Preface


(Audio 3:08)

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Humility: Disciple's Guide to a Humble Life

Ralph F. Wilson, original watercolor, 's olomon in All His Glory' (2024)
Ralph F. Wilson, original watercolor, 's olomon in All His Glory' (2024), watercolor and ink, 10x14 in., artist's personal collection.

Solomon is a well-known Old Testament king, but difficult to figure out. He loves the Lord and is loved by God, yet commits apostasy. How can such a wise man be so stupid?

Solomon is the wisest of all men -- before or since -- and fabulously wealthy. A man of peace, yet he dominates the nations around him by military strength and trade supremacy.

Solomon mobilizes an army of workers to construct a temple for Yahweh, as well as palaces, cities, fortifications, and storehouses.

He is a singer of songs and author of books, an observant botanist and zoologist. If he lived today, we'd call him a genius and wonder at his intellect. Yet for all his devotion and accomplishments, a weakness for foreign women leads him to "follow" their false gods. How does this happen?

Our primary text to study Solomon's life is 1 Kings 1 to 11, with additions here and there from 2 Chronicles. Along the way, we:

  • Examine the Davidic Covenant that points to Jesus,
  • Apply understandings of the temple to our worship today,
  • Explore Solomon's insightful prayer at the dedication of the temple,
  • Probe the great revival promises of 2 Chronicles 7:14 -- "If my people ... will humble themselves and pray,"
  • Find a discipleship balance of talents and gifts, wealth and care for the poor, honor and humility, and
  • Study Solomon's undoing to sharpen awareness of our own vulnerabilities.

We study Solomon's life over six lessons. Thought-provoking questions encourage insights by individual students and stimulate powerful discussions in classes and small groups. Preachers and teachers will find a great deal of their research done for them.

Life of Solomon, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Available in book formats - PDF, Kindle, Paperback

May God use this study to prepare and mature disciples for Christ's Kingdom!

Yours in Christ's Service,
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
April 4, 2024

King Solomon: Wisdom, Wealth, and Weakness

Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.