II Chronicles: Solomon

The history of Judah's kings might seem potentially boring and irrelevant, but in reality II Chronicles is a wonderful book filled with compelling stories and powerful applications. As I recently examined the historic events and spiritual temperament of each king, I saw how God has woven those two aspects together to reveal important spiritual lessons. (All references are from II Chronicles unless otherwise noted.)

Though not a king of Judah exclusively, Solomon's story fills the first nine chapters of the book. Solomon had the great advantage of a very godly father to instruct him. David strongly encouraged Solomon to follow God and reminded Solomon of the basis for success. "Now, my son, the LORD be with you that you may be successful" (I Chronicles 22:11). "Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses concerning Israel" (I Chronicles 22:13).

David reminded Solomon of God's presence, encouraging Solomon to reign without fear, knowing that a faithful God would help him. "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you" (I Chronicles 28:20).

David prayed for Solomon to serve God faithfully. "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, . . . give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all" (I Chronicles 29:18-19).

David's influence seems to have been very effective. Solomon started out well, beginning his reign with humility, realizing how much he needed God's help. Solomon acknowledged his insignificance. "So who am I, that I should build a house for Him?" (2:10). Solomon admitted his inability. "I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in" (I Kings 3:7). When given the opportunity to ask for anything, Solomon requested for wisdom. "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?" (1:10).

Clearly, Solomon was spiritually sensitive. He recognized God's goodness and rejoiced in His promises (1:8-9). He fervently and publically worshipped God (1:3-6), making worship a consistent habit (8:12-15). Part of that worship was the construction of the temple. Not a casual effort nor a minor aspect of his reign, Solomon devoted twenty years, half his years as king, to the temple. Beyond his planning, Solomon added to the construction process such valuable things as heart-felt prayer, commitment, leadership in worship, and plentiful sacrifices.

Solomon's heart for God was particularly evident in his fervent prayer at the dedication of the temple. He began with these words: "O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no god like You in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart" (6:14). In his prayer, Solomon recognized the necessity of following God and forsaking sin. He claimed God's promises and humbly asked for God's blessing. He acknowledged human weakness, enumerating many scenarios in which God's people could fail Him, and asking for God's mercy toward those who would humble themselves.

God responded positively to both Solomon's prayer for wisdom and his prayer of dedication for the temple. God affirmed that He would reward obedience with blessing, that He would keep His promises, and that He would judge disobedience (7:12-22). God promised blessing to Solomon personally if he would follow Him (7:17-18). Likewise, after Solomon's prayer for wisdom, God responded, "Because . . . you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people . . . wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you" (1:11-12).

God's words were not empty. He blessed Solomon with wisdom that was admired by great leaders. "So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. And all the kings of the earth were seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart" (9:22-23). Solomon organized over 150,000 men in a twenty-year project to build the temple; he negotiated with foreign leaders for materials and labor. The queen of Sheba was astonished at his wisdom, admitting that "the half of the greatness of [his] wisdom was not told" to her (9:6).

God also blessed Solomon with prosperity. His wealth was legendary, with "silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones" (1:15). He received rich gifts from other nations, filling his coffers with money and his palace with finery. He built a remarkable temple and a fabulous palace. He built various cities for settlement, fortification, storage, and military posts (8:2-6). "The LORD his God was with him and exalted him greatly" (1:1). Repeatedly the Bible states that both Solomon's wealth and his wisdom were due to God's blessing in response to Solomon's tender heart.

Based on just this account, it would seem that Solomon had a consistent heart for God and experienced nothing but wealth, blessing, and greatness. While II Chronicles does not tell the whole story of Solomon's failure, it does subtly reveal two problems. First, Solomon accrued horses, something God had warned against, as it placed confidence in military strength rather than God. Second, he married foreign wives. Chapter eight mentions Pharaoh's daughter; Solomon was sensitive enough to realize that this foreign wife should not live in the holy city, so he built a city for her (8:11). Knowing these alliances were wrong, Solomon formed them repeatedly. These foreign marriage alliances were Solomon's downfall, turning his heart away from God. His heart for God was the key factor that had resulted in God's immense blessing, but when his heart turned from its early devotion, the richly blessed Solomon lost what was most valuable.