1 Kings 1- 4
Adonijah seemed to be the legal successor to King David’s throne since he was the fourth son of king David, and two of his older brothers were dead, while his second brother Chileab, was the son of Abigail who was previously the wife of Nabal the Carmelite, 2 Samuel 3:3. However, God’s choice over ruled the traditions of men, and on account of prophet Nathan’s and Bathsheba’s timely and strategic planning, David appointed Solomon to be the next ruler of Israel and Judah, 1 Kings 1.

All those who sided Adonijah’s reign got themselves on the wrong side of king David, and being pointed out as traitors, Solomon wisely dealt with each one of them by either getting them executed, when they breached the contract made with him, or else he dismissed them to their native land or a place of refuge that he chose as was appropriate, and thus, removed them for the former position that they held during his father’s reign.

In this way Solomon held a firm grip over the kingdom, 1 Kings 2. When God appeared to Solomon in a dream, Solomon rightly asked for wisdom and discernment to rule God’s people righteously, and God being pleased with his request, gave him honour and riches too, 1 kings 3:5-13!

The glorious reign of Solomon is well depicted in 1 Kings 4. His administration, together with such well- organised planning, with the help of those he appointed as officers to oversee different parts of the Kingdom, was indeed commendable, vs 1-24,27,28!

Besides this his people enjoyed security and an abundance of provision too, vs 25! God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore. Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt, vs 29,30. Besides this he composed songs and proverbs and composed manuals on Biology and Botany too, vs 32,33. So, people from all nations came to hear Solomon’s display of wisdom, 34!

Yet, inspite of all these amazing accomplishments, what went wrong?  

1 Kings 3:1,3 tells us that Solomon made an alliance by marriage with Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he married Pharaoh’s daughter which was in direct disobedience to God’s Word! It also says that Solomon demonstrated his loyalty to the LORD by following the practices of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places!

So, these subtle deviations from obeying God’s Word completely, without subsequently repenting of the same, gave way to gross disobedience as the years went by!

Perhaps, this was not taken seriously, by King Solomon because of the amazing gifting and worldly wisdom that he was blessed with! Once again we are warned about how our giftings and activities done for the Lord can begin to replace our first love for Him, which can only be seen by simple obedience to every commandment that He has given us.

Let us use this opportunity to examine our hearts before the Lord so as to recognise and repent of any subtle form of idolatry that exists in our lives at this point of time. In doing so, we will save both ourselves and those who hear us. Amen.

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.