1 Kings 9
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 9
Solomon finishes building everything that he desires. God appears to Solomon because He heard Solomon’s prayer that we saw in chapter 8. Solomon’s words were not just an eloquent show, they were a genuine cry to God to worship God, and God hears him!
God hears and He responds! He consecrates the House of the Lord. No longer is this just a building, it is now a place where God has chosen to place His name, His eyes, and His heart. God has chosen to be with His people, to see them and to care for them.
God’s response also comes with warning.
If Solomon and his descendants were obedient and faithful, God would continue to bless their reign as He had blessed David’s. When we look at the life of David we see that this is not necessarily a call to perfect obedience, rather it is a call for God’s people to pursue walking daily with Him.
God has established Solomon as king. The King is responsible for leading God’s people. Solomon would function as the head of the Israelites and was meant to point them to how God ultimately rules over them. Where the head points is where the people will go. This major responsibility calls for major faithfulness, and that is why God warns Solomon not to be enticed by idolatry, but to worship the One True God.
However, even in the verses following this warning we see Solomon allowing idolatry to creep closer and closer to him. Solomon gives cities in his territory to a foreign king, he builds a house for his Egyptian wife, and he builds a fleet of ships. In all of these things we see that Solomon is opening himself up to pagan nations and giving them a place of influence in his life.
Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, was a flawed man. Like each of us, he was sinful and he allowed sin to draw him away from the LORD. Solomon was a faulty head. However, God has established a perfect head for His people: Jesus. (Colossians 1:18-23)
How have you seen God respond to your prayers? Are you creeping closer to sin or walking with Him daily? How does Jesus being the head of the church, His people, guide your life?
Written By: Paulette Carwile
Solomon finishes building everything that he desires. God appears to Solomon because He heard Solomon’s prayer that we saw in chapter 8. Solomon’s words were not just an eloquent show, they were a genuine cry to God to worship God, and God hears him!
God hears and He responds! He consecrates the House of the Lord. No longer is this just a building, it is now a place where God has chosen to place His name, His eyes, and His heart. God has chosen to be with His people, to see them and to care for them.
God’s response also comes with warning.
If Solomon and his descendants were obedient and faithful, God would continue to bless their reign as He had blessed David’s. When we look at the life of David we see that this is not necessarily a call to perfect obedience, rather it is a call for God’s people to pursue walking daily with Him.
God has established Solomon as king. The King is responsible for leading God’s people. Solomon would function as the head of the Israelites and was meant to point them to how God ultimately rules over them. Where the head points is where the people will go. This major responsibility calls for major faithfulness, and that is why God warns Solomon not to be enticed by idolatry, but to worship the One True God.
However, even in the verses following this warning we see Solomon allowing idolatry to creep closer and closer to him. Solomon gives cities in his territory to a foreign king, he builds a house for his Egyptian wife, and he builds a fleet of ships. In all of these things we see that Solomon is opening himself up to pagan nations and giving them a place of influence in his life.
Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, was a flawed man. Like each of us, he was sinful and he allowed sin to draw him away from the LORD. Solomon was a faulty head. However, God has established a perfect head for His people: Jesus. (Colossians 1:18-23)
How have you seen God respond to your prayers? Are you creeping closer to sin or walking with Him daily? How does Jesus being the head of the church, His people, guide your life?
Written By: Paulette Carwile
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