Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray:
Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.
God of abundant blessing, you granted wisdom, wealth, and long life to your servant, Solomon. Grant us wisdom, so that we may know your ways and follow in your footsteps, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verses from Sunday’s reading.
Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 1 Kings 3:9-10

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.
Solomon was the first son born to David and Bathsheba after they lost their first son because of David’s sin. David had many other sons with other women, and many of them wanted to become ruler after David. But the prophet Nathan, and Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba, plotted to ensure Solomon would be king. Bathsheba appealed to David in his final days to appoint Solomon king, and David agreed. Solomon succeeded David as king.As king, Solomon became the primary instrument of carrying out God’s plan for Israel. God asked what God could give to Solomon. Instead of asking for gifts that would serve Solomon alone, Solomon asked for wisdom so that he could rule God’s people wisely, and with justice. Solomon’s request pleased God so much, God gave Solomon wisdom as well as riches and long life. As long as Solomon followed God’s ways, he would continue to receive God’s blessings.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.
Follow the story of Solomon. See how God uses even imperfect humans to carry out God’s work in the world.
Sunday, 1 Kings 3:4-28, Solomon’s Wisdom
Monday, 1 Kings 6:1-22, Solomon Builds the Temple
Tuesday, 1 Kings 8:1-13, Dedication of the Temple
Wednesday, 1 Kings 8:54-61, Solomon Blesses the Assembly
Thursday, 1 Kings 10:1-13, Visit of the Queen of Sheba
Friday, 1 Kings 10:14-29, Visit of the Queen of Sheba
Saturday, 1 Kings 11:1-13, Solomon’s Errors
How did God bless others through Solomon? Where did Solomon succeed? Where did he fail? How did his successes and failures shape the kingdom?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

• What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
• Where do you see justice carried out in your community? Where do you see injustice? What might you do to further the work of justice in your community?
• What does it mean to you that God chooses, calls, and equips imperfect people to do God’s work in the world? How can you use your flaws and strengths to do God’s work?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.

Make a list of strengths you possess. If you do this activity with your household, list the strengths of others and share them. Keep the list visible this week so you can be reminded that you are God’s worker.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.Wise and wonderful Lord, speak wisdom to our hearts in the reading of your word. Amen.

Copyright © 2014 Clergy Stuff.. (Study section adapted) Used and adapted with Permission. Find more at www.ClergyStuff.com. Blessing written by Pr. Chip Borgstadt. Scripture quotations from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.