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, a pretty accurate description of King Solomon is that in his time, he was the most famous, the richest, the most powerful, and the wisest person on the planet! He ruled the world’s greatest empire. His merchant ships sailed 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 built reservoirs, parks, gardens, and vineyards. He mastered commerce, science, and literature. He became a celebrated poet, 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). And as the author of the book of Proverbs, Solomon’s wisdom is something we can all learn from today. There are thirty-one chapters in Proverbs – one for every day of the month – so why not try reading a chapter a day for the next month and draw on Solomon’s wisdom!
