Kingdoms come and kingdoms go. One stands the test of time while another crumbles. What makes the difference? How did King David have such a long, difficult journey to begin and maintain his reign, fighting off enemies within and without yet persevering triumphantly, while King Solomon with his kingdom delivered on a silver platter and rest from wars still failed miserably? There has to be a reason for such victory over obstacles or ruin in the midst of ease.
There are many great qualities in King David and his son King Solomon. As I read of their stories in my Chronological Bible, studying their lives in succession, the comparisons and contrasts are readily apparent. I am struck at one main difference that really sets them apart from one another and leads me to wonder if that is what explains the success of one and the downfall of another. I gain this perspective as I consider what each man devoted himself to in writing.
While reading David’s Psalms and Solomon’s Proverbs, it strikes me how each book really depicts each man’s desire, each king’s intent. Even though Solomon did write two Psalms (72 and 127), the majority of his writings are believed to be Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. After having read through David’s Psalms, with his content still fresh on my mind, and now entering in to Solomon’s Proverbs, I am noticing their distinction.
And then it hits me- one man wrote of his passion, while the other wrote of his purpose!
There is the difference! Devotion! But the object of the devotion made all the difference. David was devoted to the God of his life while Solomon was devoted more to the duty of life. Both men were desiring to do right by their calling to reign over God’s established kingdom, but only one man was able to last the course. Only one King finished well…..
So why was devotion to duty not enough? Solomon sought wisdom from God in 1 Kings 3:5-15 which is a good thing. It is a worthy request. And we read in 1 Kings 4:29-34 that God gave generously the wisdom Solomon asked for and “men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world…..” . Wow! The whole world benefitted from one man’s wisdom!!
But where did all that wisdom get the great man himself? As we continue to read about King Solomon, we see how he lost his kingdom through idolatry and rebellion. In the end, he let go of all that was given him. He did not have the sense to keep it- the know-how to persevere in the right way so his kingdom endured. He may have been brilliant, but for all that wisdom, it was not enough to guarantee his success.
Once again, I want to know and understand why? Why was wisdom not enough? If knowing what is good and right is not enough, then what will it take to ensure I end up any better off than Solomon?
Solomon was not void of devotion. He was just devoted to the wrong thing. Knowing right is very different than doing right. He absolutely knew what he should do and what he should not do, but he was tragically void of the power to abide by it. What was he missing that David obviously had?
I think I find what I am looking for in one of David’s Psalms. Psalm 63 is my all-time favorite of his because it was written as he was on the run in the desert from his son Absalom, towards the end of his reign. The Psalm begins by David testifying what he is desperate for, with one thinking readily of water, vindication, help, etc. But what is so amazing, and equally indicative of David’s heart, is that none of these are identified. David states that what he is desperate for is God! It goes on to say in verse 3, ” Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”
What David had so abundantly, that served him far better than all the wisdom of the world, was love! David spoke often in his Psalms of how he loved the Lord, and it is this that is so awkwardly missing from Solomon’s writings.
This drives home to me the relevance, and absolute necessity, of love. To know God is to love Him. David knew this magnificent Diety and he fell head over heels for this powerful, yet personal God. He understood God and how he was loved by Him, which only fueled his own reciprocating love. It was the love from God and for God that fueled obedience to what God required.
Self-will and wisdom only got Solomon so far. But David’s love compelled him the full measure, so that he was able to persevere and triumph through his weaknesses and temptations. Love compelled him past what he wanted in his flesh to the greater goal of pleasing and obeying God. And when David did fall into sin, he immediately repented when confronted by the Lord through His prophet. How a man responds to confrontation over his sin reveals what matters most to him- either his standing before God or his own self-will. Only one thing can conquer self-will and that is love!
Maybe that is why the greatest commandment sited by Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:37) was to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus knew focusing on and striving for love is what makes all the difference! Not wisdom, not discipline, not even ease in circumstances!
If a kingdom can fall, so can the man or woman. I have seen too many staunch Christians crumble in ways I never thought possible. I have felt the internal turmoil myself to let go of all I have been given. But the one thing that continues to fuel the grip of my hand on my faith and the life He has blessed me with is the love of Christ- that love compels me to live my life for Him who died for me and not for myself (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). The devil is counting on the deceit that we do not realize what we are capable of- whether good or bad.
What makes a kingdom prevail is what makes a man prevail……devotion to the Lord God Almighty, loving Him above all else! Faith, hope and love…..but the greatest of these is love.
