Adversaries We Leave Behind

I Kings 11:23 God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. 24 And he gathered men about him and became leader of a marauding band, after the killing by David. And they went to Damascus and lived there and made him king in Damascus. 25 He was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon, doing harm as Hadad did. And he loathed Israel and reigned over Syria. 26 Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. 

The repeated phrase of this chapter is "God raised up as an adversary" to Solomon.  Why would God do such a thing? We have seen the gradual progressing, which culminates in the beginning of this chapter: 9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded. Solomon had a heart that turned away from God.  Because of that, God allowed these surrounding kings and warriors to oppose him.  The ultimate enemy was the once listed last in the passage above. Jeroboam was no outsider; he became the enemy from within who would bring a revolution after Solomon died. Who have you made an adversary of that those after you will have to deal with?

Super Stockpiles

I Kings 10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 27 And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah. 28 And Solomon's import of horses was from Egypt and Kue, and the king's traders received them from Kue at a price. 29 A chariot could be imported from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver and a horse for 150, and so through the king's traders they were exported to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

As Solomon continued to develop relationships with the nations of the world, Israel experienced an economic boom, with the finest of products, and materials of war, imported and stockpiled. It became so successful that they did not have room for it all and sold to other nations.  Though currently unstated, he was also building the envy of the surrounding nations and their ability to fight back against them later. What do we do with an abundance of what we have? How does it affect those around us now and in the future?

Subtle Progression...

 I Kings 9:24 But Pharaoh's daughter went up from the city of David to her own house that Solomon had built for her. Then he built the Millo. 25 Three times a year Solomon used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built to the Lord, making offerings with it before the Lord. So he finished the house. 26 King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. 27 And Hiram sent with the fleet his servants, seamen who were familiar with the sea, together with the servants of Solomon. 28 And they went to Ophir and brought from there gold, 420 talents, and they brought it to King Solomon.

Having described Solomon's two greatest building projects: the Temple and his palace, this chapter goes on to describe his other building projects and endeavors: forts, cities, and a navy - something Israel had not needed until this point in history.  In the midst of describing these, the historian also makes two notes which may go unnoticed. First, Solomon was developing close alliances with other kings through arranged marriages. Second, in verse 25, we see that he "used to offer up burnt offerings and peace offerings," indicating it was something he now did much less frequently. Slowly, but surely, Solomon was becoming less dependent upon and awed by God and more by the things of this world. How does that happen to us?

Not a "god-in-a-box"

 I Kings 8:25 Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’ 26 Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father. 27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day,

As Solomon dedicated the Temple for God's service, he made it clear that the LORD is no idol on a hilltop or "god-in-a-box" or building to be contained somewhere and called upon whenever one sees fit.  All of creation cannot contain God or limit Him. The place is for us. It is a reminder that He can and should be called upon - not only for help in time of trouble, but for wisdom on the way. The temple was a reminder that wherever one was, you should turn towards Him, seek from Him, and trust in Him as the One who is everywhere and can do anything. 

Impressive Details, But...

 

I Kings 7:23 Then he made the sea of cast metal. It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference. 24 Under its brim were gourds, for ten cubits, compassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast with it when it was cast. 25 It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The sea was set on them, and all their rear parts were inward. 26 Its thickness was a handbreadth, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.

As we look at all the details of the temple built by Solomon and its furnishings, we are indeed impressed by their detail and glory.  It may go unnoticed that the chapter begins with the building of Solomon's palace, as if it may have been an interruption or distraction in the completing of the temple. He did indeed complete the temple with all its furnishings and do it will.  But what Solomon sitting comfortably in his palace before God's house was complete? Where his priorities already starting to shift? Have we become distracted?

Wall-to-Wall Angels

I Kings 6:23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high. 24 Five cubits was the length of one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the length of the other wing of the cherub; it was ten cubits from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. 25 The other cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same measure and the same form. 26 The height of one cherub was ten cubits, and so was that of the other cherub. 27 He put the cherubim in the innermost part of the house. And the wings of the cherubim were spread out so that a wing of one touched the one wall, and a wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; their other wings touched each other in the middle of the house. 28 And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.

Now that Solomon had his kingdom firmly established, he set out to do the first priority passed down to him by his father David: build the temple. Before he started, God reminded him that the temple was not a magical house, but a reminder of His presence watching over them. It was part of His call to obedience. Though hardly anyone would see it, this picture of the two "wall-to-wall" cherubim was overwhelming. There were also cherubim in the walls outside the inner sanctuary. God is with us everywhere: to protect, to guide, to encourage us.  

Abundance

 

I Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon. 26 Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. 27 And those officers supplied provisions for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon's table, each one in his month. They let nothing be lacking. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds they brought to the place where it was required, each according to his duty. 29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

Abundance. That is the word to describe the reign of Solomon over Israel. Preceding this passage, the chapter describes the abundance of good leaders, extensive territories, and daily provisions found in his kingdom.  There was a sense of security and stability that filled the air and impressed everyone. But the most impressive possession was the wisdom given by God.  If Solomon would have valued that above all the others, it would have served him and the kingdom well. What do you value?