God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls.
He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. (New International Version)
Talking about King Solomon of old is, in many ways, like talking about any human being. That’s because Solomon was an odd combination of extremely gifted, and yet, deeply flawed.
Solomon’s reign was the greatest that Israel and Judah ever had; and perhaps the wealthiest and most impressive reign that there ever was in the world. Here we are, talking about it nearly 3,000 years later.
Yet, for all the accomplishments of Solomon, he failed to maintain faithfulness to God throughout his lifetime. His wealth and power were so vast that it was his downfall.
Although he died a great king, at his death there were many who were not sorry to see him go. And Jerusalem, the capitol, was occupied with other gods, and not the exclusive worship of Yahweh, as God’s law was so careful to warn against.
However, in today’s Old Testament lesson, we remember the unparalleled wisdom of Solomon. In this regard, there is no one like him in history.
The text of Scripture makes it plain as to where Solomon got his supreme wisdom: God gave it to him (1 Kings 3:1-15). Indeed, God is the source of wisdom, and the fount of knowledge.
Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. He became king of Judah and Israel in 967 BCE, at age twenty, and reigned until his death in 928 BCE. King Solomon’s wisdom was both broad and deep. He was given to wise parables and poetry; sage insights into human nature; and a keen sense to political, social, and economic administration.
The editor of the books of the Kings compares Solomon to the eastern Babylonian sages who were famous in the ancient world; and to the sages of Egypt. Specifically, he is compared to four men: Ethan, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda – the wisest in Israel before Solomon.
Israel had its sages, well before Solomon came along, and possessed a body of wisdom for the people to learn from. The editor tells us that King Solomon surpassed them all in his wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and insight.
Even though there are sages and wise persons, wisdom is for everyone, all humans, without exception. From wisdom we learn to pay attention and observe. This is why Solomon was so wise – his powers of observation were second to none.
He took the time to pay attention to plants, animals, and all creation. He dedicated himself to looking into all the differing affairs of what humanity does. As a result of his efforts at observing humanity, we have the biblical wisdom books of Proverbs (short pithy sayings of experiential truth), Ecclesiastes (issues of ultimate meaning), and Song of Songs (an ode to Love).
In short, Solomon’s wisdom teaches us that those who take the time to learn, listen, and mature have a happy life; and those who don’t, injure themselves and have a sad life.
Through wisdom, we discover the importance of respecting the poor, the value of creative and fulfilling work, helpful speech, handling money well, and virtuous friends. Each person’s wise conduct benefits the wellbeing of the community, whereas foolish conduct destroys a people.
Wisdom is attuned to morality and consequences (and not to moralism and judgmentalism). Our words and actions bring either connection and encouragement, or separation and duress. Good choices bring life and peace; bad decisions lead to death and division.
One might assume that wisdom is a moral code – but it is not. Rather, wisdom is a dynamic force which brings satisfaction and fulfillment to the world. Being a wise person means that one’s conduct and way of life is in sync with unity, harmony, integrity, and peace.
Foolishness, on the other hand, goes against the grain of a moral life. A fool assumes they can do what they want, whenever they want, without restraint. They think they are an autonomous being who answers to no one. A fool lives as if God is non-existent, and other people are no more valuable than insects on a sidewalk.
Solomon became king in Israel and Judah without a vote, and ruled without democracy. Yet, he recognized that wisdom was needed in order to rule. In reality, wisdom is still needed for any and every sort of leadership.
Our present American political campaign has all the markings of a foolishness that mocks wisdom. That’s why we get so much careless, unhelpful, and downright harmful speech. There is indifference to people in debt, and an overlooking of the poor. We have words and actions without any thought to others, and policies based in greed. Most of all, there is no moral coherence at all, even with cheap religious talk.
It appears that a large chunk of Americans have never taken the time to observe, listen, and pay attention. Their faith – if there is any faith at all – is shallow and disconnected from their fellow citizens. They fail to discern that society cannot be divided into classes of rich and poor.
Wisdom is about being connected, not divided. It has an understanding of all creatures, and that we are ethically and morally bound to the rest of creation. The wise person thus builds bridges, not walls; and does everything possible to turn away from violence, both physical and verbal.
There is no political party, no neighborhood association, no corporate board, and no church council who is all wise and immune to being foolish. We must not throw our ultimate allegiance to anything or anyone other than our all-wise Creator God. And we also must keep in mind that human institutions really can be brought into line with wisdom.
Unfortunately, foolishness is alive and well – not only in the United States of America, but also around the world. Foolish political candidates and leaders of all kinds promise us short-term selfish solutions to large communal and national issues.
Yet, the fool will not prevail. Sadly, King Solomon gave into some foolishness toward the end of his life. Yet, even despite that, Solomon could tell you that wisdom has always existed, and pre-dates foolishness.
Lady Wisdom calls to us, and we have the ability and the faculties to respond and learn from her. Please do so, hopefully, before election day.
Teach me to listen, O God, to those nearest me, my family, my friends, my co-workers. Help me to be aware of the inherent dignity and worth of every person I encounter, and to listen to their voice.
Teach me to listen, O God, to the despair of the hopeless, the plea of the forgotten, and the cry of the anguished.
Teach me to listen, O God, to myself. Help me to be less afraid to trust the voice inside — in the deepest part of me.
Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit, for your voice — in busyness and in boredom, in certainty and doubt, in noise and in silence.
Teach me, Lord, to listen. Amen.
Rev. Tim Ehrhardt 