Summing Up A Life - The first part of this lesson-2:10-12-serves as a transition of a narrative series that began for us eight weeks ago. The rise, exploits, reign, and death of David are now complete. The device used to announce the closure is a formula that will be found throughout the books of 1 Kings (1 Kgs. 11:41-43; 14:19-20, 29-31; 15:23-24, 31-32). That David "rested with his ancestors" suggests a peaceful passing and the transition of a new king.

Getting Stronger Every Day - Notice the phrase, "he [Solomon] took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her into the city of David . . ." The Amarna Letters-which include Egyptian correspondence-reveal that as a matter of policy Egypt did not give up princesses to foreign powers. "From time immemorial no daughter of the king of Egypt is given to anyone." Yet here we see an exception, which suggests that Israel was fast rising in prominence in international affairs in the 10th c. bce. [1]

NIB Quote -

The passage as a whole seems to convey mixed messages about Solomon. It appears to vacillate between commendation and condemnation of him . . . ‘he loved the Lord’ yet Solomon offered sacrifices and incense at the high places, again in violation of deuteronomic law. The pious Solomon, who is given wisdom by God to be a wise ruler, stands in stark contrast to the unscrupulous Solomon of the earlier chapters . . . [2]

What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted?

What strikes you most about Solomon in this passage?

Why do you think Solomon would ask for such an intangible as wisdom?

What decision are you facing now for which you need the wisdom of Solomon?

Please see the sermon for this week on DPS based on this text.

________________________________________________
[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible III (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999), page 37.
[2] Ibid, page 40.