Pastor Allen Victor presented a message titled “Trusting God in the Silence” from 1 Kings 9. He began in 1 Kings 9:1-3 by showing how the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time after twenty years had passed since God first appeared to him in 1 Kings 3. Pastor Allen explained that God had given Solomon wisdom, instructions for building the temple, and a great calling, but Solomon also had to learn the importance of waiting on the Lord. The message emphasized the principle that when God seemed silent, believers should not rush ahead or abandon their post, but instead continue trusting Him with their whole heart.

Moving through 1 Kings 9:4-9, Pastor Allen taught that God warned Solomon about the blessings of obedience and the discipline that would follow disobedience. Solomon was called to walk before the Lord with integrity of heart and uprightness, just as David had done. Pastor Allen explained that good behavior would be blessed, while sinful behavior would be disciplined. God warned that turning away to serve other gods would eventually bring judgment upon Israel and cause the nation and temple to become a byword among the people.

In 1 Kings 9:10-14, Pastor Allen pointed out how Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities that were considered worthless, even after Hiram had generously supplied him with materials and gold. The message stressed the principle that believers should never give God what was worthless to them. Pastor Allen challenged the church to give the Lord their best in time, talent, and treasure rather than leftovers, reminding everyone that a good reason never justified bad behavior.

From 1 Kings 9:15-23, Pastor Allen described Solomon’s massive building projects, including the temple, government structures, Jerusalem’s walls, and an even larger house for himself. Although Solomon desired to make God’s name known, he used forced labor and heavy burdens upon the people and foreigners in the land. Pastor Allen contrasted Solomon’s leadership with David’s example of willing worship and sacrificial giving. He warned that the end never justified the means and connected Solomon’s actions to the later complaints recorded in 1 Kings 12:4. Exodus 22:21 was also referenced to show God’s command not to oppress strangers.

In 1 Kings 9:24-25 and Psalm 51:16-17, Pastor Allen reminded the church that God was not seeking empty religious rituals, but a genuine relationship with His people. He explained that sacrifices and offerings could be rejected if the heart was far from God, but the Lord would never despise a broken spirit and a contrite heart. The message called believers to bring their repentance honestly before the Lord rather than relying on occasional religious activity.

As the study concluded in 1 Kings 9:26-28, Pastor Allen spoke about Solomon’s growing wealth, fleets of ships, and the enormous amount of gold brought back from Ophir. He asked the important question, “How much is enough?” The sermon ended by comparing biblical examples of those who waited faithfully on God, including Noah (Genesis 6-8), Joseph (Genesis 37-41), and David (1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 5), alongside examples of those who failed to wait, such as Abraham with Hagar (Genesis 16), the Israelites and the golden calf (Exodus 32), and King Saul’s unlawful sacrifice (1 Samuel 13).

This message was shared at Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville under the leadership of Pastor Allen Victor.

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