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Bible Question: Did King Solomon die in a state of broken fellowship with God or did he have union with God through faith?
Bible Answer: King Solomon is a great example of several spiritual principles. But first, let's review some of the events of Solomon's life. We will start with King David's instruction to his son, the new king, Solomon, because he was dying.
King David's Charge. Here is the charge to Solomon.
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And keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, so that the LORD may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ (NASB) 1 Kings 2:3-4 |
King David encouraged his son to walk with God with all his heart and soul. He did not say "obey" but "walk with." David's focus was the success of the kingdom, but it also appears that he was trying to encourage Solomon to develop a relationship with God - not just sterile obedience. This was wise instruction from a father. Dad knew God and Solomon did not. Solomon was a young man, and a personal relationship with God did not exist.
Solomon's Response. How did Solomon respond?
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The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days. Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. (NASB) 1 Kings 3:2-3 |
Solomon loved God but not completely. He followed the people! So God personally visited him in a dream and offered him a wish. Was it a test?
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In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish me to give you.” (NASB) 1 Kings 3:5 |
Solomon's response was great. He asked God for wisdom to discern evil from good.
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“So give Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Thine?”
10 And it was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. (NASB) 1 Kings 3:9-10 |
The Lord was pleased and granted not only his request but gave him great wealth and fame because of his unselfishness.
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And God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. “And I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. “And if you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.” (NASB) 1 Kings 3:11-14 |
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