The Wisdom of King Solomon
Many may wonder why I did not include the last words of King Solomon in my book Last Words for the Last Days. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, no one is quite sure of the order of the writings in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Therefore, his last words could not accurately be determined. Secondly, although he started off as a righteous prophet/king, by the end of his reign he had fallen into gross sin and had lost favor with God.
The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was a man of great wisdom, wealth and power. He succeeded his father to the throne as the third king of the United Kingdom of Israel. Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem and was the last king before the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah split. In 1 Kings chapter 3:9-14 we read the account of where the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and told Solomon that He would grant him whatever he wished. Solomon said:
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I many discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
Then in I Kings 10:24 we read, “The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.”
It is thought that Solomon spoke or compiled over three thousands proverbs covering all facets of the relationships of nature, man and God and wrote 1,005 songs. The Proverbs of Solomon chapters 1-9 are largely in the form of counsel from a father to a son. They are indeed words of wisdom. This being Father’s Day, I thought it appropriate to include some of this wise counsel from King Solomon in this blog; specifically where he teaches his son the seven things God hates, found in Proverbs chapter 6:16-19.
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Now this sounds to me like a list that should be up on everybody’s refrigerator! Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there! May God grant you the wisdom and guidance you need in your most solemn responsibilities of fatherhood.