Introduction: A couple of weeks ago, amid the prayer prayed over Solomon at his induction, because of the Church Calendar and the Ascension of Jesus, I took a break from Psalms. On that occasion I wrote in the introduction “Solomon isn’t one of my favourite Bible heroes. He started well but ended up badly…..On the positive side there are such things in this prayer for Solomon which I certainly find a blessing!….. Solomon started well but sadly ended badly! The Bible keeps stressing ‘persistent faithfulness until the end!” There are a number of things in today’s prayer that he certainly didn’t positively exemplify.
12 For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live;
may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
all nations call him blessed!
18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
Comment: I’m sorry, Solomon, as there are some things in your earlier life which I will give you a ‘thumbs up’ for, but, particularly in your later life, my thought is that you made a mess of it! Some of your marriages were made for political purposes but is that God’s way? And the number of relationships which you had with women is obscene – women aren’t play things and have needs and rights! Did you treat your subjects well? Did you lead your country well? I note you expanded your borders and brought in great wealth, but why was there no leader prepared to rule when you died? Why did they feel a need to split into two kingdoms? The son who followed you was a narcissistic wimp. Why did the wishes of your wives hold sway over the commands of Jehovah God? This with the result that you erected and took part in the worship of their false and useless idols? But I’m glad that you did teach so many examples – examples which tell me ‘How I shouldn’t act! But I do thank you for the writings which you left behind. God is your Judge not me! And I remember that He is mine also!
Proverbs 22: 1 – “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Prayer: Help me to see clearly what You are trying to teach me in Bible stories and lessons. I would be ‘your’ person, O my God.
As I read it! 