Bible Stories for Adults

Solomon's Wisdom

1 Kings 1-4, 10

Next Week - Solomon Builds the Temple (1 Kings 5-9)
Bible Words to Remember:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

Who were David's first six sons and heirs apparent to the throne?
2 Samuel 3:2-5 = Names on board - Amnon oldest, Kileab thought dead
What other sons did David have after he moved to Jerusalem?
2 Samuel 5:13-16 = Names on board in order, no comment now
Were these many wives and concubines blessing from God for the king?
Deuteronomy 17:16-17 = No, God commanded the king to have one wife

What happened to Amnon, the oldest?
2 Samuel 13:28-29,32 = Absalom had Amnon murdered for raping his sister
What happened to Absalom, the next in line (assuming Kileab had died)?
2 Samuel 18:9, 14-15 = Hung with head caught in tree, Joab killed him

Who decided it was time to become king when David grew old? = Next in line, see list
1 Kings 1:1, 5 = Adonijah - Got a chariot with 50 runners, around 35 yrs old (David ~70)
Who had taken this same approach to present himself as the king?
2 Samuel 15:1 = Absalom
Did David stop Adonijah before things got out of hand?
1 Kings 1:6 = No, David never interfered - Poor job of disciplining his sons

What support did Adonijah acquire for his kingship?
1 Kings 1:7-10 = Joab, army, high priest, brothers, officials; Not 2nd priest or guard
Where did Adonijah get the idea to gather VIPs and offer a sacrifice to begin his kingship?
2 Samuel 15:11-12 = Absalom (Adonijah not real creative)

Who had God appointed to be David's successor? = Note lineage on board
1 Chronicles 22:7-10 = Solomon (Shelomoh means peaceable in Hebrew)
Who remembered God's appointment and devised a plan to make Solomon king?
1 Kings 1:11, 13-14 = Nathan the prophet; Instructed Bathsheba

Did David remember God's appointment and his promise to Bathsheba?
1 Kings 1:29-30, 33-35 = Yes, transferred his reign the same day
How did Adonijah respond to what had happened?
1 Kings 1:49-51 = Took hold of altar's horns for God's protection
How did Solomon respond to Adonijah's plea?
1 Kings 1:52-53 = Said Adonijah's actions will determine his fate

What request did Adonijah make that showed his intentions?
1 Kings 2:13, 17 = Asked to marry Abishag the Shunammite
Who was Abishag?
1 Kings 1:1-4 = Virgin attendant to David in last years
What was evil about Adonijah's request?
2 Samuel 16:20-22 = Taking David's concubine lays claim to kingdom
How did Solomon respond to the request?
1 Kings 2:22-25 = He had Adonijah killed

How did Solomon treat Abiathar, the priest who had sided with Adonijah?
1 Kings 2:26-27 = Removed him from priesthood, but didn't kill him

What did Joab do when he heard what happened to Adonijah?
1 Kings 2:28 = Took hold of altar's horns for God's protection
How did Solomon respond to Joab's action?
1 Kings 2:31-35 = Had him killed and replaced him with Benaiah

What other left-over business had David left with Solomon?
1 Kings 2:5-9 (see 2 Samuel 16:5-13; 19:18-23) = Deal with Shimei (had cursed David)
Did Solomon call for Shimei's death?
1 Kings 2:36-38 = No, he allowed him to live in peace in Jerusalem
How did Shimei change his own situation?
1 Kings 2:39-42 = Left Jerusalem in violation of Solomon's order & his own agreement
How did Solomon handle this, and what was the result of Solomon's actions in 1 Kings 2?
1 Kings 2:46 = Had Shimei killed; The kingdom was now firmly established in S's hands

What were David's last words to Solomon before he died?
1 Kings 2:1-4 = Follow the Lord & He will bless you & descendants
How did Solomon attempt to follow David's guidance and example?
1 Kings 3:3-4 = Walked in David's statutes, offered many sacrifices
What was wrong about Solomon offering sacrifices on the high places?
Numbers 33:52 = They were sites where Canaanites worshipped Baal
Why was Gibeon the most important high place?
1 Chronicles 21:29 = Tabernacle & altar from Moses were kept there

What did Solomon dream about at Gibeon?
1 Kings 3:5, 7-9 = God gave him one request, he asked for wisdom
Did God grant his wish? = Write on board
1 Kings 3:10-14 = Gave him wisdom, fame, wealth, peace & long life
How did Solomon show his response in faith after this dream at Gibeon?
1 Kings 3:15 = Left Gibeon high place and worshipped in Jerusalem

What was Solomon's first occasion to use his wisdom?
1 Kings 3:16-22 = Two mothers argued over whose was the living baby
How did Solomon resolve this impossible dilemma?
1 Kings 3:24-27 = Offered to cut baby in half to get women's responses
What did people think about Solomon's unorthodox action?
1 Kings 3:28 = They held the king in awe...he had wisdom from God

How extensive was the wisdom with which God blessed Solomon?
1 Kings 4:29-34 = Wiser than all others, understanding...as sand on the seashore
What were some examples of Solomon's great wisdom?
1 Kings 4:32-34 = 3000 proverbs, 1005 songs, described science

According to Solomon, how valuable is wisdom? = List on board
Proverbs 3:13-18 = Wisdom: rich, precious, long life, honor, peaceful, invigorating, blessed
Where do wisdom and knowledge come from?
Proverbs 1:7 = Fear the Lord
What should you do if you feel you are lacking wisdom?
James 1:5 = Ask God for wisdom and He will give generously

How far did word of Solomon's wisdom spread?
1 Kings 10:1 = Queen of Sheba heard (Sheba at southern tip of Arabia, 1200 mi. away)
Was Solomon able to answer the queen's hard questions?
1 Kings 10:3, 6-7 = He proved to be wiser than she expected
How did Solomon's wisdom & fame help his call of Blessed to be a Blessing?
1 Kings 10:8-9 = Made others happy; Brought praise to God from other nations

What gifts did the Queen of Sheba give to Solomon?
1 Kings 10:10 = 4.5 tons of gold, jewels & more spices than ever imported
What was Solomon's annual gold income (besides import taxes & tributes)?
1 Kings 10:14-15 = 25 tons
How extravagant did things become for Solomon?
1 Kings 10:21, 27 = Goblets & household articles were gold, silver was commonplace
How much of a trader and merchant was Solomon?
1 Kings 9:26-28 = Fleet of ships on Red Sea sailed to Ophir (southern end of Red Sea)
1 Kings 10:22 = Fleet of ships in Mediterranean Sea sailed to Tarshish (Spain)
1 Kings 10:28-29 = Land-based trade in Asia, Egypt & Arabia
How else did Solomon accumulate wealth?
1 Kings 10:23-25 = Received many visitors to hear his wisdom, each brought a gift

How extensive was Solomon's kingdom?
1 Kings 4:21, 24 = From Tiphsah to Egypt paid tribute to Solomon all his life
How peaceful was life during Solomon's reign?
1 Kings 4:20, 25 = All happy & safe under his own vine & fig tree (chicken in every pot)