it 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, that 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
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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.” 1 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
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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 researches 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
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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
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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 rule