Who is God’s true King?

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her to the City of David until he finished building his palace and the temple of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem.² The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places, because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the Lord. ³ Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

⁴ The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. ⁵ At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. ¹³ Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honour—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. ¹⁴ And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” ¹⁵ Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court. (1 Kings 3:1-15)

and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, (Matthew 1:6)

Solomon is the King of Israel – God’s special chosen nation. God’s people, to whom he has promised to be faithful. God’s king is meant to lead his people, keep them faithful and remind them of all God has done for them.

In many ways, Solomon looks like a good king. When God asks him what he wants, Solomon asks for wisdom to lead God’s people with. God gives him wisdom – and honour and riches as well. He looks like everything a king should be.

But he doesn’t stay faithful. His heart is lead astray – by his many wives and by false gods. The riches he is given as a blessing he turns into a curse, as he is consumed by greed. He turns into a worldly king – rich, wise and honoured – but unfaithful to God. He is not God’s true king.

But Jesus, a descendant of King David and King Solomon, comes to earth to be God’s true King. He doesn’t look like what a king should – he is born in a stable, to humble parents and works for a living. He preaches and heals and blesses. He turns his feet towards Jerusalem and towards death on a cross.

But Jesus has a heart for God, and he remains faithful. From the cradle to the grave, he follows God obediently. He gives up the riches of heaven to come to earth, to save his people. He rejects temptation, he ignores the false gods who try to lure him away. He is God’s true King.

Solomon looked like a good king, but he was not, because he was unfaithful to God. Jesus looked like a poor carpenter, and a criminal who died a shameful death, but he was God’s true king, who rose from the dead to bring forgiveness to his people.

Head: Does it ever bother you that Jesus doesn’t ‘look’ like the picture of a King?

Heart: Are you ever tempted to follow someone who looks more impressive, more ‘king like’ than Jesus?

Hands: How do you struggle to stay faithful to God? How can you remind yourself of his goodness in Jesus?

Prayer: Dear Father, thank you that you are faithful. Thank you that you are not fooled by outward appearances, but look at the heart. Thank you that Jesus was a true King, who loved us so much he died on a cross for us. Help us to follow him as our king. In Jesus’ name, Amen

A song to listen to: Born is the King (It’s Christmas) https://open.spotify.com/track/2uPcHOiGdEa5y5FSSHahYg

Beccy Cree

 This Grow Daily was originally posted as part of a previous Christmas series in 2016. During the School Holidays we take the opportunity to look back at the best of Grow Dailys over the years.