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King Solomon's extended family was a conniving bunch.
Adonijah tried another power grab after Solomon's coronation by
seeking to marry the virgin who kept King David warm in bed. He even
convinced Bathsheba to speak in his stead and Solomon was furious
when his mom became an ally to his rival. Solomon loved the Lord,
and even though he was not a warrior like his father, this did not
stop him from murdering his opponents and carrying out David's
vengeful instructions. The new king decided to build an alliance
with his powerful neighbor to the south and so he married Pharaoh's
pagan daughter to seal the deal. Solomon had been groomed to rule
and he set up a governmental system that gave him total control over
the nation. Later he traveled to Gibeon to visit the tabernacle
built by Moses. It was here that the Lord spoke to Solomon for the
first time and this encounter changed his life. Solomon didn't ask
God for wealth, fame, long life or the lives of his enemies, but
simply for wisdom to rule Israel. For his selfless request, the Lord
told Solomon that he would get it all and there would never be
another king like him. |
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