Solomon was proclaimed king when he was no more than 12 years old. He was young and inexperienced, and he had never expected to become king as he had older brothers more befitting the throne. Yet there he was, seated on Israel’s highest throne, wide-eyed and clueless as to why he was chosen to be the ruler of God’s people.

The great King David, his father, appointed Solomon king at his deathbed. Before David died, he had left Solomon with words of encouragement. The young king was told to fulfill his duties to the Lord and obey His commands (1 Kings 2:2).

Solomon took all of his father’s words to heart. Even in the midst of confusion in his induction, Solomon did not fail to seek out the Lord, offering sacrifices to God in all of his temples. The young king pursued the council of the God of Israel. He knew that if he were to rule over God’s chosen people, he would have to confide in God Himself.

Soon after, God came to see the young king in a dream. He told Solomon that He would grant him one wish. Now, if it was anyone other than Solomon, they probably would’ve asked for wealth and power, and maybe even immortality. But the man who was asked was Solomon. The young king had only one thing in his heart. So, he laid before God the fate he has been trusted with. He was to be king over God’s chosen people. He was to succeed his father, a legendary ruler, one who was loved and revered by most. He was to rise from his many older brothers as the successor to the throne. Where else could he find wisdom to rule over God’s chosen people other than source of wisdom, God Himself?

Solomon humbled himself before the Lord and beseeched:

And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of the people which thou has chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge thy so great a people? (1 Kings 3:5–9, KJV)

The prayer of Solomon for the wisdom to rule over Israel greatly pleased God, so He gifted Solomon with the wisdom he had asked for and promised him that there would be no greater king than he. God also promised Solomon that if he walks in his ways and keep his commandments, he will give him riches, honor, and a long life which he had not asked for (1 Kings 3:11-14).

The 40-year reign of the son of David was Israel’s golden age. As the king kept leading Israel to God, God continually blessed them with riches and victories in war. The once wide-eyed and clueless prince had become the richest and wisest ruler who ever lived outside of Christ Jesus. The wisdom of Solomon allowed him to write over 3,000 proverbs, compose 1,005 songs, and author the book of Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon.

In his fourth year as king, Solomon was able to do what his father David dreamt of doing: he built the Lord’s temple. When the temple was finished, Solomon declared that God’s covenant with great King David was finally fulfilled. The building of the Lord’s temple was Solomon’s greatest feat in the entirety of his reign.

The wisdom of King Solomon preceded him all over the nation and even up to the far foreign kingdoms. People came to test the king’s wisdom, but all returned greatly satisfied with his answers and all marveled at the fairness of his judgments.

However, he later became blinded by his own arrogance and decided to go against the commandments God had given him and the kingdom. He succumbed to the unwise ways of man. The wise king became a fool. He married around 700 women and had more than 300 concubines. He participated in the idolatrous rituals of these women and built temples for their gods. As a result, many Israelites became confused about which god they should serve. Solomon also began accumulating too much silver and gold, something God had forbidden as an overabundance of riches makes people dependent on wealth and not on His providence. Solomon bought more horses for his army’s arsenal instead of putting his trust in the Lord’s power.

King Solomon’s disobedience became his downfall and that of Israel’s. Immediately after his reign, Israel was scattered into two kingdoms, which subjected the people to great suffering, oppression, and separation from the Lord’s close council.

The story of Solomon is that of a man who began his journey with great humility but whose arrogance and disobedience ruined him and his kingdom. Later in his life, however, Solomon repented and returned to the Lord. He recorded this part of his life in the book of Ecclesiastes.

There are many lessons which can be taken from the life of Solomon. My book, Song of Solomon: Revealed, approaches the allegorical way the Song of Songs, one of Solomon’s books, describes the love of Christ has for his bride, the church. Do read my book and let me know what you think!

Also, look me up on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. I’d love to hear from you!

The post The Wisdom of Solomon appeared first on Song of Solomon Revealed Book Online. Bible Keys Used To Unlock Book.