King Solomon was careful to follow all the instructions


King Solomon was careful to follow all the instructions given by his father David concerning the day to day functioning of the temple of God, 2 Chronicles 8:12-15.

After the building of the Lord’s temple and place, he went on to rebuild the cities given by King Huram and conquered others too, so that the Israelites could settle therein, vs 1-5. He was careful to use the non- Israelis left in the land as his work crew, while placing the Israelites as supervisors over them, or else as soldiers, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces, 7-10.

He realised that it was not right for his wife, who was the daughter of Pharaoh, to live in the palace of David where the ark of God had entered, and so built another palace for her to stay in, vs 11. Yes indeed, if we are to make our bodies fit to be a temple for God to dwell therein, then we need to conquer new ground and put to flight all that is unholy and sinful in our lives, by keeping the lusts of our flesh and eyes, as well as the boastful pride of life in subjection to the Holy Spirit.

This will attract the people of the world to the light of God that emanates from our lives, as they hear about us, just like the Queen of Sheba was drawn to visit King Solomon, 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. They will seek us out for wise counsel because they find the presence and glory of God radiating through our character and deeds.

This will give us an opportunity to share Christ with them. Solomon prospered greatly in accordance with God’s promise made to his servant David, vs 13-28.  He was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth, vs 22.

However, Solomon’s personal life was overcome by sin and disobedience to the Lord, especially because of the many foreign wives he married! Solomon’s, son Rehoboam, learnt in the hard way that rude words and harsh treatment in response to the justified demands of those one leads, will always result in division and strife, 2 Chronicles 10:1-19; and that is exactly what happened when he foolishly listened to the counsel of the younger men of his kingdom!

And so, Israel rebelled against the Davidic dynasty during his reign and the Kingdom was divided, 2 Chronicles 11! However, The priests and Levites who lived throughout Israel supported Rehoboam, no matter where they resided for 3 years of his reign, vs 13,14,17. After Rehoboam’s rule was established and solidified, he and all Israel rejected the law of the Lord,” *2 Chronicles 12:1. So God permitted the Egyptians and their allies to attack Judah, vs 2,3. God sent a prophet to rebuke them and on hearing his words the leaders humbled themselves, vs 5-8.

So, the Lord relented from his anger and did not annihilate Rehoboam and Judah experienced some good things, vs 12! Disobedience to the laws of God happen subtly over time, and especially when the laws of God are not given priority in our lives!

The traditions of men take precedence over the commandments of God because of the inability of man to obey God’s Word in his own strength!

Thus religion replaces relationship with God and obedience becomes a matter of convenience, leading to disobedience which invariably attracts God’s wrath!. Wretched men and women that we are! Who will rescue us from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 7: 24,25.

He is our only hope, provided we go to Him in honesty and faith and refuse to accept disobedience as an alternative of convenience, no matter what the provocation! Amen.

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.