SOLOMON BECAME KING over Israel when he was only twenty years old; according to the biblical timeline, this was in 970 B.C. While Solomon had grown up in the halls of power, and had seen much of the political intrigues that transpired there, he was untried and little known. David, having adroitly survived many political intrigues as well as many attempts on his life, had intimate knowledge of forces Solomon would be facing. On his death-bed, David gave Solomon some very specific instructions about consolidating his power. Some of this was simple encouragement to a young and untried son. “Be strong, act like a man.” (1 Kings 2:2b)
Other advice had to do with continuing beneficial relationships, or, in some cases rewarding some of David’s friends and supporters. “Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.” (1 Kings 2:7) David also emphasized the importance of Solomon’s relationship to the God of Israel. “Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands.” (1 Kings 2:3)
But there were also strong cautions about potential enemies, heavily colored by David’s own sense of justice or revenge. First amongst these was Joab, once a trusted friend, advisor, and warrior. “Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace.” (1 Kings 2:6) Similarly about Shimei. “Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.” (2 Kings 2:9) And Solomon had his own internecine issue. His older half-brother Adonijah had attempted to usurp the throne with the assistance of the priest Abiathar, and had offended Solomon grievously almost immediately after he had ascended the throne. “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if Adonijah does not pay with his life for this request!” (1 Kings 2:23)
Solomon listened to the most pressing advice of his father David well. Adonijah died that very day. Abiathar was banished. Joab was executed within days. Shimei lasted three years, but violated an agreement with Solomon, and was put in his grave. Solomon became both respected and feared—good qualities for preservation in the life of a feudal king. “The kingdom was now established in Solomon’s hands.” (2 Kings 2:44) And Solomon was still only twenty-three years old.
Solomon soon made the first of his strategic marriages, this to the daughter of the Pharaoh of Egypt. He busied himself with his initial building projects—his palace, and the temple of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem. (cf. 1 Kings 3:1) But the story took a God-turn at this point, one that was instrumental in not only solidifying, but blessing, Solomon’s forty-year-long reign. The temple for the “Name of the Lord” (1 Kings 3:2) had not been finished yet, so the people were still making the sacrifices of worship at the high places, which often-times included worshiping god’s other than Jehovah. Solomon had followed David’s advice to be obedient to God, to “keep his decrees and commands” (1 Kings 2:3), but with a critical exception. Like other kings before him, “he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” (1 Kings 3:3)
Solomon went to Gibeon, “the most important high place,” to offer sacrifices of “a thousand burnt offerings.” (1 Kings 4:4) We glean an insight recorded from Solomon’s later life regarding this event: “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.” (Ecc. 5:1) It seems incredibly foolish to us that the young Solomon would take a whole-hearted part in pagan worship, and we might expect that God’s ire would be inflamed. Instead, God came to him in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1 Kings 3:5)
Solomon could have asked God for anything—for power, or wealth, or fame, or long life—but he did not. Instead, he asked for something that not many of us would think of in his place. “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9) God was pleased, and responded, “I will give you a wise and discerning heart. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:12-14) And all of this promise of blessing came to be. Solomon enjoyed a long, fruitful, and peaceful reign. And scripture records that during his reign, “From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.” (1 Kings 4:34)
These stories of the youthful king give no indication of the coming foolishness he would display in his personal life as he aged. Like his father David before him, his many marriages and concubines led him into precarious relationships that strained his relationship with God, and that bore a heavy cost to his progeny. David had his Absalom; Solomon’s son Rehoboam made foolish decisions that split the kingdom (cf. 1 Kings 12) soon after Solomon’s death. Like his father David on his deathbed, Solomon at end of life offers a key piece of wisdom learned the hard way. “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecc. 12:1, 13)
Between youth and old age lie all the trials of life. Youth doesn’t know how it will all turn out, and old age knows it all too well. Old age could offer cynicism, or encouragement, to youth. Which will we offer?
Q. What shall my epitaph read on my tombstone?
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