Topical Bible: God: Special Grace: To Solomon

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Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, is a prominent figure in the Bible, renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His life and reign are marked by a unique dispensation of God's special grace, which is evident in several key aspects of his account as recorded in the Scriptures.

Divine Appointment and Wisdom

Solomon's ascent to the throne was divinely orchestrated. Despite being the younger son, he was chosen by God to succeed David. This choice is a testament to God's sovereign will and grace. In 1 Kings 3:5, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon, saying, "Ask for whatever you want Me to give you." Solomon's request for wisdom to govern the people was pleasing to God, who granted him not only unparalleled wisdom but also riches and honor (1 Kings 3:12-13): "Behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor ever will be another like you. Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during your lifetime you will have no equal among kings."

Construction of the Temple

One of Solomon's most significant achievements, enabled by God's grace, was the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This monumental task was a fulfillment of God's promise to David that his son would build a house for the Lord's Name (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Solomon's Temple became the central place of worship for Israel and a symbol of God's presence among His people. In 1 Kings 6:12-13 , God reassures Solomon of His covenant: "As for this temple you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will fulfill My promise to you, which I made to your father David. And I will dwell among the Israelites and will not abandon My people Israel."

Peace and Prosperity

Solomon's reign was marked by unprecedented peace and prosperity, a direct result of God's favor. Under his rule, Israel reached the zenith of its power and influence. The Bible records in 1 Kings 4:25 , "Throughout Solomon’s days, Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan to Beersheba, each man under his own vine and his own fig tree." This period of peace allowed Solomon to focus on building projects, trade, and cultural advancements, further demonstrating the special grace bestowed upon him.

Covenant and Conditional Promises

While Solomon was a recipient of God's special grace, his account also serves as a reminder of the conditional nature of God's promises. In 1 Kings 9:4-5 , God reiterates His covenant with Solomon, emphasizing obedience: "As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances, then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised your father David when I said, ‘You will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’"

Solomon's Downfall

Despite the special grace and blessings Solomon received, his later years were marred by disobedience. He turned away from God, influenced by his foreign wives and their idols (1 Kings 11:4): "For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been." This apostasy led to God's judgment, resulting in the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death (1 Kings 11:11-13).

Solomon's life is a profound illustration of God's special grace, demonstrating both the blessings of divine favor and the importance of faithfulness to God's commands. His account serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for greatness when one walks in alignment with God's will, as well as the consequences of turning away from Him.

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1 Chronicles 22:18
Is not the LORD your God with you? and has he not given you rest on every side? for he has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.
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Library

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... 6. We must add a second step of a more limited nature, or one in which the grace
of God was displayed in a more special form, when of the same ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... It may be objected, that these are special examples which ... mind depends more on the
agency of God than the ... not to their creation, but to peculiar grace in the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 how god works.htm

Thou Anointest My Head with Oil; My Cup Runneth Over.
... whether the life has been dowered with special blessings and ... was so lovely, so amiable,
so favored of God in the ... a lover of sanctity, of wisdom, and of grace. ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/x thou anointest my head.htm

The Conclusion Sets Forth what Appears to be Our Lord's Principal ...
... sins: that is, not wilfully; for such people are given special grace from God on
this ... in Holy Scripture of the fate of men who, like Solomon, seemed the ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iv the conclusion sets.htm

Shewing How a Principle of Grace is from the Spirit of God. "
... to be that wherein its nature and essence lies, and wherein all saving grace is
radically ... This bird, God is pleased to choose as the special symbol of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/edwards/treatise on grace/shewing how a principle of.htm

A Full Reward.
... replies, "Why have I found grace in thine ... the foreign field workers are peculiarly
cast on GOD. There are special dangers and difficulties, special weaknesses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/a full reward.htm

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... from having a serious apprehension of the grace which he ... same effect are the words
of Solomon, "The poor ... the produce of the earth is God's special gift, but ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

The Remonstrance.
... of a total and final fall of believers from grace. ... have a certainty of salvation
except by special revelation ... to be in harmony with the Word of God, edifying and ...
/.../ 66 the remonstrance.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... me, I should be so void of grace, so bewitched. ... were within His care, protection,
and special providence: though ... most severe and dreadful of all God's ways to ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

But Now, Thou Mayst Ask Me and Say, "Thou Speakest So Much of Love ...
... they are in charity; save it be through any privilege or special grace that GOD
has given ... And Solomon says it is so with righteous men and wise men, and ...
/.../the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/chapter x but now thou.htm