Intro: Power-great temptation-with monarchs especially-power right in front of them
OT warns about this very temptation in Deuteronomy 17 and 1 Samuel 11
Queen Lucy: Exemplifies these temptations of power (referring to skit from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown)
biggest queen there ever was-most important and influential, of all time
riches-palaces (one just for summer!), land, clothing, crown and coach
all the people will cheer and wave-adoration, loyalty, popularity
And, when Linus challenges her, she gets nasty, as only Lucy can do
she will do whatever it takes to become queen, to have the most
power-there must be a loophole, knowing the right people, well-
placed correspondence (calling in favors, putting pressure on others)
And, if none of that works, she will buy her way in, kicking out the old queen!
Psalms are filled with God's promises to monarchs who are faithful and walk in the ways set before them by God
Psalm 2-dominion
Psalms 18, 20, 21-victory in battle
Psalms 89 and 144-deliverance from enemies
Psalm 101-monarch's loyalty to God
1 Kings-Solomon has been named king, succeeding father, David
Let's look at who Solomon is: (Son of Bathsheba)
Solomon knows these psalms-his father wrote psalms-
Solomon is sure of God's power and God's support
And, Solomon also knows about the temptations faced by monarchs-this has been a difficult thing, Solomon becoming king:
Other sons-older, conceived after parents were married
Sons with great public and court support
A struggle to become King-others wanted the power that David and God passed on to Solomon
There were rivals-those who wanted to kick him out-just like Queen Lucy-doing whatever they have to become the reigning monarch
Older brother-gains support and makes himself king before David is dead, tries to worm his way in through Solomon's mother-Bathsheba
Solomon finally becomes the unquestioned king- Visited by God-in a dream-a little odd to us, but valid then-divine communication-text confirms its importance-this is an appearance of the Lord
God says to Solomon, "Ask what I should give you."
Solomon could ask for anything-he could mimic the psalms-he could follow the example of his rivals-he could ask for victory, power, weatlh, popularity
Instead-Solomon takes time with his reply, his request of God
Humbles himself before God, describing himself repeatedly as God's servant-setting the stage of who he is and who God is-his need for God.
The request itself is small, only one thing-an understanding mind
Understanding mind-(Hebrew) a hearing heart
A heart to hear right and wrong
A heart to hear how to govern
A heart to hear the needs of God's people
Solomon's request is humble,
Not his people, but God's
Not personal gain, but what is needed to fulfill his divine calling
God is first in Solomon's prayer
In prayer, exhibits deep understanding of his place in God's plan, how God is using him for divine purposes
Later in Solomon's life-corrupt king
Ch. 11 of 1 Kings tells of his disloyalty to God
Weakness in following influence of foreign wives-places of worship for other gods (small g)
Takes advantage of his power-abuses the people-God's people, doing what he has been warned against in Deuteronomy and 1 Samuel
Gives in to the temptation of power, wanting riches and influence and personal gain-God is no longer first.
But this brief moment in 1 Kings 3-gifted with a beautiful picture of how to relate to God in prayer. Solomon's example:
Acknowledgement of need-God is God, we are mere humans
God has put us here for a reason-Solomon's was to rule, what is ours?
Ask God for what it takes to do the job you have been given-put God's agenda for your life first
Conclusion: this worked for Solomon for a while (his Camelot)
He was faithful to God
He displayed great wisdom
He built God's temple
But, somehow he lost sight of his calling-gradually began seeking things for the self, and not for God's purposes-pleasing himself and not God-(there had been a time when they were one in the same) Lost sight, focus, of how God was using him for divine purposes
God uses us for divine purposes every day. Each day, God asks us what we should be given. I pray that we will not lose focus and remember the things that Solomon has taught us when we speak to our Lord. Amen.
Peace,
Rev. Cynthia Bacon
Minister
You may email at:
cbacon@heritagemadison.org
Return to the top of the page.
Back to the Sermon Archives
Back to the Heritage home page.
Certified Web Author and Publisher: R. Dan Nelson
rnelson@madison.k12.wi.us
This page was last updated on August 26, 2003.