1 Kings 4:20-34 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 1 Kings 4:20-34. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
1 Kings 4:20-34 (NIV)
20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy.
21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life.
22 Solomon’s daily provisions were thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal,
23 ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle and a hundred sheep and goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl.
24 For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides.
25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree.
26 Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses, and twelve thousand horses.
27 The district officers, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king’s table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking.
28 They also brought to the proper place their quotas of barley and straw for the chariot horses and the other horses.
29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite–wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.
34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
On verses 20-34: Previously in 1 Kings 3:4-15, Solomon asked the Lord for a wise and discerning heart so that he could govern the nation of Israel for God’s glory. In response to Solomon’s request, God promised that He would not only give Solomon a wise and discerning heart, but also unparalleled riches and honour “so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings” (v13).
The rest of 1 Kings 3 and all of 1 Kings 4 show God fulfilling His promises to Solomon. 1 Kings 4:20-28 speak of the great prosperity that Solomon and his people enjoyed. Verses 29 to 34 speak of the unparalleled “wisdom and very great insight, and breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore” (v29) that God gave Solomon.
What can we learn from this? There is no limit to the amount of wisdom and blessing God can pour out on your life. The question is: will you have the humility to ask God for that wisdom and blessing? Also, will you have the faith to make choices that are consistent with the wisdom God is giving you, or will you shrink back in fear and live according to your own understanding? If you ask God for wisdom and do your best to live a life that is pleasing to Him, you will be amazed at the way God will expand your territory.
Father, please fill me with wisdom and a discerning heart today. In my daily life, in the practical things, may I make choices that are consistent with Your wisdom. Thank You that there is no limit to what You can do in and through my life. So I ask You to expand my territory today for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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