THE MAN WHO HAD EVERYTHING

King Solomon who reigned in Jerusalem circa 971-931BC was the man who had everything!  In a dream God asked him what he would like to be given.  Solomon humbly asked for wisdom but because he didn’t ask for riches God gave him both wisdom and wealth.  Solomon’s fame spread far and wide and many kings came to see the wonderful temple and palace complex he had built.  Archaeologists can confirm the existence of these buildings.  Samples of Solomon’s literary works can be found in the Bible books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.

Because of Solomon’s great wealth, wisdom and power, he had the time to study the deeper meaning of life.  Here is a summary of his work.  He tried to find pleasure in laughter, but it left him empty.  He tried wine to lift him out of depression, but it left him more depressed.  He tried building houses for himself and planting vineyards and gardens with ponds.  He stored up silver and gold for himself and acquired men and women singers and a harem, but he concluded, “I denied myself nothing mine eyes desired, I refused my heart no pleasure yet when I surveyed all I had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless and chasing after the wind!”  Solomon concluded that because God has set eternity in human hearts, material things can never bring lasting satisfaction.  [ Ecclesiastes 3:11 ]  However, God gives wisdom and happiness to those who please Him.  Centuries later Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full!”  [John 10:10]  Wisdom is not a person but there is a person who is Wisdom and His name is Jesus!  Jesus once said about Himself, “A greater than Solomon is here!” [ Matthew 12:42 ]