Solomon succeeded his father, David, and became king of Israel. This began a series of events in which the new king rose to great heights before God and man. He eliminated Adonijah who attempted to steal the throne; Joab who had shed innocent blood, and the troublemaker, Shemei. He also exiled Abaithar the corrupt priest. 

King Solomon then greatly pleased the Lord by requesting an understanding heart and great discernment between good and evil in order to properly lead the nation. God granted this giving Solomon tremendous wisdom as well as riches and honor.

Solomon then had the Temple built on Mt. Moriah according to the plans the Lord had given to David to pass onto his son. When the temple was completed and the Ark of the Covenant brought in, Solomon led the people in a prayer of dedication. Take some time and read the prayer found in I Kings 8:22-53. You will be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful and inspiring portion of Scripture. 

King Solomon achieved great and awesome things on behalf of God’s people. His reign was known as the golden age of Israel. “But King Solomon loved many foreign women…and his wives turned away his heart… (to follow) other gods.” (I Kings 11:1, 4) Solomon started well, Solomon did well, but Solomon did not finish well.  

Perhaps J.Robertson McQuilkin had just reviewed the life of Solomon when he penned these sobering words: “I fear that I should end before I finish, or finish but not well. That I should stain Your honor, shame Your name, grieve Your loving heart. Few, they tell me, finish well.”  

I can definitely relate to J.R. McQuilkin’s melancholy musings when considering how easily my heart runs off after other gods. Maybe you have the same struggle. The Apostle Paul speaks of this inner conflict in Romans, chapter 7. And he encourages us to press on “to those things which are ahead.” (Philippians 3:12-16) 

We also need to make Paul’s inspirational words our own when he declares: “But none of these things (chains and tribulations) move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)  

If it is true that few do finish well; let us be sure to be among them.