God takes the inexperienced and moulds them for his use
Perhaps the final lesson here regards how God takes the young and inexperienced and works in
their lives so that they may be useful for his purposes in his kingdom.
Perhaps the final lesson here regards how God takes the young and inexperienced and works in
their lives so that they may be useful for his purposes in his kingdom.Kings often have the best teachers. Alexander the Great was taught by Aristotle, Nero by Seneca and James I by the Reformer George Buchanan. We do not know the names of any of Solomon’s tutors but, growing up in a palace, he no doubt had the best available. David himself taught him certain things too. In Proverbs 4:3-7 we have a fascinating passage that may possibly reflect something of Solomon’s experience, 'When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.'
Solomon learned from his father the most important thing of all. It is undoubtedly true that David was far too lenient with at least some of his sons. He let them get away with too much – to their detriment and his. Thankfully he seems to have dealt with Solomon more wisely.
As we have noted, in due time Solomon married Naamah the Ammonitess. That was no doubt another help to him on the road to maturity.
Solomon was young coming to the throne. In 1 Chron 29:1 we read 'Then King David said to the whole assembly: My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God.' Often in our lives we find that we are facing things outside our previous experience – being away from your parents, school examinations, a first job, marriage, bereavement, the arrival of children, middle age and old age, loss of near ones by death at various stages in life. At such times we need to recognise our youth and inexperience and cry out to God. That is what Solomon had to do. As you know, he prayed to God in light of his youth and inexperience, '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?' (1 Kings 3:9).
It was that prayer, as we shall see, that made all the difference. Such a prayer can make all the difference for us too, young and inexperienced as we all are to some extent. The important thing to keep always in mind is that we are in God’s hands and, if we are looking to him, he is at work in our lives to will and to do of his good pleasure. He will fully prepare us for the good works that he has for us to do, just as he did with Solomon.
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