A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FLAVOUR

I have been studying the story of David and his son Solomon and wanted to share what I learned. I compared father and son and try to discern the fine line separating the two.

Both kings were powerful good looking men, living in splendid palaces, directing armies and ruling over the nation of Israel. According to today’s standards they would be judged successful. Both my father and my in-laws judged their children’s success by the amount of material goods, property, etc. they accumulated. I asked ‘what about godly character, doesn’t it count?’ They seemed to think character and material success went hand in hand. And many today think success and God’s blessings go hand in hand.

Solomon was born with a silver spoon ─ a son of a King, inheriting an established peace brought about by his father and blessed with unlimited wealth and wisdom. People sought his counsel from far and wide. What an unbeatable combination. Did his success guarantee he’d end up with good character and integrity and obedience to God? He had everything money could buy and more. But did it serve him well in God’s eyes?

His father was destined to be king as a teenage shepherd. David relied on God to protect his flock of sheep. Then he was introduced to the protocol of royalty, on-the-job training. It wasn’t long before David was on the run learning how to deal with danger and how to fight. (1 Samuel 16:18) He learned obedience and submission to God, even when his life was endangered. David made a lot of mistakes, but what was it that served him so well?

A man is known by his words and actions, so let’s look at Solomon’s writings and see what’s lurking beneath the surface. Solomon’s wisdom is clearly evident in all his writings. The book of Proverbs (a collection of moral sayings and counsels) is a teaching tool and tells us Solomon became an instructor of others, words helpful to live by and proper applications of God’s Commandments for everyday life on the road to success. The first chapter states what the proverbs are about: "to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding." And it goes on…wise men lay up knowledge …he that gathers in summer is a wise son…he that walks with wise men shall be wise…love not sleep lest you come to poverty." And in Ecclesiastes, "Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." We know that Solomon did just that: he built palaces, vineyards, gardens, orchards (more power, property and beauty that we can imagine) and laid out mouth-watering banquets daily for thousands. Did you notice he said when using your "hands" do it with all your might. It’s a physical pursuit and helps us succeed but does it give lasting success? It seems Solomon had the right formula at one time, or maybe he finally came to that conclusion, for he says "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." But in summing up he said, "Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Ecclesiastes also supports Solomon as preacher of good things. Obviously Solomon was endowed with much knowledge and wisdom but was the application done through his heart. There are many people who quote scripture, who know the Word of God, can even teach it, but it doesn’t mean they get the true meaning, nor can they apply it. Intellectualism is sometimes the culprit: it gets in the way of the heart and is defined as a devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits (making it the idol).

Even though Solomon knew his worldly and intellectual pursuits was only ‘chasing after wind’ he got caught up in it anyway. His riches, beauty, success and even wisdom did not sustain him, for it says "…and the Lord was angry with Solomon" (1 Kings 11:6 -11). Solomon had been told not once but twice to quit serving other gods but he ignored God’s commands and his kingdom was taken from him. How could a man of such great wisdom and discernment have fallen so far from where he started? Solomon allowed his intellect to overpower his heart. If we look closely at his writings we find Solomon not a student, but a vehicle whereby his wisdom was disseminated to others. Nations stood in awe of his intellect. (1 Kings 4:34) Even the Queen of Sheba said "your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard" (1 Kings 10:7). It seems his great wisdom went to his head. He ceased from acting on his own spiritual instruction. Maybe his heart was never truly in his relationship with God, like his father’s was. How could it be when he lacked God’s Holy Spirit? We do not see Solomon pouring his heart out to God for his mistakes. Solomon had a weakness for beautiful women, but the fault was in Solomon not the women. God was not first in his life because he disobeyed the command ‘not to marry foreign women’. David killed for a beautiful woman. So what made the difference?

We can also tell David’s attitude from his words and actions. In Psalms (meaning a sacred song or poem used in worship) we find a completely different flavour than in his son’s writings. David is more of a student or child rather than a teacher. We see a personal approach, "with my whole heart have I sought you, O let me not wander from your commandments….for therein I delight …my soul faints for your salvation …O how I love your law, it is my meditation all the day…in my distress I cried unto the lord…Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O lord …O God you have taught me from my youth…now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not." We can see the personal pronoun "I" many times – David crying his heart out to his heavenly Father for help. He also praises God with his psalms. It is evident when David brings back the ark of God how passionate is his love for God for "he danced before the Lord with all his might" (1Samuel 6:14). This dance is a form of religious rejoicing. David took the place of a slave at the head of the procession to express honor to God. His willingness to be the Lord's bond slave shows the true purpose and intent of his worship. (David’s Dance Before the Lord)

When confronted by Nathan the prophet about his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband, David meekly agrees with the Lord. He wastes no time on vain excuses or self-defense, but acknowledges his sin. Even when David sinned later in life and given a choice about his punishment he said "let us fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great; and let me not fall into the hand of man."

We see a marked difference in father and son. Solomon seems to have had an intellectual understanding, relying on his intellectual prowess and his vast knowledge instead of relying on God. On the other hand, King David served God with his soul, mind and heart as a trusting and devout son. David responds to God's teaching and correction with a humble and obedient heart. It was a choice he made throughout his life. Solomon hopefully learned that lesson later in life after seeing his folly but we just don’t know.

Maybe now we can understand why not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble are called. (1Corinthians 1:26-28) Like Solomon, they have so much going for them they have no pressing need for God. Solomon lost his childlike attitude, whereas David kept his childlike approach toward God throughout his life. (Matthew 18:1-4) So we need to, like David who had many trials and tribulations, keep a more personal approach (a childlike approach) in our relationship with God the Father. We should be aware of the pitfalls Solomon fell into; who while busily leading a nation and enjoying the fruits of his kingship, it is through his words, directing others to God’s ways, that he forgot his own neediness for God.