The Tragedy of Solomon
by Sue Griffiths
I have been reading the history of Samuel, of King David and now of King Solomon. When he came to the throne of Israel on the death of his father, David, God invited Solomon to choose what gift he would like. He chose wisdom – ‘a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong’ (1 Kings 3:8).
God was pleased with Solomon’s request. This man was humble, he loved God and he set about building the temple in Jerusalem – a project his father David had not been permitted to do.
There is such a modern-sounding description of how tons and tons of Lebanon’s finest cedar trees and pine trees were chopped down and then expertly floated down sea to Israel. There are tons of finest stone coming from the quarries in Israel. And the remarkable thing about these whole massive industrial processes is the reverence Solomon insists on demanding at every tiny stage. No noise of shaping the rocks is to be heard in the temple. It must all be done in the mountains before the rocks are brought down to the temple area.
`In the building of the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built` (1 Kings 6:7).
When the temple is complete, there is such celebration. It goes on and on for weeks of rejoicing and worship, and awe at the greatness and holiness of God.
I find it so sad to read on through Solomon’s life. Chapter 11 of 1 Kings starts: ‘King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter. ` And what a tragic end this great king had. After all his commitment to God, his amazing works, and his determination to walk in God’s way with godly wisdom and such purity of heart, now he has lost the plot.
‘As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his father had been’ (1 Kings 11:4).
What a disappointing, tragic ending to this great king’s life! The nation bore the punishment for his failure.
I am thinking of Paul’s advice, his longing: that he might finish well.
Sue Griffiths Sue found deep inner healing through the teaching and ministry at Ellel ministries and is now part of the associate ministry team at Ellel Grange. Previously, Sue was a specialist in English Literature and a vicar’s wife. Her passion is to see others coming into freedom in Christ in their personal lives. Sue’s an outdoors person, loves gardening, walking, and many creative things. She and Richard, her husband, now live in Northumberland and enjoy a great family of 3 grown up kids and some grandkids.
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