1 Kings 9
-God gives Solomon some magnificent promises along with some
stern warnings as this portion of the book commences. This happens after
Solomon had completed what he really set out in his heart to build, so the
major projects were finished (1 Kings 9:1). The LORD appeared to him a second
time as He had in Gibeon (1 Kings 9:2), and comforted the king with the fact
that He had heard Solomon’s prayers and supplications made before Him (1 Kings
9:3a). The LORD had consecrated the house that had been built with His Name forever,
and told him that His eyes and His heart would be there perpetually (without
ceasing, 1 Kings 9:3b). God went on to let the king know that as long as he
would walk before the LORD his God, as his father David had done, in integrity
and uprightness of heart following all of the LORD’s commands, statutes, and
ordinances that He would establish his throne of the kingdom over Israel
forever according to His promise (1 Kings 9:4-5). However, there is an obvious
warning for his sons if they would ever turn away from the LORD their God in
disobedience to follow other gods and neglect the LORD’s statutes and
commandments. If this happens, God promised He would cut them off from their land
(which does eventually happen for a time), and the house which was built would
be cast out of His sight. Israel would become a byword among the peoples of the
world and the house would become a heap of ruins astonishing and causing
derision among all who pass by it as they know that God’s people had forsaken
the LORD their God who brought them out of Egypt by adopting other gods and
worshipping them and serving them, therefore bringing all this adversity on
themselves (1 Kings 9:6-9). Thus the LORD completes His message to the king.
*Application* God never does anything without warning. If He is trying to get
your attention on a matter, it is best to take heed. He is simply trying to
protect you from the adversity you would otherwise face if you neglect His
counsel. Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to
trust and obey.
-The rest of the chapter gives some history concerning the
region with other building projects and lands ceded to allies. Hiram, king of
Tyre, was not pleased with the twenty cities given him in the Galilee region and
called them Cabul (as good as nothing), but this did not seem to affect their friendship
and alliance too much as they partnered down south with sea-faring adventures in
the Red Sea and beyond (1 Kings 9:10-13, 26-28). The account of Pharaoh’s capture
of Gezer killing the Canaanites who lived there and its burning for a dowry payment
to Solomon for the Egyptian Princess hand in marriage is mentioned (1 Kings 9:16).
As a result Solomon rebuilds Gezer (west of Jerusalem near the coast) and the lower
Beth-horon (just to the east of Gezer) and Baalath (just to the west of Gezer) and
Tamar in the wilderness (south of the Dead Sea area in the desert wilderness). All
of these were in the land of Judah and were storage cities for chariots and horsemen.
These areas extended northward up to Lebanon and in all the land under his rule
(1 Kings 9:17-19). He used forced labor from the remnants of non-Jewish inhabitants
of the land (Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites). The Jewish
people were not used for forced labor; they were men of war, his servants, his princes,
his captains, his chariot commanders, and his horsemen (1 Kings 9:20-23). There
is one more tidbit of information describing Solomon’s worship practices. Three
times a year he would offer burnt offerings and peace offerings before God on the
alter he built to the LORD in Jerusalem (1 Kings 9:25). *Application* Administration
is a vital key to success in a society. Solomon used his wisdom to coordinate and
delegate out functions so that the nation could stay safe and effective as God’s
chosen people. If you have administrative talents and gifts, use them for the Lord’s
glory in His Church and Kingdom. He’s given you this wisdom for a purpose. Don’t
neglect any of your giftings!
Verse to Memorize: 1
Kings 9:7
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