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I. Solomon’s Direct Request (30:5–10) – A Father’s Final Appeal to Torah
A. 30:5–6 – The Basis: Torah
· God’s Word is flawless and final
o “Every word of God is pure.” (30:5)
o Solomon begins not with policies but with theology. Torah is the only shield that will hold in the day of judgment.
o No human strategy or royal wisdom can replace what God has already spoken.
· Warning against tampering with revelation
o “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (30:6)
o This is not decorative language. It is covenantal command (cf. Deut. 4:2; 13:1).
o Rashi captures it: additions to God’s Word will expose the speaker as false.
o Rehoboam is warned not to elevate his voice above Torah.
B. 30:7–10 – Solomon’s Two Requests to Rehoboam
1. 30:7 – The Setup: Two Simple Requests
· “Two things have I required of thee.”
o Not a list of legislation, but a distilled prophetic plea.
o If Rehoboam fails here, the rest will collapse no matter what he builds.
2. 30:8–9 – Request One: Live in Balance, Not Extremes
· “Remove far from me vanity and lies… give me neither poverty nor riches…”
o Vanity and lies were the soundtrack of Solomon’s late reign; he begs his son to live without them.
o The king must choose sufficiency over excess.
o Extremes (wealth or lack) drive people to deny or dishonor God.
o This is not life advice. It is a prophecy of what Rehoboam’s unbalanced reign will become.
3. 30:10 – Request Two: Stop Undermining the Court
· “Accuse not a servant unto his master…”
o Solomon sees what Rehoboam is already doing—turning on his father’s advisors.
o The stewards who upheld the kingdom are now being treated like threats.
o The fallout won’t be against them—it will be against the accuser.
o Prideful speech is political sabotage, and Rehoboam is already stirring it.
II. The Hidden Fool and the Numbered World (30:11–31) – From Character Warnings to Prophetic Pattern
A. Introduction: The Shift to Prophetic Lists
· Solomon moves from direct speech to illustrative prophecy.
· The structure shifts to “three… four” patterns, but the message sharpens.
· These are not poetic extras—they are diagnostic snapshots of what will unfold.
· The number four signifies earthbound completeness. When detached from heaven, it becomes unredeemed, unrestrained, and ultimately, unlivable.
B. 30:11–14 – Numerical Saying #1: Four Kinds of Destructive People
· “There is a generation…” (30:11–14)
o Four marks: rebellion, delusion, arrogance, and cruelty.
o Solomon is describing Rehoboam’s advisors—the ones who will replace the elders (cf. 1 Kings 12:6–14).
o These are not rare flaws. They are the operating system of a generation that no longer fears God.
C. 30:15–17 – Numerical Saying #2: Four Insatiables
· “The horseleach hath two daughters…”
o The voice of appetite: Give, give.
o The grave, the barren womb, the thirsty earth, and fire never say “enough.”
o Rehoboam’s policies of extraction and control reflect this spirit.
o Verse 17 transitions back to prideful eyes—mocking parental wisdom, inviting the birds of judgment.
D. 30:18–20 – Numerical Saying #3: The Path That Cannot Be Traced
· “There be three things which are too wonderful…”
o Four subtle, untraceable paths: eagle, serpent, ship, and desire.
o These are used to illustrate the way of the adulterous woman.
o She is not merely immoral—she is the personification of subtle covenantal betrayal.
o Rehoboam’s court will be filled with this voice: smooth, seductive, spiritually unmoored.
E. 30:21–23 – Numerical Saying #4: The World Turned Upside Down
· “For three things the earth is disquieted…”
o Four social inversions: servant reigning, fool feasting, unloved woman married, handmaid displacing her mistress.
o These do not simply destabilize families—they collapse nations.
o Rehoboam will elevate the unprepared, reward the loud, and rearrange what God established.
F. 30:24–28 – Numerical Saying #5: Four Small but Wise Creatures
· “There be four things which are little… but exceeding wise.”
o Ant, coney, locust, spider—each is weak, yet each survives.
o They work with foresight, refuge, unity, and persistence.
o Rehoboam will reject these lessons. He will honor power over prudence.
G. 30:29–31 – Numerical Saying #6: Four Stately Beings
· “There be three things which go well…”
o Lion, greyhound, he-goat, and the unchallenged king.
o This is the image of royal stability. Measured strength. Dignified rule.
o Solomon paints what Rehoboam could have become. He will instead become the king everyone challenges.
III. The Prophetic Last Word (30:32–33) – The Final Rebuke
A. 30:32 – Silence the Pride
· “If thou hast done foolishly… lay thine hand upon thy mouth.”
o Solomon calls for a last moment of restraint.
o It is not too late to be quiet. But it will be soon.
B. 30:33 – The Inevitable Outcome
· “The churning of milk bringeth forth butter…”
o Stir something long enough, and it will change form.
o Rehoboam will stir pride into policy. He will churn tension into division.
o The kingdom will break, not by attack, but by the pressure he refuses to release.
