When Solomon was anointed king, the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” Then King David said to his son, “Come and sit on my throne” (see 1 Kings 1:35). After that, people began to pray, asking God to bless Solomon as king: “Make the name of Solomon more famous than [David’s], and make his throne greater than [David’s] throne” (1:47).

Those thoughts and prayers were answered. Solomon was the wisest, richest, and most honored king in all of Israel’s history. But, because of his foolishness (marrying many wives) and idolatry (worshiping their false and dead gods), he was not the king to establish David’s forever kingdom. So who would it be? Would God still keep his promise? Of course he would! He always does. Jesus was the forever King! In Matthew 12:42, Jesus speaks of himself as being “greater than Solomon.” How so? Jesus is greater than Solomon in his wisdom, power, obedience, and glory. Solomon ruled Israel for only forty years, and his kingdom was split apart in the end. Jesus will rule all God’s creation forever and establish his kingdom in peace.