Practical Applications from
First Kings 3:1 to 4:34
Solomon’s promise from ADONAI illustrates how important each individual’s relationship is to God. Certainly, the TaNaKh teaches that YHVH has made covenants with Isra’el in which Gentiles may participate when they make the Jewish Messiah Lord of their lives (see the commentary on Jeremiah, to see link click Eo – The Days are Coming, declares the LORD, When I Will Make a New Covenant with the People of Isra’el). But it specifically teaches that the LORD also desires communion with individuals. Those who seek God’s presence and help can indeed receive the wisdom they need to do God’s will and serve God’s people.
The fact that several promises are fulfilled in First Kings 3:1 to 4:34 demonstrates the importance of hope in human life. Abraham, Moshe, and David could die in peace because they trusted in the hope of God’s promises (see the commentary on Hebrews Cl – The Hall of Faith). They learned to live as if promise and possession were the same. Solomon, on the other hand, enjoyed daily hope as he lived out the wisdom ADONAI gave him. He could also know that God’s ongoing blessings would benefit his kingdom. Likewise, Scripture offers past, present, and future promises to believers that fit their individual circumstances.
Obviously, leadership is a major issue in the former prophets. The beginning of Solomon’s career (see Bk – Solomon’s Prayer) stands as a basically positive model for leaders who desire to honor God as their source of their ability to lead and who want to help others through their gift of leadership. Prayer and worship appear here as essential components of political, economic, and administrative ability, not as barriers to success in these areas. Still, the Bible’s previous warnings about leadership’s potential excesses warn against thinking that prayer is some magic charm that wards off rebellious or sinful behavior. Faithfulness and righteousness alone please YHVH, and only He decides whether these traits will necessarily bring material wealth or personal recognition.108
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