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 

Thou hast shed blood abundantly, 

and hast made great wars: 

thou shalt not build an house unto my name, 

because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth 

in my sight.

In place of David, a son was prophesied to build GOD's temple.

Solomon was his name.

1 Chronicles 22:9-10

King James Version

9 Behold, 

a son shall be born to thee, 

who shall be a man of rest; 

and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: 

for his name shall be Solomon, 

and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

10 He shall build an house for my name; 

and he shall be my son, 

and I will be his father; 

and I will establish the throne of his kingdom 

over Israel for ever.

David blesses Solomon.

1 Chronicles 22:11-16

King James Version

11 Now, my son, 

the Lord be with thee; 

and prosper thou, 

and build the house of the Lord thy God, 

as he hath said of thee.

12 Only the Lord give thee 

wisdom and understanding, 

and give thee charge concerning Israel, 

that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God.

13 Then shalt thou prosper,

if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments 

which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel: 

be strong, and of good courage; 

dread not, nor be dismayed.

14 Now, behold, 

in my trouble 

I have prepared for the house of the Lord 

an hundred thousand talents of gold, 

and a thousand thousand talents of silver; 

and of brass and iron without weight; 

for it is in abundance: 

timber also and stone have I prepared; 

and thou mayest add thereto.

15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, 

hewers and workers of stone and timber, 

and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.

16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, 

there is no number. 

Arise therefore, 

and be doing, 

and the Lord be with thee.

He also commands all his princes to help Solomon.

1 Chronicles 22:17-19

King James Version

17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel 

to help Solomon his son, saying,

18 Is not the Lord your God with you? 

and hath he not given you rest on every side? 

for he hath given the inhabitants of the land 

into mine hand; 

and the land is subdued before the Lord, 

and before his people.

19 Now set your heart and your soul 

to seek the Lord your God; 

arise therefore, 

and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, 

to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord, 

and the holy vessels of God,

 into the house that is to be built 

to the name of the Lord.

At his deathbed, David told Solomon:

1 Kings 2:2-12

King James Version

2 I go the way of all the earth: 

be thou strong therefore, 

and shew thyself a man;

3 And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, 

to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, 

and his commandments, and his judgments, 

and his testimonies,

 as it is written in the law of Moses, 

that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, 

and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

4 That the Lord may continue his word 

which he spake concerning me, saying, 

If thy children take heed to their way, 

to walk before me in truth 

with all their heart and with all their soul, 

there shall not fail thee 

(said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab 

the son of Zeruiah did to me, 

and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, 

unto Abner the son of Ner, 

and unto Amasa the son of Jether, 

whom he slew, 

and shed the blood of war in peace, 

and put the blood of war 

upon his girdle that was about his loins, 

and in his shoes that were on his feet.

6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, 

and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.

7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai 

the Gileadite, 

and let them be of those that eat at thy table: 

for so they came to me when I fled 

because of Absalom thy brother.

8 And, behold, 

thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, 

a Benjamite of Bahurim, 

which cursed me with a grievous curse 

in the day when I went to Mahanaim: 

but he came down to meet me at Jordan, 

and I sware to him by the Lord, saying, 

I will not put thee to death with the sword.

9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: 

for thou art a wise man, 

and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; 

but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

10 So David slept with his fathers, 

and was buried in the city of David.

11 And the days that David reigned over Israel 

were forty years: 

seven years reigned he in Hebron, 

and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

12 Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; 

and his kingdom was established greatly.

Two great kings.

One loved nation.

ONE, GREAT GOD.

What a magnificent story!

Related posts:

DAVID and BATHSHEBA

HOUSE for GOD

SOLOMON succeeds DAVID

SOLOMON and HIRAM

Solomon's FALL

Image: Free Bible Images

Solomon's FALL

 

1 Kings 11:9-10

King James Version

9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, 

because his heart was turned 

from the Lord God of Israel, 

which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, 

that he should not go after other gods: 

but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.

Did Solomon fulfill GOD's command?

That he not have other gods?

These verses tell us what happened:

1 Kings 11:1-8

King James Version

11 But king Solomon loved many strange women, 

together with the daughter of Pharaoh, 

women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, 

Zidonians, and Hittites:

2 Of the nations concerning 

which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, 

Ye shall not go in to them, 

neither shall they come in unto you: 

for surely they will turn away your heart 

after their gods: 

Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, 

and three hundred concubines: 

and his wives turned away his heart.

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.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth 

the goddess of the Zidonians, 

and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, 

and went not fully after the Lord, 

as did David his father.

7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, 

the abomination of Moab, 

in the hill that is before Jerusalem, 

and for Molech, 

the abomination of the children of Ammon.

