2 Chronicles 9 & 10: Happy Are Thy Men
Verse of the Day: (9:7) Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.

1. Happy (9:1-12)
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. (9:1)

God richly blessed King Solomon with His wisdom so that people, including the queen of Sheba, from all over the world visited and pay tribute to him with their treasures such golds, precious stones and spices. They also came to prove Solomon’s wisdom with hard questions and also to see the magnificent house of God in Israel. In return, Solomon generously gave his visitors all that they desired. The people of Israel were happy to have Solomon as their king, and to hear his wisdom and follow him as he followed God. Indeed, let us be happy and joyful serving our God, even amid intense sorrow and suffering, as one day we shall enjoy His presence forever in glorious heaven. (James 5:11)

2. Heart (9:13-31)
And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. (9:23)

Solomon became the wisest and richest king on earth as people, including kings and queens, from all over the world, came to Israel to hear his wisdom that God had put in his heart, as well as to pay tribute to him. However, most importantly, through Solomon many came and believed in his God, the true God of Israel. Sadly, in his later years, Solomon became proud and sinned against God. After his death, his kingdom was split into 2; one ruled by his son, Rehoboam, and the other by his servant, Jeroboam. Indeed, let us always humble and purify our hearts in whatever we do, be it our work or ministry, knowing that everything that we have is from and of God and His grace. (James 4:6-10)

3. Heavy (10:1-19)
And he answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. (10:14)

Tragically, King Rehoboam who took over from his wise father, Solomon, failed in his leadership. Instead of listening to the matured men of his father’s generation to be kind to his people, he listened to his contemporaries who advised him to give them more work. The people then revolted, and the kingdom split. Indeed, let us be wise as serpents and harmless as doves as we lead our people in God’s love and for His glory. (Matthew 10:16)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to serve You with joy and happiness now and forever.