Today, I want to begin a study on the kings of Judah. We
begin with Israel as still being one nation. We will see how it comes to the
place where division takes place in the nation. The books of 1 and 2
Kings tell the history of the kings of Israel while 2 Chronicles tells the
history of the kings of Judah.
This morning, we begin with Solomon. We hear much about Kings Saul and David, so I want to spend this series of devotions on the kings that follow them. 2 Chronicles begins with Solomon becoming king and then making preparation to build the beautiful Solomon's Temple.
The story is told of the young preacher who went into the pulpit with the idea that he was going to really teach the people something new. He soon realized what a mistake he was making and became very distraught and dejected. He hung his head as he came out of the pulpit. An older preacher with much wisdom lovingly told him that if he had gone into the pulpit the way that he came out, he would have been able to come out of the pulpit the way he went in. Jesus spoke much about humility. More than once, He said those who exalt themselves shall be abased and those who abase themselves shall be exalted.
I say all this for one reason. Solomon began his era as king in the most humble manner, but we shall see somewhere along the way, he loses that.
Today, I want us to see the prayer that he prayed when he first became king. He confessed to God that he did not even know how to walk in and out of a room before the people in a kingly manner. The Lord appeared unto Solomon. "In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee." (2 Chronicles 1:7) Solomon gave this answer to the Lord. "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?" (2 Chronicles 1:10)
The Gracious and Almighty God replied to Solomon that because his request was for Godly wisdom instead of worldly riches, He would grant to Solomon both wisdom and silver and gold. Solomon humbled Himself under the mighty hand of God and then the Lord exalted Solomon to a mighty place of prominence.
In the book of Micah, one of the three things required by God for us is that we would walk humbly with Him. May we learn from the early kingly history of Solomon and seek the wisdom that can only come from above.
This morning, we begin with Solomon. We hear much about Kings Saul and David, so I want to spend this series of devotions on the kings that follow them. 2 Chronicles begins with Solomon becoming king and then making preparation to build the beautiful Solomon's Temple.
The story is told of the young preacher who went into the pulpit with the idea that he was going to really teach the people something new. He soon realized what a mistake he was making and became very distraught and dejected. He hung his head as he came out of the pulpit. An older preacher with much wisdom lovingly told him that if he had gone into the pulpit the way that he came out, he would have been able to come out of the pulpit the way he went in. Jesus spoke much about humility. More than once, He said those who exalt themselves shall be abased and those who abase themselves shall be exalted.
I say all this for one reason. Solomon began his era as king in the most humble manner, but we shall see somewhere along the way, he loses that.
Today, I want us to see the prayer that he prayed when he first became king. He confessed to God that he did not even know how to walk in and out of a room before the people in a kingly manner. The Lord appeared unto Solomon. "In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee." (2 Chronicles 1:7) Solomon gave this answer to the Lord. "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?" (2 Chronicles 1:10)
The Gracious and Almighty God replied to Solomon that because his request was for Godly wisdom instead of worldly riches, He would grant to Solomon both wisdom and silver and gold. Solomon humbled Himself under the mighty hand of God and then the Lord exalted Solomon to a mighty place of prominence.
In the book of Micah, one of the three things required by God for us is that we would walk humbly with Him. May we learn from the early kingly history of Solomon and seek the wisdom that can only come from above.