April 24, 2025 - 2 Chronicles 8-9

At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of the Lord and his own house, Solomon rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given to him, and settled the people of Israel in them” (8:1–2).  Of course, Solomon accomplished much more:  he strengthened the defenses of the nation, adding fortresses and stables; was given great wisdom and achieved great wealth (consider the Queen of Sheba’s praise of Solomon); expanded the government’s reach and service; created a great fleet of trading ships; and so on.  “Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.  And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father, and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place” (9:30-31).  We have a proverb:  “All that glitters is not gold.”  So many positives but so much wrong:  hundreds of wives and concubines, the building of idols and high places for their worship, forced labor for his construction projects.  Yet, with such mixed results, here’s the thing.  God’s promise of a Davidic descendant, Messiah, an eternal king on an eternal throne . . . this promise remains sure!  And so, we sing:

Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,

born a child and yet a King,

born to reign in us forever,

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all sufficient merit,

raise us to thy glorious throne.   –Charles Wesley (1744)