Bible Study - Second Nature (2) - Solomon - 1 Kings 3:3-14 and 4:29-34 - Octobeer 22, 2017

Bible Study – Second Nature (2) – Solomon – October 22, 2017

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Second Nature.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Kings 3:3-14 and 4:29-34.

CHRIST-centered living chooses wisdom from GOD, not simply knowledge.

What is wisdom from the Christian perspective? It is knowledge applied to GOD’S plan. The Bible admonishes us to study and to rightly divide GOD’S Word. Recorded in 2 Timothy 3:16 - 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, and in 2 Timothy 2:15 - 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

I remember when I first yielded my life to CHRIST, although I had taught the Bible, I saw GOD’S Word through new eyes. I read much, if not all of the Bible. I put it aside because I do not like to read the same thing over and over. After a period of time, I decided to pick up the Bible again to read it and to my surprise when I read the same scripture I had read weeks earlier, it read differently. I saw more truth and understood it better. That was the beginning of my Spiritual education that the more we read GOD’S Word, the Holy Spirit continues to reveal more and more truth and its application to us as we move forward in life.

The joy of reading and studying the Bible is that GOD reveals the truth of those who served HIM. We see our lives or the lives of others little by little, whereas, in the Bible we have the opportunity to read and study the lives of those in whom GOD had chosen and was working. They were not perfect but GOD had a plan for them - warts and all. That makes me feel much better about my life. The key is for each of us to be honest with GOD and confess our sins and ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins.

Yes, as Christians, we are cleansed from our sins and made white as snow. 

But, as we live for JESUS, we still sin, however, we are to confess our sin and repent (stop doing it); GOD cleanses and restores. Once, we become GOD Son or Daughter through the miracle of salvation and Spiritual rebirth, we no longer belong to this world. We belong to GOD’S family and our citizenship is in Heaven. We are seated next to our Savior and LORD JESUS in Heaven.

The Devil/Satan wants Christians to think they are defeated but GOD’S Grace is greater than all of our sin as Christians. But Christians are to confess their sins and trust in the power of GOD for them to live each day in obedience to HIM, as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  

First John 1:8-10:

8 If we say, "We have no sin," we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say, "We have not sinned," we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

We are all sinners saved by GOD’S Grace. Grace is GOD’S unmerited favor toward each of us. Grace cannot be earned. It is GOD’S gift to every Christian. GOD’S Grace reaches into the hearts of the vilest. No one is beyond the grace of GOD to receive salvation through faith in JESUS.

Why do we have to confess our sins as we journey through life? Confession is agreeing with GOD. Christians are sinners saved by GOD’S Grace and live under HIS canopy of Grace. Un-confessed sin gives the Devil/Satan the opportunity to lure us out from GOD’S protective canopy and compromise our walk with JESUS. Christians must remember that JESUS is our advocate and stands before GOD pleading our case when the Devil/Satan accuses us. 

Confession of our sin places our case in, JESUS’ hands. When the Devil/Satan accuses us, we direct him to our advocate JESUS. Our part is to confess our sin. JESUS pleads our case, “he or she is covered by MY shed blood.”

One might say, “Well, this is a get out of Hell free card!” No! The Bible is very clear; a person who habitually sins does not belong to the family of GOD.

Our lesson this week focuses upon Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba. Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 Kings 3:3-9:

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.

The word “statutes” refers to the Law of Moses. This reveals the heart of Solomon toward GOD, which he learned from his father, King David. King David was not without sin but he was a man after GOD’S own heart. There is life beyond our sin when we confess our sin and repent.

When GOD led the Israelites into the Promised Land, HE instructed them to tear down the pagan worship sites established in any place. One of the sites the pagans favored was to worship their gods in high places. The thought being that if you were up high, you were closer to god. Notice the little “g.” These are false gods.

In Deuteronomy 12:1-5 GOD gave instructions accordingly as the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land:

1 "Be careful to follow these statutes and ordinances in the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess all the days you live on the earth.

2 Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are driving out worship their gods-on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every flourishing tree.

3 Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the carved images of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.

