Sermon on King Solomon | Lessons from the Life of King Solomon

1. Perhaps the story that we are most familiar with in Solomon’s life is that of his asking for wisdom from God. This is found in 1 Kings 3:5-11.

2. As a result of this request, God granted Solomon’s prayer for wisdom and also gave Solomon power, wealth, and prosperity. There was nothing which Solomon lacked.

3. The book of Proverbs reiterates the importance of wisdom again and again.

1) The word wisdom is used some 53 times in the book.

2) The purpose of the book was to impart wisdom (Proverbs 1:2-7).

3) In the book, we see wisdom personified (Proverbs 1:20-33).

4) The person who has wisdom is happy. Proverbs 3:13 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”

5) Among all the things that we “get” in this life, wisdom should be among them. Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

6) Wisdom begins with proper respect for God. Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

7) Wisdom is more valuable than the most precious substances on earth. Proverbs 16:16 “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”

8) Wisdom is not to be released once we have it. Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”

4. How do we get wisdom today? James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

5. This was certainly one of Solomon’s successes in life and we would do well to imitate his desires.

1. We spoke how Solomon received not only wisdom, but also all things that one could desire upon the earth.

1) Wealth (1 Kings 10:10-25) Silver was made as common as stones (vs.27).

2) Power (1400 chariots 1200 horsemen 1 Kings 10:26)

3) Relationships (700 wives, 300 concubines, 1 Kings 11:3)

4) Peace (1 Kings 4:24 “For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.”)

5) Solomon truly “had it all.”

6) 1 Kings 3:11-13

2. The way possession of material things is glamorized today, you would think that Solomon would have had happiness. However, the book of Ecclesiastes tells us differently.

3. Solomon concluded that all that was worldly was mere vanity.

1) Eccl. 1:2 “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”

2) Eccl. 1:12-14

3) Solomon thought that his own wisdom could save him, but this was vanity (Eccl. 1:16-18).

4) Solomon thought that he could satisfy his life with pleasure and mirth, but this was vanity (Eccl. 2:1-2).

5) Solomon gave himself to wine and food, but this was vanity (Eccl. 2:3).

6) He built houses, vineyards, servants – vanity.

7) Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

8) In regard to power, Solomon wrote, … (Eccl. 4:1-3).

9) In regard to riches and wealth, he wrote, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” (Eccl. 5:10).

4. In essence Solomon is saying to us, “I’ve done it all and there is only one thing that is constant and upon which you can depend your entire life.” “Fear God and keep his commandments?.” (Eccl. 12:13).

5. Let us learn from Solomon that earthly things cannot satisify. Here is certainly an area in which Solomon had great failure; we would do well to heed his example and follow his words.

1. In the area of marriage, Solomon had great successes and great failures.

2. Solomon succeeded in marriage in that God inspired Solomon to communicate the joy and love of a good marriage in the Song of Solomon.

1) One can scarcely read the song and not experience the sacred joy that belongs to husbands and wives.

2) The song conveys love in marriage. Son. 2:4 “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

3) The song speaks regarding friendship in marriage Son. 5:16 “…he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”

4) The song exalts love above all material things. Son. 8:7 “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.”

3. Solomon failed, however, chose in his life to allow his marriage partner’s influence him in his relationship with God.

1) Solomon disobeyed God in who he was authorized to marry. 1 Kings 11:1-2

2) Solomon disobeyed God by allowing these women to draw him away after idols. 1 Kings 11:4-8

3) Because of Solomon’s disobedience to God in these matters, God divided the kingdom of Israel and took 10 tribes away from Solomon.

4. Solomon had both successes and failures in marriage. Ultimately, Solomon’s marriages were failures because they lead him away from God. This all points to the truth that while marriage is important, no one comes before God.