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King Solomon: The Wisest of all
Men
by Pastor Ronald Boelte
Just before King David dies, he appoints his son Solomon as his successor
to the throne. With these words from 1 Kings 2:2-3 he blesses his 12 year
old son: "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he
said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD
your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands,
his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may
prosper in all you do and wherever you go."
This classic blessing is still used today for those Jewish boys
who go through Bar Mitzvah. It still restates the cardinal rule that has
guided the Jewish people from the time of the giving of the Torah on Mount
Sinai: if you want to prosper just keep the Torah.
Shortly after Solomon was anointed as king, God appears to him in a dream
in which He invites Solomon to request from God what he would want from
God. Solomon requests wisdom and understanding to better rule the people.
This request pleases God who then tells him; that he would receive this
gift plus he would also bless him with riches and honor.
Solomon was born in 848 BC and dies at the age of 52. He ruled Israel for
40 years and they are considered the best years of Israel's history. The
Bible calls Solomon the wisest of all men. The crowning event of Solomon's
reign is the building of the temple and the peace and prosperity that is
in the land.
However, Solomon makes one big mistake. He takes on too many wives, having
700 wives and 300 concubines. This causes Solomon in his old age to allow
his wives to bring into the nation their foreign gods which will cause
problems for the future kings and people of Israel. Because of this sin of
Solomon, God tells him that the kingdom will be torn away from his son and
it will be divided.
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