WHAT COMES AFTER SUNDAY?
Use the next steps, Bible plan, message recap, questions & resources below to go deeper.
this week's next steps
This Week's Message Recap:
As we continue in our study of King Solomon, we will see that not only is he the wisest king the nation of Israel has ever seen, but he also may be the most foolish as well. Immediately upon taking the throne following his father’s death, Solomon moves quickly to eliminate his enemies—including his own brother, Adonijah.
Before his death, David gave Solomon both spiritual and political advice. Solomon followed that counsel, but in doing so, he defined his enemies as political rather than spiritual. He assumed peace would come from eliminating people. In doing so, his guard was down, and he failed to protect his mind and his heart. The battle, it turns out, was never primarily external—it was within.
Solomon does not appear to weigh his father’s spiritual and political counsel side by side. Instead, he places greater emphasis on physical threats than on the threats from within. Solomon is clearly wise—that almost goes without saying. What he seems to lack, however, is discernment. He listened carefully, but not deeply. His wisdom existed on paper before it was ever evident in his life. Knowledge alone does not defeat his greatest enemy: himself.
Ultimately, Solomon’s downfall does not begin with an obvious moral failure (though those will come), but with the exceptions he allowed. In 1 Kings 3:3 we read, “Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” Solomon loved the Lord—but he made his own rules. He knew the right thing. He even taught the right thing. Yet he failed to apply it to his own life.
Before his death, David gave Solomon both spiritual and political advice. Solomon followed that counsel, but in doing so, he defined his enemies as political rather than spiritual. He assumed peace would come from eliminating people. In doing so, his guard was down, and he failed to protect his mind and his heart. The battle, it turns out, was never primarily external—it was within.
Solomon does not appear to weigh his father’s spiritual and political counsel side by side. Instead, he places greater emphasis on physical threats than on the threats from within. Solomon is clearly wise—that almost goes without saying. What he seems to lack, however, is discernment. He listened carefully, but not deeply. His wisdom existed on paper before it was ever evident in his life. Knowledge alone does not defeat his greatest enemy: himself.
Ultimately, Solomon’s downfall does not begin with an obvious moral failure (though those will come), but with the exceptions he allowed. In 1 Kings 3:3 we read, “Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” Solomon loved the Lord—but he made his own rules. He knew the right thing. He even taught the right thing. Yet he failed to apply it to his own life.
Questions to Consider:
- Do you find yourself focusing more on fixing external problems than guarding your heart? What might that reveal?
- Are there any areas in your life where practical wisdom is crowding out spiritual discernment—or vice versa?
- What is the difference between hearing God’s wisdom and truly applying it? Where might God be inviting you to move from knowledge to obedience?
- What practices help you guard your heart? Which ones might need more attention?
- Consider Solomon’s decisions. If wisdom alone isn’t enough, what does it look like to live wisely?
Resources for Study:
Recommended Reading:
King Solomon's Empire by Margaret P. Roy
1 Kings 1-11 Proverbs & Ecclesiastes: The Rise & Fall of Solomon by John MacArthur
King Solomon: Life Lessons from the Wisest Man Who Ever Lived by Bill Crowder
The Root of Righteous by A.W. Tozer
1 & 2 Kings: A Theological Bible Commentary on 1 & 2 Kings from Leading Contemporary Theologians
1 Kings 1-11 Proverbs & Ecclesiastes: The Rise & Fall of Solomon by John MacArthur
King Solomon: Life Lessons from the Wisest Man Who Ever Lived by Bill Crowder
The Root of Righteous by A.W. Tozer
1 & 2 Kings: A Theological Bible Commentary on 1 & 2 Kings from Leading Contemporary Theologians
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