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Solomon, September 11
And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of
David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out
or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou
hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for
multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge
thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to
judge this thy so great a people?
1 Kings 3:7-9
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The name of Jehovah was greatly honored during the first part of
Solomon’s reign. The wisdom and righteousness revealed by the king bore
witness to all nations of the excellency of the attributes of the God whom
he served. For a time Israel was as the light of the world, showing forth the
greatness of Jehovah. Not in the surpassing wisdom, the fabulous riches, the
far-reaching power and fame that were his, lay the real glory of Solomon’s
early reign; but in the honor that he brought to the name of the God of Israel
through a wise use of the gifts of heaven.
As the years went by and Solomon’s fame increased, he sought to honor
God by adding to his mental and spiritual strength, and by continuing to
impart to others the blessings he received. None understood better than he
that it was through the favor of Jehovah that he had come into possession of
power and wisdom and understanding, and that these gifts were bestowed
that he might give to the world a knowledge of the King of kings.
Solomon took an especial interest in natural history, but his researches
were not confined to any one branch of learning. Through a diligent study of
all created things, both animate and inanimate, he gained a clear conception
of the Creator. In the forces of nature, in the mineral and the animal world,
and in every tree and shrub and flower, he saw a revelation of God’s wisdom;
and as he sought to learn more and more, his knowledge of God and his love
for Him constantly increased.—
Prophets and Kings, 32, 33
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