When Overwhelmed by Responsible - 1 Kings 3:1-15 - August 5, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – When Overwhelmed by Responsibilities – August 5, 2007

This begins a new series of study entitled “Looking Up When Life Gets You Down.”

Our Bible study will be in 1 Kings 3:1-15, 1 Kings 19:1-13a, 15-18, 2 Kings 5:1-5, 8-16 and 2 Kings 22:1-5; 23:2-4, 24, 26-27.

If we look at the entire life of King Solomon, we can see how the LORD worked in his life. His life can give us a glimpse of our journey with our LORD as a Christian. We see how GOD, even though HE has the foreknowledge to know how we will choose, HE allows us to make wrong decisions. HIS foreknowledge allows HIM to see the end result. GOD does not make us or want us to be robots. HE always gives us the right to choose.

Our background scripture is 1 Kings 3:1-28.

Our focus scripture is 1 Kings 3:1-15.

Today’s lesson is typical of many of us. When we begin our careers, we are inexperienced, nervous and insecure. Often we seek GOD’S help when we launch into the unknown. “LORD I really want this job.” “LORD I will do so and so, if YOU will just ____.”

GOD knows our hearts and HE knows the end result of our pursuit of life and certain career paths.

Often GOD grants our requests and it results in any number of results. So let’s look at a young king named Solomon. King Solomon was made king after the death of his father King David. Yes, King Solomon is the son of King David and Bathsheba. This is also the linage of JESUS.

When you are faced with an overwhelming task, seek GOD’S help.

Let’s read 1 Kings 3:1-4:

1 Solomon made an alliance[1] Lit Solomon made himself a son-in-law with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter.[2] Dt 7:3; 2 Ch 18:1; Ezr 9:14 Solomon brought her to the city of David until he finished building his palace, the Lord’s temple, and the wall surrounding Jerusalem. 2 However, the people were sacrificing on the • high places, because until that time a temple for the Lord’s name had not been built. 3 Solomon loved the Lord by walking in the statutes of his father David, but he also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon (GIB ih uhn) to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered 1,000 • burnt offerings on that altar.[3] 1 Ch 1:3,6 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?”

King Solomon became king at just the right time. Israel was strong and the surrounding neighbors were weak. So King Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying the Pharaoh’s daughter. This shows the strength of King Solomon because the king of Egypt would not enter into such an alliance unless he was weaker.

King Solomon brought his new bride to the City of David or Jerusalem.

The people were sacrificing on high places. High places are also where the pagans also sacrificed.

We learn that King Solomon went to Gibeon (GIB ih uhn) to make his sacrifice. King David had also made sacrifices on this same high place. King Solomon walked in the statutes of his father King David. It is vital that we as parents teach our child in matters of the spirit and for us to practice what we teach. King David had sinned in his life’s journey but we also see that GOD had forgiven him. David had to face the consequences of his sin. But we see that GOD can forgive and restore even after grievous sin. David did not loose his love for the LORD.
King Solomon went to Gibeon to make a sacrifice. This shows King Solomon’s heart in seeking guidance from the LORD for his new responsibility.

King Solomon made 1,000 sacrifices. We are not sure if he made the 1,000 over a short period of time or if this is to say that he made a lot of sacrifices over a long period of time. The key point is that he was sincere in seeking the guidance from GOD that he needed to be the type of king GOD wanted him to be.

Notice that Solomon goes to Gibeon. He takes a pilgrimage to Gibeon. We as Christian are also on a pilgrimage as we journey through life. We are making decisions each moment that shape our future. Do we make these decisions on our on or do we seek GOD’S guidance? Are we willing to admit that we need help?

When we admit our weakness and seek GOD’S help, HE can lead us. Often HE allows us to do things our way until we give up so HE can reveal to us HIS way. Then when we see victory, we cannot point to our achievements but can only say, look what GOD has done.

