Category: King Solomon

The Kingdom of God is Within You #5

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here?

One chastisement idolatrous Israel faced was the loss of political might in the Earth: “And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power [political disaster]; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass [agricultural/economic calamity]:…” (Leviticus 26:18,19). This governmental collapse was achieved through a series of events spanning 350 years.

Firstly, King Solomon (immediately inheriting the Davidic Covenant) constantly engaged in idolatry, thereby originating Israel’s political destruction (1 Kings 11:1-13). With Solomon dead, Israel’s 12 tribes divided. Ten northern tribes followed a new king (Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant), creating the Kingdom of Israel; the remaining two (southern) tribes formed the Kingdom of Judah, which remained loyal to the Davidic dynasty (Rehoboam, Solomon’s son) (1 Kings 12:16-20). Secondly, Israel’s northern kingdom was lost to the Assyrian troops (2 Kings chapter 17), whereas Judah’s southern kingdom fell to the Babylonian armies a century later (2 Kings chapters 24 and 25).

Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar thrice attacked Jerusalem, deposing three consecutive descendants of David (Kings Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah). “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him” (Ezekiel 21:26-28). Messiah/Christ will reclaim David’s throne (“until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him”).

In Daniel chapter 2, the Prophet learns how God gives Israel’s political might in the Earth to successive Gentile world-powers—Babylonians, Medians–Persians, Greeks, and so on. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44). Yet, as the Pharisees knew, Jesus, “Son of David,” destroyed no government during His three-year earthly ministry….

Reaping and Sowing #8

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

In the old farmers’ dictum, “We reap what we sow, we reap more than we sow, and we reap later than we sow,” all three points are equally vital. Our actions indeed have consequences: we do reap what we sow. This we should understand with little to no effort, especially as we look at the physical realm while we plant seed and receive the same species of plant.

As for reaping more than we sow, this too is applicable in both the natural world and the spiritual world. Putting one seed into the ground results in a growing and mature plant that contains numerous seeds itself, so that, as per the rules of reproduction, there can be another sowing. Likewise, our actions set off a chain reaction: this deed (1) causes that to happen (2), and that (2) leads to another phenomenon (3), and on (4) and on (5) and on (6) and on (7). This is most noticeable in the lives of people who have a habit of making poor choices. One stupid decision led to a host of unforeseeable problems. Such a series of disastrous and truly frightening events can even be witnessed across several generations—son, grandson, great-grandson, or daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter. The sins of one man or one woman carry on into their families indefinitely, long after his or her physical death!

For example, the easiest illustration is how Adam, though seeing the immediate effects of his sin in his own life, never anticipated it would create 6,000 years of human misery (disease, war, death)! Abram and Sarai had no idea their “brilliant” scheme to “help God” would produce a son (Ishmael) that would form the foundation of a religion (Islam), a religion that competes with God’s son Isaac, plus Judaism and Christianity. That satanic battle has raged on in the Middle East for 4,000 years! What King Solomon did with his hundreds of idols has damaged his nation Israel for nearly 3,000 years! Indeed, that leads us to the third point, how we reap later than we sow….

Reaping and Sowing #3

Thursday, May 22, 2025

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Let us not be ignorant brethren concerning the concept of “reaping and sowing!”

Moses publicly disrespected the LORD by smiting the rock in a fit of rage when he should have spoken to it, so he and brother Aaron were forbidden to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7-13). Throughout the Book of Joshua, the Jewish people failed to destroy the pagan Gentiles in the land of Canaan, so those heathen eventually influenced Israel to be idolatrous. In the Book of Judges, these sins of idolatry brought on God’s punishment in the form of invading Gentile troops, though God had mercy on and delivered Israel when they cried out in repentance (Judges 2:1-23). Judge Samson got romantically involved with a pagan Philistine woman and that finally contributed to his death by Israel’s enemies (Judges 16:4-31).

Believing Gentile Ruth chose to follow the God of Israel, thereby inadvertently becoming the ancestor of Messiah Jesus (Ruth 1:15-18; cf. Matthew 1:5,6,16; Luke 3:23,32). Young David, her great-grandson, trusted the LORD and defeated the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-58), going on to be one of Israel’s most famous monarchs. King David failed to be a good father to his children, growing angry with son Amnon for sexually assaulting sister Tamar but carrying out no punishment, forcing son Absalom to kill Amnon in the pursuit of justice (2 Samuel 13:1-39). Absalom later dies in an uprising against David (2 Samuel 15:1-13; 2 Samuel 18:1-17). Brother Adonijah perishes for treason against brother King Solomon (1 Kings 1:1-10; 1 Kings 2:19-25). “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house” (Proverbs 17:13).

