Let Us Finish Well
1 Kings 1:30 - “Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon, thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.”
In the history of Israel, King David was followed by his son Solomon, who was appointed by God to rule the land. Solomon was a special choice of God and went on to achieve unparalleled heights of success in terms of wisdom, fame, and riches. The Book of First Kings gives us a glimpse into Solomon's close relationship with God, his divinely bestowed wisdom, and his immense wealth.
Solomon's reputation as a wise and powerful king spread far beyond the borders of Israel, even to the queen of Sheba's likely home in modern-day Yemen. However, despite his many successes, Solomon's wandering faith in later years was marked by his numerous marriages and extensive harem.
The narrative of David and Solomon illustrates how God interacts with those He loves. Anyone who lives and follows His commandments receives blessings that endure forever. Nonetheless, despite the opportunity to receive the same, Solomon's unfaithful life led to his reign being responsible for Israel's division into two kingdoms.
As per the biblical account, after Solomon's son Rehoboam ascended to the throne, the United Monarchy underwent a split into two distinct kingdoms: the Kingdom of Israel in the north, which included the cities of Shechem and Samaria, and the Kingdom of Judah in the south, which comprised Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple.
The story of Solomon is one of a man who had immense potential and began his adult years on a high note, but ended up finishing his life on a sour note. Despite his initial success, he never gave up his idol worship or dismantled the pagan altars. As a result, he spent the rest of his life surrounded by a multitude of alluring women, basking in the abundance of his riches, and indulging in every imaginable pleasure. But in the end, he was nothing more than a shell of his former self, devoid of hope, and plagued with a sense of regret.
It is noteworthy that despite his waywardness, God chose to include Solomon's writings in the Bible. This suggests that at some point in his life, he must have turned back to God. The question then arises, when our time on earth comes to an end, will people be able to look back on our final years and say that we finished well? It is my sincere hope that they will not. May we all strive to finish strong!
Our Prayer for today:
Dear God, we ask that we may learn from the example of Solomon, and remain grateful and loyal to you as we enjoy all the blessings you have bestowed upon us. Please help us to remain humble and live our lives with a constant awareness of your grace. We pray that our time on earth may be lived in such a way that it is pleasing to you. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.