Solomon’s Wisdom
Have you ever asked yourself in a meditating moment, “Is life really worth living”? We have in our
possession a considered response to this basic question, from one of the wisest, richest, most powerful man to
have walked the earth, and yet even today his counsel is widely ignored or misunderstood!
The book of Ecclesiastes has long fascinated many readers. The Apostle James must have read
Ecclesiastes to have been encouraged to write, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:5- 6).
Wisdom is to be constantly sought in order to meet successfully each test of faith and endurance. We
need daily to make certain that our eyes and mind have been anointed with the ointment of heavenly wisdom and
knowledge, because it is God’s joy to give to those who ask and seek it.
In the book of 2 Chronicles, God outlines His discipline, based on His conditional promises. “God
appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, ask what I shall give you. And Solomon said unto God, Give me now
wisdom and knowledge, and God said to Solomon, because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches,
wealth, or honour, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and
knowledge for yourself, Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and
honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the
like” (2 Chron 1: 7 - 12).
All the Old Testament scriptures were written for our learning. Romans 15:4, and 1 Cor 10: 11, “is for
our admonition,” 2 Tim 3: 16 - 17, further says, “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness!” With that foundation of scriptures laid, Ecclesiastics is not a book, God’s called should ignore.
Ecclesiastes is a book itself that is divinely inspired. It describes the nature of un-regenerate man, apart
from divinely inspired truth and revelation.
Who was Solomon? Solomon was a king in Jerusalem and was well known for his outstanding features.
Drink of thirst for the good life. One feature was his God given talent of having great wisdom, that he bragged
about. Solomon said, “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 Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom
and knowledge” (Eccl 1:16).
Having this wisdom and knowledge brought Solomon great wealth and riches, according to chapter 2,
verses 8-9. “I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: [colonies].
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with
me.” Having wisdom, fame and money allowed Solomon not to deny himself worldly pleasure, and express joy
in doing it for the learning.
Notice Solomon said to himself, “I said in mine heart, go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore
enjoy pleasure: I sought in mine heart to give myself
unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good
for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life” (Eccl 2:1-3).
Solomon had many servants who worked for him and provided him with labor so he could brag of his
having great buildings and houses. He had many beautification programs going on. “I made me great works; I
build me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind
of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that brings forth trees: I got me servants and
maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that
were in Jerusalem before me” (Eccl 2:4-7).
These are the words of Solomon the preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem who’s theme stated
in chapter 1 and verse 2, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!” All is futile, useless, and meaningless! Even
though this vanity pertains to life “Under the sun.”
All the effort one makes in life as far as this life is concerned is like grasping for the wind – Solomon
says. He used the word “Vanity” - 38 times in Ecclesiastes as he wrote about life. He used “Under the sun” 29
times. The word “vanity” means: “Emptiness,” “Futility,” “Vapor”; “That which vanishes quickly and leaves
nothing behind.” From the human point of view, life under the sun, often appear unprofitable.
In today' s world we see many having that feeling, and it is easy for us to get pessimistic. But we should
not mistake brutal honesty with a lack of hope or confidence in the future. God loves us and He will take care
of us.
The Hebrew title for Ecclesiastes is “koheleth.” It is the title given to an official speaker, a person who
calls an assembly. The Greek word for “assembly” is “ekklesia,” and thus the Septuagint version gives us the
English title of the book, Ecclesiastes.
But the preacher did more than call an assembly and give a formal speech. The Hebrew word koheleth,
carries with it the idea of debating, not so much with the listeners, as it does with himself. Solomon would
meditate on a topic, mentally discuss it from many viewpoints, and then come to a practical conclusion.
The book, Ecclesiastes, is different from any other book of the Bible. It does not dwell on the covenant,
nor the election of Israel, redemption, prophecy, sacred history, or the temple. Its focus is on man, the creature
and his life on earth, searching for understanding of God and His ways.
Ecclesiastes goes beyond the other wisdom found in the written word of the Bible, so to emphasize the
fact that human life and human goals, are an end in themselves. Anything apart from God, is non-productive and
meaningless.
Among other things, Solomon saw injustice to the poor. “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions
that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on
the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Wherefore I praised the dead which are
already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Yea, better is he than both they, which has not yet been,
who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun” (Eccl. 4:1-3) .
