Calvinism Everywhere, Part 22

In response to Solomon's request (1 Kgs. 3:9), God was pleased to put wisdom into the mind of Solomon (1 Kgs. 10:24), more it seems than any before him or after him (save One, the Holy Son). His wisdom and wealth (which were connected) took away the breath of the Queen of Sheba (1 Kgs. 10:5). Although she had heard of Solomon's fame (1 Kgs. 10:1), upon seeing his wisdom she exclaimed, "The half was not told me!" (1 Kgs. 10:7).

But Solomon's wealth of wisdom did not keep him from making shipwreck upon the love of many foreign women, who stole away his heart after false gods (1 Kgs. 11:1ff). So Solomon worshiped abominations, doing evil in the sight of YHWH, not following him wholly as David had done (1 Kgs. 11:5ff). Almost needless to say, YHWH was angry with Solomon (1 Kgs. 11:9). The LORD told Solomon, "I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. . . . But I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen" (1 Kgs. 11:11-13). We see here, then, the raw and just reign of God.

Moreover, YHWH raises up an adversary against Solomon, not once (1 Kgs. 11:14), not twice (1 Kgs. 11:23), but thrice (1 Kgs. 11:36; 12:1, 15). And he did this not only from among the nations, but even from Solomon's own lusting loins, which produced Rehoboam. So Rehoboam gets one tribe from the Lord; and Jeroboam gets ten tribes from his hand (1 Kgs. 11:31). This division in the kingdom comes, remember, on account of corrupt worship (1 Kgs. 11:33). Because of this, though not forever, YHWH afflicts the offspring of David (1 Kgs. 11:39).

Now what shall we make of all this? Well, we shall make out in
haste to confess our Calvinism. For this God  of whom we read in Scripture—he reigns! He rules supreme over all, doing as he pleases, raising up one, bringing down another, lifting up adversaries, throwing down kings, working his sovereign designs. Read through 1 Kings 11-12 again and think of all that must occur to bring to pass what actually occurs by the word of the Lord, noting especially how the wills of men are involved in this process.

Consider, for example, how the prophet Ahijah fortells of the divided kingdom with a garment rent into 12 pieces (1 Kgs. 11:30ff). Then consider how Rehoboam rejects gray-haired wisdom for sophomoric counsels (1 Kgs. 12:8). And, finally, ponder long how the king's disregard of wise counsel was "a turn of affairs brought about by the LORD that he might fulfill his word" (1 Kgs. 12:15). And then tell me, I dare you, with a straight face, and clear conscience, that this God is not utterly sovereign over all, no detail left out. Yes, even the wills of men. So away with Arminian nonsense! Worship God!