God’s word is for our teaching. It edifies us and corrects us. The Bible warns of what may happen when we are disobedient. It blesses us when we honor and are obedient to His word. Solomon wanted to honor God with his life. This is evident in 1 King 3:9 when Solomon does not ask God for riches, fortune and fame, but He asks God for an understanding heart to judge people and discern between good and bad. This is called Wisdom! Should we not be asking God for the same?
Solomon was wise to ask God for wisdom. He had been exposed to much in his life seeing his father, King David, triumphs and failures. No doubt Solomon did not want to repeat the same mistakes as his father, David. He did not want to succumb to the same pitfalls nor did he want the people of Israel to suffer the same. However, some old habits die hard.
In 1 King 9, God makes a covenant with Solomon. God tells Solomon if he walks before Him with integrity of heart, uprightness, and do his commands and keep his statues and judgements, then he would establish his kingdom upon Israel. Then comes the warning… BUT IF YOU TURN from following me and do what I have not asked, then I will CUT YOU OFF.
Furthermore, it says because Solomon and Israel forsook God and had taken hold of other god’s and worshipped and served them, the LORD BROUGHT UPON THEM ALL THIS EVIL In 1 King 11:6, it describes how Salomon did evil and his heart was not full after the Lord, as his father, David… repeating the sins of the father. This is food for thought … Have you forsaken God and brought much evil and curses in your life? Love & Blessings!