10:1 and 9 - People see the wisdom and success of Solomon and they are drawn to him. Once they come in contact with Solomon, they see that the Lord is at work in his life. God's name is made great through Solomon's wisdom and Israel's prosperity. I would hope for each of us that when people come in contact with our lives, that they will walk away knowing that God has made a difference.
10:19 - We can clearly see the seeds of destruction are being sown into the reign of Solomon. The wealth that Israel is acquiring is not in itself evil - remember, it is from God. But Solomon uses that wealth to bring honor to himself. He constructs a huge throne of ivory and gold. The Throne has six steps which implies that it has seven levels in total. The pagan empires around the Israelite built their thrones and temples with seven levels because it represented rule over the cosmos. Solomon's ego has started to grow out of control. When you are only being told how wise and incredible you are all the time - it has got to be hard to stay humble (Not that I would know much about being called wise and incredible all the time). Solomon needed somebody in his life who could bring him down a few pegs - you better have people like that around you too.
Wealth - What are we supposed to believe when it comes to wealth. It was a sign of God's protection and provision in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament it is something to be given away at all costs (i.e. rich young ruler). What are we supposed to think? Well, I think in the case of Solomon. The Israelite people are being given this wealth in the same way they were being given manna in the desert. It had nothing to do with them, and everything to do with God. They started to loose site of God's provision, went back on the covenant and were eventually forced into slavery under foreign rulers again (Like the slavery God saved them from in Egypt). They worshipped money and they paid the price. It all comes down to what you worship. The rich young ruler wanted to do good and live an honorable life, and money was standing in the way of that. Jesus told him to give it all away because he knew money was the man's god. The man couldn't do it. Money in itself is not evil, but if pursuit of it gets in the way of you honoring God with your life, it has got to go. You can't serve two masters.
11:2 - This is where we see that being really smart can have a negative side. Solomon decides that God's marriage laws don't really apply to him. I'm sure he used his wisdom and convinced himself about why it was necessary - to maintain peace with other people groups, to form alliances, etc...but in the end, he simply rationalized a way for himself to acquire a lot of sex and money and he flushed his kingdom down the toilet.
11:4 - Can you imagine this! Trying to make 1,000 women in your harem happy?! Can you even fathom that "to do" list?! Again Solomon probably rationalizes all his actions. He seeks peace with his wives, so instead of fighting 700 of them about their gods - he just builds them temples. Then instead of explain 700 times why he will not worship their gods - he just does it...only to please his wines of course, and then he is worshipping false gods. Good thing we never rationalize sin in our lives, huh?
11:8ff - Given all the wealth and resources in the world directly from God, he eventually uses those gifts to worship false gods created by men...what a shame. The Ammonite and Moabite gods were known for having worship that involved child sacrifice, so Solomon may have even stooped that low! Sick.
11:30 - Remind anybody of David's ascension to the throne after Saul went of the deep end? A prophet comes to Jeroboam and tells him that he will eventually become the ruler of 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel, because Solomon has turned from God.
12:4 and 7 - Solomon forced labor on his people and levied large taxes against them, but he was Solomon...he was the wisest man ever...in some ways he could get away with it. When he son asks the elders of Israel how he should rule, they tell him to ease up a bit. They think he should lead through humility and service, because after doing that the people will serve him forever. Young leaders should always come into new situations willing to work hard and humbly. It's good advice.
12:10ff - Unfortunately he doesn't take the elders advice - he goes to all his old childhood buddies and asks them what he should do. They think he should show the world that he is every bit the man his father was and more - he should raise the taxes and he should whip his servants with scorpions (Whips with weighted steel tips). He listens to the younger men who have grow up with privilege and wealth and have had everything given to them on a silver platter (actually it was probably gold from what I've read!)...they advise from youthful arrogance and he destroys the unified country his father had brought together.
12:28 - The hits just keep on coming! Even Jeroboam who God has anointed as king over Israel immediately turns away from God. He is fearful and jealous of the other kingdom and so he created to pagan idols for the people to worship as their gods. His rule is on the way down almost before it is even started. Every new policy he puts into place is a rebellious act against God. What is that saying about absolute power? I think I'm cool with being a lowly youth minister.
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