(a) Discuss the source of Solomon's wisdom and how he misused it. (b) Mention any four lessons we can learn from this misuse.

Answer Details

(a) The source of Solomon's wisdom and how he misused it (1 Kings 3; 11)

Source: After Solomon became king he loved the Lord and offered a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon. There God appeared to him in a dream and said, "Ask what I shall give you." Instead of asking for long life, riches or the death of his enemies, Solomon asked for "an understanding heart to judge the people, that I may discern between good and bad." This request pleased God, who granted him a wise and understanding heart such as none before or after him, and added riches and honour. Thus the source of his wisdom was a divine gift from God in answer to a humble and unselfish prayer. His wisdom was displayed in the judgement between the two harlots claiming one child, and it drew the Queen of Sheba to test him with hard questions.

How he misused it: In his later years Solomon turned from the very God who gave him wisdom.

• He married many foreign wives and had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, contrary to God's command.
• His wives turned his heart after other gods; he built high places for Chemosh, Molech and Ashtoreth and worshipped idols.
• He imposed heavy taxes and forced labour on the people to fund his lavish building projects, breeding discontent.
• He loved luxury and self-indulgence, using his God-given gifts for personal glory rather than God's honour.

Because of this God was angry and declared that the kingdom would be torn from his son and divided.

(b) Four lessons from this misuse

1. Gifts and talents should be used for God's glory, not for selfish or sinful ends.
2. No one is above falling; even the wisest can be led astray by wrong company and lust.
3. Disobedience and idolatry attract God's judgement.
4. We must guard against the corrupting influence of ungodly friends and marriages, and remain faithful to the end.