4 Don't worship the Lord your God this way.

5 Instead, you must go to the place the Lord your God chooses from all your tribes to put His name for His dwelling.

King Solomon had not had the temple built and the focus of worship was the tabernacle or tent of meeting. Verse 5 in Deuteronomy 12 directs those who desire to worship the one true GOD of Israel to be led by GOD to the place HE chooses for HIS people to worship, which we see reflected in our focus scripture as we read on ---.   

4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered 1,000 burnt offerings on that altar.

This large sacrifice reflected the heart, gratitude and dedication of Solomon toward GOD Who placed him as King of Israel.

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask. What should I give you?"

GOD communicated with Solomon in a dream.

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 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.

This reflects the importance of fathers being the spiritual leaders in their homes.

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.

Bible scholars estimate that Solomon was likely 30 years old or under. Solomon acknowledged that GOD made him king.

8 Your servant is among Your people You have chosen, a 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’s desire was to have the wisdom to be an effective ruler. He knew the source of all wisdom was GOD. In order for us to access GOD’S wisdom, we must be in right relationship with HIM. Having the right relationship with GOD is exactly what GOD desires from all who desire to obediently serve HIM.

Let’s read 1 Kings 3:10-14:

10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this.

GOD knew by Solomon’s request that he had the foundation to be an obedient servant.

That is GOD’S desire for all Christians today. The beginning of such a journey is our salvation through faith in JESUS. The building of the right relationship with GOD is a Spiritual journey. It has its ups and downs but always positive.  

11 So God said to him, "Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to understand justice,

Discernment is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals truth from error. This is vital in the lives of all Christians as they obediently serve GOD in whatever they do – business, social life, investments, church, laborers, family, marriage and the list goes on.

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.

GOD’S gift is always precious and intended to Glorify HIM.

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."

GOD granted King Solomon’s request and so much more. When much is given, much is expected. Notice the provision “If you walk in MY ways and keep MY ---, I will ----.”

Let’s read 1 Kings 4:29-34:

Solomon's Wisdom and Literary Gifts

29 God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and understanding as [vast] as the sand on the seashore.

30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

31 He was wiser than anyone-wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, sons of Mahol. His reputation extended to all the surrounding nations.

32 Solomon composed 3,000 proverbs, and his songs numbered 1,005.

33 He described trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing out of the wall. He also taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.

34 People came from everywhere, [sent] by every king on earth who had heard of his wisdom, to listen to Solomon's wisdom.

When we consider the circumstances surrounding the heritage of Solomon, we see the love of GOD and the fact that each person stands on his or her two feet.

King David and Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba, had an affair. This affair resulted in Bathsheba getting pregnant. David attempted to get Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, who was off fighting back to sleep with her. Uriah being a dedicated soldier refused to sleep with his wife.

This called for plan two. King David had Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, placed in a position in battle knowing that he would be killed. Once Uriah was killed, David took Bathsheba as one of his wives. The child conceived in that adulterous relationship died but they had a second child, Solomon. Solomon was in the lineage of JESUS, thus King David and Bathsheba were in the lineage of JESUS.

King David repented of his sin and GOD forgave him. This is an example, in Biblical history, that once a person repents for his or her sin GOD still has a plan. GOD’S foreknowledge does not predestine an event but is an example of how GOD is in all things to accomplish HIS plan of salvation through HIS only Son, JESUS. The lineage of JESUS can be read in Matthew 1:1-17.

GOD has a plan for each of us. Step one is salvation, which is through faith in JESUS. Salvation is the beginning of a life long journey of being made into the image of JESUS by the indwelling Holy Spirit, which is step two. At the instant of salvation what takes place in our lives? 

Our sins are _____, We have ____ life, Indwelled by the  ____, Miracle of _____, become a member of GOD’S _____, Citizen of _____, Made _______ because our sins were placed upon _____, When JESUS died, we died, were buried, When GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead, HE also raised _____, GOD also seated us next to ______ in heaven. What else needs to be added to this list?

If you have never asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins, now is that moment. Eternity is but a heartbeat away. Blessings!!!