Way To Introduce The Story:
If the Lord came to you in a dream and told you that you could have anything that you want, what would you ask for? Today we are going to learn about a man that could have asked for anything he wanted. He was the king of a country. What do you think he asked for? Lets listen to the story and find out who he was and what he asked for.top
How Can We Apply The King Solomon Story To Our Lives
Others may turn our hearts from God.
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaohs daughter Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods. Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done. 1 Kings 11:1-9
Christians are called to love deeply. But theres a fine line between loving someone deeply and loving someone more than we love God. We may not even realize were loving or trusting in an inappropriate way.
Anything in life we worship in some way other than God is idolatry. In the day of Solomon, they literally worshiped other gods. Today, even Christians worship other gods. Often, we dont mean to but many things in our lives can become an idol.
God wants our whole hearts in obedience, devotion, and love.
Take these 5 truths from the King Solomon story and work towards applying them to your life today.
Kings : 315 2 Chronicles : 113
King Solomon was the son of David and a great king over Israel. He was known especially for his great wisdom, which was a gift from God.
As you read this story, pay attention to what God promises to King Solomon after he prays for wisdom.
King Solomon went to Gibeon to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. God appeared to him in a dream there and said, Ask what I should give to you. I will grant you whatever you ask.
Solomon answered in prayer, You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David. He was faithful to you and righteous. And now, Lord, you have made me, your servant, king in place of my father. I am still so young. There is so much for me to learn. There are so many people that I am to rule over as your servant.
Solomon paused for a moment, thinking about what he should ask for from the Lord. Then he prayed, Give your servant wisdom to govern your people and discern between good and evil.
God was pleased with this prayer. Because you have asked for wisdom, he said, and not for a long life, great wealth, or the death of your enemies, I will answer your prayer. I give you a wise and discerning mind like no one before you or after you. I will also give the things you have not asked for. I will give you wealth and honor all of your life. And if you walk in my ways and keep my commandments, I will also give you long life.
Solomon woke up and returned to Jerusalem to pray in thanksgiving to God for these many gifts.
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Kings : 2326 What Was The Molten Sea And How Was It Used
Bible scholars have generally been confused concerning the use of the huge molten sea of brass. Modern revelation assists the student today to understand its purpose. Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained:
âIn Solomonâs Temple a large molten sea of brass was placed on the backs of 12 brazen oxen, these oxen being symbolical of the 12 tribes of Israel. This brazen sea was used for performing baptisms for the living. There were no baptisms for the dead until after the resurrection of Christ.
âIt must be remembered that all direct and plain references to baptism have been deleted from the Old Testament and that the word baptize is of Greek origin. Some equivalent word, such as wash, would have been used by the Hebrew peoples. In describing the molten sea the Old Testament record says, âThe sea was for the priests to wash in.â This is tantamount to saying that the priests performed baptisms in it.
âIn this temple building dispensation the Brethren have been led by the spirit of inspiration to pattern the baptismal fonts placed in temples after the one in Solomonâs Temple.â
Ways To Tell The Story:
This story can be told using a variety of methods. Always remain true to the facts found in the Bible but help children connect to its meaning by using drama, visual aids, voice inflection, student interaction and/or emotion.
- Choose some favourite Proverbs and read them in class.
- Read 1 Chronicles 28:9 and discuss Davids advice to his son, Solomon.
- Discuss James 1:5 and then pray.
- Set up a courtroom scene and act out the story of the two women. You could use a crown and a doll as props.
- A little play-acting is often a fun way to tell the story or review what has been learned. Here are some ways you might use the idea:
- After telling the story guide the children in dressing up in costumes and acting it out.
- Or, you can dress up in a simple costume to act the part of one of the Bible characters. As you begin to speak get into character as if you were actually the person in the story visiting the class today to tell them what has happened to you.
- Or, later in the class session, as a review, the teacher can also use the same method to ask the children review questions as if you are one of the characters in the story talking to the children.
Crafts:
- Make a poster of a Proverb. Decorate it with paints.
- Draw a large crown and write SOLOMON on it. Write words on the crown that describe Solomon . Add to this next week.
- Make a scroll. Click here for instructions. Write this verse on it: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10a, NIV
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Naamahs World: The City Of Jerusalem
If Naamah lived into old age, she saw the building of Solomons Temple and the Jerusalem palace.
The walled fortress of Jerusalem at the time of King David . The upper area had houses, but was not fortified.
At the beginning of her marriage Jerusalem was not really a city, not like Troy, even though the site Jerusalem stood on had already been occupied for at least a thousand years.
The city started life as little more than a guard house keeping watch over the threshing floors on the large flat areas of rock on what is now the Temple Mount.
But over the years it grew in importance and Solomon transformed it, so that it became the scene of luxury and comfort.
Then as now, luxury and comfort were perks of the rich and highly placed.
But things were not so easy for ordinary people, and Naamah witnessed a period of extraordinary social transition.
Before the consolidation of the Hebrew tribes, there had been
- no forced labor, and
- no foreign mercenaries.
But the population had tripled in the past two centuries, and more land had to be opened up for farming.
This took large amounts of money and careful organisation, which were things only a central administration could provide.
- Crops like olives and vines generated trade with other countries, again entailing central organisation.
- As the land value increased it became more attractive to neighboring kingdoms, and a central leadership had to counter attacks from outside.
Now the tribes had a permanent king.
Naamah, therefore,
What Happened In The King Solomon Story
Being uninvited may be an invitation to see God work.
When King David was on his deathbed, his son Adonijah, decided hed be the next king.
Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, I will be king. So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him.
Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the kings sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon. 1 Kings 1:5-9
Solomon was not invited to the party along with a few others. However, it was an opportunity to see God work on his behalf. When word got back to King David that the wrong son had stepped into his position, he made things right and blessed Solomon officially making him the next king.
