Take a look at this video. This is one of my all time favorite worship songs and I think it describes what happens to King Solomon perfectly. It is by the NewsBoys.

Solomon took His father’s place as King over Israel and became known as the wisest man on earth. This wisdom came straight from God.

1 Kings 4:29-30
29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

Did you catch the first two words of that verse: God GAVE Solomon the wisdom. He instilled this knowledge and wisdom in Solomon to bring Himself glory. When we use our gifts of talent in a pure and holy way, this pleases God greatly. Keep in mind, you don’t have to just use your talent with in the area of ministry to please God. When we use our talent at work, or in raising our family and we do it 100%, this brings glory to God, too.

Solomon’s wisdom was known to all around the world, when they came to visit him, you better believe that the visitors got a taste of who this Lord that Solomon worshiped. His talent and wisdom brought foreigners to God.

But…
God can easily TAKE away the things He gives. After warning Solomon of what would happen if he turned away from worshiping God alone, Solomon did in fact do just that. Solomon followed after his many wives(this is in and of itself wrong!) and began to worship their idols. Can you imagine?! The very God of the universe, who visited Solomon personally, was forgotten and mocked as he built temples and idols to these false gods. Here is why God TOOK it all away:

1 Kings 11:11 (New International Version)
11 So the LORD said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.

Our God is a jealous God. He demands nothing but full devotion from us. In return, because He loves us, God blesses us with material things (like the wealth of Solomon) as well as non-material things (like the wisdom of Solomon) But, because these things are the Lord’s to begin with, He has all power and prerogative to take them away. Now, hear me on this, the Lord has His own reasons for taking away. It is not always because we are disobedient. BUT, if I have a gift from the Lord and I am misusing it, it is up to Him how He reconciles that with me. Oh man, I don’t want to ever be in that position.

In the end, the Lord’s Name should Always be blessed. It is all for His glory-what He gives us AND what He takes away. Blessed Be Your Name, Jesus!