Did His Riches Bring Happiness?
The spoiled prince. He had everything prepared for him before the crown was placed on his head. His father had fought the battles to bring peace to the kingdom. King David had dreams of building a beautiful temple, so he drew out the plans and instructions, and he stored the materials needed to build the house of worship. Prince Solomon had everything he needed to establish a great kingdom, because his father fought the battles and worked to establish a kingdom for God's chosen people. The young prince only had to make wise choices.
Soon after being crowned, young King Solomon asked for wisdom. It is written in I Kings 3:3, "Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father." He had gone to Gibeon to make sacrifices to God. After the sacrifices, he went to rest. As he slept, he had a dream. In his dream, God said to him, "Ask what I shall give to you." (5) Solomon asked for "an understanding heart to judge the people, that I may discern between good and bad." He didn't ask for riches or more land. He didn't ask for peace. He asked for wisdom. God was pleased and gave him wisdom. (I Kings 3: 5-15)
Solomon ruled with wisdom. He built the temple. He built palaces. He built many cities with great walls. He ruled over Israel and Judah appointing officers over the land. "Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser that all men; than Etan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. He spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five. He spoke of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom." (I Kings 4:30-34)
As I read about Solomon's wisdom and achievements, I wondered if he was happy. He was building a great empire, but it took many servants and slaves to build. Let's don't forget the cost of materials. So, were the people taxed? Or, were the materials gifts from the many who came to hear his wisdom? Did Solomon get so busy with all his projects and all his important guest that he did not have time for God? I wonder, because after twenty years of building, I Kings 9:1 reads, "When Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do." Did the king get distracted with all the projects, guests, and wives? Could he be happy without God?
After twenty years of building wealth, God spoke to Solomon a second time. God heard Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple. Solomon was reminded of his father's walk with God. King David walked 'in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that God had commanded, and kept God's laws.' God was reminding Solomon to do the same. If Solomon worships other gods and disobey God's laws, 'Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people.' In other words, the nation will be divided and the temple will be destroyed. (I Kings 9:3-9) Unfortunately, Solomon with his riches and many wives disobeyed and turned away from God.
As Solomon turned away from God, he did not find happiness. I feel his heart became as cold as his throne built with ivory and covered in gold. With seven hundred wives, how could he be happy! In Proverbs 21 he wrote, "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." (9) "It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman." (19) In order to please his wives, he built altars to their fake gods and worshipped with them. He couldn't find happiness. Then, I wonder if he loved any of his wives.
Did Solomon find love with a woman? There have been stories about the queen of Sheba and Solomon having a son. Today, the descendants of Menelik claim he was the son of Solomon and the queen of Sheba. They ruled Ethiopia for centuries with this claim. There are rumors that Solomon sent the Ark of Covenant with Menelik when he left Jerusalem to return to Ethiopia. Was she the woman he wrote about in the Song of Solomon? However, there is no proof of these stories. We have the history recorded in Kings and Chronicles of Solomon's life as king.
The king who began his reign with hope and wisdom ends his reign with division and a troubled mind. There was no wisdom left as he struggled to hold his kingdom together. Forty years to serve and follow God drowned in gold, silver, riches, seven hundred beautiful wives, and broken promises. As he died, the great kingdom promised to King David and King Solomon dies along with him. King Solomon did things his way, and his way did not bring happiness. He did not pray and commit to the one true God. He did not walk in integrity of heart. Riches and greatness did not make the king a happy and content man. His choice to turn away from God is the reason for his sad end.
As we consider King Solomon's end which led to a divided kingdom, let's consider our own lives. What are you seeking in this life? Do you place your worldly desires before serving and following God's Laws? Then, consider Solomon who had the attention and admiration of all in the world. Solomon was the wisest and richest man in the world, but in the end, his riches did not bring him happiness.. His end was full of friction and unhappy days. He died knowing everything he built would perish. Now, consider yourself. It is never too late to turn to God's way.
Proverbs 10:27,28 (NAS)
The fear
But the years
The hope
But the expectation
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