There are a few Solomons that come to mind when I hear that name.
There is crunkalious Solomon Olds of Family Force 5; Melancholy wordsmith Mark Solomon of Stavesacre; and of course, Solomon Grundy’s search for pants (see end of post). However none of these characters are the ones that penned the Book of Proverbs. That honor goes to King Solomon.
This man had a past that could easily have been the subject of a “ripped from the headlines” episode of primetime television. His mother and father got together during a time of war. Her husband was on the battlefield and yet her baby’s daddy came from within the palace. Is this starting to sound like a movie trailer yet?
The end of his life in no less sensational. King Solomon wound up collecting wives that led him away from the Lord and into worshipping and building temples for idols. He also began taking in way too many taxes from his people and all around forgetting and forsaking the ways of the Lord he first worshipped.
So why would I want to look at this man’s writings and insights for wisdom?
Because there was a moment in his life where things were going well. It is not unlike watching a movie where you campaign and root for the hero because they seem to be doing everything right. Then that moment comes where they slip up and you can see it coming from a mile away. You yell at the screen – “No, don’t do it”. They do anyway and honestly that is what makes the movie a bit more interesting.
However, I choose to leave as much drama as possible on the screen, or in this case in the book, and focus on that window of time when above all women, riches, long life or revenge King Solomon sought wisdom. (See 1 Kings 3:4-12)
So now we are left with words that promise the following:
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
I am looking forward to this journey. Is anyone out there with me? or is it just myself and Solomon Grundy?
