SUMMER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2012

JUSTICE DEFINED AND PRACTICED GOD’S WAY FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

UNIT TWO: THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

(First by Samuel, then David, and this week, Solomon)

“SOLOMON ADMINISTERS JUSTICE WITH WISDOM”

Sunday School Lesson No. VII – July 15, 2012

Presented by Rev. Frank Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher

Lesson Text: I Kings 3:16-28; II Chronicles 9:8

Required Reading: I Kings 3:1-28; II Chronicles 1:1-13; II Chronicles 9:8

Memory Text: I Kings 3:28, “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.”

Reliable Resources: Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Libronix Electronic Library; Precepts for Living (UMI), Word Search 9 Electronic Library; “The Maxwell Leadership Bible” (Dr. John Maxwell)

INTRODUCTION

Many characters have painted the pages of Scripture and have been profoundly remembered. But there has been no greater iconic character to demonstrate and administer God’s justice than Solomon (whose name means Shalom or Peace). He set himself apart when it came to ruling justly because he was a great man of wisdom! The details of his foundation are described by H. L. Wilmington from I Kings 3 in his Outline Bible:

“(3:2-28); After Solomon sacrifices 1,000 burnt offerings, the Lord appears to him in a dream that night. (At Gibeon, II Chronicles 1:1-13). He received from God…

1. The assurance (3:5): The Lord promises to give Solomon anything he asks for.

2. The answer (3:6-9): Solomon asks for wisdom that he might govern justly.

3. The approval (3:10-15): God is pleased with Solomon’s choice and promises to give him wisdom plus riches and honor!”

Now that we have met Solomon, let us study this week’s lesson that exposes the wisdom and justice of this great servant of God and how he administered justice with wisdom!

Anticipated Power Points:

·  Wisdom and Justice Confronted. I Kings 3:16-22

·  Wisdom and Justice Considered. I Kings 3:23-27

·  Wisdom and Justice Confirmed. I Kings 3:28; II Chronicles 9:8

Words to remember:

Wisdom – “The ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments.”

Justice – “The practice of what is right and just…that which specifies what is right, not only as measured by a code of law, but also by what makes for right relationships as well as harmony and peace.”

Justice – (Nelson New Illustrated Bible): “A profound sense of fairness!”

LESSON OUTLINE EXPOSED

“Solomon Administers Justice with Wisdom”

I. Wisdom and Justice Confronted. I Kings 3:16-22

After God granted Solomon his request for wisdom, it is put to the test immediately. (Remember vss. 6-9). Now two prostitutes present a problem to Solomon in the king’s court of law. I declare that justice is to be served to all in spite of their station in life. Justice must be blind and fair. "Always judge your neighbors fairly, neither favoring the poor nor showing deference to the rich.” Leviticus 19:15 NLT

Solomon was a man of accessibility as was David his father. Note: Prostitution was in no way accepted under God’s law (Lev. 19:29; 21:7, 9, 14; Deut. 23:18) but the lesson focus is on the administration of justice for all! Reading this account of the two prostitutes, we note that both had sons while living in a brothel. While sleeping, one overlaid her child and smothered him to death by mistake. In the night, she switched her dead son with another woman’s, whose son was about the same age, while she slept. When the mother with the live son arose early to breastfeed her baby, she discovered a dead baby that was not hers. This brought about a confrontation before King Solomon’s court, for there were no witnesses. The two women argued with passion!

II. Wisdom and Justice Considered. I Kings 3:23-27

Now remembering Solomon’s request in vs. 9 and God’s gift to him in vss. 11-12, his newfound gift from God is now put to the test of consideration. Solomon calls for the baby to be cut in two and the women to each receive half of the child. His wisdom would reveal the compassion of the true mother whose love for her child would be revealed. The true mother would rather see a living son with an unfit mother than have the memory of a dead son in her heart. Verse 27 exposed to Solomon the wisdom that brought justice and discernment. He then gave the child to its proper mother.

III. Wisdom and Justice Confirmed. I Kings 3:28; II Chronicles 9:8.

Without the knowledge of DNA, God’s wisdom prevailed to bring justice in a case without witnesses, and Solomon’s gift of wisdom from God enabled him to truly rule God’s people equitably and righteously. It also brought him fame and distinction, so much so that people from all over the world came to hear and see such wisdom. (Read I Kings 4:29-30, 34).

Solomon’s wisdom and justice was delivered in the words of the Queen of Sheba: “It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.” I Kings 10:6-7

CLOSING

Beloved, how are we making our decisions? What is at the core of our life’s determination? James writes to us in 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” We close with the words found in I Kings 3:9, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”

Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179

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LOOKING AHEAD: July 22, 2012 II Kings 8:1-6

PASTOR DAVIS TEACHES THE LESSON ONLINE VIA VIDEO AT www.thstudyhour.com and at Bibleway every Wednesday at noon. Please come and hear the lesson in person, and ask questions as needed.

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