In our study of the life of King Solomon we’ve focused our attention on the fact that God loved Solomon. Now let’s consider the second point in our outline: Solomon’s love for God.
1 Kings 3:3 declares, “Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David.” He did this in many ways.
Unlike David, he was not a warrior. This was seen in his treatment of Adonijah until he foolishly asked for the hand of Abishag who had cared for David in his final days. He was also gracious to Abiathar the priest: “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now, because you carried the ark of the Sovereign Lord” (1 Kings 2:26). His love for God prompted him to be gracious to those who didn’t deserve it.
He also showed his love for God in His response to God’s offer to give him anything he asked for. He asked for the ability to honor God by wisely leading God’s people. When he built God’s temple it was done with care and extravagance to show how much He was devoted to God. His love for God is seen in the dramatic and enthusiastic worship as they dedicated the temple to God.
When the temple was built, his prayer of dedication was exquisite. He shared a whole series of possible outcomes when the children of Israel might sin or wander from God, and asked God to be gracious to them if they repented and cried out to Him.
He sincerely wanted God to know that his life would be worthless if God was not present and pleased with him and his people.
