GODLY MEN OF THE BIBLE

6. SOLOMON

Solomon also loved God as his father David did. After Solomon became king of Israel, he had a dream in which God asked Solomon what he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people, and this was pleasing to God (1 Kings 3:3–14). God gave Solomon not only great wisdom but also riches and honour. Solomon also had the honour of building God’s temple. Yet, he acquired 700 wives and 300 concubines over the years, and eventually Solomon’s wives “turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 11:4).

God showed mercy to Solomon. Even though he sinned against the Lord in going after other gods, Solomon was allowed to rule over Israel all the days of his life because of God’s promise o David (1 Kings 11:34).