by jimwalton » Sun Aug 18, 2019 3:28 pm
Yeah, it's a legitimate question. Kings of the ancient Near East were supposed to be wise, and it was not unusual for them to credit the deity for giving it to them. Such wisdom, as I mentioned, was judicial (1 Kings 3.11) and political (the ability to make good decisions for their people and in international situations), not anything pertaining to being a good follower of the deity (though that was presumed to be part of it as well).
True wisdom for life, as we all learn, comes mostly as the result of experience, maturity, and personal growth, more so than as a sudden gift from heaven. But Solomon teaches us that wisdom alone is not sufficient for life. Though he had the "greatest wisdom of all men," in judicial and political things, his godlessness (being seduced by wealth, power, and idolatry) was ruinous. It is the combination of wisdom and godliness that bring forth a life of righteousness. Both are necessary; it is the direction of the wisdom that makes the difference.
Yeah, it's a legitimate question. Kings of the ancient Near East were supposed to be wise, and it was not unusual for them to credit the deity for giving it to them. Such wisdom, as I mentioned, was judicial (1 Kings 3.11) and political (the ability to make good decisions for their people and in international situations), not anything pertaining to being a good follower of the deity (though that was presumed to be part of it as well).
True wisdom for life, as we all learn, comes mostly as the result of experience, maturity, and personal growth, more so than as a sudden gift from heaven. But Solomon teaches us that wisdom alone is not sufficient for life. Though he had the "greatest wisdom of all men," in judicial and political things, his godlessness (being seduced by wealth, power, and idolatry) was ruinous. It is the combination of wisdom and godliness that bring forth a life of righteousness. Both are necessary; it is the direction of the wisdom that makes the difference.