1 Kings 10:1-29
Tuesday. 26 October 2021
“Blessed be the LORD your God… ” -1 Kings 10:9
Today’s reading is significant in that it displays the wisdom of God flowing through a man who loved God, bringing glory to His name! The chapter describes the queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon’s royal court. The queen’s visit was not on account of any political or military reasons, but it was to satisfy her curiosity as she had heard of his fame especially for wisdom (Vs.1).
The Queen heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD (V.1)— so Solomon’s fame is associated with his relationship with the LORD! She came there “to test him with difficult questions.” Solomon gave satisfactory answers to all her questions (V.3) befitting to the wisdom of the God whom he loves. As we walk close with God under the lordship of Jesus Christ and being led by the Holy Spirit the world will start noticing us – and their first reaction will be to test us. However, in the end the world should bow down before the Almighty God and praise His name, like the Queen of Sheba. We are to be people “always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” (1Peter 3:15)
Matthew 12:42 tells of queen of Sheba: “For she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom…” Remember the Queen was a Gentile and if she could aspire to hear wisdom from the LORD of Israel, how much more God’s children should desire to hear from Him through Christ! We read in Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Paul stresses the point that Jesus is able!
As we ponder on the wisdom of God displayed through Solomon and the Queen of Sheba’s thirst to know more and she received what she longed for, we are reminded that our God is able to supply all the wisdom that we need to pursue a godly life.
2 Peter 1:3 tells us that “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of His who called us …” The Bible tells us a few more things that God is able to provide to us. Like the Queen of Sheba, let us be willing to sincerely ask Him.
God is able to make grace abound to you (2 Cor. 9: 8), so that in all things at all times having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
God is able to help us. (Heb. 2 :18) Because He Himself suffered ----He is able to help us.
God is able to save completely. (Heb. 7:25) Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
God is able to subdue all things. (Phil. 3:21)- by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control.
God is able to keep us (Jude V.24). “Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His presence without fault and with great joy--”
Solomon did not ask for wealth and honor but asked for a wise and understanding heart.
Though the king received all the worldly blessings, he understood that it would not endure and advised people to desire godliness than worldliness. In Matthew 12:42 Jesus speaks of “something greater than Solomon”— that is, Jesus Christ Himself!
If anyone comes to Him, he/she will find Him not only greater than Solomon, but wiser than Solomon and kind enough to extend what we ask of His divine provision which infinitely exceeds the royal provision of Solomon.
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, help me to inherit your divine provision through Christ to abound in every good work. Amen”