“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days” (Job 12:12, ESV).

“Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28, ESV).

Introduction: For as long as I have been a student of Scripture, I have tracked with Solomon. I can hear the exclamations already: “What?!! A man with multiple wives, and cocubines! A man given over to seasons of sin!” Yes, exactly.

The point, of course, is not about concubinage or polygamy, but about the human condition and Solomon’s (and our, and my) need of the Savior. Solomon was a great man and simultaneously a great sinner. And through my studies, I have come to believe he is numbered among the elect. He was redeemed by the person and work of Christ.

Segue: So many lessons are found in Solomon’s life and in those who ignored his life’s lessons. For example, in 2 Chronicles we read of how rulers of other nations came to visit Solomon, to grasp his majesty and rule, but also simply to marvel:

The Queen of Sheba

9 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, having a very great retinue and camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. ² And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her. ³ And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, ⁴ the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.

⁵ And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, ⁶ but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard. ⁷ Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! ⁸ Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” ⁹ Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

¹⁰ Moreover, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones. ¹¹ And the king made from the algum wood supports for the house of the Lord and for the king’s house, lyres also and harps for the singers. There never was seen the like of them before in the land of Judah.

¹² And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants. (2 Chronicles 9:1-12, ESV)

Teaching: Sheba’s queen got it, but Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, didn’t. He was the textbook example of a stubborn unteachable young man. He thought himself smarter than history and his elders. And he led the people into destruction.

¹³ And the king answered them harshly; and forsaking the counsel of the old men, ¹⁴ King Rehoboam spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” ¹⁵ So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the Lord might fulfill his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.(2 Chronicles 10:13-15, ESV)

Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men. That’s crucial to understand and to learn from.

Takeaway: I am of an age where I can see the hubris often associated with youth and inexperience. My nature is to overwork rather than underwork. I’ve never been accused of laziness in my vocation. I love work; it’s what God commands. But I also have learned what Solomon taught (among other things), namely, that youthful impetuousness is oft-linked with destruction. Pray for the youngish and ambitious who are prematurely installed in positions of leadership. Rehoboams are not new. More would know that if we learned from history.