I didn't realize Solomon was rebelling right from the start!

Through out the Old Testament God uses imperfect people to further God's plans here on earth.    Today's reading brought to light an example that I had not noticed before.  Solomon was imperfect right from the start. 

 

Just to be clear I get the whole Jesus was the only perfect man thing.  That's not what I am talking about here.  Let me give an example. 

Both King Saul and King David were pretty good guys when God started using and blessing them.  God even described David as a man after God's own heart.  As time went by however, both of them faltered.

 

Take a look at this section of Scripture about Solomon.  King Solomon was faltering right from the start.

 

1 Kings 3:2-14(NKJV)

Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the Lord until those days. 

And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.

Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 

Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 

And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 

Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 

Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 

behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 

And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 

So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

 

So Scripture points out that Solomon is doing pretty much what God would have Solomon do except that Solomon is already breaking the rules by sacrificing and burning incense at the high places.

 

Not only that but Solomon is actually at one of the high places doing what God really isn't cool with when God meets with Solomon at the high places!  God doesn't chastise Solomon for being there or for doing what he is doing.  God instead asks Solomon a question and based on Solomon's answer God rewards Solomon with even more!

What are we to make of this?

 

For me it is a bit of confirmation of something I have written about in the past regarding the NT. 

While Paul and others in the NT said to be saved you had to take specific steps (believe in your heart, say with lips, etc), for Jesus it was simply a heart issue.  In one passage Jesus even tells a guy "close enough".  That is what I see in this story about King Solomon. 

 

It's a heart issue.  Don't get too focused on the minor details.  Guard your heart and keep it focused on God and all else will work itself out!

Make sense?