Category: King Solomon

Solomon and Jesus #2

Thursday, July 6, 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….

As we probably know, Solomon was David’s heir or successor. “So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David. And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly” (1 Kings 2:10-12). Do you see how this conforms to today’s Scripture?

“Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead” (1 Chronicles 29:23-28). Again, do you notice the similarities to today’s Scripture?

Now, compare this to Luke 1:31-33: “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” The Davidic Covenant of today’s Scripture ultimately looks to this prophecy….

Solomon and Jesus #1

Wednesday, July 5, 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….

Types and antitypes in the Bible are God’s way of showing how He knows the end from the beginning. The “type” is a person, place, or thing that serves as a pattern or preview for a person, place, or thing that will be mentioned later in the Bible record (which person, place, or thing is known as the “antitype”). If we are familiar with the type, the antitype will not surprise us because the type prepared us for it. As an example, let us take up Solomon and the Lord Jesus Christ. By looking at one, we can see a reflection of the other—just as if they are mirror images (though, like all types and antitypes, they are not 100 percent identical).

Start with the Davidic Covenant, the LORD’S promise to King David (today’s Scripture in context): “[12] 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. [13] He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. [14] I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: [15] But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. [16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. [17] According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.”

Looking closely, we see both Solomon and Jesus here….

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Lawful Advice from Asa’s Life #4

Monday, June 5, 2023

“And [King Asa] commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment” (2 Chronicles 14:4 KJV).

What lawful advice can be gleaned from King Asa’s life?

Asa assumed David’s throne in Jerusalem after the administrations of his (Asa’s) father Abijah/Abijam, his grandfather Rehoboam, and his great-grandfather Solomon. If you study the Scriptures, you will gather how Kings Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah/Abijam had all corrupted the Israelites with pagan idolatry for a combined total of at least 20 or 30 years (see 1 Kings 11:1-10; 1 Kings 14:21-24; 1 Kings 15:1-3).

First Kings chapter 15 (roughly parallel to today’s Scripture): “[9] And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah. [10] And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. [11] And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father. [12] And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. [13] And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron. [14] But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days. [15] And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels.”

As monarch, Asa did what he could to purify his people’s land, recalling again the Law of Moses: “Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place” (Deuteronomy 12:2,3). Asa’s reforms in this regard gave the Kingdom of Judah a period of respite from Divine judgment….

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 14, 2023

“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 35 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?”

The Key to Be Happy! #7

Friday, March 31, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

Have you ever wondered who or what is the “strange woman” of Proverbs? You can locate her in 2:16, 5:3, 5:20, 6:24, 7:5, 20:16, 23:27, and 27:13. She is strange, not in the sense of bizarre or ridiculous, but “strange” as in “stranger” (for example, see “strangers” of Ephesians 2:12—Gentiles outside of Israel’s covenants, apart from Israel’s God, et cetera). She is a foreigner, and once a man connects with her, he is eternally doomed! “Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell” (Proverbs 5:5). “Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:27). She has no personal relationship with the God of creation, the God of the Bible, so she is a foreigner to the truth.

This “strange woman” is exactly like the “outlandish [foreign, pagan, heathen] women” who fooled Solomon (see Nehemiah 13:26,27; cf. “strange women” of 1 Kings 11:1!). In fact, such illicit sexual relations in the physical realm are related to satanic sexual relations in the spiritual realm (see Numbers 25:1-3; 2 Peter 2:14; Revelation 2:14,20-22; Revelation 14:4). Notice how the “simple man” (lacking wisdom—leaving Proverbs to follow Ecclesiastes) is the victim of the seductive strange woman (Proverbs 9:13-18). Here is the supporter of the Antichrist, a participant of the Whore of Babylon religious system (Revelation chapter 17), proselytizing precious souls and leading them to eternal damnation (Revelation 14:9-12). Of course, like any prostitute, she promises her “clients” “a good time”—and, only when it is too late, will they realize the spiritual disease she has transmitted to them!

Proverbs is much more than a handy “daily philosophy book.” It is literally a matter of spiritual life or spiritual death in the ages to come. The Jewish people have possessed the Book of Proverbs for 3,000 years—not to mention Ecclesiastes. However, in spite of all those warnings in more than 1,100 verses, they will still accept the Antichrist! While none of this relates to us the Church the Body of Christ, there is always a valuable lesson we can learn here….

The Key to Be Happy! #6

Thursday, March 30, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

One of the Antichrist’s characteristics will be his “understanding of dark sentences” (Daniel 8:23). A brilliant man, someone endowed with satanic wisdom, he can deceive the masses by employing eloquent, elegant, seductive, lofty arguments. In fact, like King Solomon, he will follow the pattern of sin laid out in Ecclesiastes, enticing his supporters to chart their own paths (isolated from the one true God). While sounding unbelievable, this has happened on a small-scale countless times in human history.

World religious leaders, philosophers, founders of cults, et cetera, have drawn billions upon billions away from the God of the Bible by promising their groups “enlightenment,” “satisfaction,” “fulfillment,” “peace,” “prosperity.” The Antichrist will be a supreme master in these realms (see Daniel 11:21,23,24,27,32; cf. Psalm 55:20,21). Only Israel’s believing remnant, having accepted God’s wisdom, will be able to overcome these lies (see Matthew 24:4,5,11,23-26; Mark 13:5,6,21-23; Luke 21:8).

By the way, Job’s three friends—with all their useless, worldly, natural-man advice (see the Book of Job)—represent the lost religious leaders deceiving Israel throughout Christ’s earthly ministry (Sadducees, Pharisees, and Herodians). There is no wisdom of God in any of it, so the Jewish people as a whole were unable to recognize God’s wisdom that Jesus Christ declared to them. In the future (Daniel’s 70th Week), this ignorance will again be a snare, except Israel will now be vulnerable to accepting the Antichrist! As before, they did not learn the lessons of the Book of Proverbs, so they are bound to repeat Ecclesiastes (like apostate Solomon)!

