1 Kings 4
BACKGROUND NOTES
DOCTRINAL POINT(S)
The kingdom of Solomon pictures the kingdom of Christ.
The wisdom of Solomon pictures the wisdom of Christ.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Examine your biblical role models in the light of all Scripture.
QUESTIONS
Where can you find a list of King Solomon’s officials? What types of officials did he have?
Who was Zabud?
How many proverbs did Solomon speak? How many songs?
Name the boundaries of Solomon’s vast kingdom.
God gave Solomon the opportunity to ask of Him anything his heart desired. What was his request? Why did he make this request?
Did God grant Solomon’s request?
Solomon soon solved a tough problem. What was the problem and how did he solve it?
ANSWERS
1 Kings 4:1-7 lists King Solomon’s officials. They were his priest, scribes, a recorder, supervisor over the officers, head of the household, overseer of the work force and governors.
The king’s priest and friend.
3,000 proverbs; 1005 songs.
From the River Euphrates to the borders of Egypt.
Solomon asked for wisdom and understanding in order to be a good and godly ruler over God’s people.
Yes, and more. God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding and wealth and honor as well.
Two widows gave birth to a baby. When one of the babies died, both women laid claim to the live one. Solomon chose by asking for a sword to cut the living baby in two to divide it between the women. The real mother cried out to save the baby, so Solomon knew that she was the mother of the living baby.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER
Both King David and King Solomon picture or typify the greatest king yet to come – namely, the greater son of King David and King Solomon, our Lord Jesus Christ. Solomon and his kingdom picture Christ and His millennial kingdom here on earth in the future. How? it will be a kingdom of peace and harmony and prosperity. See 1 Kings 4:20-25. It was a vast kingdom, from Dan to Beersheba. Our Lord will rule over the whole earth in His kingdom. See Psalm 2:8. Just as Solomon’s kingdom was well organized with designated responsibilities, so the kingdom of our Lord will be well organized and every believer will have a designated responsibility. See Revelation 20. Are you ready for your responsibility when you will reign with Christ? Think about this.
The kingdom of Solomon was not only peaceful and prosperous, but there was a moral glory associated with it because of the wisdom of Solomon. Wisdom involves moral discernment. Because of his God-given wisdom, Solomon was not only well organized and efficient in his delegation of authority, but he also applied moral discernment to all aspects of his kingdom. See 1 Kings 4:29-31. Thus Solomon brought a moral glory to his kingdom. Assignment: read the book of Proverbs to appreciate Solomon’s God-given wisdom and moral discernment. Read also 1 Corinthians 1:30and Colossians 2:3. “In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” One day the wisdom of Christ will be fully seen and appreciated. How great is your appreciation of Christ’s wisdom right now?
CHALLENGE
God gives us a lot of godly role models to follow throughout the Bible, but no human role model is perfect. Only Christ is the perfect model. We note Solomon as a good role model, but we also read about his temptations and downfalls. It is not improper to set up biblical models, but be aware of their shortcomings.
KEY VERSES
“King Solomon was king over all Israel…he reigned over all kingdoms from the River Euphrates to the border of Egypt.” 1 Kings 4:1, 21
“Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” 1 Kings 4:25
“God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart.” 1 Kings 4:29
“Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1005.” 1 Kings 4:32