Some of the most miserable people in the world are those who have these things. David had something to say about wisdom which was quite different from his son's. See his testimony in Psalm 16:7, 8. God’s Word is the only sure source of wis dom and knowledge. The Bible an swers life’s basic questions. The comparisons between these two men are most marked. There were a thousand women who could be called the wives of Solomon. He had parties that no social “bash” to day could even come close to. There were no moral s tan d a rd s to be obeyed. Solomon as king could do anything he desired. Consequently, he went to every extent to have a good time. Yet, he could only say in later years that all was vanity. To day, with drugs so prevalent, and complete sexual abandon, there is a dropping of all responsibility and order. The saying is, “Do your own thing!” The idea is that “anything goes.” We should just live for pleas ure. Such a life, as Solomon knew, will never satisfy. No wonder our young people today are disillusioned and confused. The suicide rate among teenagers is almost unbelievable. Only Jesus Christ can satisfy the basic deep-down needs of the human heart. David, on the other hand, found his pleasure in another source (Psa. 16:11). Knowing God is not some thing that will come and go, leaving you empty. It’s a pleasure and joy which builds and satisfies not only for today, but for all our tomorrows. Solomon also sought the avenue of worldly possessions (Eccl. 2:4ff). In reading I Kings, the 10th chap ter, it seems to one that it is almost absurd to see the extent to which Solomon went to gain worldly pos sessions. Nothing seemed to sat isfy. While we may be limited by a lack of funds, it was not so with Solomon. He was one of the richest kings this world has ever known. 17
MEANINGFUL LIVING
by Ted Duncan, student at Talbot Theological Seminary
W hether young or old, people today around the world are searching for a meaning and a ful fillment in life. The Bible tells us about two kings, both extremely wealthy, who searched for the an swer to life’s needs. They were David, and his son Solomon. They sought for a purpose in life in quite different ways. Solomon’s story is recorded in Ecclesiastes. The first chapter shows his search with wisdom and knowl edge; however, they were carried to an extreme (v. 13). Solomon is a name which has become synonymous with wisdom (I Kings 4:29ff). Yet, in spite of this, it didn’t bring him peace and purpose in life. In fact, Solomon found that the more he knew, the more miserable it made him. Wisdom by itself will not an swer the basic problems of life. Peo ple want to know such things as, “Who am I? Where am I going? What’s the purpose of my existence ?” Science, education and wealth can’t answer these questions. Popularity, success, fame and fortune don’t guar antee purpose and meaning in life.
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