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History Online - Prophets
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Prophets
Solomon
In the reign of David and Solomon, Israel became strong
among the nations and had many opportunities to wield
a mighty influence in behalf of truth and the right. The
name of Jehovah was exalted and held in honor, and the
purpose for which the Israelites had been established in the Land
of Promise bade fair of meeting with fulfillment. Barriers
were broken down, and seekers after truth from the lands of
the heathen were not turned away unsatisfied. Conversions
took place, and the church of God on earth was enlarged
and prospered.
Solomon was anointed and proclaimed king in the closing
years of his father David, who abdicated in his favor. His
early life was bright with promise, and it was God's purpose
that he should go on from strength to strength, from glory
to glory, ever approaching nearer the similitude of the character
of God, and thus inspiring His people to fulfill their
sacred trust as the depositaries of divine truth.
David knew that God's high purpose for Israel could be
met only as rulers and people should seek with unceasing
vigilance to attain to the standard placed before them. He
knew that in order for his son Solomon to fulfill the trust
with which God was pleased to honor him, the youthful
ruler must be not merely a warrior, a statesman, and a sovereign,
but a strong, good man, a teacher of righteousness, an
example of fidelity.
With tender earnestness David entreated Solomon to be
manly and noble, to show mercy and loving-kindness to his
subjects, and in all his dealings with the nations of earth to
honor and glorify the name of God and to make manifest
the beauty of holiness. The many trying and remarkable
experiences through which David had passed during his
lifetime had taught him the value of the nobler virtues and
led him to declare in his dying charge to Solomon: "He that
ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun
riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass
springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain." 2
Samuel 23:3,4.
Oh, what an opportunity was Solomon's! Should he follow
the divinely inspired instruction of his father, his reign
would be a reign of righteousness, like that described in the
seventy-second psalm:
"Give the king Thy judgments, O God,
And Thy righteousness unto the king's son.
He shall judge Thy people with righteousness,
And Thy poor with judgment. . . .
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass:
As showers that water the earth.
In his days shall the righteous flourish;
And abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
And from the river unto the ends of the earth. . . .
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents:
The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him:
All nations shall serve him.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth;
The poor also, and him that hath no helper. . . .
Prayer also shall be made for him continually;
And daily shall he be praised. . . .
His name shall endure forever:
His name shall be continued as long as the sun:
And men shall be blessed in him:
All nations shall call him blessed.
"Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who only doeth wondrous things.
And blessed be His glorious name forever:
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory;
Amen, and Amen."
In his youth Solomon made David's choice his own, and
for many years he walked uprightly, his life marked with
strict obedience to God's commands. Early in his reign he
went with his counselors of state to Gibeon, where the tabernacle
that had been built in the wilderness still was, and
there he united with his chosen advisers, "the captains of
thousands and of hundreds," "the judges," and "every governor
in all Israel, the chief of the fathers," in offering sacrifices
to God and in consecrating themselves fully to the
Lord's service. 2 Chronicles 1:2. Comprehending something
of the magnitude of the duties connected with the kingly
office, Solomon knew that those bearing heavy burdens must
seek the Source of Wisdom for guidance, if they would fulfill
their responsibilities acceptably. This led him to encourage
his counselors to unite with him heartily in making sure of
their acceptance with God.
Above every earthly good, the king desired wisdom and
understanding for the accomplishment of the work God had
given him to do. He longed for quickness of mind, for largeness
of heart, for tenderness of spirit. That night the Lord
appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, "Ask what I shall
give thee." In his answer the young and inexperienced ruler
gave utterance to his feeling of helplessness and his desire
for aid. "Thou hast showed unto Thy servant David my
father great mercy," he said, "according as he walked before
Thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of
heart with Thee; and Thou hast kept for him this great
kindness, that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne,
as it is this day.
"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 Thy people which Thou hast
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 this Thy so great a people?
"And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had
asked this thing."
"Because this was in thine heart," God said to Solomon,
"and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the
life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast
asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest
judge My people," "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
honor," "such as none of the kings have had that have been
before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like."
"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." 1 Kings 3:5-14; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12.
God promised that as He had been with David, so He
would be with Solomon. If the king would walk before
the Lord in uprightness, if he would do what God had
commanded him, his throne would be established and his
reign would be the means of exalting Israel as "a wise and
understanding people," the light of the surrounding nations.
Deuteronomy 4:6.
The language used by Solomon while praying to God
before the ancient altar at Gibeon reveals his humility and
his strong desire to honor God. He realized that without
divine aid he was as helpless as a little child to fulfill the
responsibilities resting on him. He knew that he lacked
discernment, and it was a sense of his great need that led
him to seek God for wisdom. In his heart there was no
selfish aspirations for a knowledge that would exalt him above
others. He desired to discharge faithfully the duties devolving
upon him, and he chose the gift that would be the
means of causing his reign to bring glory to God. Solomon
was never so rich or so wise or so truly great as when he
confessed, "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out
or come in."
Those who today occupy positions of trust should seek
to learn the lesson taught by Solomon's prayer. The higher
the position a man occupies, the greater the responsibility
that he has to bear, the wider will be the influence that he
exerts and the greater his need of dependence on God. Ever
should he remember that with the call to work comes the
call to walk circumspectly before his fellow men. He is to
stand before God in the attitude of a learner. Position does
not give holiness of character. It is by honoring God and
obeying His commands that a man is made truly great.