“Your sin will find you out,” Moses advised Israel in Numbers 32:23. Indeed, King Solomon learned this after he had intimate relations with almost 1,000 female Satan worshippers (1 Kings 11:1-8)—and that destroyed his nation Israel politically and spiritually for the next thousand years, all the way up to Christ’s earthly ministry! These are just a few of the countless examples of “reaping and sowing” throughout the Old Testament Bible canon, some good but most bad.

We can come to an even better understanding….

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 11, 2025

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 37 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”

A Prayer According to God’s Will

Thursday, May 1, 2025

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

On this United States’ National Day of Prayer, we pray you pray according to the Lord Jesus Christ’s will for today!

Today, religious people—the general public, clergy, and government officials—will assemble nationwide, like they do every year, and pray for spiritual and moral revival of the “Christian” (?) United States of America. We commend their noble efforts, but God’s Word says there will be no godly revival of any of the world’s Gentile nations until Jesus Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming (Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Revelation 11:15; et cetera).

The LORD’s words to King Solomon are often quoted on this day: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Friends, this is certainly God’s Word, but has nothing to do with Gentiles in the United States in the Dispensation of Grace. This verse has a context often overlooked—the nation Israel under the Mosaic Law, praying in relation to God’s Temple in Jerusalem (verses 15,16). Actually, that Temple was destroyed over 19 centuries ago! Unlike Israel, the United States was never a divinely-founded nation. The American people as a whole are not God’s people like Israel was.

Rather than praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, remember today’s Scripture (God’s Word to us Gentiles). The verse following today’s Scripture says, “[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Pray for those in authority, that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and then grow in His Word to them so they can make wise decisions on behalf of the people they govern.

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 12, 2024

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 36 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Archived: “What does the Bible say about motherhood?”

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Praise

Sunday, July 30, 2023

“Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:13 KJV).

Elderly King David is talking to the LORD as young Solomon will soon occupy the throne and build the Temple!

A pastor of many decades once remarked how he had attended countless “prayer services,” hearing and/or taking innumerable prayer requests. Reflecting on all these occasions, he summarized them in the following way: the most common topics were the healing of the sick and the blessings of the healthy! People wanted deliverance from illness, poverty, and so on. However, (he mused) where were the prayers of thanksgiving to God and of praise to God? Prayer had been reduced to an excuse to fulfill selfish purposes, for God had been reduced to Santa Claus!

No matter the place on the Bible timeline, prayer is simply people talking to the Lord in light of His revelation to them. They know—or should know!—what He is doing at that present moment, they speak to Him according to that, and now what He is doing becomes reinforced in their minds and hearts so they can cooperate with Him in doing exactly what He is (the will of God!). Contrary to popular belief, prayer is more than making a “wish list.” When we pray, we should be thanking Father God for His righteousness, goodness, grace, love, mercy, peace, kindness, wisdom, fellowship with us, and so on. Also, we should be striving to seek His glorification, not ours. Let us be mindful chiefly of His words to us, the 13 Pauline epistles of Romans through Philemon, praying in agreement with them above all else.

Read the context of today’s Scripture. In verses 1-9, David addresses Israel, recounting how he has organized supplies for Solomon to erect the Jerusalem Temple, and they subsequently give willingly of their treasures to add to the building. From verses 10-19, David rejoices and praises the LORD in prayer, remembering all natural resources belong to the Creator. In verses 20-25, the Jewish people further celebrate and again recognize Solomon’s right to David’s throne, the LORD magnifying Solomon thereafter. The chapter closes (verses 26-30) with a review of David’s reign and death.

Solomon and Jesus #15

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

Whether Psalm 72, Psalm 89, or Psalm 132, we find hints of both Solomon (immediately) and Jesus (ultimately) fulfilling the Davidic Covenant (cf. today’s Scripture). Solomon typifies the Lord Jesus in at least 13 particulars. Both are sons of David and both are heirs to his throne. Solomon and Jesus are shepherds. They are both kings. Each possesses and expresses God’s wisdom. Solomon and Jesus are both highly exalted and materially prosperous. Peace, the end of war, is the hallmark of each kingdom. Judgment and justice or righteousness highlight their reigns. Both monarchs have worldwide fame and influence. The Gentiles or non-Jews bring physical wealth to honor both Solomon and Christ.

