This is the Bible Book Club. I'm Heather and I'm Susan. And we're in the book of First Kings.

Welcome to the club.

Last episode in chapters 8 through 10, the nation of Israel celebrated the dedication of the temple

and the feast of the tabernacles with 14 days of

roasted sacrifices. Those Israelites knew how to throw a party. The Lord appeared to Solomon and

promised him that if he was faithful, he would establish his throne forever. The author then summarized

the works of Solomon, the debt he acquired, the labor he forced,

the religious obligations he fulfilled, and his shipping expansion.

Lastly, there was the intriguing visit from the queen of Shiba.

So in the last episode, the word got out about the king and his relationship with the Lord.

And the news of his wealth brought this

influential queen to his door, the queen of Sheba. And she saw the hand of the Lord in Solomon's

fame. And she actually praised God for it. Perhaps she may have even taken that good news of the Lord

home with her and used it to influence her community.

In this case, Solomon's influence was used for good. It glorified God. Now in this episode,

Solomon will solidify his influencer status. It's going to grow. But he will stray. No longer using his influence for good. It seems to be

a particular pitfall or temptation of influencers to use their influence for bad. Too much fame and

fortune lead to self-gratification. And too much of self leaves very little room for the Lord.

And when Solomon fails to value the Lord, he's going to break the covenant.

Scene 1. Solomon's wealth.

Chapter 10 continued in verse 14. The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents,

not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the

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