1. SOLOMON: A Life Replete With Success & Failure
“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have delight in them’, before the sun, the light, the moon, and stars are darkened…” (Ecclesiastes 12:1-2)
Ecclesiastes serves as a portal as to all the twists, turns and tumults that fill life. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s reflections are insightful and reveal so much about a man who seemingly had it all...
“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
Why so much angst?

2. SOLOMON: Reaped The Benefit of a Rich Parentage
David had his struggles, but eventually was known as a “man after God’s own heart” (see Acts 13:22)
“So give to Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Thine?”
(1Kings 3:9)
“I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn.”
(1Kings 2:2-3)
Psalms 127
“Jedidiah”: beloved of the Lord (see 2Samuel 12:24-25)

3. SOLOMON: A Politician of “World-Wide” Renown
1Kings 3:1
Marriage alliance with Pharaoh of Egypt
1Kings 5:1ff
Alliance made with Tyre and Sidon. Providing him with natural resources but also opened up Israel to becoming a power of commerce
1Kings 4:21-25
Kingdom from Egypt to Euphrates
(Genesis 15:18ff)
Placed on the throne while an extremely young man
(some say as young as 14)
1Kings 3:5-15
Marked difference in governing “styles” between David & Solomon. David by sheer might sought to hold the kingdom together, whereas Solomon sought unity and growth through diplomacy
Deuteronomy 7:1-26

4. The Pinnacle of Solomon’s Reign The Construction of the Temple
1Kings 6:1ff
Seven years in construction; noted for superior craftsmanship and quality
materials
“Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel.”
(1Chronicles 22:6)
David cites the reason as to why God has not permitted him to build the temple; David had “shed so much blood”
(1Chronicles 22:7-10)
1Chronicles 22:14-19
David had set aside funds for the project; speculation is that the amount set aside would
be equal to about 4 or 5 billion dollars in todays currency

5. SOLOMON: A Man of Human Frailties and Failure
1Kings 12:4-11
Oppressively levied heavy taxes upon the people
1Kings 5:13-15; 2Chronicles 2:17-18
Indentured some 153,000 laborers and took them from their homes and families in order to provide for his projects
“And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done.”
1Kings 11:1-6
Embraced rank hedonism
1Kings 11:40
Sought to kill Jeroboam in order to prevent God’s punishment for his sins
“Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to Him twice, and commanded him concerning this very thing…”
1Kings 11:9-10a

6. Solomon Clearly Had “It All”: Fame, Power & Wealth
But In The Final Analysis He “Lost It All”
1Kings 4: 20-33
Man of Wisdom; Prolific Author
Psalms 74
Written by Solomon prior to his being seduced by things contrary to the will of God
Ecclesiastes 12:11-14
“The conclusion…fear God and keep His commandments”
Where and when did it all go so wrong for Solomon?