Solomon's SecretsSample

ABOUT FRIENDS—STRONG ALLIANCES

Biographies and documentaries about successful role models often teach us that success does not happen in isolation. At some point, these successful people had to interact or work together with other people.

In Solomon’s great wisdom, he acknowledged the fact that his father King David's inability to build a new temple was the result of poor relations with the neighboring nations (1 Kings 5). So Solomon sent a polite and humble message to one of his father’s friends. In his message, he recognized the importance of peace and cooperation between the two nations. I love how King Solomon appreciates the skill of King Hiram’s labor force (v. 6).

Solomon’s wise decision to build a strong alliance with King Hiram paid off in spectacular ways. King Hiram was so pleased with Solomon that he provided all the cedar and cypress timber needed for the temple (1 Kings 5:10). And in return, he received massive amounts of wheat and olive oil for his own household. “So the Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as he had promised. And Hiram and Solomon made a formal alliance of peace” (v. 12, NLT).

In the New Testament, we read that Jesus also chose partners to work with him during his ministry on earth (Luke 5). And even though the disciples were not without fault, Jesus formed strong alliances with them that would last for eternity. “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18, NLT).

Do you understand the value of strong alliances with the right people in your life? Do you believe that God wants to form a strong alliance with you?

Let us be wise in our relationships with other people around us. And let us carefully look after the strong alliances that we build in our lives. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, NLT).

“There are 'friends' who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, NLT)