When King Solomon asked God for wisdom instead of power, fame, or riches, God told him: ‘You could have asked me to make you rich or famous or to let you live a long time. Or you could have asked for your enemies to be destroyed. Instead, you asked for wisdom and knowledge to rule my people. So I will make you wise and intelligent. But I will also make you richer and more famous than any king before or after you’ (2 Chronicles 1:11-12 CEV). Did God keep His promise? Well, consider this: what would you get if you crossed Mickey Mouse, an oil magnate, the leader of a superpower nation, and Socrates? The most famous, richest, most powerful, wisest person on the planet! That’s a fitting description of King Solomon in his time. He ruled the world’s greatest empire. His merchant ships plied the seas, bringing him back the treasures of the earth. He designed and built some of the world’s most important buildings, including the temple. He constructed reservoirs, parks, gardens, and vineyards. He mastered commerce, science, and literature. He became a poet laureate, a distinguished writer, and a gifted musician. He learned the incredible worth of wisdom, enjoyed all its benefits, and wrote: ‘Let instruction and knowledge mean more to you than silver or the finest gold. Wisdom is worth much more than precious jewels or anything else you desire’ (Proverbs 8:10-11 CEV). There are thirty-one chapters in the book of Proverbs – one for every day of the month – so here is a suggestion: why don’t you read a chapter a day for the next twelve months and become wise?
