Reign of Solomon (1Ki 2-11; 2Ch 1-9)

The Building of the Temple at Jerusalem (1 Kg 5:1-9:28; 2Ch 2-7)

Solomon Fails and the Kingdom Divides (1Ki 3-11, 2Ch 1-9)

Wisdom, reputation, and success (9:1 to 10:49)

Solomon's Prosperity Continued (9:1-10:29; 2Ch 7:12-22)

1KINGS 9:1-28

Reading:

Songs:

Theme:

INTRODUCTION

A. Sometimes someone may tell us a story and emphasize the meaning a few times or a joke and emphasize the punch line because we didn’t seem to understand it. We might proclaim, “OK, I got the point!” In the Bible God gives warnings many times for some things using example after example, I am sure, trying to help us get the point. One such point was regarding departing from his ways. Let’s examine such a warning through Solomon.

B. 1 Kings chapter 9 represented the apex of Israel’s existence as a global, political force. It’s armies were dominant, its resources vast, its borders peaceful, its population united. In addition there was God’s further imposing, magnificent, overt stamp of approval through the Temple at Jerusalem.

Discussion

I. GOD’S COVENANT WITH SOLOMON (9:1-9; 2 Chr 7:11-22)

The Promise

A. And it came to pass, when Solomonhad finished the building ... That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time ... (1Ki 9:1-5).

KJV

1 ¶ And it came to pass, when Solomon <08010> had finished <03615> (8763) the building <01129> (8800) of the house <01004> of the LORD <03068>, and the king’s <04428> house <01004>, and all Solomon’s <08010> desire <02837> which he was pleased <02654> (8804) to do <06213> (8800),

2 That the LORD <03068> appeared <07200> (8735) to Solomon <08010> the second time <08145>, as he had appeared <07200> (8738) unto him at Gibeon <01391>.

1. God manifested himself to Solomon (v 1-2; 2Ch 7:11).

3 And the LORD <03068> said <0559> (8799) unto him, I have heard <08085> (8804) thy prayer <08605> and thy supplication <08467>, that thou hast made <02603> (8694) before <06440> me: I have hallowed <06942> (8689) this house <01004>, which thou hast built <01129> (8804), to put <07760> (8800) my name <08034> there for <05704> ever <05769>; and mine eyes <05869> and mine heart <03820> shall be there perpetually <03117>.

2. God approved of the Temple Solomon built (v 3; 2Ch 7:12).

a. Stating positively the conditional nature of his promise to Israel, God twice in this account said, “I will”:

(1) The first had to do with the people of Israel (2Ch 7:13-14).

(2) The second had to do with Solomon himself (1Ki 9:4-5).

4 And if thou wilt walk <03212> (8799) before <06440> me, as David <01732> thy father <01> walked <01980> (8804), in integrity <08537> of heart <03824>, and in uprightness <03476>, to do <06213> (8800) according to all that I have commanded <06680> (8765) thee, and wilt keep <08104> (8799) my statutes <02706> and my judgments <04941>:

5 Then I will establish <06965> (8689) the throne <03678> of thy kingdom <04467> upon Israel <03478> for ever <05769>, as I promised <01696> (8765) to David <01732> thy father <01>, saying <0559> (8800), There shall not fail <03772> (8735) thee a man <0376> upon the throne <03678> of Israel <03478>.

b. God called on Solomon to “walk ... as David ... walked in integrity of heart and in uprightness” (vs 4-5; 2Ch 7:15-18).

(1) Given David’s adultery with Bathsheba, his murder of her husband and his poor parenthood, one may wonder how the Lord could equate walking in integrity of heart, and uprightness” before God with David (v 4).

(a) The answer is found in not equating integrity, uprightness and obedience with sin-free behavior.

(b) What made David upright in God’s sight was that he always repented of his sin (stopped doing it) and returned to the Lord for mercy.

(2) If Solomon walked in “integrity of heart, and in uprightness” then God declared he would “establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as ... promised to David” (v 5).

The Warning

B. But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ... Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed ... will I cast out of my sight ... (1Ki 9:6-9).

6 But if ye shall at all <07725> (8800) turn <07725> (8799) from following <0310> me, ye or your children <01121>, and will not keep <08104> (8799) my commandments <04687> and my statutes <02708> which I have set <05414> (8804) before <06440> you, but go <01980> (8804) and serve <05647> (8804) other <0312> gods <0430>, and worship <07812> (8694) them:

1. Stating negatively the conditional nature of his promise to Israel, God warned Israel against giving themselves to false worship (v 6-9; 2Ch 7:19-22).

a. God warned Israel against turning back to “and serve other gods, and worship them” (v 6).

