Old Testament Vistas

Background

Solomon’s Prayer (1 Kings 3:5-9)

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

Solomon’s Prayer (1 Kings 3:5-9)

"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

Legendary King (1 Kings 4:29-34)

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. … And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.

Legendary King (1 Kings 4:29-34)

He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

Becomes a Fool (1 Kings 11:1-4)

King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.

Becomes a Fool (1 Kings 11:1-4)

He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

Proverbs

Something About Everything

LazinessProverbs 21:25 NIV The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.Proverbs 15:19 NIV The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

Something About Everything

TranquilityProverbs 14:30 NIV A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.Proverbs 17:1 NIV Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

Something About Everything

KindnessProverbs 15:1 NIV A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.Proverbs 19:17 NIV He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Something About Everything

Good wifeProverbs 19:14 NIV Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Not-so-good wifeProverbs 21:9 NIV Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Something About Everything

AdulteryProverbs 5:1-5 NIV My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.

Most Important Proverb

Proverbs 1:7 NIV The fear of the LORD is the

beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom

and discipline.

The Fear of the LordProverbs 2:1-6 NIV My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Two Kinds of People

WiseBelieve God’s ways are best

TeachableThink long-term

FoolishBelieve man knows better than

GodEnsnared by sinThink short-term

Does God Know Best?

Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the LORD with all

your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your

paths straight.

Wisdom Is As Wisdom Does