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Solomon
As the season of gift giving approaches, we hear people asking the question “What gift would you like this year?” Usually this inquiry comes from parents or grandparents and it is usually addressed to the youngsters among us. But in I Kings 3:5-15 we find the account a young man, Solomon, who at no more than 18 finds himself being asked by God, “What shall I give you?”
Think on that for a moment. The creator of the universe asking you what would you like from Him. What would be your response? Well, Solomon, the third son of King David and the recently anointed king of Israel, asked the Lord for “an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (v.9).
This request pleased the Lord and in v.11-14 God not only granted the young king wisdom but other blessings as well. Because Solomon did not ask for riches or long life or honor for himself or the life of his enemies the Lord gave him each of those. But of his primary request for wisdom the God of Heaven granted him a measure greater than any man before or since.
Solomon’s supernatural discernment is first seen when two women brought their case before the young king. We all know the story where both women laid claim to the same baby and how Solomon used his insight to determine the true mother to the astonishment of those present. Note in I Kings 3:28 that as Israel heard of Solomon’s wisdom they feared the king, seeing that the wisdom of God was in him to administer judgment.
I Kings 4:29-34 continues describing the marvelous wisdom that Solomon possessed stating that he was wiser than all men, noting that he spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He also had knowledge of botany and zoology. He authored Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. All the people and kings of the earth came to hear the wise king.
Solomon’s rule over Israel represents the most prosperous period in the nation’s history. The nation existed in peace throughout most of his reign. He completed the temple and the palace whose opulence was truly a marvel (I Kings 9:10). The riches of Solomon where so great that as the account reads “the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones” (I Kings 10:27). To put that statement in perspective, silver, not gold, was the currency of the day!
But Solomon’s glory was short-lived. Unlike his father, David, described as a “man after God’s own heart” Solomon “loved many foreign women” taking them to be his wives, a direct violation of God’s command. These wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God” (I Kings 11:1; 4).
However, despite his wisdom, riches, and fame Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord.
God had warned Solomon on two occasions that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep the Lord’s commands. Because of his wickedness and disobedience God tore the kingdom from him, a consequence that led directly to the division of the nation of Israel.
What a sad end to a glorious start. A life with such promise and potential became a life of such irony where the wisest of all men became the greatest of fools. Despite his wealth, fame and pleasures above measure he ultimately realized each of those to be “vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
But the wisest man who ever lived left us with many lessons from which to learn.
- He acknowledged his shortcomings and his need for help. In I Kings 3:7 he states “I do not know how to come out or go in.” Do we know that we too need God to help direct our steps? Do we call on him for help in time of need?
- Solomon sought wisdom and not wealth. Is our focus on being wise in our lives and in our dealings with others? James 1:5 states “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally.” Like Solomon let’s seek God’s blessing of wisdom in our prayers.
- Solomon through all of his experiences leaves us with perhaps the greatest lesson of all as he concludes the Book of Ecclesiastes when he exhorts all mankind to “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
It has been said that we must learn from the mistakes of others because we will never live long enough to make them all ourselves. The amazing life of Solomon provides us with wonderful opportunities to learn from both the good and the bad actions of his life. Let us learn our lessons well.
