This section might be seen as a recounting of Solomon’s achievements, but it’s full of warnings as well.
Chapter 9 of 1 Kings seems to be full of check marks for Solomon. It begins with another private meeting with the Lord (vv 1-9), something few people experience. Then it tells of the remarkable alliance between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre (vv 10-14). The chapter concludes with his subduing of the Canaanites (vv 15-21), the expansion of his military (vv 22-23, 26-27), the regularity of his offerings (v 25), and the increase of his wealth (v 28). The warnings are not as obvious, but they are ominous. When the Lord meets with Solomon, He begins with three encouragements: “I have heard your prayer…I have consecrated this house…and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually” (v 3). So far so good. But then come some big IFs: “If you walk before Me,” and the alternative, “But if you or your sons at all turn from following Me” (vv 4, 6). God’s Word is the watershed in every life. To obey it brings blessing; to disregard it brings nothing but trouble. The Lord imagines the day when this now glorious temple lies in ruins. Passers-by “will be astonished and will hiss, and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’” (v 8). The answer? God did not abandon them; they abandoned Him. Warning 1. Even the wisest of men will not avoid great tragedy if they ignore what God says. We then learn that Hiram was displeased with some cities Solomon gave him (vv 10-14). He called them Cabul, meaning “Good for Nothing.” Warning 2. Even the richest of men cannot buy you happiness; you’ll only find satisfaction in God. Then we hear about Solomon importing gold from Ophir. Warning 3. Only “godliness with contentment” (1 Tim 6:6) makes you truly rich. Everything else is just dust.