King Solomon and King Jesus each build houses for the LORD (Father God), Solomon erecting a physical structure (Jerusalem Temple) and Jesus forming a spiritual building (Israel’s Little Flock or believing remnant; Luke 12:32). Solomon’s intimate relationship with his sexually-pure wife represents Christ’s union to Israel’s spiritually-pure Little Flock at His Second Coming and subsequent earthly kingdom.

Jesus Christ declared, “The queen of the south [Queen of Sheba] shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42; cf. Luke 11:31). This “greater than Solomon” is (superior) King Jesus Christ Himself—whom unbelieving Israel refuses to hear and believe in Matthew to John! Messiah Jesus and His kingdom miracles are connected to “Solomon’s Porch” in John 10:23, Acts 3:11, and Acts 5:12. This portico or covered walkway of the Jerusalem Temple again relates Christ Jesus’ kingdom (antitype) to Solomon’s kingdom (type). Had Israel been trusting their Old Testament Scriptures, they would have seen these striking similarities and accepted Jesus as Messiah (David’s Son) instead of crucifying Him in unbelief (John 19:14-16)!

-FINIS!-

Solomon and Jesus #14

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

King Solomon “…spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five” (1 Kings 4:32). Some of these witty sayings, obviously, have been preserved for us in the Bible Book of Proverbs (God’s wisdom as expressed through Solomon). As for his songs, we have one of them too—the Bible Book known as “Song of Solomon.” “The song of songs, which is Solomon’s” (Song of Solomon 1:1).

Song of Solomon is a love poem, graphically recounting Solomon and his wife as they courted, wed, and enjoyed married life. Although he eventually had 1,000 lovers (see 1 Kings 11:3), his original romantic relationship was likely with Naamah (mother of his son, Rehoboam; see 2 Chronicles 12:13). Interestingly, before he was a king, Solomon was a shepherd (Song of Solomon 1:7), matching Jesus Christ who is both Shepherd (Psalm 23:1; John 10:14; 1 Peter 2:25) and King (Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:30; Revelation 19:16).

Nevertheless, once Solomon abandoned God’s wisdom (Proverbs), he participated in Satan’s evil world system (Ecclesiastes—life apart from the LORD God). Recall his downfall of 1 Kings 11:1-8. Here, Solomon represents the Antichrist, another apostate and idolatrous Israeli king, future from us (see Daniel 8:23-25). As Solomon fashioned a chair for himself by counterfeiting God’s white judgment throne (1 Kings 10:18-20; 2 Chronicles 9:17-19; cf. Revelation 20:11), connecting himself to the number “six” (man’s number), so the Antichrist will sit in the Temple’s Mercy Seat pretending to be God (see Daniel 11:36,37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) and associating himself with “666” (Revelation 13:16-18)!

Song of Solomon accentuates sexual purity. Solomon’s first wife epitomizes Israel’s believing remnant (Christ’s bride; Hosea 2:14-23) adopting Proverbs’ wisdom, who thereby avoids the spiritual fornication (diabolical, idolatrous religion) of the Antichrist (Ecclesiastes). The true King, Jesus Christ, is approaching for His marriage (Matthew 22:1-14; Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 19:7-9), exactly like Solomon was en route with his true love expecting him (Song of Solomon 8:14; cf. Revelation 22;17,20)!

We summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Solomon and Jesus #13

Monday, July 17, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

The (Gentile) Queen of Sheba “…gave [Solomon] the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon” (1 Kings 10:10). “And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year” (1 Kings 10:24,25).

Psalm 72 has a dual application. Firstly, as its subtitle indicates, it is “A Psalm for Solomon.” Notice verses 10 and 11: “The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.” Secondly, this points to Jesus Christ, for all nations will serve Him. Gentiles give material riches as presents to Solomon and Christ. Recall the Gentile wise men bearing gifts for the Christ Child in Matthew 2:11.

Isaiah chapter 60 describes the Lord Jesus Christ’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom in the ages to come, when Gentiles are attracted to the LORD and the Jewish people (as was the Gentile Queen of Sheba!). “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising…. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba [!] shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD” (verses 3,5,6).

Still, there is more….