Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Wednesday, November 21, 2012 Read – 1Kings 9 & 10 Chapter 9 tells the story of a second meeting of God with Solomon at Gibeon – likely in a dream as the first encounter though the story leaves that up in the air. This meeting is marked by the clear warning that God gives to Solomon and those who will come after him. If Solomon and his descendants turn aside from following God, God will bring judgment upon them and cast them out of the Land. Not only is this a grave warning, it is also a foreshadowing of what is to come. Exactly what God warns may happen does happen. A dark shadow is cast over the whole narrative. In the rest of chapter 9 and in chapter 10 Solomon is pictured as a major player on the world’s stage. Israel has risen to prominence among the nations. Chapter 10 tells the story of the “state welcome” of the Queen of Sheba, another of the dignitaries of that era. She has come to see for herself the splendor of Solomon’s kingdom and the power of Solomon’s wisdom. She does not leave disappointed. The narrator makes it clear that Solomon has excelled in all things. One might ask the question whether or not it is a good thing that Israel has now become a major player on the world stage. Are there dangers involved in this reality? Can Solomon handle it all? Can the people exist as a major power? Will Israel do good or not? What will all of this mean? Is the splendor of Solomon a good thing or not? Time will tell.