Old Testament # 26
King Solomon: Man of Wisdom, Man of Foolishness
1 Kings 3; 5–11
Introduction
Once again, our lesson touches really only briefly on Solomon’s good years. The famous story of the two women quarreling over ownership of a newborn son; the construction of the temple, a united Israel. We have such a comparatively short time on this earth when viewed from the perspective of our eternal nature. And each day we can start anew to strive to do our best to follow Christ’s example. Even when we fall short, we can renew our determination to endure to the end. As I quoted last week: “Weeping may come in the night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). The lesson manual starts us off with this quote from President Oaks:
We generally think of Satan attacking us at our weakest spot. … But weakness is not our only vulnerability. Satan can also attack us where we think we are strong—in the very areas where we are proud of our strengths. He will approach us through the greatest talents and spiritual gifts we possess. If we are not wary, Satan can cause our spiritual downfall by corrupting us through our strengths as well as by exploiting our weaknesses (“Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall,” Ensign,Oct. 1994, 12).
This makes me think of Paul who said, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7). It’s a hard thing to recognize and experience one’s vulnerability. I recently had minor surgery on my foot. As I was being wheeled in and the anesthetic injected into my IV, I started to lose consciousness and realized how completely vulnerable I was in that state—having to trust that everyone around me, nurses, doctors, etc., knew what they were doing and would act for my welfare. There was no act on my part—I was out of it. But with the Lord, we are partners in our welfare, our eternal spiritual welfare. We put our faith in Him and He directs us through His Spirit, but we have to follow.
One thing before we start in on these chapters: please check the JST for important changes which are vital to the understanding of what the scriptures say. For example, in the Joseph Smith Translation 1Kings 3:14 reads: “And if thou wilt walk in my ways to keep my statutes, and my commandments, then I will lengthen thy days, and thou shalt not walk inunrighteousness, as did thy fatherDavid.”
1. The Lord blesses Solomon with wisdom, riches, and honor.1 Kings 3:5–28.
When the Lord asks Solomon what he would like, Solomon wisely asks for an “understanding heart.” President Howard W. Hunter explains what this means for us:
If the Lord was pleased because of that which Solomon had asked of him, surely he would be pleased with each of us if we had the desire to acquire an understanding heart. This must come from conscious effort coupled with faith and firm determination. An understanding heart results from the experiences we have in life if we keep the commandments of God.[1]
Here is Elder Stevenson quoting Elder Hales:
First, we start with the intelligence with which we were born. To our intelligence we add knowledge as we search for answers, study, and educate ourselves. To our knowledge we add experience, which should lead us to a level of wisdom. In addition to our wisdom, we add the help of the Holy Ghost through our prayers of faith, asking for spiritual guidance and strength. Then, and only then, do we reach an understandingin our hearts—which motivates us to ‘do what is right; let the consequence follow.’ (Hymns,1985, no. 237.) The feelings of an understandingheart give us the sweet spirit of assurance of not only knowing but doing what is right no matter what the circumstances. The understandingin our hearts comes from a close interdependence of study and prayer.[2]
Following Elder Hales, it is instructive to look at D&C 46:13–26 for the other spiritual gifts that are available to us as we seek for them and do what is necessary to develop them, i.e. use them to bless others.
I can only think that Solomon had the power of discernment when he confronted the two recent mothers. There are a lot of “what if’s,” but he knew what test to set to reveal the true mother of the boy.
2. King Solomon directs the construction of a great temple and has a palace built for himself. 1 Kings 5–6; 7:1–12.
When I read these chapters, I wondered to myself if perhaps the first indication of Solomon’s downfall was that he didn’t totally concentrate on the temple, but also built himself a grand mansion. Was that hubris? I am minded of King Ludwig of Bavaria whose magnificent edifices are a must see when visiting that beautiful area of Germany. My favorite is the Linderhof—his hunting lodge built on the model of Versailles. Without Neu Schwanstein as a model, would Disney ever have created his theme park? But at what cost to life and limb were these ancient palaces built, and to what end?
I’ve put a 3D video representation of Solomon’s temple in the additional material at the end of the blog. The difference between the temple and Solomon’s house is crucial: one was directed by the Lord through revelation to Solomon with materials consecrated for that purpose. The other erected as an example of power and riches.
“Soon after Solomon’s accession to the throne he set about the labor, which, as heritage and honor, had come to him with his crown. He laid the foundation in the fourth year of his reign, and the building was completed within seven years and a half. With the great wealth accumulated by his kingly father and specifically reserved for the building of the Temple, Solomon was able to put the [surrounding lands] under tribute, and to enlist the co-operation of nations in his great undertaking. The temple workmen numbered scores of thousands, and every department was in charge of master craftsmen. To serve on the great structure in any capacity was an honor; and labor acquired a dignity never before recognized. … The erection of the Temple of Solomon was an epoch-making event, not alone in the history of Israel, but in that of the world.” (James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord,pp. 5–6.)
3. Solomon dedicates the temple.1 Kings 8:22–66; 9:1–9.
Since this is the first temple, Solomon delivers the first dedicatory prayer in these chapters. Did you know that all the dedicatory prayers are available on lds.org? Here’s an excerpt from the prayer for the Provo City Center Temple.
We pray for all who come within these walls that they may come in worthiness and participate with joy and understanding of the great teachings and ordinances and blessings of this house, which are essential to the fulness of Thy everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.[3]
It’s been over two years since our temple was dedicated, how has this blessing been fulfilled in your lives?
Elder Renlund detailed some beautiful blessings that will come as a result of family history and temple work:
As we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to “healing” blessings promised by prophets and apostles.These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity, and consequence in mortality. This long list includes these blessings:
· Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;
· Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives;
· Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding;
· Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going;
· Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts;
· Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord;
· Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be;
· Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone;
· Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord’s help, serve others;
· Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; and
· Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.
If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work. As you do so, your prayers will be answered. When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God’s children on earth are healed. No wonder President Russell M. Nelson, in his first message as President of the Church, declared, “Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.”[4]
4. Solomon becomes excessively wealthy and marries many non-Israelite women who persuade him to worship idols.1 Kings 10–11.
One wonders how this could happen—after standing in the temple, delivering the dedicatory prayer which he received through revelation. How could this happen that he turned to worship other gods? As Solomon declined, so did the temple. Here is Elder Talmage:
The glorious pre-eminence of this splendid structure was of brief duration. Thirty-four years after its dedication, and but five years subsequent to the death of Solomon, its decline began; and this decline was soon to develop into general spoliation, and finally to become an actual desecration. Solomon the king, the man of wisdom, the master-builder, had been led astray by the wiles of idolatrous women, and his wayward ways had fostered iniquity in Israel. The nation was no longer a unit; there factions and sects, parties and creeds, some worshipping on the hill-tops, others under green trees, each party claiming excellence for its own particular shrine. The Temple soon lost its sanctity. The gift became depreciated by the perfidy [betrayal] of the giver, and Jehovah withdrew His protecting presence from the place no longer holy.” (House of the Lord,pp. 6–7.)
Additional Material
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-12-31-chapter-31-the-temple?lang=eng
There are no additional material hints in this week’s lesson, but I am appending a short 3D video of Solomon’s temple according to the scriptures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiF-wObznds
[1]1962–April General Conference:74, Howard W. Hunter, “An Understanding Heart”
[2]https://www.lds.org/liahona/2017/01/with-all-thy-getting-get-understanding?lang=eng. It is interesting to note that when Elder Stevenson was called as an Apostle, Elder Hales did the write up in the Ensignand specifically said that Elder Stevenson had an “understanding heart.”
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