Good morning!
King Solomon was an interesting man. His list of accomplishments was long and great. One of his accomplishments was, toward the end of his life, to write the book of Ecclesiastes, a book that has fascinated both Christian and non-Christian for centuries.
Solomon was the son of King David and his ill-gotten wife, Bathsheba. It is recorded in 2 Samuel 12:24 that he was conceived as David sought to comfort Bathsheba over the loss of their toddler son, conceived through their adultery. Solomon almost did not get to be king. He had several older brothers who wanted the job. But, David had promised Bathsheba that her son would be king. The Bible records in 1 Kings 1 that another son of David, Adonijah, tried to steal the throne as his father the king lay on his deathbed. But Bathsheba went to see David and claim his promise.
So, Solomon became king and did many marvelous things, which are recorded in the book of 1 Kings and elsewhere.
Now, this is a curious thing: we find in 1 Kings 3 that God appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask of the Lord anything. Solomon asked the Lord God for wisdom, in order to rightly govern the people. God was pleased with Solomon's request and granted it.
God's gift of wisdom allowed Solomon to make wise rulings and to govern well. He became a very great king. However, being blessed with wisdom from God did not take away Solomon's free will. God told him in verse 14 of chapter 3 that IF Solomon would walk in obedience, keeping God's decrees and commands, he would live a long, prosperous life.
The book of Ecclesiastes is a record of Solomon looking back on his life, both the good and the bad. Somewhere along the way, in the midst of possessing supernatural wisdom, he fell prey to various enticements and made some spectacularly bad choices.
We read in Ecclesiastes 2:4-8 about some of his accomplishments, but in the midst of that, he granted himself his every fleshly desire. His philosophy of life can be summed up in his own words at the end of chapter 5: enjoy yourself in the present. While God allowed Solomon to create a spectacular kingdom, Solomon's removing God from his life left his soul empty. Much of the book resonates with the theme of "I hate my life."
Solomon's father, David, despite making some colossal mistakes, was called "a man after God's own heart". (Acts 13:22)
How can that be? What was the difference? The difference is this: although Solomon sought God's favor at the beginning of his reign, the majority of his life was characterized by moving farther and farther away from God. David, on the other hand, sought to follow after God except for occasional lapses into sin. David summed up the life of a righteous ruler in 2 Samuel 23 when he said:
"The one who rules fairly among men, the one who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of morning when the sun comes up, a morning in which there are no clouds. He is like the brightness after rain that produces grass from the earth."
The lesson for us is this: regardless of our great talents, regardless of our calling, if we choose to push God aside and go our own way, we will come up empty in our souls.
I see this phenomenon present in the lives of many young people who have from birth heard repeatedly the truth of the gospel and the way to live the Christian life. These are even people who, when old enough to understand, publicly announced their decision to follow Christ. Yet, they get distracted and deceived by the enticements of the ungodly world in which they live. And, they push God aside. They choose to "go it on their own".
Solomon's testimony should be a warning to us all. He was given all the worldly pleasures available in his day, and still, it left him unsatisfied. He was wildly successful by worldly standards; yet, despite his accomplishments his soul was dry and thirsty, full of despair. St. Augustine "got it" when he confessed: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." The same is true today.
In his final words, in chapter 12, verses 1 and 13, Solomon says this to young people:
"Honor and enjoy your Creator while you're still young, before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes."
And, in verse 13: "The last and final word is this - - - Fear God. Do what He tells you."
(The Message Bible)
Wise words, indeed.
Father, please give us your wisdom, heavenly wisdom, and also the desire to do Your will in every aspect of our lives, so that we use apply that wisdom for Your honor and glory. Only an intimate relationship with Jesus, our Savior, can truly satisfy our souls! And, Oh loving Father! We know from your Word that it is You who set kings on their thrones. (Daniel 2:21) Please give us rulers and leaders like David who will rule fairly among us and who will rule in awe and reverence of You!
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