The God whom we serve is no respecter of persons. He
who gave to Solomon the spirit of wise discernment is willing
to impart the same blessing to His children today. "If any
of you lack wisdom," His word declares, "let him ask of
God, the giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him." James 1:5. When a burden bearer
desires wisdom more than he desires wealth, power, or
fame, he will not be disappointed. Such a one will learn
from the Great Teacher not only what to do, but how to do
it in a way that will meet with the divine approval.
So long as he remains consecrated, the man whom God
has endowed with discernment and ability will not manifest
an eagerness for high position, neither will he seek to rule
or control. Of necessity men must bear responsibilities; but
instead of striving for the supremacy, he who is a true leader
will pray for an understanding heart, to discern between
good and evil.
The path of men who are placed as leaders is not an
easy one. But they are to see in every difficulty a call to
prayer. Never are they to fail of consulting the great Source
of all wisdom. Strengthened and enlightened by the Master
Worker, they will be enabled to stand firm against unholy
influences and to discern right from wrong, good from evil.
They will approve that which God approves, and will strive
earnestly against the introduction of wrong principles into
His cause.
The wisdom that Solomon desired above riches, honor,
or long life, God gave him. His petition for a quick mind,
a large heart, and a tender spirit was granted. "God gave
Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and
largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore.
And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the
children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
For he was wiser than all men; . . . and his fame was in
all nations round about." 1 Kings 4:29-31.
"And all Israel . . . feared the king: for they saw that
the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment." I Kings
3:28. The hearts of the people were turned toward Solomon,
as they had been toward David, and they obeyed him in
all things. "Solomon . . . was strengthened in his kingdom,
and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified
him exceedingly." 2 Chronicles 1:1.
For many years Solomon's life was marked with devotion
to God, with uprightness and firm principle, and with strict
obedience to God's commands. He directed in every important
enterprise and managed wisely the business matters
connected with the kingdom. His wealth and wisdom, the
magnificent buildings and public works that he constructed
during the early years of his reign, the energy, piety, justice,
and magnanimity that he revealed in word and deed, won
the loyalty of his subjects and the admiration and homage
of the rulers of many lands.
The name of Jehovah was greatly honored during the
first part of Solomon's reign. The wisdom and righteousness
revealed by the king bore witness to all nations of the
excellency of the attributes of the God whom he served. For
a time Israel was as the light of the world, showing forth
the greatness of Jehovah. Not in the surpassing wisdom, the
fabulous riches, the far-reaching power and fame that were
his, lay the real glory of Solomon's early reign; but in the
honor that he brought to the name of the God of Israel
through a wise use of the gifts of Heaven.
As the years went by and Solomon's fame increased, he
sought to honor God by adding to his mental and spiritual
strength, and by continuing to impart to others the blessings
he received. None understood better than he that it was
through the favor of Jehovah that he had come into possession
of power and wisdom and understanding, and that these
gifts were bestowed that he might give to the world a
knowledge of the King of kings.
Solomon took an especial interest in natural history, but
his researchers were not confined to any one branch of learning.
Through a diligent study of all created things, both
animate and inanimate, he gained a clear conception of the
Creator. In the forces of nature, in the mineral and the animal
world, and in every tree and shrub and flower, he saw a
revelation of God's wisdom; and as he sought to learn more
and more, his knowledge of God and his love for Him constantly
increased.
Solomon's divinely inspired wisdom found expression in
songs of praise and in many proverbs. "He spake three
thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon
even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake
also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of
fishes." 1 Kings 4:32, 33.
In the proverbs of Solomon are outlined principles of holy
living and high endeavor, principles that are heaven-born
and that lead to godliness, principles that should govern
every act of life. It was the wide dissemination of these
principles, and the recognition of God as the One to whom
all praise and honor belong, that made Solomon's early
reign a time of moral uplift as well as of material prosperity.
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom," he wrote, "and
the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise
of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain
thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies:
and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared
unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her
left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them
that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth
her." Proverbs 3:13-18.
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:7.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Psalm
111:10. "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and
arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do
I hate." Proverbs 8:13.
O that in later years Solomon had heeded these wonderful
words of wisdom! O that he who had declared, "The
lips of the wise disperse knowledge" (Proverbs 15:17), and
who had himself taught the kings of the earth to render to
the King of kings the praise they desired to give to an
earthly ruler, had never with a "froward mouth," in "pride
and arrogancy," taken to himself the glory due to God
alone!
Visions of Future Glory
In the darkest days of her long conflict with evil, the church of God has been given revelations of the eternal purpose of Jehovah. His people have been permitted to look beyond the trials of the present to the triumphs of the future, when, the warfare having been accomplished, the redeemed will enter into possession of the promised land. These visions of future glory, scenes pictured by the hand of God, should be dear to His church today, when the controversy of the ages is rapidly closing and the promised blessings are soon to be realized in all their fullness.
Many were the messages of comfort given the church by the prophets of old. "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people" (Isaiah 40:1.), was Isaiah's commission from God; and with the commission were given wonderful visions that have been the believers' hope and joy through all the centuries that have followed. Despised of men, persecuted, forsaken, God's children in every age have nevertheless been sustained by His sure promises. By faith they have looked forward to the time when He will fulfill to His church the assurance, "I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations." Isaiah 60:15.
Often the church militant is called upon to suffer trial and affliction; for not without severe conflict is the church to triumph. "The bread of adversity," "the water of affliction" (Isaiah 30:20), these are the common lot of all; but none who put their trust in the One mighty to deliver will be utterly overwhelmed. "Thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life." Isaiah 43:1-4.
There is forgiveness with God; there is acceptance full and free through the merits of Jesus, our crucified and risen Lord. Isaiah heard the Lord declaring to His chosen ones: "I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put Me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified." "Thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." Verses 25, 26; 60:16.
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