The Continuing Reign of Solomon

INTRODUCTION: This chapter and the next mark the height of Solomon’s reign. His wealth and wisdom are unmatched. It seems that everything he touches is blessed. But there is a warning here too. If he is faithful, he will continue to be blessed. But if he is not faithful to the Lord, the blessings will begin to disappear.

1. THE LORDS APPEARANCE TO SOLOMON (1 Kings 9:1-9)
1. The Lords Second Appearance to Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-2)
1. After Solomon had finished building (1 Kings 9:1; Ecclesiastes 2:4, 10-11)
2. As the Lord had appeared before (1 Kings 9:2)
1. The first appearance was in Gibeon.
2. This second appearance was by night (2 Chronicles 7:11-12).
2. The Lords Response to Solomons Prayer (1 Kings 9:3)
1. I have heard thy prayer an answer to the prayer in 1 Kings 8.
2. I have hallowed this house: to hallow means to set apart as holy, as in Hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9).
1. To put my name there (Deuteronomy 12:5, 11, 21)
2. To put my eyes there
3. To put my heart there
3. The Lords Promise if Solomon Is Faithful (1 Kings 9:4-5)
1. If Solomon obeys (1 Kings 9:4)
1. To walk before God as David walked
2. To do according to Gods commandments
2. God will bless (1 Kings 9:5) to establish the throne of the kingdom.
4. The Lords Warning if Solomon Is Unfaithful (1 Kings 9:6-9)
1. If Solomon rebels (1 Kings 9:6)
1. To turn from following God
2. To refuse to keep Gods commandments
3. To go and serve other gods
2. God will judge (1 Kings 9:7).
1. Israel will be cut out of the land.
2. This house will be cast out of Gods sight.
3. Israel will become a byword among all people.
3. The world will know (1 Kings 9:8-9).
1. They will ask why God has done this (1 Kings 9:8).
2. They will answer, because of the sins of the people (1 Kings 9:9).
2. SOLOMONS GIFT TO HIRAM (1 Kings 9:10-14)
1. The Completion of the Two Houses (1 Kings 9:10)
1. At the end of twenty years (cp. 1 Kings 6:38 with 1 Kings 7:1)
2. When the two houses were built
2. Twenty Cities as a Gift for Hiram (1 Kings 9:11)
1. Hirams provision for Solomon
2. Solomons gift to Hiram Twenty cities in the land of Galilee
3. Hirams Displeasure with the Cities (1 Kings 9:12-13)
1. Hirams review of the cities (1 Kings 9:12)
2. Hirams judgment of the cities (1 Kings 9:12-13)
1. They pleased him not (1 Kings 9:12).
2. They provoked his complaint (1 Kings 9:13a).
3. He provided a name Cabul, meaning worthless (1 Kings 9:13b).
3. These are evidently the cities that Hiram returned (2 Chronicles 8:2).
4. Hirams Gift of Gold for Solomon (1 Kings 9:14)
1. Hirams displeasure with the gift did not destroy the friendship.
2. Hiram still sent 120 talents of gold (generally speaking, a talent was the load a strong man could carry a reasonable distance; common measurements of a talent are 82 pounds or 94 pounds).
3. THE REASON FOR SOLOMONS LEVY (1 Kings 9:15-19)
1. The Initial Building Projects of Solomon (1 Kings 9:15)
1. The house of the Lord
2. Solomons house
3. Millo
1. Mentioned three times in reference to Abimelech in Judges 9:6, 20. This was evidently in the city of Shechem.
2. Mentioned seven times in reference to Jerusalem
3. Probably some form of a citadel in the fortress (2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 11:27; 2 Chronicles 32:5)
4. The wall of Jerusalem
5. Hazor; a major ancient Canaanite city in the north near Lake Hula
6. Megiddo; a major fortified city at the western edge of the Valley of Jezreel
7. Gezer; an ancient city about halfway between Jerusalem and Jaffa on the coast
2. The Gift of the City of Gezer (1 Kings 9:16)
1. Long inhabited by the Canaanites (Joshua 16:10; Judges 1:29)
2. Taken by Pharaoh and given to Solomons wife
3. Rebuilt by Solomon as one of his chariot cities (1 Kings 9:17-19)
3. Further Building Projects of Solomon (1 Kings 9:17-19)
4. THE SERVICE OF SOLOMONS LEVY (1 Kings 9:20-23)
1. Bond Service from the Conquered Peoples (1 Kings 9:20-21)
1. The remaining nations (1 Kings 9:20)
2. The required tribute (1 Kings 9:21); a tribute of bondservice
2. Servants and Officers from the Children of Israel (1 Kings 9:22-23)
1. The service of the children of Israel (1 Kings 9:22)
2. The officers of the children of Israel (1 Kings 9:23)
5. THE FURTHER ACTIVITIES OF SOLOMON (1 Kings 9:24-28)
1. Pharaohs Daughter Moves to Her House (1 Kings 9:24; 1 Kings 7:8).
2. Solomons Offerings at the Temple (1 Kings 9:25)
1. Three times a year (Exodus 23:14-17)
2. Burnt offerings and peace offerings
3. On the brazen altar and the altar of incense
3. Solomons Navy on the Red Sea (1 Kings 9:26-28)
1. Its base (1 Kings 9:26); on the shore of the Red Sea near Eloth
2. Its sailors (1 Kings 9:27); shipmen from Hiram with Solomons servants
3. Its merchandise (1 Kings 9:28)

CONCLUSION: Solomon’s kingdom is growing as he continues to build and prosper. However, the Lord warns that troubles are ahead should Solomon choose to turn from the Lord and begin to follow after other gods.