It can be painful when were not included when we hope to be invited. We should look at it as an opportunity instead of rejection. If God wanted us there, we would have been invited.
Something coming to us from God is legit.
As you know, he said, the kingdom was mine. All Israel looked to me as their king. But things changed, and the kingdom has gone to my brother for it has come to him from the LORD. 1 Kings 2:15
Solomon was supposed to be king, not Adonijah. I love how this verse states: it has come to him from the LORD.
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Kings : 38 Who Were The Cherethites And The Pelethites
The Cherethites were âa people who were settled alongside the Philistines in southern Palestine . In the reign of David they formed, with the Pelethites, his private bodyguard under the command of Benaiah the son of Jehoida . They remained loyal to him through the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba , and were present when Solomon was anointed for kingship .â
Kings : 18 Solomons Palace
It took an additional thirteen years to build Solomonâs palace . Solomonâs palace âconsisted of several buildings connected together namely, the house of the forest of Lebanon the pillar-hall with the porch the throne-room and judgment-hall the kingâs dwelling-house and the house of Pharaohâs daughter . ⦠The description of the several portions of this palace is so very brief, that it is impossible to form a distinct idea of its character. The different divisions are given in vers. 1â8 in their natural order, commencing at the back and terminating with the front .â
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A Tale Of Wisdom Wealth And Lots Of Women
King Solomon is one of the more familiar kings of ancient Israel. He was the second son of David and Bathsheba, and he expanded Israels borders and economy more than any king in Israels history. You can find the story of Solomon in 1 Kings 1-11. His name is derived from the Hebrew word for peace , and peace, as a matter of fact, is one of the things hes remembered for. There were no major wars for the majority of his reign. The biblical authors look back on this time as a period of abundance:
So Judah and Israel lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
Solomon must have been an amazing king for God to have blessed his reign with such wealth and peace, right? You could be forgiven for thinking so, as many of the stories about him extol his wisdom, wealth, and the enormous size of his kingdom. However, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the glorious reign of Solomon. Way more, actually.
The story of Solomon is a perfect example of the brilliant subtlety of the biblical authors. Instead of coming out and saying So and so was really amazing, and they did everything right in the eyes of God, more often, they simply present you with the choices of a biblical character and then show you the outcome. Instead of wrapping it up with a tidy moral summary, you are left to ponder and reflect on what was good in the character and what was lacking.
Kings : 1011 The Glory Of God
Before Solomon gave the dedicatory prayer, a cloud of glory filled the house of God, indicating the very presence of God. That this glory should accompany the dedication exercises is interesting for Latter-day Saints, since a similar glory attended the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on 27 March 1836. Many present reported seeing angels and hearing the âsound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the Temple,â and many in the community reported âseeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Templeâ . The special events attending the dedication of both temples are signs of the Lordâs divine acceptance of the houses built in His name to His honor.
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The Greatness And Tragedy Of Solomon
Solomonâs career began in as promising a way as anyoneâs in the Old Testament. Israel had finally reached the borders that were to be hers, according to the Lordâs promise to Abraham, and the Lord had promised that peace would exist throughout Solomonâs entire reign.
The Lord appeared to the young king in a dream and asked, âWhat shall I give unto thee?â . Solomon, then humble and dedicated to the Lord, sought wisdom and was richly rewarded: âAnd God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomonâs wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.â
Elder Howard W. Hunter likewise challenged us to obtain an understanding heart:
âIf the Lord was pleased because of that which Solomon had asked of him, surely he would be pleased with each of us if we had the desire to acquire an understanding heart. This must come from conscious effort coupled with faith and firm determination. An understanding heart results from the experiences we have in life if we keep the commandments of God. â¦
â⦠The ills of the world would be cured by understanding. Wars would cease and crime disappear. The scientific knowledge now being wasted in the world because of the distrust of men and nations could be diverted to bless mankind. Atomic energy will destroy unless used for peaceful purposes by understanding hearts.
My Patriarchal Blessing
What Can We Learn From The Life Of King Solomon
King Solomon was one of the most successful kings in history. He ruled over a prosperous and powerful kingdom, and his wisdom was famous throughout the world.
However, despite all of his accomplishments, King Solomon ultimately failed to live a life that was pleasing to God. So what can we learn from the life of King Solomon?
First and foremost, we learn that wisdom is not enough. It is possible to be very wise and yet still fail to live a life that is pleasing to God. We also learn that power and riches are not necessarily a sign of Gods blessing.
King Solomon had everything anyone could ever want, but he still turned away from God. Finally, we learn that it is never too late to turn back to God. Even though King Solomon made many mistakes, he still had the opportunity to repent and return to God.
These are just a few of the things we can learn from the life of King Solomon. As we read about his life, we should be mindful of our own lives and strive to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
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Mother Of The King Rehoboam
Naaman was mother of Rehoboam, the king who succeeded Solomon.
If she lived to see his reign, she would have been the most powerful woman in the realm, the gebira or Queen Mother. She would
- dominated the royal haremand the women within it,
- act as an adviser to her son,
- exert considerable influence at all levels of society,
- and possibly become a cult leader, a high priestess, in the worship of deities like Asherah.
What Does The Bible Say About Naamah
1 Kings 14:21-28
Woman at the Window ancient pagan ivory carving
21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mothers name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked the Lord to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, worse than their fathers had done.
24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.
A stone relief of Shishak of Egypt
25 And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: 26 And he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the kings house he took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
27 And king Rehoboam made in their stead brass shields, and gave them to the chief of the guard, which kept the door of the kings house.28 And it was so, when the king went into the house of the Lord, that the guard bore them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
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