FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER
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Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the message of the gospel that remains forever unchanged. Thank you for your power to transform lives today and for eternity.
Read 2 CHRONICLES 1
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2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles 1
1 Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
2 Then Solomon spoke to all Israel-to the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families-
3 and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the LORD’s servant had made in the desert.
4 Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
5 But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the LORD; so Solomon and the assembly inquired of him there.
6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.
9 Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.
10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king,
12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
13 Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting. And he reigned over Israel.
14 Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.
15 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.
16 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue – the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.
17 They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.
Reflect
Faith is taking God seriously. Start today as you mean to carry on.
For the first and only time, life is not precarious in Israel. Despite earlier maneuverings for power by some of David’s family, the succession had taken place smoothly. The nation is united and at peace, under its new king, Solomon. More importantly, God is with him. Solomon’s priorities had been set by his father, David, and he is willing to embrace them. As with all those new to leadership, what you do first is closely watched and scrutinized. Solomon rises to the challenge with a significant public gesture, gathering the key stakeholders together (v. 5). As one, they consciously put God at the center of their kingdom. No expense is spared to ensure due honor is given.
However, for a reign to succeed, private integrity must match public splendor. We are given privileged access to Solomon’s bedchamber and to the blank check he is offered by God that will shape his rule. Solomon requests wisdom and knowledge. We live in a society of information overload but scarcity of wisdom. Wisdom is about applied living. It is not just about doing the right thing or even doing things right; it is also about timing, tone, and the ability to tune in to God and others. Knowledge gives the background information against which choices can be weighed and made informed. Together, they provide a framework for stable and enlightened leadership. God is pleased with Solomon’s choice and blesses it.
It can be as hard, however, to experience prosperity as it is to handle adversity. Things can dazzle and take your focus from the Giver to the gift. Our dependence can imperceptibly move from God to stuff—be it wealth or armies. Wealth can distort and twist how you view yourself and how others view you. It is still a danger today.
Apply
‘… if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!’1 Put your trust in God alone.
Closing prayer
Lord, I want to seek the things that please you. Please help me to make right choices, to do those things that bring you glory and draw others to you.
1 1 Cor 10:12.
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