Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 26

“Solomon did not deviate in any way from David’s commands concerning the priests and Levites and treasuries.” – 2 Chronicles 8:15

The Temple was complete, as well as the royal palace, and the Lord was pleased. God took this building made by men and set it apart as holy. God’s name would be honored in this place, and God would watch over it.

“As for you, if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your Father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations, then I will establish the throne of your dynasty over israel forever…But if you and your descendants abandon me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled and will gasp in horror. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’ And the answer will be, ‘Because the people abandoned the Lord their God…’” – 1 Kings 9:4-9a

FOLLOW ME WITH INTEGRITY AND GODLINESS

God is looking for integrity in those He calls into leadership. He is looking for those who will be honest in their dealings with others, and who will demonstrate strong moral principles. He designed the relationship between God and man to result in godly living, not produced by man’s righteousness but God’s. This was true in the days of David and Solomon, and it remains true today.

Solomon was a great leader and accomplished much during his reign as king. After taking twenty years to build the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace, Solomon went on to rebuild the towns across the land. He assigned roles and responsibilities across the kingdom, establishing clear expectations and layers of leadership.

Solomon wisely continued to nurture the relationship his father, David, had built with King Hiram, which resulted in timber, gold and craftsmen to help with the many building projects. Hiram sent ships and a crew of sailors to take Solomon’s men to Ophir, where they obtained almost seventeen tons of gold. Solomon gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to King Hiram, who had done so much for him, but the king was disappointed with the quality of the gift and described the towns as worthless.

At first glance, it seems like we have found a weakness in Solomon’s leadership and integrity; it appears like he has insulted Hiram with an inadequate gift. But looking back, we are reminded that he had already paid Hiram the amount requested (1 Kings 5:8-11). Each year he sent the king 100,000 bushels of wheat for his household and 110,000 gallons of pure olive oil. That was the agreed upon payment and he had fulfilled his side of the agreement. The gift of 20 towns was over and above the contracted price. 1 Kings 9:27-28 go on to describe the continued, mutually beneficial working relationship between King Hiram and King Solomon.

INTEGRITY AND GODLINESS ARE INDICATORS OF GOOD LEADERSHIP

It is a privilege to be called up to a leadership position; it also comes with a great amount of responsibility. But the Lord has equipped us through His scripture and through the filling of the Holy Spirit to glorify him through our position of leadership. He has taught us to live a life of godliness and to lead with integrity. May we live each day with the awareness of His unfailing love and with the blessing of His great mercy towards us.

Declare me innocent, O Lord,
for I have acted with integrity;
I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.
For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
and I have lived according to your truth.
I do not spend time with liars
or go along with hypocrites.
I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
I come to your altar, O Lord,
singing a song of thanksgiving
and telling of all your wonders.
I love your sanctuary, Lord,
the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
and they constantly take bribes.
But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
So redeem me and show me mercy.
Now I stand on solid ground,
and I will publicly praise the Lord. – Psalm 26:1-12