8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, 

which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

How did GOD respond?

1 Kings 11:11-13

King James Version

11 Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, 

Forasmuch as this is done of thee, 

and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, 

which I have commanded thee, 

I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, 

and will give it to thy servant.

12 Notwithstanding in thy days 

I will not do it for David thy father's sake: 

but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; 

but will give one tribe to thy son 

for David my servant's sake, 

and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

GOD also "stirred up an adversary unto Solomon":

1 Kings 11:14-22

King James Version

14 And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, 

Hadad the Edomite: 

he was of the king's seed in Edom.

15 For it came to pass, 

when David was in Edom, 

and Joab the captain of the host 

was gone up to bury the slain, 

after he had smitten every male in Edom;

16 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, 

until he had cut off every male in Edom:)

17 That Hadad fled, 

he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, 

to go into Egypt; 

Hadad being yet a little child.

18 And they arose out of Midian, 

and came to Paran: 

and they took men with them out of Paran, 

and they came to Egypt, 

unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; 

which gave him an house, 

and appointed him victuals, 

and gave him land.

19 And Hadad found great favour 

in the sight of Pharaoh, 

so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, 

the sister of Tahpenes the queen.

20 And the sister of Tahpenes 

bare him Genubath his son, 

whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: 

and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household 

among the sons of Pharaoh.

21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt 

that David slept with his fathers, 

and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, 

Hadad said to Pharaoh, 

Let me depart, 

that I may go to mine own country.

22 Then Pharaoh said unto him, 

But what hast thou lacked with me, that, 

behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? 

And he answered, 

Nothing: 

howbeit let me go in any wise.

GOD wasn't done yet.

He stirred up another adversary.

1 Kings 11:23-25

King James Version

23 And God stirred him up another adversary, 

Rezon the son of Eliadah, 

which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:

24 And he gathered men unto him, 

and became captain over a band, 

when David slew them of Zobah: 

and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, 

and reigned in Damascus.

25 And he was an adversary to Israel 

all the days of Solomon, 

beside the mischief that Hadad did: 

and he abhorred Israel, 

and reigned over Syria.

Enemies from without.

Enemies from within.

GOD made sure of that.

1 Kings 11:26-27

King James Version

26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, 

an Ephrathite of Zereda, 

Solomon's servant, 

whose mother's name was Zeruah, 

a widow woman, 

even he lifted up his hand against the king.

27 And this was the cause 

that he lifted up his hand against the king: 

Solomon built Millo, 

and repaired the breaches 

of the city of David his father.

Of course, GOD wasn't finished yet.

He prophesied through Ahijah, in favor of Jeroboam.

1 Kings 11:28-39

King James Version

28 And the man Jeroboam 

was a mighty man of valour: 

and Solomon seeing the young man 

that he was industrious, 

he made him ruler 

over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

29 And it came to pass at that time 

when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, 

that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite 

found him in the way; 

and he had clad himself with a new garment; 

and they two were alone in the field:

30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, 

and rent it in twelve pieces:

31 And he said to Jeroboam, 

Take thee ten pieces: 

for thus saith the Lord, 

the God of Israel, 

Behold, 

I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, 

and will give ten tribes to thee:

32 (But he shall have one tribe 

for my servant David's sake, 

and for Jerusalem's sake, 

the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)

33 Because that they have forsaken me, 

and have worshipped Ashtoreth 

the goddess of the Zidonians, 

Chemosh the god of the Moabites, 

and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, 

and have not walked in my ways, 

to do that which is right in mine eyes, 

and to keep my statutes and my judgments, 

as did David his father.

34 Howbeit I will not take 

the whole kingdom out of his hand: 

but I will make him prince all the days of his life 

for David my servant's sake, 

whom I chose, 

because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, 

and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, 

that David my servant may have a light alway 

before me in Jerusalem, 

the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

37 And I will take thee, 

and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, 

and shalt be king over Israel.

38 And it shall be, 

if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, 

and wilt walk in my ways, 

and do that is right in my sight, 

to keep my statutes and my commandments, 

as David my servant did; 

that I will be with thee, 

and build thee a sure house, 

as I built for David, 

and will give Israel unto thee.

39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, 

but not for ever.

Having fallen out of favor with GOD, and now this thing about Alijah, and Jeroboam, Solomon sought the young man's life.

1 Kings 11:40

King James Version

40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. 

And Jeroboam arose, 

and fled into Egypt, 

unto Shishak king of Egypt, 

and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

But GOD would not be denied His anger against Solomon.

For worshiping the gods of his many wives.

1 Kings 11:41-43

King James Version

41 And the rest of the acts of Solomon, 

and all that he did, and his wisdom, 

are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?

