SERIES SUMMARY
The Bible is the story of God as King and becoming King in Jesus. And we are his image bearers, created for royal reflection. But we don’t live in a monarchy, so “kingship” and “royalty” can feel like foreign ideas to us. Yet, we’re still called to recognize and submit to God as King. In the Old Testament, it was God’s desire for a king to reign over his people as a reminder of these things. Specifically, God promised David a son who would reign forever, and we see glimpses of this promised king in Solomon. Through his story, we’re reminded that there should be a royal wisdom that defines us as God’s kingdom of priests, the church. But ultimately, Solomon failed in his royal reflection. So, the question is, what does Solomon’s story teach us about ourselves and God? How can the life of Solomon be instructive to us as God’s people today? And most importantly, how does King Solomon (a son of David) point us to King Jesus (the son of David)?
PASSAGE GUIDE
This account of Solomon’s reign shows how the grace of wisdom shapes the life of God’s people when His wisdom is sought first. Israel flourished under Solomon’s leadership, enjoying peace, prosperity, and unity “like the sand on the seashore.” People lived securely, each under their own vine and fig tree, not because of Solomon’s power alone but because God’s promises were being fulfilled in His timing. The kingdom’s stability was evidence of the Lord’s faithfulness to His covenant with David, worked out through the gift of wisdom granted to Solomon.
The abundance of provisions for Solomon’s court also reflects the grace of wisdom. Daily supplies of food and resources were carefully ordered, ensuring that nothing was lacking. This was not just a sign of wealth but of wise stewardship—God’s blessing flowing through wise administration to meet the needs of the kingdom. It reminds us that when wisdom governs, abundance is not wasted, and blessings extend outward. God’s provision went beyond what Solomon had asked for, granting him honor and prosperity alongside wisdom, fulfilling His promises in surprising and generous ways.
Solomon’s strength and military resources further reveal how God’s wisdom secures His people. The thousands of horses and chariots, and the peace that extended “from Dan to Beersheba,” highlight the fruit of wisdom applied in leadership. Yet the true security of the nation did not rest in military might but in the Lord’s sovereign care. The peace enjoyed by the people was a grace-filled fulfillment of God’s promises, showing that when leaders seek His wisdom, He establishes safety and stability in His own way and time.
Finally, Solomon’s wisdom was not limited to ruling but extended to literature, nature, and proverbs, drawing people from every nation to hear him. This shows that God’s wisdom is expansive, touching every part of life and pointing forward to Christ, the fullness of wisdom. Solomon’s reign demonstrates that wisdom is not abstract but practical, relational, and fruitful. When God’s wisdom is sought above wealth or power, He often grants both wisdom and additional blessings, fulfilling His promises far beyond expectation. It is a reminder for us that the grace of wisdom directs us to trust God’s timing and His ways, confident that He will sustain His purposes and provide abundantly.
*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.
SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS
Remember, these are “suggested” questions. You do not have to go through every single one of them. You do not need to listen to both sermons at both campuses to participate in the discussion.
OPENING PRAYER
Pray for wisdom as you gather together to understand God’s Word and become more like Jesus.
OPENING QUESTION
What have you been learning about wisdom that is different from how you have thought about it or understood it to be?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What aha’s did you have from the text or the sermon today?
- Is there a point from the sermon about the text that stood out to you and needs to be discussed more?
- What does it mean to seek God’s wisdom before anything else?
- In what ways do you see wisdom as a gift of grace rather than just human achievement?
- How does wisdom shape not just decisions, but also relationships and community life?
- What dangers might arise when wisdom is replaced with human ambition or political expediency?
- How did God fulfill more than Solomon asked for, and what does that reveal about His character?
- How can wisdom protect life, ensure justice, and bring peace in our communities today?
- How does Christ embody wisdom more perfectly than Solomon?
- What would it look like for you this week to seek wisdom first, trusting God to provide in His way and time?
- How does this show us what our priorities should be when we pray?
- Who do you know who seeks God’s wisdom first in life and decisions?
Life with Jesus: Spend time writing 7 ways you have seen the grace of God when you have sought wisdom in your life.
Life in Community: Ask someone in your group how they will seek God’s wisdom first this coming week.
Life on Mission: Spend time meditating on how wisdom impacts mission, and then share what you are learning with someone you do life with.
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank God for the wisdom of His word, and spend time asking him for wisdom this coming week.