August 31-September 4, 2009

Note: This was revised on Monday, August 31st at 3:17 Phoenix time




Now Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and exalted him greatly. (II Chronicles 1:1)







The passing of the baton is the most crucial part of a relay. For a smooth transition, both the one relinquishing ownership and the one receiving ownership must be in stride together. They must be going at the same pace, and there must be a moment when both have their hand on the baton at the same time. This week we watch David pass the kingdom on to Solomon and cheer him on as he gains speed.

SOLOMON’S SECOND ANOINTING
David realized that his time is short. Before his death, he was sure to put everything in order. We see Solomon and David stride together as David gives Solomon the plans and provisions for the Temple. We see that Solomon is anointed a second time as king. Don’t you find it interesting that the fist three kings of Israel each were anointed as king more than once? Saul and Solomon were anointed twice, while David was anointed three times. The question is, “Why?” Perhaps we will be more enlightened concerning leadership if we take a moment to consider these events. In each case, their first anointing was a confirmation of choice. This anointing set them apart to be groomed for the position they would hold. Their second anointing was a setting in place with the authority to function in what they were chosen to do.

All too often, people who receive the first anointing of the Spirit, fail to see this as a selection process. Rather than embrace the following period of time with the understanding that they are in prep school, they begin to function in a realm of authority they have not yet been given. Unfortunately, many have aborted the true call God had initially intended, and set their hand to building kingdoms of their own making.

Solomon’s education consisted of listening and heeding his father’s plans and advice. David was a wise teacher. He was careful to recognize his son’s call, but he was also cautious and didn’t make Solomon wise in his own eyes. David desired his son to rely on God, just as he had learned to do. Obviously, David’s wisdom brought about its desired fruit. When God confronted Solomon in a dream and offered him his heart’s desire, his number one request was for wisdom and understanding.

SOLOMON’S SUBTLE EXCEPTION
From the beginning of Solomon’s reign, we are overwhelmed with the grandeur of his work. Often that can be the only focus of the information we are given concerning his rise to power. But there are two other facts that we would do well to pay attention to. They may not seem like much now, but they will be vital to our understanding of the upcoming events.

The first detail of Solomon’s life that we will want to tuck away in our memory banks for future reference is that “Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statues of his father David, EXCEPT he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.” (I Kings 3:3) God was quite precise as to where incense was to be offered. There was only one altar that had His sanction - the golden altar that resided in the Tabernacle.

Why would Solomon bend the rules? The answer to that riddle is found in the other piece of data that we should retain.

And his house where he was to live, the other court inward from the hall, was of the same workmanship. He also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom Solomon had married. (I Kings 7:8)

It doesn’t take much research to discover that Solomon entered into a marriage alliance with Pharaoh of Egypt. Not only did he marry his daughter to seal the alliance, he showered her with extravagance. His actions reveal an attitude of heart that will later be spelled out in words; Solomon loved foreign women. From the very beginning, their effect on him is evident. Burning incense on high places would be something common to the worship of pagan gods. Although, in the beginning, Solomon offered his gifts to YHWH, it still shows his propensity to compromise. His compromise was not to whom he offered it, but how he offered it. Even Solomon found it acceptable to conform his worship to the ways of the world!

It is sad to see how many Christians are willing to use books, movies and media personalities as the source of truth, while their Bibles sit on their shelves collecting dust. They don’t even have to bother bringing them to church any more. It’s not that the points that are being made in the sermons are evil or total heresy; it’s that they are raised higher than what God did sanction – His Word!!! I guarantee you that if you were to hand a Bible to a vast majority of people and ask them to look something up, they would be in a quandary to know whether to look in the Old or New Covenant! Obadiah? Where’s that??? The beautiful sound of rustling leaves of Bible pages as worshippers followed the speaker on his Bible trail have been silenced by modern technology. People who only opened their Bibles on Sunday mornings, now don’t open them at all! In the pages of the Book, Solomon continues to stand as an example that compromise that starts in subtle ways can end up in major disaster! It in not only the “Who” that can be important, but the “how.”

SOLOMON THE BUILDER
Seven years from the time he started the building of the Temple it reached it’s completion. But this was not the only structure Solomon was known for. His building of his palace took more than twice as long and was equally as grand. But it didn’t stop there! As we continue on, we find that besides the cities he constructed for his chariots and the cities he rebuilt, he also built a beautiful palace for the daughter of Pharaoh. Although Solomon had MANY wives, the daughter of Pharaoh held preeminence. I find it strange that she is never mentioned by name, merely by her relationship to Pharaoh.

The Word gives us a clear list of Solomon’s building accomplishments. They included:
Palace of the Forest of Lebanon
Hall of Pillars
Hall of Justice – (the throne room)
His living quarters
Palace for Pharaoh’s daughter

We end the week with a detailed description of the Temple furnishings and the bringing of the Ark into the Temple. Before David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, he prepared a place for it. Before Solomon brought the Ark to the Temple, it had to be completed. The Temple went from glory to glory through the years of its construction until the day it was presented to God as the place for Him to bring His kingdom reign. Ephesians 2:19-22 says,

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

And like the building of the Temple, we too are going through the phases of being changed from glory to glory.

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord the Spirit. II Corinthians 3:18


At the completion of this magnificent edifice and during its dedication, Solomon reminds the people of God’s word.

“Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, or did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.” II Chronicles 6:5-6

Solomon reminds them that this work began with his father David. God didn’t just choose anyone or any place; He chose his father and his father’s city. The baton had been passed, David’s dream of a house for God now complete! God fulfills His promises!!!

May we continue to learn from the lives of David and Solomon, and may we be careful when it is our turn to pass or receive the baton God has given us!