42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem 

over all Israel was forty years.

43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, 

and was buried in the city of David his father: 

and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

What happened to Solomon's wealth?

You will have to search that elsewhere.

This blog only cares to share how GOD gave Solomon the GIFT of WISDOM.

Thus, the name for this blog:

"WISDOM above gold"

Gold, and all that wealth, was only a bonus given by GOD.

1 Kings 3:11-13

King James Version

11 And God said unto him, 

Because thou hast asked this thing, 

and hast not asked for thyself long life; 

neither hast asked riches for thyself, 

nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; 

but hast asked for thyself understanding 

to discern judgment;

12 Behold, 

I have done according to thy words: 

lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; 

so that there was none like thee before thee, 

neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

13 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.

ALL GOD asked from Solomon was this:

1 Kings 3:14

King James Version

14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, 

to keep my statutes and my commandments, 

as thy father David did walk, 

then I will lengthen thy days.

1 Kings 9:4-9

King James Version

4 And if thou wilt walk before me, 

as David thy father walked, 

in integrity of heart, 

and in uprightness, 

to do according to all that I have commanded thee, 

and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom 

upon Israel for ever, 

as I promised to David thy father, saying, 

There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, 

ye or your children, 

and will not keep my commandments 

and my statutes which I have set before you, 

but go and serve other gods, 

and worship them:

7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land 

which I have given them; 

and this house, 

which I have hallowed for my name, 

will I cast out of my sight; 

and Israel shall be a proverb 

and a byword among all people:

8 And at this house, 

which is high,

every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, 

and shall hiss; and they shall say, 

Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, 

and to this house?

9 And they shall answer, 

Because they forsook the Lord their God, 

who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, 

and have taken hold upon other gods, 

and have worshipped them, 

and served them: 

therefore hath the Lord brought upon them 

all this evil.

GOD is ALWAYS true to His word.

Thus, ends Solomon's saga.

Related posts:

SOLOMON succeeds DAVID

GOD rewards Solomon

On SOLOMON's power

GOD answers SOLOMON

Image: Free Bible Images

GOD answers SOLOMON

 

1 Kings 9:1-2

King James Version

9 And it came to pass, 

when Solomon had finished 

the building of the house of the Lord, 

and the king's house, 

and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,

2 That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, 

as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.

The first time GOD appeared to Solomon, it was through that dream at Gibeon.

Now, GOD appears a second time.

And answers his prayer, and supplication.

1 Kings 9:3-9

King James Version

3 And the Lord said unto him, 

have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, 

that thou hast made before me: 

I have hallowed this house, 

which thou hast built, 

to put my name there for ever; 

and mine eyes and mine heart 

shall be there perpetually.

4 And if thou wilt walk before me, 

as David thy father walked, 

in integrity of heart, 

and in uprightness,

to do according to all that I have commanded thee, 

and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom 

upon Israel for ever, 

as I promised to David thy father, saying, 

There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, 

ye or your children, 

and will not keep my commandments 

and my statutes which I have set before you, 

but go and serve other gods, 

and worship them:

7 Then will I cut off Israel 

out of the land which I have given them; 

and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, 

will I cast out of my sight; 

and Israel shall be a proverb 

and a byword among all people:

8 And at this house, 

which is high, 

every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, 

and shall hiss; and they shall say, 

Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, 

and to this house?

9 And they shall answer, 

Because they forsook the Lord their God, 

who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, 

and have taken hold upon other gods, 

and have worshipped them, 

and served them: 

therefore hath the Lord brought upon them 

all this evil.

Did Solomon fulfill GOD's command?

About not serving other gods?

We shall find out on the next post.

More articles here.

Image: Free Bible Images

The ARK enters the HOUSE

 

1 Kings 8:6-7

King James Version

6 And the priests brought in 

the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, 

into the oracle of the house, 

to the most holy place, 

even under the wings of the cherubims.

7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings 

over the place of the ark, 

and the cherubims covered the ark 

and the staves thereof above.

After the HOUSE of GOD was built, Solomon had the ark of the covenant brought into the holy place built for it.

Here's what the ark contained:

1 Kings 8:9

King James Version

9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, 

which Moses put there at Horeb, 

when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, 

when they came out of the land of Egypt.

After the priests came out of the holy place, the GLORY of GOD filled the HOUSE of the LORD.

1 Kings 8:10-12

King James Version

10 And it came to pass, 

when the priests were come out of the holy place, 

that the cloud filled the house of the Lord,

11 So that the priests could not stand to minister 

because of the cloud: 

for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.

