v1 He finished building his house, the Lord's house, and all he desired to do. What's next when you've accomplished all of your goals? Will I ever know what that's like? Do I want to?
v2-9 God answers Solomon's prayer. In person. The covenant is reaffirmed.
v10 Hiram is paid for his services, but he is not satisfied.
Cabul means "as good as nothing." Something tells me we have not heard the end of this.
v14-26 Solomon's nation is building strength, wealth, and power.
v2 The Queen of Sheba's meeting with Solomon. There was nothing on her mind that he couldn't explain. (v3) How much do you think Solomon knew? Do you think God let him in on secrets that science wouldn't discover for thousands of years? Germs? DNA? Planets? This might go way beyond "why is the sky blue."
v5-7 It seems that she had set out to stump him. No one could be as magnificent as the rumors of Solomon. But she was the one proved wrong.
v9 We should not hide our God-given gifts and talents behind false modesty. They should be used to point others to the Lord.
And that reminds me of this. I was recently at this blog. And saw this post, that mentioned this quote:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - from Marianne Williamson's book, A Return To Love
"Your playing small does not serve the world."
God didn't give you those gifts so that you could keep them to yourself. He gave them to you so you could serve the world. And in doing so serve Him. And make Him known to the world. So take a cue from Solomon and "let your light shine!"
v13 Solomon has gained an ally in the Queen of Sheba.
v18-20 Solomon's throne.
v22 The ships of Tarshish brought a steady stream of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
By importing all of these riches, including spices from Sheba and the horses and chariots from Egypt, Israel is suddenly elevated to the top of ancient civilization.
Next time: I Kings 11-12
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