CHRIST IN SOLOMON – HIS GLORY

Suggested Reading: 1 Kings chapter 10 verses 1-13

The Queen of Sheba had formed an opinion about Solomon before coming from the uttermost parts of the earth to visit him. She had heard of his fame in connection with the Name of the Lord, 10 verse 1. Eventually her hearing was turned to sight and the more she learned about him, the higher her estimation rose of him. She shared with him all that was in her heart and he did not disappoint her. After she had seen his wisdom, she went on to view his palace and also the house of the Lord that he had built. Her appreciation of him continued to soar to new heights as she was confronted by the supreme glory that was found in him. However, as we meditate upon this glory, we begin to realise that it was external and he could be stripped of it.

When we turn to the New Testament, we discover that the glory of the Lord Jesus was intrinsic and eternal. He could not be stripped of His glory, no matter how badly men treated him. It is true that He voluntarily laid aside its outward manifestation but He never at any time ceased to be what He ever was, the eternal and holy Son of God. ‘John (the Baptist) bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me’,” John chapter 1 verse 15. Jesus prayed to His Father just prior to the cross, ‘O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was’, John chapter 17 verse 5.