The Witness of Solomon
Read: 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the LORD your God! (v. 8) During the years I taught at a Christian school, we had a number of international students attend for a “study abroad” year. While the students […]
God’s Reply to Solomon
Read: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. (v. 15) In a recent sermon, my pastor reminded us that “past experience does not determine future faithfulness.” It is good to begin well—but that is not enough. A believer’s life should […]
The Dedication of Solomon (Part 2)
Read: 1 Kings 8:22-30 And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. (v. 30) Every parent knows that the best way to teach a child is by one’s own example. Mere words can only go so far; children learn what they see modeled—whether good […]
The Dedication of Solomon (Part 1)
Read: 1 Kings 8:1-13 The priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. (v. 11) Imagine the president asks you to organize a reception for an important foreign dignitary. You compose the guest list, plan the menu, and pay attention to […]
The Temple of Solomon
Read: 2 Chronicles 2:1-12 The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. (v. 5) The world watched in horror last year as the great cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris caught fire. Even irreligious people were distraught, noting that the cathedral was a historic landmark, […]
The Wisdom of Solomon
Read: 1 Kings 3:16-28 They stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice. (v. 28) They were an elderly couple now, but they had spent their entire lives serving the Lord together. While age had slowed them down, my husband and I loved […]
The Promise to Solomon
Read: 1 Kings 3:10-15 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. (v. 10) In proverbs attributed to Solomon, we read: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding . . . Long life is in her [wisdom’s] right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor” (Proverbs […]
The Petition of Solomon
Read: 1 Kings 3:1-9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil. (v. 9) I once read that when Lord Melbourne arrived to tell young Victoria that she was now queen of England, he read today’s passage with her, encouraging her to seek wisdom […]
The Expectations for Solomon
Read: 1 Chronicles 28:1-12 Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it. (v. 10) One of the difficult things about beginning a new job is taking it over from someone else. It can be hard to fill another’s shoes, especially if they […]