Solomon - A Type of Melchizedek

In this study it is this writers intent to show a Bible connection between the King Priest Melchizedek and Solomon. To start this study let us visit the story of Abram and Melchizedek in Genesis 14. In this story we see a battle between the armies of Babylon and Persia and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. During the battle the kings from across the river Euphrates conquer the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and in the process take Lot, and his family, hostage. Abram is told of these events and he gathers his servants and his friends Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner. They catch up with the victorious kings and attack them at night while they are involved in their victorious feast. The battle, a type of Armageddon, is successful and Abram, and his friends overthrow the foreign kings and regain all of the people and the goods that had been acquired in battle. Abram and his friends return to Canaan as victors and return the captives to their homes.
When they had returned to the lands of Canaan the victorious host is met by Melchizedek, king of Salem. This mysterious king met the armies of Abram with bread and wine, the types of the gospel. Melchizedek, as priest of the Most High God, blesses Abram and testifies that this great victory came from God. After receiving the blessing Abram gave Melchizedek tithes of all acknowledging that it is true that God had blessed Abram, and his friends. Abram was happy to return unto God a testimony of praise through the tithes and gave ten percent of the bounty to the Priest of God.

The Apostle Paul picks up on this story and testifies in Hebrews 7 that the Melchizedek priesthood was the highest priesthood known in the Bible. It was higher than that of Aaron and the Levites for Paul, under inspiration of God, testifies that Levi paid tithes while yet in the loins of Abram.

Not only that but Paul testifies that Melchizedek was a higher type of religious personage than even Abram. Paul states that the lesser was blest by the greater. Hebrews 7:7. It appears from Scripture that Abram acknowledged this and was willing to receive the blessing and was also aware of tithing and was willing to give the tithes to Melchizedek.

Paul then goes on to show that Melchizedek was a type of Christ. In Hebrews 7:1-3 Paul outlines the many comparative qualities between Melchizedek and Christ. Melchizedek was the priest of the Most High God, he was the King of Righteousness, and Melchizedek was king of Salem, or king of peace. Melchizedek had no lineage, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but like the Son of God, abideth a priest continually.

Paul compares all of these same qualities to Christ. Jesus was the king of righteousness and peace. Christ had no lineage, before his incarnation, and that he would live forever to make intercession for His people. In addition, the Father had testified in Psalms 110 that Christ would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek forever.

Before we attempt to apply this concept to Solomon I wanted to touch on one other story. In Matthew 12:1-8 the Pharisees confront Jesus one day about picking corn on the Sabbath day. Jesus, the Melchizedek king/priest, responds by appealing to an interesting story. Jesus claims that he Pharisees should read the story of where David went into the house of God and ate of the shewbread which is unlawful for him to eat according to the Levitical laws. I believe that the reason Jesus appeals to this story is because David was a type of the Melchizedek priesthood as well. David was king of Salem and by this story and by the story of his dancing before the Lord in a linen ephod, II Samuel 6:14, that David was allowed to perform several priestly activities without being killed. This indicated that He, from the tribe of Judah, was acting in a manner similar to Melchizedek, and thus similar to what Jesus would do.

With the above data in place let us apply these thoughts to Solomon. It is clear that Solomon was a descendent of David of the tribe of Judah, just like Jesus was. Solomon’s name means peace and he also was the king of Jeru-Salem. He was a righteous king, when surrendered to God. He also participated in several activities that would indicate priestly roles. He sent in Benaiah to slay Joab while Joab was holding onto the horns of the altar. I Kings 2:28-34. Solomon performed the rite of the High Priest in establishing Jeru-Salem as a city of refuge for Shimei. When Shimei disobeyed the promise he had made to the king/priest Solomon, Solomon had him killed. I Kings 2:36-46; Numbers 35:9-28 especially verse25. Solomon had a clear descent but he was also a type of Jesus and thus a type of Melchizedek as his father David was.

One further thought before we finish. It is clear from Hebrews 5-7 that Jesus was a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Jesus was a Priest, a King, and He was also a Prophet. His priesthood was similar to the Aaron, Levitical priesthood but of a Higher order. As the Levitical priesthood had the High Priest, it also had helper priests – the Levites, Numbers 3-4, and then the people also had a priestly role of sharing the gospel to the nations around them. Exodus 19:5-6. This same outline is in place for the Melchizedek priesthood as well. We know that Jesus raised up Apostles to provide the spiritual leadership for His church. He also had a people who were kings and priests in a holy temple. I Peter 2:1-10 and Rev 1:6. It is the job of God’s people to go out into the world to testify of the gospel and to intercede for them to our Great High Priest Jesus. I Timothy 2:1-5. It is also our task to be ambassadors for our Great High Priest. II Corinthians 5:20 This is also displayed in Revelation 14:1-5. As God wanted David and Solomon to display the qualities of Jesus so He has prepared it that we, His priesthood, would display these same qualities. Let us ever look to Jesus for His help and power, a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.