Solomon Made King | Responsibility in Promotion

We all know that Solomon was made king, yet do we consider that with the promotion, he also experienced a massive increase of responsibility?

When God promotes us, it’s a major blessing. But it is easy for us to forget that with every promotion comes increased responsibility.

This is not something we need to fear, but we do need to understand that responsibility will come… and that we will need to lean in closer to the Lord to answer it.

Join us as we discover how God promoted Solomon, how Solomon was instructed to lean into God… and how we can prosper in our next promotion!

Solomon Promoted

David said, “…the Lord God of Israel chose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever, for He has chosen Judah to be the ruler. …And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. Now He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments and My judgments, as it is this day.’ Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever.”

—1 Chronicles 28:4-8

King David had many sons, of whom Solomon was not the oldest. Yet, God chose Solomon to become king after his father David and to build the Temple to honor the Lord.

This was a massive promotion. Solomon, before all of the leaders of Israel, armies, etc., was declared by David to be the one who would lead God’s people. It was an honor, certainly, but it was not without requirements or responsibility.

Solomon would not only be expected to fulfill certain kingly duties—those alone would be great—but He would be charged with building God’s Temple. Further, he would need to be a positive example to his people, particularly in regard to serving the Lord. Then there would be decisions to be made, cases to rule over… and, as is only possible with God, each choice he made would need to be correct.

The promotion AND the responsibility were both greater than perhaps even what David, his father, experienced. Without God. Without God granting Solomon’s request for wisdom. Without God’s promise to be Solomon’s Father. Without the blessings of God that were made available to Solomon when he kept God’s commandments and judgements… 

Without all these, both the ego of the promotion and the weight of responsibility could have worn him down.

But as God was with David, so He was with Solomon. Just as He is with all those He promotes and grants responsibility to.

What David Told Solomon

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it. …Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and every willing craftsman will be with you for all manner of workmanship, for every kind of service; also the leaders and all the people will be completely at your command.”

—1 Chronicles 28:9-10, 20-21

David knew that Solomon was going to be stepping into a role that only God could prepare him for. And while David could not fill the role of God, he did provide Solomon with wise words that directed Solomon toward the One who would see him through. Who would provide him with wisdom, protection, and so many other wonderful gifts…

David told him:

• Do not fear
• Be of good courage
• Serve God with a loyal heart and willing mind
• Seek God
• Do not forsake God
• Do not dismay
• Be strong
• God would be with him
• God would not forsake him

All of these things spoke direction and hope to Solomon personally, yet they apply to each and every one of us.

When we are promoted by God and are given new responsibilities, it is by leaning into God that we are able to walk in everything we need. GOD is our source of strength. HE will direct our path and make a way through.

It is when we look to ourselves that promotion and responsibility can be intimidating. On the one hand, it is easy to get ‘puffed up,’ while on the other, it is easy to despair.

We have to look to God if we are to be strong and of good courage. We have to look to God if we are to keep humility. 

In God is every answer. In God all things are possible!

Promotion and Responsibility

Like Solomon, each of us will experience times of promotion. Promotion, when it comes from God, is a beautiful gift, but it does bring with it responsibility…

Responsibility, however, need not be something that we fear. God knows what we can handle WITH Him. He does not promote us—and thereby give us responsibility—above what we are meant to have at that time. His timing is perfect. His choices are perfect. And with Him there is nothing too difficult.

When we fix our eyes on God we can walk in courage. We can prosper. We can be wise. We can do all that we are meant to do!

Through God we can overcome, because He has already overcome!

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

—John 16:33

With God we can enter our promotion, accept the responsibilities of that new season, and prosper as we have never prospered before!

Prepare to prosper in the season of your promotion! Lean into God and accept this new season!