Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been reading 1 and 2 Kings in the Old Testament. When King David passes on, Solomon reigns over the country of Israel. My husband and I talked about David’s son, the wisest and the richest Israeli king that ever lived.
God spoke to him in a dream, asking Solomon what he would like. The young man asked for wisdom to lead the multitude of his countrymen. God, being pleased that the request was to help others and not for riches or for a long life, decided to grant him great wealth.
Yet, God told him not to multiply wives for himself, or horses and chariots. With all the wisdom God gave the king, he disobeyed and acquired 300 wives and 700 concubines. He also accumulated enough horses for 1,400 chariots with 12,000 horsemen at his service. He rebelled against God’s commands.
Why does God ask us not to be greedy? In the New Testament, it says greed is idolatry.
As a wife, I can’t imagine sharing my husband with 999 other women. Solomon couldn’t possibly spend much time with each of his wives. How sad for him and for them.
God intended husband and wife to be one flesh. No wonder in the book of Ecclesiastes, when Solomon is old, he writes about life lacking purpose and says that all is vanity.
Years ago, I helped a lady transcribe her memoir. She said, “sometimes you have to lay your cards on the table. Talk about what’s bothering you. The best thing about an argument is the making up!”
Imagine Solomon getting upset with his wife. They quarrel. If he’s over-committed with kingly duties, he can ignore this wife and leave the issue unresolved. Maybe the problem is the intended heir to the throne some years from then. Children need attention, direction, love, and discipline. If Dad constantly neglects the son, what kind of king will Solomon’s successor be?
I Kings 11:43 tells us that Rehoboam reigned in Solomon’s stead after the king died. If you’re interested, King Rehoboam’s history begins in I Kings 12.
I like reading the Old Testament because it helps me to think about current events and my responsibilities as I follow God. So many of the kings chose to continue in the sins of their fathers or their grandfathers. One morning, I thought what besetting sin do I battle with?
Ah. Now I’m getting personal, not just skimming along and thinking, why do they keep turning from the living God to their idols and false gods with no power?
This week, once again, I have a give away container and a garbage can by the bookshelf in our living room. I’ve been asking God to help me to get rid of the excess books and stuff in our home. So far, I have half a kitchen-sized can filled with giveaways and another throw away container almost half full. Today being Tuesday, I feel good about this step.
Tomorrow, I’m distributing some of the giveaways and will drop others out of town on Monday. God is my strength and I’m asking Him for help every day. My youngest wants me to reassure people that I’m not a hoarder, but I feel I understand the issue some. I blame it on growing up under a dad that experienced negative emotions growing up during the Great Depression.
I hope this finds you well. I’ve been under the weather, but I’m recovering and I’m grateful. May God bless you and yours!
