Many are familiar with the Book of Proverbs, which reflects the wisdom of King Solomon. If King Solomon serves as any example, he is an example in the Bible of a righteous ruler. There is no doubt that he was aware that his authority came from God, and he took it seriously enough that he asked God to give him wisdom to rule over the Hebrews.
Solomon was the son of King David, and according to 1 Kings 3 when David was going to die he appointed Solomon to take his place. After David’s death, Solomon, who had no prior experience as a leader of people (Does that sound familiar?) asked God whom he loved for help. In 1 Kings 3:6-9, King Solomon says to God, in a dream, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
Verses 10-14 says, “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.’”
Who can beat a deal like that, huh? All the real estate, "universities," airlines and gambling casinos with their towers couldn’t beat a deal like that, I believe.
Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” This is derived in part from Daniel 2:21 which says “[God] changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;” And did not Jesus say to Pontius Pilate that Pilate would have no authority over him unless it came from God? So as with Jesus, under God we should abide by leaders who preside over us with God in mind. Any leader who does not have God in mind invites His wrath and risks his people being destroyed in the face of the righteous. Where is the great Roman empire, or the Third Reich now, for instance? The former stands as a tourist attraction, and the latter is scattered amongst the dust, with any vestige of spirit existing in only a few.
We are faced with leaders today who by their actions deny God’s existence and the wisdom that God would impart to them. Eventually they and their underlings in government will be replaced by people who are cognizant of God and will once again rule in the same manner as King Solomon, with all the honor attributed to them. And when they take their seat of authority, nations will not laugh at them.
It would be wise for anyone seeking wisdom to read the Proverbs of Solomon.
Solomon was the son of King David, and according to 1 Kings 3 when David was going to die he appointed Solomon to take his place. After David’s death, Solomon, who had no prior experience as a leader of people (Does that sound familiar?) asked God whom he loved for help. In 1 Kings 3:6-9, King Solomon says to God, in a dream, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
Verses 10-14 says, “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.’”
Who can beat a deal like that, huh? All the real estate, "universities," airlines and gambling casinos with their towers couldn’t beat a deal like that, I believe.
Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” This is derived in part from Daniel 2:21 which says “[God] changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;” And did not Jesus say to Pontius Pilate that Pilate would have no authority over him unless it came from God? So as with Jesus, under God we should abide by leaders who preside over us with God in mind. Any leader who does not have God in mind invites His wrath and risks his people being destroyed in the face of the righteous. Where is the great Roman empire, or the Third Reich now, for instance? The former stands as a tourist attraction, and the latter is scattered amongst the dust, with any vestige of spirit existing in only a few.
We are faced with leaders today who by their actions deny God’s existence and the wisdom that God would impart to them. Eventually they and their underlings in government will be replaced by people who are cognizant of God and will once again rule in the same manner as King Solomon, with all the honor attributed to them. And when they take their seat of authority, nations will not laugh at them.
It would be wise for anyone seeking wisdom to read the Proverbs of Solomon.
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