Greatness

Introduction

A. Success is measured in all kinds of ways. For most of us, hearing the word success brings to mind one’s wealth. ILL. “Success: doing with what we have.” Perhaps no one in all of the Bible is describe in such glowing ways in terms of wealth as Solomon was. His wealth was unprecedented. In 1 Kings 9, there is a report of Solomon’s great building projects, his trading successes, even naval exploits are listed. With this report we learn something about the vastness of Solomon’s kingdom.

B. In 9:10-14, Solomon in his first twenty years completes the temple and his royal palace. Both were extremely beautiful. His alliance with Hiram, king of Tyre, brought him invaluable resources. In exchange for Hiram’s financial help, Solomon gave to Hiram 20 towns in northern Galilee. Hiram sent Solomon 4 ½ metric tons of gold. This is about 7200 pounds. That’s a lot of gold.

C. Then in 9:15-19, we are told about Solomon’s great building projects. In addition to the temple and his royal palace, he begins to rebuild cities and increase the size of cities. He prepares cities for military encounters. He sets his defenses. He strategically places his horses and chariots for possible battles. Such an ever widening circle from Jerusalem would have required a lot of wealth not only to build but to maintain. We are also told that he has an alliance with Pharaoh in Egypt. Solomon has married his daughter and this political alliance results in protection to the south.

D. In verses 20-24, we find that the workforce for all this construction is slave labor. Surrounding tribes are forced to work. The Israelites are given the ranking jobs. This nationalistic thrust leads to a greater bureaucracy. More and more people are being added to the government payrolls. Such an expansion would have required great sums of money. That money came from a number of places, but taxing the people would have been one of those ways.

E. Verse 25 tells us that Solomon was in the habit of keeping God’s law concerning sacrifices. The three sacrifices each year were probably associated with the three required feasts listed in Leviticus---the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. So there is an attempt by Solomon here in his 20th year of reigning to adhere to God’s law.

F. Finally, verses 26-28 tell us about Solomon’s navy. Again in an alliance with Hiram from Tyre, Solomon builds the ships and Hiram supplies men to serve on the ships. On one of their expeditions they sailed to Ophir and returned with about 100 million dollars worth of gold. All of these details tells us something about Solomon’s success as king of Israel. But even as we might be impressed with Solomon’s financial success as king, we must not overlook the first part of chapter 9. For in this section, God explains his view of success. We need to be reminded of God’s view.

God’s View

A. God appears to Solomon a second time. It has been 20 years or more since God first appeared to Solomon. The first time resulted in God providing Solomon with a discerning heart. This second time is to remind Solomon about what is really important. Did God detect something in Solomon’s heart so that he needed to be warned? The Bible tells us that Solomon has completed all he desired to do. This may be a statement of fact rather than a warning, but it is worth considering that perhaps Solomon has reached the end of his goals. Perhaps he no longer has a vision for what could be. We don’t know, but it is at this time that God chooses to appear to Solomon to remind him of what his goals are to be.

B. God announces that he has heard Solomon’s prayer and will honor his request by allowing his presence to be at the temple. Back in chapter 8 this is one of the requests Solomon had made. Now God speaks directly to Solomon and what is required of him. He is to live life with integrity of heart and uprightness. Integrity of heart means “completeness” or to be in harmony with truth. This is more than a mere external keeping of the law. Solomon’s heart is to be set upon following God and doing his will. It is possible for him to offer his sacrifices each year, but for his heart not to be attached to what he is doing. Uprightness has to do with honesty. Honesty of life and ethics. God warns Solomon to make sure his heart is turned toward him and that his conduct of life is consistent with a heart set on God. Words of value for us as well.

C. As a leader, Solomon’s life extended far beyond his own desires. His example touched the lives of all Israel. As he sought God, so the people were encouraged to seek God. As he sought his own ways, so the people were led to seek their own ways instead of God’s ways. God’s promise to Solomon was that as he remained committed to the truth and lived a life which was consistent with that view, then God would remain faithful in honoring Solomon and his reign. Then in verse 6 comes the counter side… “but.” If Solomon chooses to pursue idols and to ignore God’s commands, then Solomon’s reign will come to an end and the people will suffer for Solomon’s choices. So God’s promise is conditional. Solomon must remain committed to God and his ways if he wishes to enjoy God’s favor.

Two Lessons

A. There are two major lessons for us in this text. First, like Solomon adherence to truth and consistency of life is needed in order to enjoy God’s favor. ILL. “Consequences.” Sometimes we pursue things which we believe will bring us satisfaction---most often material things. But God is telling us in this text that living consistently in harmony with his will brings his favor.

B. The second lesson has to do with God’s sovereignty. In verses 6-9, God tells what will happen if Solomon or any of his sons turns away from Him. In a very clear way, God says that turning from him will result in loss of respect from surrounding nations. Others will see Israel as nothing. All that Solomon had amassed will be worthless because the people are no longer following God. These verses foretell what is going to happen. In other words, the people are given a clear indication of what they can expect should they turn from God. It becomes in essence a self-judgment. Only God can predict what will happen in the event certain actions are taken. God is in charge. Solomon’s actions and the actions of his sons would not escape God’s attention and eventual judgement. Neither do our actions. We can fool others and ourselves; but God knows our hearts. Our actions do not fool him.

C. Solomon was seen as a great success. But God puts things in perspective. Real success is being in harmony with his truth and living a life consistent with that truth. Anything less will result in not sharing in his divine favor. Invitation.

Follow Jesus

If you’d like to respond to this message or learn more about following Jesus, please reach out.