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1. True Wisdom

  • What is your definition of wisdom and foolishness?
  • Read Jesus story in Matthew 7:24-27. What is the difference between the two builders that determines which one is wise and which one is foolish?

Discuss the following:

The Beginning and End of Wisdom
Wisdom begins and ends with the fear of the Lord. It isn’t a fear of being struck by lightning or fear of being struck dead but it’s a deep, abiding, holy reverence and respect for the Lord and for His Word, the Bible. The Book of Proverbs has more to say about wisdom than any other book in the Bible. For example in Proverbs 9:10 Solomon, who was the wisest man on earth, at least until Christ came, said that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Where there is fear, there tends to be obedience and God has said He prefers obedience over sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22; Hosea 6:6). Sometimes obedience comes before understanding and when someone obeys what they know to be true, understanding usually follows. Wisdom begins with reverence for God and a fear for Him and His Word. That’s where wisdom begins. Where there is no fear of the Lord, there can never be any true wisdom. It’s just not possible.

2. Solomon’s Wisdom

Read 1 kings 3:1-15.

  • Why was God so pleased with Solomon’s request?
  • What did God require of Solomon? 1 Kings 3:14.
  • What did his father David emphasis? 1 Kings 2:1-4.

Read and discuss the great wisdom God gave to Solomon. 1 Kings 4:29-34, 10:1-9.

3. Solomon’s Foolishness

Read 1 Kings 11:1-13. What was at the heart of Solomon’s downfall? See also what Nehemiah the prophet said many 100’s of years later. Neh.13:26.

Discuss the following:

Over his 40-year reign, Solomon did many great things, but he succumbed to the temptations of lesser men. The peace a united Israel enjoyed, the massive building projects he headed, and the successful commerce he developed became meaningless when Solomon stopped pursuing God.
To satisfy his curious mind, Solomon turned to worldly pleasures instead of the pursuit of God. He collected all sorts of treasures and surrounded himself with luxury. In the case of non-Jewish wives and concubines, he let lust rule his heart instead of obedience to God. He also taxed his subjects heavily, conscripted them into his army and into slave-like labor for his building projects. https://www.thoughtco.com/king-solomon-wisest-man-who-ever-lived-701168

4. Conclusion/Application

After pursuing everything life had to offer without God being first place in his life read what Solomon said as a result late in his life. Ecclesiastes 1:1- 2:26. Discuss his concluding words, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

How are you travelling in your walk with the Lord? Is He first in everything you do? Can you relate to Solomon?

Do you need to seek the Lord and ask Him to help you let Him have His rightful place as Lord?

Read James 1:5-8. If needed “pray for wisdom and it will be given to you”

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Bible Study