King Solomon did not start his reign as king like his father David. Even though David was a great man of God, his flaws leaked out to the public. He got in a lot of trouble during his reign.

Mistakes of a King

David committed adultery, got a woman pregnant, and ordered her husband killed.

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. 2 Samuel 11:2-5 (KJV)

14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. 16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. 17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. 2 Samuel 11:14-17 (KJV)

Recovery from Mistakes

At one point, King David took God for granted. He did things that disappointed God. Repentance is the first step to recovery.

King David was a worshiper and knew the way to God’s heart. He wooed God with song and dance, and he romanticized God with poetry. David was truly repentant and did everything to show God how sorry he was for his actions.

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:1-7 (KJV)

Accept the Mercy of God

God showed David great kindness. King David wanted to build God a house of worship but was forbidden. Instead, God chose Solomon to reign as King in David’s place. It was Solomon who built the house of the Lord.

2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: 3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood. 1 Chronicles 28:2-3 (KJV)

Use Wisdom in Decision Making

Solomon took note of all His father’s mistakes. He did not want to disappoint God.

In the same way Solomon watched his father – our children are watching us today. Use wisdom in setting examples for children.

Demonstrate Love

Solomon loved God and burnt incense in high places unto the Lord. High place worship facilitated idolatry – causing Israel to be led away from God. Solomon was the only one going into high place and sanctifying them for God.

3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. 1 Kings 3:3-4 (KJV)

God had a special love for Solomon because he put Him first. He did not worship idols and spent a lot of time in prayer and getting close to God. 

As Solomon watched his father, so God watched the actions of King Solomon. God gave Solomon a night dream after his great sacrifice.

5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

God listened to Solomon’s compassionate plea, then He made His decision. God approved of Solomon’s devotion and love for His people. God saw Solomon’s love for HIM. 

6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

Accept honor from the Lord

Often times we tell people that we love them with an agenda of getting something in return. Solomon never asked God for anything. God saw Solomon’s faithfulness, answered his prayer and gave him something he did not ask.

11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 1 Kings 3:5-13 (KJV)

Don’t get weighed down in the present

King Solomon did not focus on his current situation but looked to his future. His thoughts were centered on how to become a great king for others.

Solomon did not take his kingship or his position for granted. He wanted to be great but knew his greatness would not come through his own abilities. Be encouraged when the solution is not immediate. Think more of the future when time is running out.

Make sacrifices for your future

Solomon sacrificed more than material things, his entire life was on the altar of God’s heart. No person becomes great unless they put their whole heart into what they do for the Lord. in everything, Solomon demonstrated “His endless love for God”.

Just giving a person things and stuff does not prove or demonstrate love. Personal sacrifice has to come first. A person must be willing to give up their present to become their future. Be encouraged to make sacrifices for the future.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (KJV)

The blessings of faithfulness

God’s word tells us to be willing and obedient to eat the good of the land.

Solomon had an encounter with God. As a result his kingship advanced. King Solomon was the richest and wisest man during his time. Solomon was blessed because of his “Endless love for God”. Don’t put God on a time-line. Be encouraged when God’s shows you favor.

Dare to be different

One step of boldness and courage could change the entire world.

After Solomon’s dream (received the wisdom of God) his first assignment was not to:

• Count his money                                
• Pick his army
• Select his advisors
• Select his council or cabinet members
• Meet with heads of state
• Make new laws
• Collect taxes

Don’t be afraid of mediocre task

Leadership is an important role. Nations look to rulers to make good judgment calls. King Solomon’s first assignment court-side was to judge an unusual case. This brilliant king’s first job was to solve a dispute between two whores.

Many would see this job as beneath a king. But Solomon saw his future in this decision. King Solomon took the dare of being different. Instead of taking life he restored life. Be encouraged when you make right choices.

16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. 17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. 18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. 19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it. 20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. 21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. 22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. 1 Kings 3:16-22 (KJV)

My Thoughts: If a woman is a whore why would she care about keeping a baby? Wouldn’t a baby get in the way of her business practice?

The fight with the women was really about place and position. Even though they were Harlots, they wanted to become wives. In those days people looked down on a person when they did not have children.

If a child was in their present, then a husband could be in their future. Here is Baby Mama Drama. Today women still get pregnant out of wedlock on purpose trying to snag a husband.

King’s Solomon’s fame came because he decided a child’s future. The KING – A picture of Jesus – steps in and gives this child a future and a hope! Be encouraged because of God’s endless love.

And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. 1 Kings 3:28 (KJV)

Use God’s wisdom

King Solomon listened to all the drama, bickering, and arguing from the women. God’s wisdom stepped up to the witness stand.