Sensitive hearts in every age, have been grieved to see the oppression that is carried out by men against
their own fellow-men. It tormented Solomon also. He was grieved to see the tears of the oppressed caused by
the power of their oppressors, and the failure of anyone to defend the downtrodden. Power has always been on
the side of the oppressors, and it seems no one dares to defy that power. But Solomon could not see, that behind
the dim unknown stands God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.
Next we find Solomon reverts to the subject of crooked politics. “If you see the oppression of the poor,
and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for He that is higher than
the highest regards; and there be higher than they” (Eccl 5:8). Too often the system of checks and balances
breaks down and every level of official-dom receives its share of bribery and payola. The only satisfaction that
righteous people have is in knowing that God is higher than the highest authorities and He will see that all
accounts are settled some day.
Another inconsistency which bothered Solomon in this mixed up world, proceeded from unwise decisions
made by incompetent leaders. Solomon saw, “Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. I have
seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth” (Eccl 10: 6-7).
Often men are appointed to positions without suitable qualifications, while capable men waste their
talents on menial tasks. The preacher did not stop with just these thoughts, when he studied life under the sun.
He saw it is possible to over protect the criminal, at the expense of the victim. He saw guilty people being
allowed to commit more crimes. He was inspired to write, “Because sentence against an evil work is not
executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Eccl 8:11). Fair impartial
justice handed out promptly serves as a deterrent to crime! But on the other hand, postponements make offenders
more fixed in their determination to break the law!
Solomon recognized wealth and materialism does not buy contentment! “He that loves silver shall
not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity” (Eccl 5: 10). People
who love money are never satisfied, they always want more profits, dividends, interest payments, capital gains,
all this just whet’s their appetite for more. Solomon saw that hoarding riches gives rise to disastrous
consequences! Take today, calamity such as a Stock Market crash, or the housing crash and oil inflation, can
cause saved money in the bank to rapidly disappear.
It is for these reasons Solomon had a desire for “the good old days.” He writes, “Say not you, what is
the cause that the former days were better than these? For you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (Eccl 7:
10). It’s foolish to try living in the past, wishing they would return because they were so much better, but that
is living in a world of un-reality.
Solomon has put the key to Ecclesiastes right at the front door for us: when he said, “Vanity of vanities,
saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit has a man of all his labor which he takes under
the sun?” Remember the preacher starts with this verse in Ecclesiastes 1: 2 - 3. We cannot assume Solomon
is cynical or pessimistic: that would miss his real point.
As we considers his wealth, his work, his wisdom, his knowledge or his world, Solomon’s appraisal is
all vanity and vexation of spirit! However, this is not his final conclusion as we have seen already, nor is it the
only message that he had for his readers, we will discover much more as we dig into the depth of this book.
In spite of Solomon’s painful encounters with the world and its problems, Solomon does not recommend
either pessimism or cynicism, rather, he admonishes us to be realistic about life as we have witnessed already,
and accept God’s gifts and enjoy them.
Lets go through some more verses from chapter 2, “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should
eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the
hand of God” (Eccl.2:24).
“ I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that
every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever
God does, it shall be for ever: Nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men
should fear before Him. That which has been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requires
that which is past” (Eccl 3:12-15). Vs.22, “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?”
God gives to us richly all things to enjoy.
Words related to joy are enjoy, rejoice, etc., are used at least 17 times in Ecclesiastes. Solomon does not
say, eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die!” Instead, he advises us to trust God and enjoy what we do
have rather than complain about what we don't have. He is saying to us – life is short and life is difficult, so make
the most of it while we can.
Solomon initially opened with three bleak observations: 1). nothing is really changed; 2). nothing is
really new; 3). and nothing is understood. After experimenting and investigating life under the sun, he
initially concluded, life is nothing but “vanity of vanity!” He gave himself four arguments to support his
conclusion: that life is nothing but vanity of vanity; 2). the monotony of life; 2). the vanity of wisdom, 3).
the futility of wealth; 4). and the certainty of death.
