In spite of Solomon’s great wisdom (???), he had toooooo many wives and concubines. They convinced him to serve other gods. This infuriated the True God, and meant the downfall of Solomon’s kingdom. Adversaries rose up against Solomon, causing him grief.

A man’s cunning and abilities can amount to nothing when he refuses to follow the Lord’s ways. A simple minded man who loves God and keeps His commands can, conversely, live a fruitful and rewarding life simply because of the Lord’s blessing.

God is at work to make those who trust Him successful.

PRAYER: Lord, I give You my life. I won’t glory in anything apart from Your miraculous presence in my life and what Christ Jesus has done for me in forgiving me of all my sin. I will enjoy Your rewards FOREVER!

READ: 1 Kings 11

Whereas David, his father, was known for his skill as a warrior and as a psalmist, Solomon impressed the then-known world with his riches and wisdom. He constructed palaces and horse stables, rebuilt entire cities, and seemingly covered everything with gold. (Reminds me of Trump)

Clearly, there was a distinction of giftings in these two great leaders. The fruit of their rule was flavored by their God-given talents and abilities.

It’s the same today. It’s too easy to criticize a leader who functions differently than you do. Chill! Accept the fact that they are giving God the best they can with the abilities He has dealt out to them. Then, hopefully, they will return the favor.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, through this life journey we are on, You are teaching us to be supporters and encouragers rather than criticizers.  It’s Your Kingdom, not ours.

READ: 1 Kings 9, 10

Solomon acknowledged in his prayer of dedication that every heart that comes and worships the Lord is known by God. This unfathomable capability exceeds our understanding. Yet, we find comfort in it and begin to realize how merciful He is.

How foolish it is to think any part of our life is hidden from God. Knowing this, we are wise to posture ourselves as truth seekers, firstly in our own hearts. This openness demands a commensurate level of forgiveness. If we forgive others, we ourselves will be forgiven. [Matt. 6:15]

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Your mercy amazes us. Your love and forgiveness give us strength to continue this life. How can we but render all to You.

READ: 1 Kings 8

The description of the temple that Solomon built to worship the Lord tells us that it must have been indescribably beautiful. Great care was taken to insure that every piece and component was of the very highest quality and beauty. All materials were prepared and sized beforehand so that there was not the sound of a hammer in its assembly.

The way God prepares us and puts us together is similar. He selects and cuts and shapes and refines each one of us to fit together, for you see, WE are God’s building.

Please don’t complain or bale out when God puts you through His preparation process. He has a critical placement for you in His mind. He must make sure you will FIT.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, You are working on me to make me fit with other members of the Body of Christ. I repent of my complaining. Shape me to fulfill my place in YOUR BUILDING.

READ: 1 Kings 5-7

God offered to Solomon a long life if he would follow the godly ways of his father, David. To Solomon was given great wisdom and an ability to gain great wealth and prominence in the earth.

My Mom and Dad are 89 and 93. They aren’t that enthused about old age. Although their health is relatively good, they ALWAYS complain about being OLD. Maybe it’s not what its cracked up to be.

The promise of eternal life is the benefit we should be seeking … not just old age in this life time.

Jesus said, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” [Jn. 11:26]

PRAYER: Father, we trust our lives to You. It’s only IN YOU that we really have life. We believe that salvation comes only through trust in Christ Jesus.

READ: 1 Kings 3,4

God had surely appointed that Solomon be king in David’s stead. However, there were either threats to his throne, or unsettled harbingers from David’s reign that fell upon Solomon to resolve. Solomon had all these loose ends eliminated … Benaiah was his hit man.

We are encouraged to do the same to the threats that exist to our walk with the Lord. The besetting sins and rivals for God’s exclusive control of our lives must be put to death.

The writer of Hebrews commands, ” Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before.” [Heb. 12:1]

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help us clearly see the sins and strongholds that keep us from Your fulness, and give us grace to reckon ourselves dead to them.

READ; 1 Kings 1,2

Haughty: blatantly and disdainfully proud : having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior.

David said, “You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.” [2 Sam. 22:28]

Christ Jesus is our example of humility. David was endeared to his subjects probably because of his humility, whereas Saul and Absalom were haughty.

PRAYER: Father, we want to be humble and lowly like Christ Jesus. Forgive us for the sin of pride and arrogance.

READ: 2 Sam. 22-24

God sent a famine to punish the land for some of Saul’s sins. Because God has control of the elements, He can even use such tools to execute His judgments.

The present day fires in California seem to defy man’s ability to control the elements. In light of the negative spiritual barometer California registers, is it possible that the residual effect of their sin (Hollywood etc.) is taking a toll on their society?

That leaves us to pray … for revival and restitution of the lost souls living there. Repentance brings change.

PRAYER: Lord, it is not for us to judge or criticize Your actions in the earth. We do bring before You the devastation being experienced in California. Bring a mighty revival whereby many come to a saving knowledge through Christ Jesus.

READ: 2 Sam. 19-21

Even though his son had risen up in rebellion, desiring to kill his father and take his throne, David continued to love him. At the news of his death, David mourned greatly.

Can we have such an attitude towards our antagonists? This story reveals the merciful and compassionate heart of David. Besides Christ Jesus Himself, David is the Bible author who most fully characterizes God’s mercy.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.” [Matt. 5:7]

PRAYER: Lord, Your mercy is an amazing thing. We want to be merciful to others, showing them compassion even though undeserved.

READ: 2 Sam. 17,18

When Absalom decided he should be the king of Israel, David and his loyal followers picked up and left Jerusalem in fear for their lives. He left the Ark behind and declared, “If I find the Lord’s favor, He will bring me back to Jerusalem.”

David chose not to defend himself, but to cast himself upon the Lord’s judgement. God had anointed him king. He would now trust the Lord to keep him as king if God wanted.

Pastor John Garlington commented at a minister’s conference when asked about people in his church coming against him … “God told me, ‘If you do something, I won’t. If you don’t, THEN I will.'”

God defends us. He does the better job.

PRAYER: Lord, You are my defender. You preserve me when others try to destroy me. I trust Your ways above my own.

READ: 2 Sam. 15,16