The Apostle Paul gives us insight into how GOD uses our weakness in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10:
Sufficient Grace
1 It is necessary to boast; it is not helpful, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses. 6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger[1] Or angel of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power[2] Other mss read My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Let’s read 1 Kings 3:5-9:

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?” 6 And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and[4] Lit and with You integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. 7 “Lord my God, You have now made Your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership.[5] Lit am a little youth and do not know to go out or come in 8 Your servant is among Your people You have chosen, a[6] Lit chosen many people too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

King Solomon went to sleep and had a dream. The fact that King Solomon was sleeping at Gibeon indicates, again, his sincerity in seeking the guidance of GOD. He wanted to stay close to the place where he thought he had the best opportunity to receive a word from GOD.

Solomon does receive a word from GOD. GOD asks him a very broad question, “Ask, What I should give you?” If GOD asked us this same question what would our answer be?
Again we get to see the heart of Solomon. He begins with what he knew about GOD through his earthly father’s journey with GOD. Solomon had seen the faithfulness of GOD as HE dealt with David.

Solomon recognizes and acknowledges that GOD has placed him on the throne of his father to rule HIS people. He took this responsibility seriously because he recognized that he is young. This means he could be in his teens to his twenties. Solomon is overwhelmed with the awesome responsibility he now has. He recognizes that he needs help and he seeks his help from GOD.

GOD has asked him what he should give him. It is now Solomon’s opportunity to ask the creator of the universe for anything his heart desired. Solomon uses the words “your servant” and “your people” which shows that Solomon knew WHO was in charge and the magnitude of his responsibility.

Realizing that GOD is in charge of all things and we are simply stewards is an important step toward serving GOD and being obedient. Solomon realizes that he needs to have leadership skills to be the leader GOD wants for HIS people. Solomon realizes that there are a lot of people he is responsible for.

Don’t we wish that all Presidents and CEO’S today realized the awesome responsibility they have in running companies and making a legitimate profit to keep the employees employed. Some leaders do realize their responsibility but some are looking out for themselves.

The fact that Solomon comes to GOD for help reveals that he in essence is saying, “I recognize that YOU oh LORD are the source of all wisdom and knowledge and I want to be just like YOU.”

WOW!!! What a compliment to GOD or any father when HIS/his son says I want to be just like YOU/you – DAD/dad.

It is vital that Solomon have the wisdom to judge correctly and to be able to discern between good and evil. Solomon makes the statement “For who is able to judge this great people of YOURS?”

Solomon acknowledges that the people are HIS and he needs GOD’S wisdom in order for him to judge the people as GOD would. The word “judge” means to “rule.”

So how does GOD react to Solomon’s request?

Let’s read 1 Kings 3:10-15:

10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. 11 So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life[7] Lit for many days or riches for yourself, or the death[8] Lit life of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to understand justice, 12 I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again.[9] 2 Kg 18:5; 23:25 13 In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no man in any kingdom will be your equal during your entire life. 14 If you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and offered burnt offerings and • fellowship offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.[10] 2 Ch 1:7–13

Without question, GOD is PLEASED!!! What father is not pleased when their children recognize their ability and their judgment?

Recognizing and acknowledging GOD as the example we want to follow and to be like still pleases GOD. The scripture tells us that GOD’S desire is for all HIS children, through the miracle of rebirth, to be made into the image of HIS ONLY SON JESUS. HE wants us to be like HIM.

Solomon’s request pleased GOD and since he was not selfish, GOD granted HIM discernment, wisdom, understanding heart, plus riches, honor and a long life. But notice there is a provision in verse 14 – Provided you ------.

GOD always places the responsibility for us to keep our eyes, minds and hearts focused upon HIM. We will se later that King Solomon starts out with good intentions but the flesh leads him astray. This is true with many of us. We start out with good intentions but we let the things of life crowd out the things of GOD. GOD allows us to chase these things to teach us a lesson. HIS hope is that eventually HIS children will return to complete obedience and service to HIM.

We see that Solomon woke up but he realized that he had had an encounter with GOD and he immediately went to Jerusalem to worship. When GOD grants our request we need to always thank HIM. Solomon held a feast to share the joy of his encounter with all his servants.

Solomon is off to a good start.

Solomon recognizes his inexperience. It takes a humble heart to acknowledge that you are in need and are not afraid to ask for help.