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1 AND 2 CHRONICLES: GAINING DIRECTION OUT OF THE AIMLESSNESS OF APOSTASY
Part III: Gaining Direction From God's Work In The Reign Of Solomon, 2 Chronicles 1-9
F. Learning To Lead Responsibly As An Overseer Regardless Of Fame And Fortune
(2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31)
  1. Introduction
    1. God had promised to give Solomon great riches and honor as a reward for his asking the Lord for wisdom to rule the nation Israel (2 Chronicles 1:10-12), a promise we see was fulfilled in 2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31.
    2. Well, amid the description of the great fame and fortune that came to Solomon, a revealing instruction by the visiting Queen of Sheba supports God's original purpose in giving him that wealth and fame, namely, that he rule Israel responsibly in accountability to the Lord (as follows):
  2. Learning To Lead Responsibly As An Overseer Regardless Of Fame And Fortune, 2 Chron. 8:1-9:31.
    1. Solomon developed the cities of his nation for the sake of his national defense, 2 Chronicles 8:1-6.
    2. He subjected many foreigners to himself and to the people of Israel, 2 Chronicles 8:7-11.
    3. Solomon offered numerous perpetual sacrifices unto the Lord at the temple, 2 Chronicles 8:12-13:
      1. Every day, Solomon offered burnt offerings of worship unto the Lord, 2 Chronicles 8:12-13a.
      2. He also offered special offerings on the monthly new moons and on the three annual solemn feasts of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles, 2 Chronicles 8:13b.
    4. Solomon organized the laborers to build and the levites and priests to perpetuate God's temple, 8:14-16.
    5. Solomon carried on a lucrative gold trade by way of his navy, 2 Chronicles 8:17-18.
    6. Solomon's wealth and fame is summarized in 2 Chronicles 9:13-28:
      1. His income in gold per year was over 799,200 ounces, or $400 million, Ryrie St. Bib., KJV, ftn. 9:13f.
      2. His throne was composed of ivory overlaid with gold, decorated with twelve lions standing on six steps leading to his throne, one at each side of the steps, far grander any other throne around him, 9:17-19.
    7. Solomon became so famous that all the kings around him came to him for his wisdom, 2 Chron. 9:22-23.
    8. Amid all of this personal fame and fortune, a visiting monarch, the Queen of Sheba, recognized Solomon's greatness and the RESPONSIBILITY he had to USE it righteously for GOD'S interests :
      1. The Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame and wisdom, and so visited him to test him with hard questions, 2 Chron. 9:1a. She came with a large company of subjects bearing impressive gifts, 9:1b.
      2. Solomon was endowed with greater wisdom than any mortal man before or since his era, so he readily answered all of her questions, 2 Chronicles 9:2 with 2 Chronicles 1:10-12.
      3. The Queen of Sheba then became astonished at what she witnessed of Solomon, 2 Chron. 9:3-4:
        1. She realized from his answers that Solomon possessed unparalleled human wisdom, 2 Chron. 9:3a.
        2. She also saw the magnificent temple he had constructed, 2 Chronicles 9:3b.
        3. She was stunned by the wealth and order of Solomon's administration and the ongoing burnt offerings he conducted at the Lord's temple, 2 Chronicles 9:4.
      4. Accordingly, this Queen admitted that she had not believed the expansive nature of his reputation until she came and realized that the half of Solomon's greatness had not been told to her, 2 Chronicles 9:5-6.
      5. She then noted how blessed were Solomon's subjects who served him and heard his wisdom, 9:7.
      6. Yet, she further stated how Blessed God was Who had delighted in Solomon to put him on the throne as king for HIS cause, 9:8a. She realized (a) God loved Israel, and wanted to establish her forever, so (b) He had put Solomon on Israel's throne to do justice (misphat) and righteousness (sedaqa , i.e. "according to the truth and without partiality") to that end, 2 Chron. 9:8b NIV, ESV; Kittel, Biblia Hebraica, p. 1390; Theological Wrdbk. of the O. T. , v. II, p. 948-949, 752-755.
      7. Solomon and the Queen of Sheba exchanged opulent, rare gifts, with Solomon providing her with whatever she asked of him before she returned to her homeland, 2 Chronicles 9:9-12.
    9. Thus, Solomon died after having ruled Israel in peace and prosperity for 40 years, 2 Chron. 9:29-31
Lesson: God granted Solomon great fame and wealth that he might USE it to ESTABLISH ISRAEL PERPETUALLY as a nation by RESPONSIBLY ruling with JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Application: If put into oversight where fame or fortune comes our way, may we see it as GOD'S means to the end that we oversee our subordinates by JUSTICE in accord with TRUTH and IMPARTIALITY!