Word In Life Study Bible
SOLOMON: SUCCESSFUL BUT NOT SATISFIED
2 Chr.1:1
Solomon is a case study in how a person can be successful in terms of power, wealth, and prestige, yet lack the true success that comes from knowing and honoring God the way someone should. Notice how those who came after him remembered his legacy:
• Nehemiah (a leader of the returning Babylonian exiles): Presented Solomon as an illustration of disobedience through his intermarriage with foreign—and therefore idolatrous—wives (Neh. 13:26–27; compare 1 Kin. 11:1–8). In effect, Nehemiah warned that just as God had punished the nation for Solomon’s sins, so he would punish His people again if they continued in Solomon’s ways rather than God’s.
• Jesus: Used Solomon and his splendor as an illustration of how His followers needed to concentrate on trusting, loving, and serving God rather than on material gain or even the problems of day-to-day life (Matt. 6:28–32). Later, Jesus challenged His enemies with the fact that the Queen of Sheba, a Gentile, had shown more faith in coming to Jerusalem to inquire of Solomon than they had shown after seeing His miracles and hearing His teaching (12:42).
• Stephen (a leader in the early church): In detailing the history of Israel, mentioned Solomon as the one who built a house for God, but praised Solomon’s father David as the one who “found favor before God …” (Acts 7:45–48).
• Paul (also a leader in the early church): In reviewing the history of Israel from the Old Testament, mentioned several of the great leaders of Israel, including Samuel, the judges, Saul, and David—but not Solomon (Acts 13:22).
• The author of Hebrews: Catalogued the great models of faith from Israel’s history (Heb. 11), but did not include Solomon.
Solomon wasn’t all bad, but his life shows us that great achievements and success—whether in business, government, academia, or any other field—pale in comparison to being faithful to God. Do you need to restructure your priorities in order to focus more on loving and serving Him? Or are you so driven by success as the world defines it that you have little if any interest in the things that God cherishes?
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
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