Wisdom isn't just knowing what to do when a crisis arises; wisdom is knowing what to do to prevent a crisis from happening in the first place. Solomon was one of the wisest man who lived, yet he was unable to use his wisdom within the bounds of his own personal life and spiritual relationship with God.
The author of 1 and 2 Kings is unknown, but evidence supports the tradition that the prophet Jeremiah wrote Kings. Evidently the majority of 1 and 2 Kings was written by a compiler who had access to several historical documents.
The first half of 1 Kings traces the life of Solomon, David's son and heir to the throne. Under Solomon's leadership Israel rose to the peak of its size and glory. Solomon's great accomplishments, including the unsurpassed splendor of the temple he constructed in Jerusalem, brought him worldwide fame and respect. Unfortunately, Solomon's zeal for God diminished in his later years, as his marriage to pagan women turned his heart away from God.
As a result, the king with the divided heart left behind a divided kingdom. The kingdom was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. For the next century, the Book of 1 Kings traces the twin histories of two sets of kings and two nations of disobedient people who grew increasingly indifferent to God's prophets and precepts.
Solomon's fame, glory, wealth, and honor foreshadow Christ in His kingdom. Solomon's rule brought knowledge, peace, and worship. However, despite Solomon's splendor, Christ later says of His coming, "Indeed a greater than Solomon is here" - Matthew 12:42.
Solomon typifies the character of Christ in a number of ways. Solomon's wisdom points ahead to "Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God" - 1 Corinthians 1:30.
By the time Christ started His ministry, Solomon's wisdom (and Solomon's folly) was well understood and part of the cultural heritage. Christ's wisdom was able to offer redemption and hope to those who sought an understanding of life beyond what they, or their human ancestors, could ever imagination.
God Bless,
Dani
The author of 1 and 2 Kings is unknown, but evidence supports the tradition that the prophet Jeremiah wrote Kings. Evidently the majority of 1 and 2 Kings was written by a compiler who had access to several historical documents.
The first half of 1 Kings traces the life of Solomon, David's son and heir to the throne. Under Solomon's leadership Israel rose to the peak of its size and glory. Solomon's great accomplishments, including the unsurpassed splendor of the temple he constructed in Jerusalem, brought him worldwide fame and respect. Unfortunately, Solomon's zeal for God diminished in his later years, as his marriage to pagan women turned his heart away from God.
As a result, the king with the divided heart left behind a divided kingdom. The kingdom was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. For the next century, the Book of 1 Kings traces the twin histories of two sets of kings and two nations of disobedient people who grew increasingly indifferent to God's prophets and precepts.
Solomon's fame, glory, wealth, and honor foreshadow Christ in His kingdom. Solomon's rule brought knowledge, peace, and worship. However, despite Solomon's splendor, Christ later says of His coming, "Indeed a greater than Solomon is here" - Matthew 12:42.
Solomon typifies the character of Christ in a number of ways. Solomon's wisdom points ahead to "Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God" - 1 Corinthians 1:30.
By the time Christ started His ministry, Solomon's wisdom (and Solomon's folly) was well understood and part of the cultural heritage. Christ's wisdom was able to offer redemption and hope to those who sought an understanding of life beyond what they, or their human ancestors, could ever imagination.
God Bless,
Dani
