1. Text summary
2. How is Christ in the text?3. Application
Solomon Heard, and Building - 1 Kings 9
1. Text summary
God tells Solomon He will listen to his prayer and hear prayer from the temple, if Israel is faithful to Him. Solomon gives Hiram shoddy Galilean cities, and he is mildly offended. Solomon's building projects, forced labor, and shipping expeditions are listed.
2. Jesus
Jesus is the Solomon whom God answers. He remains totally faithful, so God establishes His throne, and blesses His people because of His intercession.
Jesus gives good gifts (Eph 4:11ff), and builds His church well.
3. Application
a. Recall God's promises to you, and let them help to keep you faithful.
b. Building for God is a good thing, but be careful how you do it (forced labor?).
Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom - 1 Kings 10
1. Text summary
Sheba's queen visits Solomon and is impressed, with his wisdom and administration. Solomon's trade made him very rich, but it was 666 talents of gold - the number of a man fallen short.
2. Jesus
Jesus is sought after for wisdom by the most prominent.
3. Application
Go to the ends of the earth, and spare no expense, to seek out the wisdom of Christ.
There are endless riches awaiting us in the throne room of God.
Solomon's downfall - 1 Kings 11
1. Text summary
Solomon follows foreign women to worship other gods.
God tells him his son will lose part of his kingdom, because of this.
Multiple local rebellions plague Solomon, and a prophet promises Jeroboam he will receive 10 of the tribes to rule.
Solomon reigns 40 years.
2. Jesus
Jesus is faithful to His bride the church, unlike Solomon.
Jesus keeps His kingdom and people - no one snatches them from Him.
Jesus reigns forever!
3. Application
Don't let any earthly or sensual desire lead you away from worshiping God.
You lose ground when you're unfaithful.
Kingdom Secession - 1 Kings 12
1. Text summary
Solomon's son Rehoboam sits on the throne, and immediately receives a demand from Israel and Jeroboam (!) to lighten the tax/labor burden on the people. He refuses, and Israel's 10 tribes secede. God tells him not to forcibly subdue and reunite the nation. Jeroboam sets up idolatrous worship to keep Israel from reuniting with Judah.
2. Jesus
Jesus' burden is light, and gives no cause for rejecting Him.
Among His professors are often many who claim His kingdom but really follow other gods and agendas - liberalism.
3. Application
Civil rulers should keep burdens on people as light as possible.
Secession and national breakdown is real, and a judgment of God on a nation's disobedience. Unity is strength, and secession is a divisive reduction of strength - seldom edifying.
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