The Glory of Solomon's Early Reign
EGW
The wealth and the wisdom of Solomon, the magnificent buildings and public works constructed during the early years of his reign, the energy and the piety revealed in word and deed, made a deep impression upon all Israel, and brought to him fame and honor from the surrounding nations. By his justice and magnanimity he won the loyalty of Israel, and the admiration of the rulers of many lands. RH December 7, 1905, par. 1
“God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much.... He was wiser than all men; ... and his fame was in all nations round about.” Solomon took special interest in natural history, but his researches were not confined to any one branch of learning. Through diligent study of all created things, both animate and inanimate, he gained a clearer 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 infinite wisdom; and as he sought to learn more and more, his knowledge of God and his love for him constantly increased. RH December 7, 1905, par. 2
“And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 3
As the people from many lands visited Solomon, he taught them of God as the Creator of all things. These visitors returned to their homes with clearer conceptions of the God of Israel, and of his compassionate love for the human race. In the works of nature they now beheld an expression of his love and a revelation of his character; and many were led to worship him as their God. RH December 7, 1905, par. 4
Never was Israel more greatly honored than during the first part of Solomon's reign. The righteousness and wisdom revealed by the king bore to all nations continual witness of the power of God. For a time the Israelites shone forth as the light of the world, showing, by their nobility of character, the greatness of Jehovah. RH December 7, 1905, par. 5
One of those deeply interested in Solomon's wisdom, the queen of Sheba, determined to “prove him with hard questions,” and “came to Jerusalem,” attended by a retinue of servants, with camels bearing “spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 6
“And when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.” The queen talked with him of the mysteries of nature, and Solomon taught her of the God of nature, the great Creator, who dwells in the highest heaven and rules over all. “And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not anything hid from the king, which he told her not.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 7
“When the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 8
“It was a true report,” she acknowledged to the king, “which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it:” “and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 9
Recognizing the source of Solomon's wisdom and prosperity, the queen exclaimed: “Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 10
The queen “gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 11
“King Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 12
The real glory of Solomon's reign was not the surpassing wisdom, the fabulous riches, and the far-reaching power and fame that were his. It was by a wise use of these gifts of heaven, in revealing to the world a knowledge of the King of kings, that Solomon brought glory to the name of the God of Israel. RH December 7, 1905, par. 13
With the passing of the years and the increase of his fame, Solomon sought to honor God by adding to his mental and spiritual strength, and by imparting to others the blessings he received. He realized that he had come into possession of a kingdom, and of power, wisdom, and glory, through the favor of Jehovah. None understood better than he that these gifts were bestowed in order that he might give to the world a knowledge of God. RH December 7, 1905, par. 14
It was to give in his own life a revelation of his Father's character, that Christ came in the form of humanity. In his life no ostentatious display, no act to gain applause, was ever witnessed. Christ was hid in God, and God was revealed in the character of his Son. To this revelation Jesus desired the minds of the people to be directed and their homage to be given. RH December 7, 1905, par. 15
Solomon's divinely given wisdom found expression in songs of praise, and in many inspired proverbs. In these writings are outlined principles of holy living and high endeavor,—principles that should govern every act of life,—principles that are heaven-born and that lead to godliness. The wide dissemination of these truths, and the recognition of God as the one to whom belongs all praise and honor, made Solomon's early reign most glorious. RH December 7, 1905, par. 16
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 17
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” RH December 7, 1905, par. 18
O that Solomon had heeded in later years these wonderful words of wisdom that he was inspired to write! O that he who once declared that “the lips of the wise disperse knowledge,” and who himself wisely taught the kings of the earth to ascribe to the King of kings the glory they desired to give him, had never with a “froward mouth,” in “pride and arrogancy,” taken to himself the glory due to God alone! RH December 7, 1905, par. 19