May Sermons 2025
5-18 I Need a Miracle
2 Kings 4:1-7 John 11:35-46
5-25- Remember
Joshua 3:5-8 Joshua 3:14+17,4:1-7
Of the many characters in the Bible—among the most tragic is King Solomon. Solomon was the son who succeeded King David. His reign began with great promise—but ended in great disappointment.
Solomon grew up with the knowledge of God and encountered God on two occasions.
The first was at the very beginning of his reign. He went to Gibeon to make a sacrifice to the Lord.
“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’” (1 Kings 3:5)
Solomon could have asked for anything—including wealth and power—but he asked for wisdom to lead God’s people. God answered his prayer, and he became known as the wisest man who ever lived. This was the Solomon who wrote Proverbs. Wise.
God appeared to Solomon a second time after he finished building the temple, his palace, and had prospered greatly:
“…the Lord appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.” (1 Kings 9:2)
God told Solomon if he was faithful to the Lord, Solomon would always have a successor on the throne of Israel. History tells us the kingdom divided in the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom at Solomon’s death and would be exiled generations later.
So—what happened? Solomon failed to be faithful. Solomon’s private life devolved and impacted his public life. He ruled his people with an uneven hand. He tolerated other gods—and forgot the way of the Lord. He became consumed with pleasure—having 700 wives and concubines. This is the Solomon who wrote Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon—expressing his frustration with life and unrequited pleasure. Disillusioned.
As a result,
“The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.” (1 Kings 11:9)
God’s promises to Solomon died with his unfaithfulness.
When we consider Solomon’s wisdom, and his two encounters with God, we should be shocked by his apostasy and fear for our souls. If Solomon turned away from God, what might happen to us? Encountering God is a gift, but it is no guarantee against turning away from him.
Faithfulness to God is a daily choice. Stay faithful, my friends!