“King
Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings.” (v.23)
Today’s
passage catalogs Solomon’s vast accumulation of material wealth, political
success, and military strength. He had thriving revenue streams, a luxurious palace,
and incomparable wisdom, 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses—imported from Egypt
(vv. 28-29). Everything any ruler could possibly want, King Solomon had. All
his blessings came from God and the wisdom He gave to him. Verse 1 implies that
Solomon's fame was only in connection with “the name of the Lord.” However,
Solomon forgot this.
Because
of his great wealth, Solomon had reached a point where he no longer had to
depend on his God for anything, which ultimately led to his downfall. Solomon,
with all his great wisdom, should have heeded his father’s words: “Some trust
in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm
20:7).
And
so should we.
The
Truth
“He who trusts in his riches will
fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.” (Proverbs 11:28)
