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
In 1 Kings 3, the reign of Solomon begins with a mixture of promise and warning. On one hand, he secures political alliances, including a marriage with an Egyptian princess, but this reveals the danger of choices motivated by expediency rather than covenant faithfulness. His actions foreshadow the compromises that would later lead to his downfall. At the same time, the text introduces the importance of worship and obedience to God’s commands, setting the stage for Solomon’s defining moment when God offers him the opportunity to ask for anything. This contrast reminds us that wisdom is not rooted in human strategy or power but in God.
When Solomon prays, he does not request wealth, power, or long life, but a “hearing heart” to discern right from wrong and to govern the people faithfully. This request highlights the essence of wisdom: not simply intelligence or knowledge, but the ability to understand reality as God has ordered it and to act accordingly. Solomon recognizes his own inexperience and dependence on God, showing humility. His desire for discernment reflects the biblical teaching that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, shaping not only judgment in leadership but the moral direction of life itself.
Wisdom, then, is presented as a divine gift with wide-ranging importance. It is not merely practical skill or clever decision-making but an attribute of God Himself that can be imparted to His people. It encompasses understanding, insight, and knowledge, guiding both ethical living and effective leadership. For Solomon, wisdom equips him to govern justly and to preserve the covenant promises made to David. More broadly, wisdom provides stability for God’s people, protecting them from the dangers of corruption, idolatry, and injustice. Without wisdom, even great power or success will collapse into folly.
Finally, God responds to Solomon’s request by granting him extraordinary wisdom, along with added blessings of wealth and honor. This shows that when wisdom is prioritized, other good gifts often follow. Solomon’s story reveals why wisdom is essential: it safeguards God’s purposes, guides leaders and communities, and directs people to live in alignment with God’s design. Wisdom is not just an Old Testament principle but points forward to Christ Himself, who is described as the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). To seek wisdom is to seek God’s will, for wisdom is ultimately a life lived in reverent obedience to Him.
*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
“Lord, let me know myself and let me know You. Grant me wisdom to seek You above all else.” - Augustine. Pray this prayer with Augustine as you enter a time of discussion about wisdom.
OPENING QUESTION
What does it mean that wisdom begins with “the fear of the Lord”?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What stood out to you from the text or the sermon this week?
- What is wisdom, and why is it important?
- How is that different from what you have previously understood to be true of wisdom?
- Why do you think Solomon’s choice to ask for wisdom instead of wealth or power was so significant?
- What does it look like to live a life of wisdom?
- How does Solomon’s humility in admitting his inexperience shape our understanding of true wisdom?
- Why is wisdom described as an attribute of God that can be shared with His people?
- How might wisdom help a community guard against corruption, idolatry, or injustice today?
- Why do you think God chose to bless Solomon with wealth and honor in addition to wisdom?
- How does Solomon’s story point forward to Christ?
- What would it look like in your own life to prioritize wisdom over success, comfort, or recognition?
- How can wisdom shape and change your daily life and decisions?
- Who do you know that most embodies a life of wisdom?
Life with Jesus: Spent 30 minutes daily reading and meditating on Psalms 1 & 2. Ask the Lord to show you the wisdom in this passage.
Life in Community: Go to someone you know who is wise or has given you wise counsel and thank them for their insight.
Life on Mission: Spend time in prayer, journaling how wisdom shapes and impacts mission. Let this shape and impact the decisions you make this week.
CLOSING PRAYER
Pray with Solomon that the Lord would “Give your servant a discerning heart...to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:9).