When You Disregard Your Place is God's Plan

Of all the people you would think could have resisted the temptation to forfeit his place in the world in exchange for sinful, cheap and costly decisions, Solomon would be at the top of that list. Solomon BUILT the temple and prayed one of Israel's most famous prayers over it. He sacrifices 10s of thousands of animals to the Lord. He covered everything used in the Temple with gold. He was filled with heavenly wisdom. But STILL, he fell into sin.

But he falls tragically and demonstrably into the hook of sin in 1 Kings 11. The lesson for us is simple: anyone, no matter their education, wisdom, insight or spirituality can get seduced and suckered by sin.

As the old puritan writer put it: Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.

Solomon's sin will cost him dearly and this chapter outlines important truths for Solomon and us concerning our place is God's plan.
1 Kings 11:14–17 (ESV) And the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom. 15 For when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army went up to bury the slain, he struck down every male in Edom 16 (for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom). 17 But Hadad fled to Egypt, together with certain Edomites of his father’s servants, Hadad still being a little child.

First we read that "the Lord raised up" this man Hadad against Solomon. We also see that Hadad was from the royal line of Edom and aware of the massacre David inflicted on them. When you go back to that moment in 2 Samuel 8 you find the massacre in Edom was a turning point for David's own legacy and ambitions. It's the battle described as such:

2 Samuel 8:13 (ESV) And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

It was here that David's personal ambitions took over and from this battle onward we never see David dedicate any spoils of war to the Lord. Scripture is speaking clearly that Solomon's sin is similar in nature and may be a temptation for us. We can get to a place in ministry or the marketplace where our position is no longer about stewarding God's gifts, talents and treasure but securing our own legacy and notoriety. BE CAREFUL because you may not see it until it is too late.

Now Hadad's life story is much like Israel's, fleeing to Egypt and finding a temporary home. Like Israel, Hadad has a son who grows up among the sons of Pharaoh. All this is replicates the Exodus story to illustrate an important theological truth for Israel. God can raise up anyone from Egypt. It is His grace that makes us powerful, not our works. We do well to live with continued gratitude and reverence for Him while renouncing the desire to "make a name for ourselves." Incredibly, all this took place in Egypt while Solomon was dealing with Pharaoh to acquire chariots and horses (1 Kings 10:28-29).

1 Kings 11:23 (ESV) God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah.

The second adversary the Lord raises up against Solomon is also tied to David's conquests. Hadadezer was king of Zobah when David defeated the Syrians and began amassing fortune from his raids: 

2 Samuel 8:4 (ESV) And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots.

Again, Solomon's ambition of accruing military might is first evidenced in David's own life from much earlier. 

Finally, the last nemesis God raises up against Solomon points both back to Israel's history and ahead to their future demise. 

1 Kings 11:26-28 (ESV) Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. 27 And this was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king. Solomon built the Millo, and closed up the breach of the city of David his father. 28 The man Jeroboam was very able, and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious he gave him charge over all the forced labor of the house of Joseph.

Again we are being asked to recall Israel's history in this passage. Jeroboam is a Joseph-type figure, industrious and successful and charged with authority by the King. Yet he will, by God's directive, become leader of the 10 northern tribes during the life of Solomon's son. 

We see clearly illustrated in this passage God communicating to Israel that He can raise anyone to power and authority. Our place in His plan, our gifts, power or authority all come from Him. The moment we take them for granted is the moment we capsize them. Let us consider our place as a gift from the hand of God, then let us honor Him by humbly serving His purposes. Otherwise, the Lord will move on and continue His work with someone else. 

The grace moment in the chapter is found in verse 36 during Ahijah's prophecy to Jeroboam:

1 Kings 11:36 (ESV) Yet to his (Solomon's) son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name.

Ultimately, Jesus is true Son of Solomon and the light of the world that brings us back home to God. If you've lost your sense of purpose in God, if you've let ambition or self-glorification cloud your judgment, look to Christ. He will heal you and restore you to the PLACE God wants for you.