Pastor Ralph Posted March 18 Report Share Posted March 18 Q23. From the list in the notes, which do you think are Solomon’s five or six greatest strengths and accomplishments? Why is Solomon so gifted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted May 30 Report Share Posted May 30 Such a sad denouement. Like too many of us, Solomon started better than he finished. From the list of twenty, or so, of Solomon's "positives," those that seem most defining he had little control over. 1) He was picked by God. Solomon didn't do anything to be picked other than exist, but still, he was chosen. One would think that this, alone, would assure him a godly destiny, but then again, recall Saul, a king who was chosen by God who failed! Solomon didn't fail. He retained his crown until his death. So, God had positive reasons for selecting Solomon and putting Israel's destiny on his shoulders. 2) Solomon was born with abilities that gave him advantages including intelligence. He seems thoughtful and hesitant to pronounce judgment. He was not loving, but fair-minded. He seemed to have an aloof relationship with the people he ruled -- definitely an elitist, NOT a populist. 3) Solomon built the temple and set up a religious-like bureaucracy to maintain the worship of Yahweh. He had his priorities right, in this regard. He fulfilled his obligation and promise to God. Unfortunately, setting up bureaucracies -- in government or temple worship -- plants the seed of their eventual destruction. 4) Solomon had the winds of political power at his back. This, too, was not his doing. He happened to assume power at a time when the powerful nations around him were jostling for advantage. A power vacuum usually helps newbies and not established powers such as Egypt. It certainly helped Israel/Judah. He was able to pursue peace because none of his neighbors were excessively belligerent. 5) I can't help but notice that Solomon's most lasting achievement were in the international realm, not domestic. Increased influence/reputation was a consequence of increased trade, a strong national defense, great wealth, good PR and peace, etc. 6) Solomon, or someone close to him, wrote the Proverbs. In the end, these writings have lasted. I wonder if he would have been just another name in the line-up of kings had he not written the Proverbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clelie Posted June 3 Report Share Posted June 3 No 5 Solomon builds the temple No 7 Solomon reforms the government No 11 Solomon supports justice in courts No 12 Solomon takes special care for the needy in his kingdom. No 13 Solomon strengthens Israel’s defense. No 15 Solomon accumulates fabulous wealth. No 16 Solomon is also gifted intellectually and wrote the books of proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the song of Solomon Solomon is so gifted because he is loved and chosen by God to be king after his father king David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicolaas A.P. Mostert Posted June 6 Report Share Posted June 6 Q23. From the list above, which do you think are Solomon's five or six greatest strengths and accomplishments? Solomon is extremely intelligent, a genius of sort. Solomon built the Temple. Solomon enjoy trading successes. Solomon strengthens Israel's defence. Solomon reforms government. Why is Solomon so gifted? GOD gave him wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted June 7 Report Share Posted June 7 Q23. From the list above, which do you think are Solomon's five or six greatest strengths and accomplishments? Why is Solomon so gifted? Initially his love for God, his obedience to God; and his continued following in David’s footsteps which resulted in him building on his father’s successes. The building of the temple. Making use of all the materials and prep work David had begun. His perseverance in seeing this 7 year project to completion. His amazing intellect and administrative skills. His care of the needy. His Wisdom literature left as his legacy. He was abundantly gifted. The Holy Spirit must have been constantly at work in Solomon’s life. Guiding and directing him into wise decisions. The more he obeyed God the greater was his effectiveness, but sadly as he strayed away from God, we see more and more of his weaknesses becoming evident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janzie Posted June 11 Report Share Posted June 11 On 3/18/2024 at 7:38 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q23. From the list in the notes, which do you think are Solomon’s five or six greatest strengths and accomplishments? Why is Solomon so gifted? Solomon's greatest strengths and accomplishments are: Solomon builds the Temple, Solomon supports and codifies temple worship, Solomon reforms government, Solomon enjoys trading successes, Solomon takes special care for the needy in his kingdom, Solomon strengthens Israel's defenses, Solomon curates and writes proverbs and Wisdom Literature. Solomon is so gifted because in the beginning he asked for wisdom to lead the people of Israel and God was pleased with that request and in addition to wisdom gave him riches, honor and a long life if he would continue in righteous before the Lord. Which was great in the beginning but did not turn out good at the end of his life. He was not totally committed to the Lord and he followed after the whims of his wives and worshiped idols/other gods and built places of worship for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niyonka16 Posted June 18 Report Share Posted June 18 Q23. From the list above, which do you think are Solomon's five or six greatest strengths and accomplishments? ANSWER: Five interesting facts about King Solomon’s deeds and success: Role: As An Individual - Outcome: He was the wisest person to have lived in his lifetime (2 Chronicles 1). Role: Commander-in-chief - Outcome: Largest expansion of the Israelite Empire Role: Diplomat - Outcome: Further expansion of the empire Role: Builder - Outcome: Designed and built the Holy Temple of Solomon Role: Sage - Outcome: Bible story boasts of his wisdom with a tale of the two mothers and one child Why is Solomon so gifted? ANSWER: He chooses an understanding heart. Wisdom, so he can make good decisions for his people. And God is so pleased with Solomon's choice that He gives him every other good gift, too. The spiritual gift of Solomon was that he was rewarded for his meekness with a wise and understanding heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted June 22 Report Share Posted June 22 Q23. From the list above, which do you think are Solomon's five or six greatest strengths and accomplishments? Solomon built the temple and saw it through to completion. At this stage God was still number one in his life and his desire was to please Him and to lead His people justly. Solomon does take part in the sacrificial part of the worship at the temple, not only at the dedication but also at the required times as instructed by Moses. Solomon also prays to God. Solomon insists upon justice in court and also shows that he cares for the poor and the needy in his kingdom. There is relative peace and trade with surrounding nations is established. Solomon's success is ascribed to Yahweh his God. Why is Solomon so gifted? Yahweh loves Solomon and gives him the talents and abilities to accomplish his calling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Edwards Posted July 8 Report Share Posted July 8 Trade routes to far away nations. Fortifications of Jerusalem and pertinent locales. The visit of the Queen of Sheba: very important in the propagating of the Faith, the Books of Proverbs and Ecclesiatics. Solomon is a prime example that we cannot fall into a state of presumptuous mind; we must work out our salvation daily in trembling and fear. Solomon did establish successful relationships with surrounding nations for a time. Sadly, it didn't last. The word is predestination. God wanted to honor David, and the previous OT oaths and Covenants needed to be fulfilled. Psalm 89 describes this in precise detail. The Magnificent in Luke's Gospel is another beautiful commentary and explanation of God's benevolence to Solomon. The closing verses of Romans 10 describe the omnipotence of God in the affairs of mankind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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