2 Chronicles chapter 8 gives us a sense that Solomon followed two agendas, one to follow the ways of David and the other to do whatever pleased himself. We are complex beings, and when the various parts of our life out of sync, we feel stress. I think many people live this dual life; carefully checking off their “spiritual obligation checklist” out of tradition but with little joy. Obligation is hard work, but serving with a grateful heart is a pleasure. The chapter begins, “At the end of twenty years… Solomon built the temple of the Lord and his own palace… rebuilt the villages… settled Israelites in them… rebuilt Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities“. An impressive list of building! But the chapter continues, “cities for his chariots and for his horses whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon and throughout all the territory“. This seems harmless until we remember the warning God gave for the future king of Israel, “The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself… He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold” (Deuteronomy 17:16). Sadly, little compromises over time have a cumulative effect. Have compromises crowded out your joy?
The chapter continues, “Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her“. It is interesting that he clearly knows she does not belong, “My wife must not live in the palace… because the places the ark of the Lord has entered are holy“. Yet Solomon continued doing all of his requirements. “Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord, according to the daily requirement for offerings commanded by Moses for Sabbaths… In keeping with the ordinance of his father David … because this was what David the man of God had ordered. They did not deviate from the king’s commands“. James 1:7-8 explains the one who trust in his own knowledge and accomplishment is happy during the good times. He says when trials come along they stumble. “He is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does“. Where is your stability?
The chapter ends with another strange contrast. “All Solomon’s work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the temple of the Lord was laid until its completion. So the temple of the Lord was finished“. Yet he continued to deal with this shady character Hiram, who only seemed interested in making money. “And Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own officers, men who knew the sea. These, with Solomon’s men, sailed to Ophir and brought back four hundred and fifty talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon“. I hear “double minded” believers explain that they have liberty because they are no longer under the law, but I believe 1 Corinthians 8:9 tells us we also have a responsibility to those around us. “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak… And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?” Real love edifies those around us.