It all starts so well…or does it?
I. Solomon’s ENCOUNTER with GOD. (v. 1-15)
A. An AWESOME but difficult QUESTION. (v. 5)
B. A VERY good DECISION. (v. 5-9)
C. He gets WISDOM and a lot MORE. (v. 10-14)
We often think of Solomon, like David, in glowing terms. He was a tremendously successful King of Israel, and people came from all over to marvel at his wisdom and wealth. The beginning of his reign starts with an encounter with God…but there is more here than meets the eye.
1. Kid’s Question: If God said “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you,” what would you ask for?
2. Have you ever had a moment of “encounter” with God? What was it like? How did it impact you?
II. A few PESKY little DETAILS. (Song of Sol. 2:15)
A. What HAPPENED before the ENCOUNTER. (2: 1-3:3)
B. Some RED FLAGS that come LATER. (5: 13-16; 6:38-7:1; 9:15-16; 10:14-11:13)
C. Solomon is COMPLICATED…and so are WE. (Prov. 20:5; Jer. 17:9; Jas. 3:9-10)
There’s a great line in the Song of Solomon – “the little foxes that spoil the vineyards”. It’s a metaphor to remind us that the things we have usually can be corrupted or ruined by small things that go unnoticed and unattended. Solomon as some little foxes running around that are going to wreak havoc in his life and in his kingdom.
3. What stands out to you the most about the “details” of Solomon’s life? Why do you think that is?
4. When is a time that you have “surprised yourself” by doing something or responding in a way to a situation that you didn’t expect?
5. How strongly (scale of 1-10) do you identify with this sense that you are “complicated”, and by that I mean a mix of good and bad, kind and unkind, disciplined and lazy, or humble and prideful?
III. A Job DESCRIPTION for a KING. (Rev. 5:10; 22:4-5; Deut. 17:14-20)
A. Your CALL is to a DIFFERENT way. (v. 14-16; Mt. 20:25-28)
B. Don’t seek POWER through POSSESSIONS. (v. 16-17; Mt. 6:19-21)
C. GUARD your close RELATIONSHIPS. (v. 17; Prov. 4:23)
D. Make the SCRIPTURE apart of YOU. (v. 18-19; Ps 1:1-3)
E. CULTIVATE a life of HUMILITY. (v.20; Phil. 2:3-4)
F. How to SUCCEED where Solomon FAILS. (2 Cor. 3:18)
What’s interesting about this whole story of Solomon is the authors keep bringing up these details that echo God’s direction to the Jewish people regarding what a king should be like. Since Scripture says we are going to reign with Jesus one day, maybe it would benefit us all to see what God wants in those who rule.
6. Which of these elements of the King’s job description do you find the easiest to do? Which is the most challenging? Why?
7. When have you seen your inability to live these things out impact you and others around you?
8. What does it mean for you to “contemplate the Lord’s glory”? (2 Cor. 3:18). How might you do that in consistent and small ways in the coming week?