The Rise and Fall of King Solomon
Sermons in the book of 1 Kings
The Once and Final King
April 10, 2022 • Psalm 72
Psalm 72 offers a template for godly leadership, measured in terms of flourishing, compassion and worship. Solomon’s own record as a king was mixed, but Jesus’s record is perfect. Palm Sunday celebrates his triumphal entry into Jerusalem as our humble king, who is then crowned with thorns, lifted onto the cross, raised from the grave, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. This “coronation” of Jesus effects a seismic shift in God’s pattern of relating to the world: not through a human king of a single nation, but through the Spirit working in all of his people throughout the nations, as prophets priests and kings. With Jesus as our king, we are both liberated from ruling our own lives and also empowered to be princes and princes who reflect his character in the world.
Death and Praxis
April 3, 2022 • Walter Henegar • Ecclesiastes 12
The inevitability of death should change the way we live, but not in the predictable ways we might think. Three popular temptations are variations on the YOLO theme (You Only Live Once): YOLO nihilism, YOLO hedonism, and YOLO moralism. Ecclesiastes teaches instead that we always live before the face of God, whether alive or dead. This confidence in his character is what enables us to trust him as our Creator, Uncreator, and Recreator; as our Wise Shepherd and Just Lawgiver, as our Judge and Savior in the person of Jesus. With this trust in Jesus' finished work, we can enjoy God's gifts in this life, trust him through the trials of aging, and have firm hope in his promises of eternal life in his presence.
His Hidden Hand
March 27, 2022 • Jason Kriaski • Psalm 127
We can rest knowing that God's hidden hand is always at work in our work and in our relationships. It takes a lot out of us to do good work and to keep what we love safe. But it will only be worth the effort if we're trusting that our Heavenly Father is active all along the way, and it's not all up to us. And having your own family is a good thing, but it's not the best thing. The best thing is being God's beloved now and forever, which only comes by faith in Christ.
The Heavy Yoke
March 20, 2022 • Walter • 1 Kings 12:1–15
A yoke is a metaphor for shared labor and/or harsh oppression. The choices made by Rehoboam and Jeroboam illustrate how we all wear yokes, and every yoke is a heavy yoke, except Jesus’ yoke. As we consider the yokes of followership, of leadership, and ultimately of worship, it drives us away from idols toward Jesus, who bore the yoke of sin so that we might wear the yoke of salvation.
A Deconstructed Heart
March 13, 2022 • Walter Henegar • 1 Kings 11:1–13
Solomon’s late-life turn illustrates some of the common dynamics in a recent phenomenon called deconstruction, where some Christians are re-evaluating, modifying, or in some cases rejecting their faith. Whether we are deconstructing or constructing faith, we all need to do "why work," asking at least three questions: 1. Where do I get my yardsticks? 2. Whose opinion matters most to me? 3. What is my deepest need? *If you’re not deconstructing, please don’t just forward this sermon to someone who is. Instead, consider using these questions to start a discussion.
Love and Litter
March 6, 2022 • Walter Henegar • Song of Songs 3
One way of reading the Song of Songs is to see Solomon as a sad contrast to the simple monogamy of the young shepherd and shepherdess at the heart of the poem. In this contrast we find surprising strengths of marital intimacy, but without idealizing the many non-sexual "lanes" on which love travels for all people, whether single, married, divorced or widowed. Ultimately, Jesus is our Better King who loves us with deep wells of grace and equips us with fresh draughts of transforming power to love others well.
The Queen's Junket
February 27, 2022 • 1 Kings 10:1–13
The Queen of Sheba experienced the wisdom of Solomon and saw through it to the goodness of God. This is the hope of every believer, but it is often hindered by two problems: broken mirrors and untested muscles. In the Gospel of Jesus, however, neither problem is insurmountable. Broken mirrors together can still reflect a flawed but faithful image of Jesus, and the muscles of faith in Christ can bear far more weight than we realize.
The Politics of Power
February 20, 2022 • 1 Kings 9:10–28
Power is the ability to influence reality, and everyone has it. While Solomon had more power than any of us today, each of us exercises multiple forms of power every day. Pete Scazzero names six of them: Positional, Personal, Representative (or "God factor" power in ministry), Projected, Relational and Cultural. Solomon exercises various forms of power in his relationships with Hiram and Pharaoh, in his administration of Israelite land and labor, and in his religious leadership. In each case, the person of Jesus shows us a better way: laying down our power in order to empower others.
Hear Here and Forgive
February 6, 2022 • Walter Henegar • 1 Kings 8:22–30, 1 Kings 8:54–61
Solomon's prayer of dedication and benediction teaches us how to pray. We have to know who we're praying to (a God who speaks, acts, sees, hears and forgives), who we are in relation to him (sinners, sufferers and saints in desperate need of his help), and what he's up to in the world (blessing the whole world by inviting them into relationship with him, too).
The Holy Host
January 30, 2022 • Walter Henegar • 1 Kings 6:11–38
Solomon’s temple spared no expense to create a house for God, with at least three purposes: 1. to preach the point of life (communion with God) 2. to showcase the character of God (trustworthy, priceless, beautiful, perfect, holy and merciful) 3. to situate us in our story (Garden -> tabernacle -> temple -> spiritual house -> body of Christ -> New Jerusalem) Knowing this, we have all the more reason to prioritize gathering together as a church, so that our lives will increasingly showcase his character.
The Prosperity Puzzle
January 23, 2022 • Walter Henegar • 1 Kings 4:20–34
Solomon's wisdom led Israel into an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity, but at no small cost. His expansive "breadth of mind" illustrated the numerous ways we can serve and glorify God today. God even used him to partially fulfill many of his ancient promises to Abraham: for people, place, protection and a program of blessing the nations. Yet Solomon's achievements still fell short of God's full design for human prosperity, which seeks the advantage of all, not just some. Christians today can pursue God's design not by seizing power or angrily decrying injustice, but by applying God's wisdom to the places he has planted us, and then sharing the fruits of that wisdom as generously as possible.
The Sword of Wisdom
January 13, 2022 • Walter Henegar • 1 Kings 3:16–28
Solomon's famous wisdom was not a clever trick but evidence of a deep attunement to the heart of God. Three marks characterize it: 1) taking people seriously, 2) listening for the heart, and 3) keeping mercy and justice together. All three are embodied most fully by Jesus, whose cross finally explains how God can show us both mercy and justice. By the grace he earned for us, ordinary Christians now have access to that same wisdom by asking God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.
A Listening Mind
January 9, 2022 • 1 Kings 3:1–15
God’s extraordinary offer to Solomon challenges us to consider how we ourselves might respond. Solomon’s bases his answer on three assessments: of God, of his father David, and of himself. Ultimately, his request for wisdom – for, literally, a “hearing heart” – doesn’t prioritize his own needs, but the common good of God’s people whom he is called to lead. This godly choice can only come from a clear vision of God’s generous, patient, forbearing love, which we experience most fully through trust in Jesus.