When David was old and about to go "the way of all the earth," there was a promise that his young son, Solomon, would reign and guide God's people after his father's death. David gave Solomon some sound advice. "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it." {1 Chronicles 28:9,10}

Solomon understood the great challenge before him. One night while he was at Gibeon, God appeared to Solomon. God promised to grant anything Solomon requested of Him. Read Solomon's request: "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am 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 numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" {1 Kings 3:7-9} Solomon's request pleased the Lord, and not only did He give Solomon wisdom like none before or after him, but He also gave him other things-peace, personal wealth, and power-he had not requested.

How did Solomon handle the knowledge that God instilled within him? Men and women from around the world came to hear Solomon's wisdom. "Then she said to the king: It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However, I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard." {1 Kings 10:6,7} Sadly, although others benefited from his great wisdom, Solomon did not.

One would do well to read the book of Ecclesiastes-the Preacher. Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes after looking back at his many accomplishments and the tasks he undertook while he was king over God's people. "So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun." {Ecclesiastes 2:9-11}

Why was all this vanity and striving after wind? Solomon had left out one thing-God. He wrote, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all." {Ecclesiastes 12:13}

Many people read their Bibles every day, can quote many verses from memory, and claim to believe it is an inspired (God-breathed) book. But they have not learned the art of properly applying to themselves what the Bible teaches. Solomon was wise, but he made no personal application of his wisdom. What about you?