Wisdom, Wealth and Women

Week 12: Discovering the Character of God through Solomon
12.1. Watch Finding Nemo, scene 5 (11:28) to scene 6 (14:54). As a group, discuss Nemo’s behaviour: his attitude, the rules he broke, the consequences and why, ultimately, those rules were in place. David’s son, Solomon, is not so different; even after his father commanded him on his deathbed to ‘Obey the Lord’ and even after God himself reinforces this, Solomon still breaks God’s rules and suffers the consequences. But life isn’t all bad for Solomon. In fact, it starts out quite well…

12.2. Read 1 Kings 3:4-9. Before examining this passage further, give the group a brief overview of Solomon’s story so far:

As David’s firstborn, he was heir to the throne but his brother Adonijah tried to make himself king instead in a secret ceremony. Luckily for Solomon, David’s advisor, Nathan, found out and - together with Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother - exposed Adonijah’s plans. David dealt with Adonijah and Solomon king.

On his deathbed, David then gave Solomon a bunch of commands to follow in order to be a good leader and the blessings that he would enjoy if he kept them (2:3-9). Solomon took his throne, executing some of these commands and was in full control of Israel by the time we arrive at chapter 3.

The verses that we’ve just read say a lot about the man that Solomon was at the beginning of his reign. Note verse 3.

• Discuss the ‘thousand’ sacrifices in verse 4.

Solomon goes all out for God. He wants to live up to his father’s legacy : having the same relationship with God and being respected by the people by - and for - following God’s wisdom, rather than his own.

12.3. Read 1 Kings 3:10-14. Discuss God’s response to Solomon’s sacrifices and request. Notice that God gives abundantly more than Solomon asks for, because he has the right attitude.

• Can the group think of anyone else we’ve studied who experienced this? (Ruth, Joshua, etc).

Also note verse 14: the promise is conditional.

12.4. All through the Bible, we see this continued theme of God’s conditional promises.

• Invite the group to name a few form the people we’ve looked at so far.

Solomon has more than one encounter with the Lord where he discovers this attribute of God.

12.5. Sadly, Solomon’s obedience didn’t last long; just like his father, it was women who led him astray. Read 1 Kings 11:1-6, 9-10 to see what happened and then read 1 kings 11:1-13 to learn of the consequences of his actions. Again and again, we have been witnessing people suffering consequences for sin as hopped through the Old Testament and this, perhaps, is what most distinguishes the Old Testament form the New: the Old Testament is all about sin and its consequences, while the New Testament is all about a Saviour who took on our sin so that we wouldn’t have to endure the consequences.


Week 12: Summary
Lots of characteristics of God this week - including:

• God established rules for a reason
• He gives abundantly more than we ask
• God’s love is unconditional but His promises are conditional