For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.
Hebrew words:
- Shlomoh (Solomon) -- means peace, wholeness, soundness, welfare
- Appears 302x in the Bible
Further study:
- Covered in the podcast:
- 2 Samuel 12:24, 7:12ff
- 1 Kings 1:34, 11:43, 4:29-34
- Solomonic biblical material: Many Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles, Ps 72, 127
- 1 Kings 10:1ff, 11:1ff, Deuteronomy 17:16-20
Even deeper:
- See further material in 1-2 Chronicles.
- Solomon turns up 11x in the N.T. – e.g. Matthew 1:6, where we learn he is the direct ancestor of Jesus.
- Learn more about the Wisdom Literature at this link.
- Consider the economics of this king. High import level, low export level, high taxes, forced labor: no wonder that the people revolt under his son, Rehoboam.
Some things we learn about God:
God looks at the heart; he is not impressed by worldly qualities. God seeks those who seek him.
He holds those in leadership positions accountable for a vibrant spiritual life.
God wants a close relationship with us, so we must consciously and conscientiously exert ourselves to know him.
For kids:
- Read the story of Solomon and his wish in 1 Kings 3 (or the parallel passages in 2 Chronicles 1).
- Remind your kid(s) about the story of Aladdin and the lamp. If you had “one wish” (from God), what would you ask for?
- Ask (again), What you would ask for if God gave you “one wish”? Parents explain the concept of being given something, but not knowing how to use it. For example, what if the kids were given a car right now, or an oven. Would they know how to use it wisely, how to take care of it? Talk about the difference between gaining the knowledge to use something and then using it in a wise way. (Drunk drivers know how to drive, etc.) Solomon was given the kingdom of God, yet only with wisdom from God could he know how to rule its people.
- Write down a number of wishes and put them in a bowl, have the children pick one, then talk about the knowledge and wisdom needed for each wish. What could he have asked for? What did he ask for?
- What is wisdom? Explain that knowledge means information, whereas wisdom means knowing how to use that knowledge in the right way—in a way that pleases God.
Key verses:
- 2 Samuel 12:24 – Solomon is born.
- Deuteronomy 17:15-20 – Regulations for the kingship
- 1 Kings 4:29-32 – Solomon’s diverse wisdom
- 1 Kings 11:1-2 – In his old age, he drifts spiritually