If you could have anything you wanted, what would it be? Solomon was asked that question by God and he answered, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
“So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked…'” (1 Kings 3:11)
So Solomon became King and was blessed by God and became the wisest man who ever lived and ancient Israel prospered under his rule as never before. Even their neighbors stopped warring with them, and began visiting their land often in order to learn from the Jews.
There are many synonyms for wisdom: understanding, knowledge, insight, perception, astuteness, intelligence, acumen, and good judgment to name a few. Personally I like the following definition the best: “Wisdom is being able to live life skillfully”.
Common sense tells me that “living life skillfully” will require that one lead a Godly life in an ungodly world full of temptation, a feat which we all realize is no simple assignment. Solomon realized it too, and God inspired him to write the book of Proverbs in order to help us find our way. It is a treasure trove of pure wisdom designed to assist us with practical affairs of everyday life such as how we should relate to God, spouse, children, parents, friends, neighbors, government, enemies, and problems that beset us all. It’s presented in a practical, easy to understand straightforward common sense manner.
I love to read this book and hardly a week goes by without me scouring its pages looking for advice from the wisest (and richest) man the world has never known (aside from Jesus Christ). I urge you to do the same.
Unfortunately like all the rest of us Solomon blew it and succumbed to sin. The Bible placed limits on the number of wives and wealth the king could have, (probably in order that he would stay focused on his responsibilities and not be distracted and corrupted by materialism and power). Solomon no doubt was aware of these prohibitions, but felt that his great wisdom and spirituality would enable him to handle these challenges and be an even greater king, so he took on 700 wives and 300 concubines.
Yikes!
It is unlikely that the significance of Solomon’s abundance of foreign wives and harem was necessarily all about romance, but rather shrewd politics and empowerment of his empire; (nothing like being married to Pharaoh’s daughter to ensure peace and pick up a trade agreement or two). The problem was that Solomon arrogantly decided that his wise plan of keeping the peace and expanding his empire by marrying the daughters of rulers of distant nations was more important than God’s law prohibiting it.
Not good. This ultimately led to the division of the nation and the end of an era of peace, abundance, and understanding which seems to me to represent a semblance of what the Millennium will be like when Jesus returns to rule the world for 1000 years.
Ironically (or maybe not) Solomon ends Proverbs extolling the virtues of having a virtuous wife. As I read it I think of my own wife and this beautiful passage describes what she has meant to me over the past 40 years. What a woman – what a tremendous blessing from God. Aside from Jesus Christ she has done more to keep me grounded than any other factor. She has unquestionably assisted me in living at least a portion of my life skillfully. Men I urge you to appreciate your wives and tell them so.
Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.