Solomon being a wise man, meditated on chapters 3 to 10, reviewing his arguments and this time
brings God into the picture. What a difference it makes for him by re-examining each of these impressions more
carefully. He realized that life was not monotonous, but filled with challenging situations from God, each in its
own time and each for its own purpose. He also learned that wealth could be enjoyed and employed to the glory
of God. And man's wisdom and knowledge could not explain everything!
Solomon concluded that it was better to follow God's wisdom and knowledge, than to practice man's
folly. And as for the certainty of death, there is no way to escape it!
Examining more of these verses ought to motivate us to enjoy life now and make the most of the
opportunities God gives us. So he asks his listeners to look up, look within, look ahead, and look around,
and take into consideration time, eternity, suffering and death. These four factors God uses to keep our lives
from becoming monotonous and meaningless!
In his final conclusion and personal application, Solomon then presents four pictures of life and attaches
to each picture a practical admonition for his readers to heed: We will take a look at these thoughts. Starting
with– life is an adventure, so live by faith! “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done
under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their
oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead
more than the living which are yet alive. Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not
seen the evil work that is done under the sun. Again, I considered all travail [labor - and toil], and every right
work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit [a striving after the
wind]. The fool foldeth his hands together [this is a Hebrew expression for idleness], and eats his own flesh.
[concerned exclusively with the pleasures of life]”(Eccl 4:1-5).
Solomon’s second picture of life is: life is a gift– enjoy it.
“Cast your bread upon the waters: for you shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to
eight; for you know not what evil shall be upon the earth” (Eccl 11: 1- 2). The traditional interpretation is to
exercise charity or kindness toward others, for which a reward will someday be received. Verse 3, shows us
some events we have no control over. “If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and
if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.”
In other words, some events are beyond one's power to influence, because life has many unforeseen
events but these are not to be made occasions of despondency and loss of determination. Verse 4, brings more
advice, “He that observes the wind shall not sow; and he that regards the clouds shall not reap.” In regards to the
“Clouds shall not reap.” A person can not always wait for a perfect day or for perfect conditions before making
or taking a venture some risks must be taken. Verse 5, continues with wise advice, “As you know 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 you know not the
works of God who makes all. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for you
know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Results do not come
by accident! Diligence, through preparation is necessary, early or later. Constant experimentation and effort are
the prelude to success.
I think we can see Solomon looked at life as a school in which to learn lessons, yet he concludes in Eccl
12:8: “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.” Even with this thought - he felt a responsibility in that
life is a stewardship, so fear God! In Eccl 12:9-12, He concludes: “And moreover, because the preacher was
wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many
proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words
of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given
from one Shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and
much study is a weariness of the flesh.”
These four subjects: 1. life is an adventure; 2. life is a gift; 3. life is a school; 4. and life is a
stewardship— pictures the four arguments that Solomon had wrestled with through out the book of Ecclesiastes.
Life is not monotones, rather, it is an adventure of faith that is anything but predictable or tedious. Yes,
death is certain, but life is a gift from God and He wants us to enjoy it. We all know there are questions we
cannot answer and problems we can't solve, but God having patience, teaches us His truth, as we advance in
“The school of life” He will give us wisdom and knowledge enough to make sensible decisions.
As far as wealth is concerned, all of life is a stewardship from God; and one day He will call us to give
an account. Therefore, “Fear God, and keep His commandments.”
It’s in this book we have practical advice about life from one of the wisest, richest, most powerful man
to have ever lived. His insights about life, money, values, and putting in order one's personal priorities are
priceless. This is a rewarding guidebook to the reader who looks behind the initial impressions to find the
wisdom this remarkable man Solomon gleaned from his unique career.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the
whole duty of man” (Eccl 12:13). ☜
James Russell
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THE LORD’S COVENANT WITH KING SOLOMON
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“The LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him. If My people, which are
called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place. For
now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there for ever: and Mine eyes
and Mine heart shall be there perpetually. And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before Me, as David
thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe My
statues and My judgments; Then will I establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have
covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
But if ye turn away, and forsake My statutes and My commandments, which I have set
before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by
the roots out of My land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for My
name, will I cast out of My sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he
shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? And it shall be
answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of
the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore
hath He brought all this evil upon them” (2 Chron 7: 1, 12 - 22).