(1) turn, Strong’s - 07725. bwv SHUWB shoob; a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again:— ([break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep]) X again, (cause to) answer (+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call [to mind], carry again (back), cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, + continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back, fetch home again, X fro, get [oneself] (back) again, X give (again), go again (back, home), [go] out, hinder, let, [see] more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, + say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, X surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.

labwv ShuwbaÆel. See 07619.

A V-return 391, ...again 248, turn 123, ...back 65, ...away 56, restore 39, bring 34, render 19, answer 18, recompense 8, recover 6, deliver 5, put 5, withdraw 5, requite 4, misc 40; 1066 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back

(2) The idea was not their partial turning as back sliders (The Book Of Judges) but of complete apostasy.

(a) Those who back slide, while there is still time for them, have the opportunity to repent of their sin and return to the way of God.

(b) It is those who apostasize from God; who go completely from him, that he will cut off from the promise (cp. Heb 6:; 10:; 2Pe 2:20-21).

(d) Salvation has always been conditionally based up faithful obedience to God’s word (cp. Rom 11:22).

i) Submission from the heart which shows up in the action of our lives through obedience to God’s word has always been a prerequisite to receiving God’s favor (Ecc 12:13; see also 1Ki 6:11-13; 8:25,48; 9:4-5).

ii) In the parable of the king’s wedding feast, which about the invitation God made to Israel, we’re told they refused (Mt 22:3).

iii) The conditional nature of God’s promise to Israel and the result for their not having met the conditions led to Jesus telling them their house was left to them desolate (cp. Mat 23:37-38).

7 Then will I cut off <03772> (8689) Israel <03478> out <06440> of the land <0127> which I have given <05414> (8804) them; and this house <01004>, which I have hallowed <06942> (8689) for my name <08034>, will I cast out <07971> (8762) of my sight <06440>; and Israel <03478> shall be a proverb <04912> and a byword <08148> among all people <05971>:

8 And at this house <01004>, which is high <05945>, every one that passeth <05674> (8802) by it shall be astonished <08074> (8799), and shall hiss <08319> (8804); and they shall say <0559> (8804), Why hath the LORD <03068> done <06213> (8804) thus unto this land <0776>, and to this house <01004>?

9 And they shall answer <0559> (8804), Because they forsook <05800> (8804) the LORD <03068> their God <0430>, who brought forth <03318> (8689) their fathers <01> out of the land <0776> of Egypt <04714>, and have taken hold <02388> (8686) upon other <0312> gods <0430>, and have worshipped <07812> (8691) them, and served <05647> (8799) them: therefore hath the LORD <03068> brought <0935> (8689) upon them all this evil <07451>.

2. God also warned Israel that if he had to cut them off they would become a proverb and a byword and people would be astonished at what happened to Israel (vs 6-9; cf. Deu 28:37; Isa 14:4; Mic 6:16).

a. proverb, Strong’s - 04912. lvm MASHAL maw-shawl’; apparently from 04910 in some original sense of superiority in mental action; properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse):— byword, like, parable, proverb

AV-proverb 19, parable 18, byword 1, like 1; 39 1) proverb, parable 1a) proverb, proverbial saying, aphorism 1b) byword 1c) similitude, parable 1d) poem 1e) sentences of ethical wisdom, ethical maxims

b. byword, Strong’s - 08148. hnynv SH@NIYNAH shen-ee-naw’; from 08150; something pointed, i.e. a gibe:— byword, taunt.

AV-byword 3, taunt 1; 4 1) sharp word, sharp (cutting) word, taunt, gibe

c. God’s warning to Israel was that they would become an example to others of what not to do and the other people would have nothing but harshness to say about the memory of Israel.

d. Israel didn’t heed the Lord’s warning and eventually God fulfilled these words in Israel (cp. 2Ki 25:11, 21).

e. We should take care to never allow our worship to degrade to something less than a glory to God nor to bring into our worship what God will not accept.

Transition: It wasn’t long before Solomon began to do contrary to God’s word.

