The Fame of Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-9)
This week at Grace, we'll be talking about the fame and glory of Solomon.
Within his lifetime, Solomon was so famous for his wisdom that people travelled from around the world just to hear how wise he was.
That's exemplified in 1 Kings 10, when the Queen of Sheba makes a 1,000 mile trek to Jerusalem and finds Solomon able to respond well to every question she can throw at him. The passage concludes with the Queen so impressed with Solomon that she entrusts her kingdom's resources to his care.
For many in our culture, Solomon's life is the dream - having everything together so well that people come to praise you and give you things.
But in an age of constant comparison, self-promoting deception, and unrealistic expectations, is this sort of narrative helpful for us?
How on earth does knowing Solomon impressed everyone help us live a meaningful Christian life? Are we supposed to have it together in a similar way? How can the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the meek...") be in the same Bible as this story?
Let's get into it together on Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.
And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”
-1 Kings 10:1-9