Last week’s reading included the story of David’s son Absalom rebelling against his father; this week’s scripture begins with another son, Adonijah, deciding that he should be his father’s successor. Upon learning of Adonijah’s desire to rule, the prophet Nathan, working with Bathsheba, ensured that yet another son, Solomon, was anointed as king. Solomon began his rule after receiving a charge from his father to ensure that certain wrongs would be righted and that blessings would remain on those who had assisted David. Solomon immediately followed his father’s dying requests and the kingdom fell under his rule.
As Solomon began his rule, he prayed that God would grant him a discerning heart to govern Israel properly. The Lord not only gave him this blessing but also wealth and honor, while reminding the king to follow God’s decrees. Solomon’s wisdom was most often touted based on an instance when he correctly discerned between two mothers who both claimed a child. His understanding of the human heart, as guided by the Holy Spirit, led him in his decisions.
Rather than attempting to guide the kingdom by himself, Solomon appointed many officials who ensured the proper rule of the land and the security of its inhabitants. The king was able to rule successfully due to his great wisdom.
Solomon coordinated with Hiram, the king of Tyre, to prepare for the building of the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Hiram provided the building materials for this project in exchange for food, and Solomon conscripted laborers from among the Israelites for the construction itself. Beginning in the fourth year of his reign, the king began to build the Temple, following plans inspired by God. The project took seven years to finish. When the temple and all of its furnishings were complete, the priests brought the Ark of the Covenant into the temple’s Holy Place, and God’s presence moved into the temple itself. Solomon offered a prayer of dedication for the temple and a blessing upon the Israelites at that time.
Due to his great renown, the king entertained the queen of Sheba, whom he impressed with both his wealth and wisdom. His wealth was so great that all of his household articles were made of gold, for silver was so common. Despite possessing great wisdom, Solomon did not heed it. He married seven hundred women while having three hundred concubines. His wives led him away from worshipping the Lord and he began to follow foreign gods. This break in faith led God to punish Solomon by raising up enemies against him both internally and from other lands.
Psalm 42 reminds us of the moments in our lives when we might feel distant from God’s presence, as the Psalmist yearns to be able to again worship the Lord. As in nearly all of the Psalms, the writer points us back to placing our hope in God.