Year 1, Week 48, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 48, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Kings 10; Ecclesiastes 12.

Today’s reading involves the description of Solomon’s visit from the Queen of Sheba, but also the concluding chapter of Solomon’s report on experiencing purpose in life. 1 Kings 10 is the account of the visit from the Queen of Sheba: “Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions” (1 Kings 10:1). The Queen was greatly impressed with Solomon’s wisdom and gave credit to the LORD: “Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness” (1 Kings 10:9). The testimony of 1 Kings 10 makes it clear that the LORD had, as He had promised, greatly blessed Solomon. Ecclesiastes ends with the final conclusion to the matter of how to live life with true enjoyment and lasting purpose: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). A life of enjoyment and purpose must be a life centered on the LORD. 

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the abundant blessings that Solomon experienced. First, Solomon was blessed with much wisdom: “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard” (1 Kings 10:6-7). The LORD has fulfilled His promise of wisdom to Solomon (see 1 Kings 3:12). But as the LORD also promised, Solomon was blessed with so much more: “I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days” (1 Kings 3:13). The list of riches inventoried in 1 Kings 10:14-29 seems excessive, but it also stems from what the LORD had promised. In fact, we read that the wisdom that the LORD gave Solomon was the means by which the LORD moved on the other nations to provide riches: “Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year” (1 Kings 3:23-25). The LORD’s hand of blessing was upon Solomon. But the hand of blessing for was a purpose bigger than Solomon himself: “May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him!” (Psalm 72:11-15). The Queen of Sheba’s testimony acknowledges Solomon’s wisdom; but more importantly, it credits the greatness of his God.

Solomon was to live a certain way, in light of all the blessings that He had received from the LORD: “And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days” (1 Kings 3:14). As it will be made clear in tomorrow’s reading, these words, given to Solomon early in his life as king, were not instructions that Solomon fully embraced. From our reading in Ecclesiastes, it seems that an older Solomon is not only speaking to others but perhaps a younger version of himself: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). With all of the blessings that Solomon received from the LORD, Solomon did not remember the LORD and thus, he forgot the nature of the obedience he was to render to the LORD. Solomon’s disobedience continued until late in his life, but perhaps the Book of Ecclesiastes hints that Solomon remembered and perhaps altered his life before he died: “before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7). Solomon’s life did not end in vain; he lived to provide a warning: “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 12:8). Perhaps a life greatly blessed by God with wisdom and riches, but lived in foolishness and misuse of riches; nevertheless, can teach those who come after: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe