Help for The Next Step

Messages from the Old Testament

 Study Guide Week Three

Message for Sunday August 19, 2018

This Week Reading:   1 Kings 2:1012 and 3:3-14  Additional Reading: Joshua Chapter 1

Introduction:

Transitions are a normal part of life. Some are welcome and some are unwelcome. The books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings tell the history of the Kings of Israel. It is a history of transition from one leader to another. The first major transition was the transition from David to his son Solomon. David had been king for 40 years and was a well liked and very successful king. It would be very difficult to take his place. Yet David like all people died and a transition was necessary. Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba. You may remember that Bathsheba was the woman that David committed adultery with and then killed her husband. The first child they had together died as a child and Solomon was born after Bathsheba became one of David's wives.  

This true story demonstrates God's desire to help us through the transitions that he puts in our lives. It is God who initiates and comes to Solomon and asks him what he Solomon needs. Solomon asks God for wisdom and understanding in leading God's people. By asking this he is in essence asking God to empower him to do what God has called him to do. God tells Solomon to ask for what he needs. In Matthew 7 verse 7 Jesus similarly reminds us to ask God for what we need (see also James 1:5 and 1 John 5:14. It is interesting to think about what Solomon does not ask for and what he does ask for. Solomon sees himself as having a purpose from God and sees himself as God's servant. He thus asks for help in doing what God has called him to do. This is a request that pleases God and that God answers immediately. God wants us to be successful in what he has called us to do. He will provide for our inadequacies if we are doing His will.

Some Background Information

Solomon is not the oldest son. Usually the oldest son is the next in line to become the king. Already Annon the oldest has been killed by Absalom the second oldest and Absalom has been killed in his rebellion against David.  There was still however a brother older than Solomon. That brother even declared himself King before David actually died. You can read that story and how it worked out in 1 Kings chapter 1. Solomon did not ask God for riches when God gave him the opportunity to ask for anything. Read about the rich fool in Luke 12;16-21 to see the insanity of putting money and possessions and material success before God's purposes. It is interesting to note that the scripture makes clear that Solomon loved God. He did however worship God in an incorrect manner by offering sacrifices at the high places (usually altars on hills). This practice was not something that God initiated and was incorrect. It appears God is working with Solomon because Solomon's heart is after God and God's will. When God tells Solomon to ask it is actually in the imperative tense meaning it is a command! Amazing how God desires us to ask Him for help.

  

Digging Deeper Questions:

1. Discuss what transitions you have faced in the past and the transitions you are facing in your life now.

2. What are some of the ways people respond to transitions both good and bad?

3. Put yourselves in Solomon's shoes. How did he feel? What would he be thinking about?

4. At this point in your life now how would you answer the question that God asked Solomon in chapter 3 verse 5? Be specific. what would be your second and third request be if you were granted 3 requests

5. Discuss and analyze verse 7 of chapter 3
6. Discuss God's response in verses 10-14
7. What are some of your application points from this study?

This Week’s Victory Challenge: Think of someone in your life who is going through a transition and connect with them and offer to pray for them.