God’s wisdom testified on behalf of an innocent child. He saw the value of this baby boy caught up in the crossfire of a mother’s sin.

Mercy and Goodness came on the scene. Solomon gave his judgment in favor of the mother that cried out to spare the child’s life. The whole world heard about this decision and the king became famous for his wisdom.

24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. 26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. 27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. 1 Kings 3:24-27 (KJV)

1. Be Encouraged when you feel lost or like a loser

Luke 15, presents itself with the parable of three lost things.

• Lost Sheep – Life’s trials somehow caused the sheep to wander out of the pasture into the wilderness. The sheep had a Shepherd responsible for its care. The Shepherd looked for and found the sheep. The Shepherd rejoiced over that one lost sheep more than the 99 that were locked safely in the pasture.
• Lost Coin – A woman had ten silver coins. Going through Life’s trials, she made a bad investment and one of the coins got lost. Darkness came into her life, but the light of the Lord overshadowed darkness. She found the coin, and rejoiced over that one lost coin more than the nine in her possession.
• Lost Son – A man had two sons. The younger asked for his inheritance, to go live life on his own terms. The father agreed and the son went his way. He squandered all his money on prostitutes and riotous living.  He lost everything! He lost his money and his mind. He forgot who he was. The son realized he was lost. In his humility, He allowed the Holy Spirit to lead him back home. The father welcomed his son. He rejoiced more over the lost son than for the obedient, hard-working son at home.

2. Be encouraged when the world says you will never amount to anything.

Matthew 13, presents the picture of people knowing Jesus.

People from Jesus home town saw Him as – just the son of Mary and Joseph. People that were familiar with Jesus upbringing did not think He was anything special, just a carpenter’s son. They knew his education, brothers and sisters, and family history, and education. These people knew all the family gossip. Jesus was labeled as who He was not who He had become. Jesus hometown folks rejected Him as The Messiah. Yet, were puzzled by His wisdom and miracles. Jesus, rejected of men – became the Savior of the World.

3. Be Encouraged when you are seen as the Black Sheep of the family

Genesis 37 presents us with a picture of Joseph, the youngest son hated by his older brothers.

Joseph had a special calling on his life. God gave him dreams and visions of his future. Joseph was hate by his brothers because he was the father’s favorite son. When Joseph shared his dreams and visions of ruling over his family, the brothers hated him the more. They devised a plot to kill Joseph but ended up selling him off in slavery. God gave Joseph favor in Pharaoh’s house that put him in a position to govern the fate of nations. Joseph’s family had to bow down in his presence as a great authority. This hated brother kept saved his family’s life in time of famine.

Be encouraged because of God’s Endless Love.

Many tragic things happen in the world in which we live. Is life fair and is there an answer to this question?

Often people get the short end of the stick. Bargaining tools sometimes are not easily accessible.

When a person feels jilted it is the perfect time to turn to God’s word and promises. To recover during anxiety and depression, people should see themselves as made in God’s image.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Genesis 1:26 (KJV)

Encouragement is the way out of disaster. In a pinch, it becomes necessary for a person to encourage themselves.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)

Many people get discouraged easily because they see this current life as final – one chance – one opportunity to succeed.

See opportunity in failure. See new life and new beginnings at the end of tragedy.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

Love is not some word tossed around like a baseball. Humans must take the model and example of God’s love to motivate existence.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 (KJV)

Man was not made to live independent of God. He is our Caretaker. When people refuse God’s care trouble comes.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV)

Take a lesson from King Solomon in 1 Kings 3. The king had great responsibility to rule and govern a nation. He realized his human fragility and asked for God’s wisdom.

CLOSING:

Little Johnny, the baby that King Solomon spared, grows up and goes to school and the kid’s say, “Your mama was a whore”.

Little Johnny remained silent; he did not try to fight. He did not argue or tell the crowd to take it back. He knew the truth, his mama WAS A WHORE. Little Johnny hangs his head down and walks away.

Then suddenly, he turns around and shouts to the crowd:

My mama WAS a whore. But God saved her, He delivered and set her free.

And now my mama is living for the Lord. She is going to the pits of hell and setting the captives free.

My mama is a soul winner, leading lost souls to Christ. My mama is on her way to Heaven!

Little Johnny’s life was spared from death. His mother committed sin, was forgiven by God, and granted a new beginning.

Little Johnny had opportunity to become a scientist, a pilot, a judge, a famous chef or his heart’s desire. All because his mother was “Encouraged by God’s Endless Love”.

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (KJV)

What sin has allowed you to become discouraged?

The Theme of this story is do not be discouraged because of past sins.

Your horrible problem is next in line for God’s solution of wisdom.

“Be encouraged because of God’s endless love”