II. SOLOMON’S COVENANT WITH HIRAM (9:10-14; Not in Chronicles).

Solomon’s Alliance with Hiram

A. ... at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses ... (9:10).

10 ¶ And it came to pass at the end <07097> of twenty <06242> years <08141>, when Solomon <08010> had built <01129> (8804) the two <08147> houses <01004>, the house <01004> of the LORD <03068>, and the king’s <04428> house <01004>,

B. ... Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee ... (9:11-14).

11 (Now Hiram <02438> the king <04428> of Tyre <06865> had furnished <05375> (8765) Solomon <08010> with cedar <0730> trees <06086> and fir <01265> trees <06086>, and with gold <02091>, according to all his desire <02656>,) that then <0227> king <04428> Solomon <08010> gave <05414> (8799) Hiram <02438> twenty <06242> cities <05892> in the land <0776> of Galilee <01551>.

1. Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in Galilee (v 11).

a. Though king over Israel, Solomon was not a liberty to give any cities of Naphtali much less any other cities of Israel to Hiram, king of Tyre.

b. Solomon could not rightly give to Hiram, a non-Jew, that which was the inheritance of Israel (Lev 25:23).

(1) God gave that land to the Israelites to possess, not for Solomon to do with as he pleased.

(2) There is an application for us today.

(a) When Christians compromise with evil, they too seem to be attempting to give away the blessings and provision God intended only for the saints.

(b) Some try to give the inheritance of the faithful away to the unfaithful by declaring contrary to the scriptures, such as baptism is not necessary for salvation or we can do with the things of worship as we please.

c. In giving Hiram the cities we notice the beginning of Solomon’s decline as he acted without heed for God’s word.

(1) sale of cities (9:10-14)

(2) enslavement of the Canaanites (9:15-28)

(3) multiplication of wealth (10:1-25)

(4) multiplication of horses (10:26-29)

(5) intermarriage with foreign women (11:1-3)

(6) worship of idols (11:4-8)

12 And Hiram <02438> came out <03318> (8799) from Tyre <06865> to see <07200> (8800) the cities <05892> which Solomon <08010> had given <05414> (8804) him; and they pleased <03474> (8804) <05869> him not. {pleased…: Heb. were not right in his eyes}

13 And he said <0559> (8799), What cities <05892> are these which thou hast given <05414> (8804) me, my brother <0251>? And he called <07121> (8799) them the land <0776> of Cabul <03521> unto this day <03117>. {Cabul: that is, displeasing, or, dirty

2. Hiram was displeased with the cities for their lack of worth to him (vs 12-13).

a. His response was to call them Cabul, a Hebrew word meaning "as nothing" or "worthless."

14 And Hiram <02438> sent <07971> (8799) to the king <04428> sixscore <03967> <06242> talents <03603> of gold <02091>.

3. Just the same, Hiram gave Solomon one hundred and twenty talents of gold.

a. The impression is that the gold was to help finance Solomon’s building projects (described in 1 Kings 9:15-25).

b. Therefore, it may have been that Solomon had given the cities he did to Hiram, in pledge (Keil) for the gold (cp. 2Ch 8:2).

Transition:

III. SOLOMON’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS (9:15-28).

Solomon Fortifies His Country

A. ... this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build ... (9:15-21; 2Ch 2:17-18; 8:1-6).

15 ¶ And this is the reason <01697> of the levy <04522> which king <04428> Solomon <08010> raised <05927> (8689); for to build <01129> (8800) the house <01004> of the LORD <03068>, and his own house <01004>, and Millo <04407>, and the wall <02346> of Jerusalem <03389>, and Hazor <02674>, and Megiddo <04023>, and Gezer <01507>.

1. Construction in many cities (15)

a. Jerusalem:

(1) Temple,

(2) palace,

(3) Millo - is referred to fairly frequently in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 11:27; 2 Kings 12:21; and 2 Chronicles 32:5).

(4) wall

b. Hazor, Megiddo

16 For Pharaoh <06547> king <04428> of Egypt <04714> had gone up <05927> (8804), and taken <03920> (8799) Gezer <01507>, and burnt <08313> (8799) it with fire <0784>, and slain <02026> (8804) the Canaanites <03669> that dwelt <03427> (8802) in the city <05892>, and given <05414> (8799) it for a present <07964> unto his daughter <01323>, Solomon’s <08010> wife <0802>.

2. Pharaoh gave Gezer as present to his daughter (16-17)

17 And Solomon <08010> built <01129> (8799) Gezer <01507>, and Bethhoron <01032> the nether <08481>,

18 And Baalath <01191>, and Tadmor <08412> in the wilderness <04057>, in the land <0776>,

19 And all the cities <05892> of store <04543> that Solomon <08010>