12 Then spake Solomon, 

The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

Then Solomon prays to GOD:

1 Kings 8:22

King James Version

22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord 

in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, 

and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

1 Kings 8:23-53

King James Version

23 And he said, 

Lord God of Israel, 

there is no God like thee, 

in heaven above, or on earth beneath, 

who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants 

that walk before thee with all their heart:

24 Who hast kept with thy servant David my father 

that thou promisedst him: 

thou spakest also with thy mouth, 

and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, 

as it is this day.

25 Therefore now, 

Lord God of Israel, 

keep with thy servant David my father 

that thou promisedst him, saying, 

There shall not fail thee a man in my sight 

to sit on the throne of Israel; 

so that thy children take heed to their way, 

that they walk before me 

as thou hast walked before me.

26 And now, 

O God of Israel, 

let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, 

which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? 

behold, 

the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; 

how much less this house that I have builded?

28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, 

and to his supplication, 

O Lord my God, 

to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, 

which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

29 That thine eyes 

may be open toward this house night and day, 

even toward the place of which thou hast said, 

My name shall be there: 

that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer 

which thy servant shall make toward this place.

30 And hearken thou 

to the supplication of thy servant, 

and of thy people Israel, 

when they shall pray toward this place: 

and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: 

and when thou hearest, 

forgive.

31 If any man trespass against his neighbour, 

and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, 

and the oath come before thine altar in this house:

32 Then hear thou in heaven, and do,

 and judge thy servants, 

condemning the wicked, 

to bring his way upon his head; 

and justifying the righteous, 

to give him according to his righteousness.

33 When thy people Israel 

be smitten down before the enemy, 

because they have sinned against thee, 

and shall turn again to thee, 

and confess thy name, 

and pray, 

and make supplication unto thee in this house:

34 Then hear thou in heaven, 

and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, 

and bring them again unto the land 

which thou gavest unto their fathers.

35 When heaven is shut up, 

and there is no rain, 

because they have sinned against thee; 

if they pray toward this place, 

and confess thy name, 

and turn from their sin, 

when thou afflictest them:

36 Then hear thou in heaven, 

and forgive the sin of thy servants, 

and of thy people Israel, 

that thou teach them the good way 

wherein they should walk, 

and give rain upon thy land, 

which thou hast given to thy people 

for an inheritance.

37 If there be in the land famine, 

if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, 

or if there be caterpiller; 

if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; 

whatsoever plague, 

whatsoever sickness there be;

38 What prayer and supplication soever 

be made by any man, 

or by all thy people Israel, 

which shall know every man 

the plague of his own heart, 

and spread forth his hands toward this house:

39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, 

and forgive, and do, 

and give to every man according to his ways, 

whose heart thou knowest;

 (for thou, even thou only, 

knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

40 That they may fear thee all the days that they live 

in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

41 Moreover concerning a stranger, 

that is not of thy people Israel, 

but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;

42 (For they shall hear of thy great name, 

and of thy strong hand, 

and of thy stretched out arm;) 

when he shall come and pray toward this house;

43 Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, 

and do according to all 

that the stranger calleth to thee for: 

that all people of the earth may know thy name, 

to fear thee, 

as do thy people Israel; 

and that they may know that this house, 

which I have builded, 

is called by thy name.

44 If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, 

whithersoever thou shalt send them, 

and shall pray unto the Lord toward the city 

which thou hast chosen, 

and toward the house that I have built for thy name:

45 Then hear thou in heaven their prayer 

and their supplication, 

and maintain their cause.

46 If they sin against thee, 

(for there is no man that sinneth not,) 

and thou be angry with them, 

and deliver them to the enemy, 

so that they carry them away 

captives unto the land of the enemy, 

far or near;

47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves 

in the land whither they were carried captives, 

and repent, 

and make supplication unto thee 

in the land of them that carried them captives, 

saying, 

We have sinned, 

and have done perversely, 

we have committed wickedness;

48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, 

and with all their soul, 

in the land of their enemies, 

which led them away captive, 

and pray unto thee toward their land, 

which thou gavest unto their fathers, 

the city which thou hast chosen, 

and the house which I have built for thy name:

49 Then hear thou their prayer 

and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, 

and maintain their cause,

50 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, 

and all their transgressions 

wherein they have transgressed against thee, 

and give them compassion 

before them who carried them captive, 

that they may have compassion on them:

51 For they be thy people, 

and thine inheritance, 

which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, 

from the midst of the furnace of iron:

52 That thine eyes may be open 

unto the supplication of thy servant, 

and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, 

to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.

53 For thou didst separate them 

from among all the people of the earth, 

to be thine inheritance, 

as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, 

when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, 

O Lord God.

What did GOD do?

He answers Solomon's prayer and supplication.

That's for the next page.

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