Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
Comparison between David’s and Solomon’s hearts, through dramatization.
Late in the evening of his life, Solomon, alone with his thoughts, toiled through the questions, that are found at the end of every man’s life, whether he be sharp or dim, rich or poor, good or bad.
One will often return to the lessons learned as a child, sometimes even recalling the sound of a father’s voice for repose. Would this had been so for Solomon; would he had gone to the lessons learned by his father, it may have gone something like this.
“I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in
Immediately, the words of David flood through his son’s mind, nearly drowning his own structure, for which he had desire to build for one sweet small moment.“ LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty:” Psalms 13:1
“ yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. Ecclesiastes 1:16 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 6:12
Unchangeable was the stream of his father’s words, and so tenderly noble did they play in Solomon’s ears. “Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let
Quickly interjecting were the thoughts of Solomon, for how well he related to these questions. “ I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”
Just as quickly, came a vision seen so many times in his youth, of Father, kneeling with outstretched arms, eyes toward the temple, and a face that bore the mingled expression of confusion and revelation. “And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”
Though Solomon knew well that Father regarded such questions as the infirmity of one who could only see through lenses darkened by sin, he would continue his thoughts. For was this not the right of a king of much experience and wisdom? “All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?”
Oh, that picture of Father on his knees. “Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Psalms 77:6-14
Oh yes – the troubles of men – “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: : even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.” Ecclesiastes 11:4-5
How easily, it seemed, did the other king find rest from his struggling thoughts. “O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Psalms 25:16-18 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” Psalms 8:3-6 Oh, were it as simple as this.
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh,”
“Nay, son,” whispers nearly shouting, are these instructions, “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”
One shall be permitted to finish a thought in his own head! “…when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” Ecclesiastes 12:1
“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 16:8-11 Oh his eyes are ever fixed above!
Then, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 But what of Love?
“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalms 73:24-26 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. Psalms 144:3-4 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Psalms 144:15 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8
Oh, Solomon… your kingly wisdom could not create solace as did the simple faith of a shepherd boy.
