2 Chronicles 9

Scripture

 

2 Chronicles 9:22-24; 30-31

 

22 So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. 23 Kings from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. 24 Year after year everyone who visited brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.....30 Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. 31 When he died, he was buried in the City of David, named for his father. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king.

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

God kept His promise. Let’s back up to 2 Chronicles 1. God told King Solomon to ask Him for anything and He will do it. King Solomon knew that the job He was called to as King was a big job and He needed the Lord’s help and wisdom, so He asked for wisdom. God was impressed that he didn’t ask for wealth, possessions, honor, death of enemies or long life, so God answered His prayer for wisdom, but also said He would throw in worldly riches and success and honor as well. (Please read 2 Chronicles 1 and read Deborah Lee’s post dated August 1st if you missed it).

This chapter shows that God kept His promise and revealed the legacy that King Solomon left before he died, which had nothing to do with how rich he was by the way.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

God keeps His promises.

 

When we read this chapter, we can’t help but give glory to God. All the wisdom and riches that King Solomon was blessed with could only be from God. He was the richest and wisest King there was before and after his reign, because God knew his heart would not be ruled it. The Lord was the King of Solomon's heart. He reminds me of his father, King David, who Scripture describes as a "man after God's own heart."

 

Life Application

 

Leave a legacy that will last for eternity.

 

What legacy are we leaving?

 

King Solomon lived His life honoring the Lord, connected and dependent on the Vine. The honor and riches and success were just a secondary benefit. When King Solomon left this world, He couldn’t take any of those riches with Him, yet His faith and friendship with the Lord lasted for eternity. The goal is not to ask for the riches and successes that King Solomon had. The goal is to ask for more of Jesus and to be men/women after God's own heart. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added unto You (Matthew 6:33).

 

The following verses are from a chapter in another one of our readings this morning. It fits so well.

 

1 Tim 6:6-10; 17-19

6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.......17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

 

Dear Lord, I pray that the legacy we leave will be that You were #1 in our lives. May any secondary benefits that come from putting You first point others back to You Jesus. Amen.

 

-Michelle Gaddi