September 18, Reading 1 – 1 Kings 10

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

There is an ancient Egyptian Queen, Hatshepsut, who went on a visit to the Land of Punt, i.e. the Divine Land, with similar presents. In our present piecing together of ancient Egyptian history, she went on her visit 600 years before Solomon. In several modern revised chronologies, she is revealed as the Queen of Sheba – of the South.

SJA Notes

* Dear God Above, hear our prayer today, let our cry come to You! Do not hide Your face from us in the day of our distress!

“Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,”

Across today and tomorrow’s readings we see the heart of Solomon turning.

God blessed the king and the kingdom with much material, much stuff.

Solomon pursued opulence and wealth, look at what was built in this passage.

Back in Deuteronomy 17:16-17 we read Moses’ words about a king,

“Only he must not acquire many horses for himself … And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, les his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.”

God’s word was clear. Solomon knew God’s word. Solomon knew the commands God had given to the people through Moses. Solomon wasn’t just a smart guy, he had a breadth of mind that surpassed everyone else on earth.

And yet he was a fool.

And yet he ignored God’s word.

Previously we have read Solomon’s wonderful prayer of dedication, which is ratified by the Lord after that.

IF <obedience> THEN <blessing> ELSE IF <disobedience> THEN <curse>.

Solomon disobeyed God.

But praise God that through Jesus, God in the Person of the Son, He keeps both sides of the covenant.

That through His gift of faith, He the Spirit working within us, writing His word on our hearts – But this we can choose to walk in obedience!

* Gracious God,

Thank You for Jesus, our King and Saviour, who offered Himself up for us – You God become a man and dying in our place.

Thank You Lord.

Amen.

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