There are 90 references to “fools,” “foolishness,” and “folly” in the Book of Proverbs—the Antichrist’s disciples. In Proverbs, there are well over 100 references to “wisdom” or “wise” people—the Lord Jesus Christ’s followers (the “happy” people of today’s Scripture). However, the fools have tried in vain to satisfy the void that only the Lord Jesus Christ can fulfill, so they have nothing but misery and hopelessness when He comes back to destroy the Antichrist, his adherents, and the evil world system he represents….

The Key to Be Happy! #5

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

Chapter 1 of Proverbs begins: “[1] The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; [2] To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; [3] To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; [4] To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. [5] A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: [6] To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. [7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The first chapter of Proverbs sets the Book’s tone: the wisdom contained therein will keep Israel in God’s will, especially concerning Christ’s earthly ministry (which is 1,000 years into the future). Unfortunately, very few realize this prophetic significance of Proverbs. For example, did you know, dear friend, that, had Israel been walking by faith in Proverbs, they would have received Jesus Christ? Instead, they rejected Him, plotted to destroy Him, and crucified Him. Read Proverbs 1:10-19, compared to Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-19. Proverbs is quite clear that they should have never conspired to do away with the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, notice the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts chapter 2, Pentecost) in Proverbs 1:23, and the outpouring of God’s wrath (Daniel’s 70th Week) in Proverbs 1:24-33 (cf. Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:16-21).

Ecclesiastes 12:13, the second to last verse of the Book, is Solomon’s deduction: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” This “fear of God” and these “commandments” are laid out in the Book of Proverbs. Had Solomon applied by faith what he knew in Proverbs (what the Holy Spirit had already used him to write), he would have never fallen into the spiritual trap of Ecclesiastes (what he wrote later). Israel, in the ages to come, is to learn these lessons so as to guard against the Antichrist’s lie program….

The Key to Be Happy! #4

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

Re-read 1 Kings 4:29-34 and 1 Kings 11:1-8. The transformation is downright striking! How were 1,000 pagan, devil-worshipping female lovers able to mislead wise King Solomon?! Did he not know any better? Here is a simple illustration of how having Divine knowledge imparted to us is not enough. We must apply it to life via wisdom—and that we have to do without fail. Solomon had spiritual light, but he did not walk in it all his days, and he (and the entire nation Israel) paid an extremely heavy price as a result (read 1 Kings 11:9-43).

Toward the latter half of his reign, King Solomon forsook the LORD. This is laid out in great detail in the Book of Ecclesiastes. A mighty king of Israel searches in vain to find happiness and fulfillment by amassing material riches, pursing entertainment, acquiring luxuries, obtaining secular education, and other carnal pleasures. He observes the world and speculates about everything he sees and hears but has no lasting peace or meaningful answers, leading him to dissatisfaction and anguish. Here is man’s lot without his Creator, the absolute best he can do apart from the living God. The final chapter of Ecclesiastes depicts an aged, dying fellow who realizes his quest has concluded with nothing but waste, bitterness, regret, and despair. Life is over, and he cannot re-do it!

What we have just described is the heart of the evil world system, which has deceived many through the millennia and will reach its ultimate form during Daniel’s 70th Week under the Antichrist’s system. Read Revelation chapters 17 and 18, noting the splendor, wealth, and corruption. This is what Israel’s believing remnant will be up against—what poor Solomon faced (and lost to) in a primitive manner. The Book of Proverbs is God’s wisdom designed to spare them from the humanism (human-oriented, God-rejecting philosophy) of Ecclesiastes. Proverbs says a great deal about wisdom versus foolishness, and the reason is that, in the ages to come, there will be a bitter struggle in the spiritual realm over the souls of people like this world has never seen….

The Key to Be Happy! #3

Monday, March 27, 2023

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13 KJV).

What is the key to happiness?

On one hand, Solomon’s wisdom: “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4:29-34).

On the other hand, Solomon’s folly: “But king Solomon loved many strange [foreign] women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods” (1 Kings 11:1-8).

Let us see how happy Solomon truly was….

Joseph and Jesus #12

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

“These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report” (Genesis 37:2 KJV).

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

We Berean Bible students have seen how Joseph and Jesus are alike in excess of 20 specific traits and circumstances. This is certainly not coincidental. To those who want to see, hear, and believe, it is as clear as can be. Joseph served as a template, foreshadow, preview, pattern, or outline: by nature, that is a type in the Bible. Centuries later, the antitype (Jesus Christ) shared those same qualities and underwent those very situations. By studying the one, we better appreciate the other, rejoicing how the LORD God was omniscient, knowing well in advance what would occur all along. Joseph’s whole life—even seemingly insignificant attributes and situations—prophesied what another beloved Son would be like and what He would experience.

“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:10,11). Like the other Old Testament prophets, Moses (who wrote about Joseph in Genesis) possessed limited knowledge. He had no idea the Holy Spirit was using him to present Messiah’s two comings with such vivid details—one arrival to suffer and die, and a return to conquer and reign. Stephen, speaking in Acts 7:9-16, had more light than Moses, for by that time the Lord Jesus Christ had already come once and the saints in early Acts were anticipating His reappearance. With a completed Bible canon, we have even greater insight than Moses and Stephen combined. May we be thankful!

Joseph is just one of several types of Jesus Christ: other examples include Joseph’s brother Benjamin, plus Adam, Abel, Noah, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samson, David, and Solomon. While beyond the scope of this study, they too are equally fascinating.