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King
Solomon
Wisdom, Wealth, Weakness
a 176-page book
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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King Solomon is 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 build shrines that honor their false gods.
Our primary text to study Solomon's life is 1 Kings 1 to 11, with additions here and there from 2 Chronicles and other Bible passages. Along the way, we:
- Examine the Davidic Covenant that points directly to Jesus,
- Apply understandings of the temple to our worship today,
- Explore his 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. Includes 13 diagrams and historical maps.
Here's an outline of the 6-week study (detailed Table of Contents):
- Preface
- Introduction to Solomon's Time
- Solomon's Path to Kingship (1 Kings 1-2)
- Solomon's Wisdom (1 Kings 3-4)
- Building Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 5-7)
- Dedicating Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 8-9)
- Solomon's Splendor (1 Kings 9-10)
- Solomon's Legacy (1 Kings 11)
- Appendix 1. Participant Handouts (free)
- Appendix 2. Parallel Accounts of the Davidic Covenant
- Appendix 3. Five Kinds of Temple Sacrifices or Offerings
- Appendix 4. Archaeology of Solomon's Era
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This study is available in book format (below) or at no cost
delivered via e-mail over a
six-week period.
Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.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.