Sometime after Solomon’s prayer, the LORD appears to Solomon a second time at Gibeon. In this encounter, He makes clear to Solomon that that this house that was built does not guarantee His presence and blessing. God exhorts Solomon to be obedient and to walk as his father David walked. If he does so, God will ensure that Israel will be established and will provide an unceasing line of descendants who will rule over Israel according to the promises He gave to David.
God’s Promise
Unfortunately, as we’ll see in chapter 11, Solomon does not pursue the LORD as his father, David, did. Later, we see the consequences of this disobedience through the splitting of the nation and the Babylonian captivity (1 Kings 11:31–35, 2 Kings 24:1, 8–16). However, God is faithful even when we are faithless. Despite the interruption of the Davidic line through disobedience, we know God’s promise will be fulfilled through the Messiah, whose throne will be established forever at the end of the age (Psalm 89:30–37).
Pursuing the LORD
We know of Solomon’s quest for meaning and purpose in his pursuit of earthly treasures. He is never satisfied by earthly things (Ecclesiastes 1:8). And ultimately, instead of clinging to the promise of God, he follows his own pursuits and eventually turns away from God.
Because God’s promises are sure, we should faithfully follow and obey Him. The LORD promises imperishable heavenly rewards to those who faithfully follow Him.[efn_note] Compare Matthew 5:12; 6:2-4; 6:18; 6:20; 10:41-42; Luke 6:23, 35; 1 Corinthians 3:14; 9:18; 9:25; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:8[/efn_note]. God’s purpose is for those in Him to be like Jesus, and He also promises to work all things out toward that end for those who love Him:
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose … to become conformed to the image of His Son… (Romans 8:28–29)
We can trust the LORD and be confident that He will do what He says He will do. Paul is so confident in God’s promises that he is convinced that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:37–39). Because God’s promises are certain, let us be all the more eager to faithfully and confidently pursue Him.
This teaching is based on Ken Boa’s Handbook to Scripture.
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