The Reputation of Solomon

             Sometime during the reign of King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba traveled some 1,200 miles to “test him with hard questions” (I Kings 10: 1).  Her visit with the Israelite King teaches us several valuable lessons.

            First, she heard of both Solomon’s fame and his relationship with God (I Kings 10:1).  Solomon was the wisest man in the world, and she likely came to test his wisdom.  She may have also come to test his relationship with God.  Either way, Solomon’s reputation was part of what attracted her.

            It was only word-of-mouth that spread Solomon’s reputation.  Today, social media is most often the source of our reputations.  People will view our pictures and posts, our comments, and actions and then draw their own conclusions about our character.  Will they see us as wise and discerning or foolish?  What about our relationship with God?  Will they even know that we have one?  If so, will it be pleasing in His sight?

            Next, she recognized that it was God who had blessed Solomon as well as the people of Israel through his actions.  Maybe we should also consider the blessings that God gives to us.  We may not be as wise as Solomon, but we each have been blessed in different ways.  How are we using those blessings to bless others?

            Finally, she acknowledged that as King, Solomon’s duty was to maintain justice and righteousness.  Those attributes are indispensable to any leader who claims to follow God.  Every one of us has some position of leadership—in the home, in our jobs, or to those who look up to us or try emulating us.  The prophet Micah said it like this, “…And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6: 8).

            If we learn to guard our reputations from Satan’s attacks, recognize the blessings in our lives, use them to bless others, and strive for justice and righteousness, while we walk humbly with our God, we will be as wise as Solomon.

I Kings 10: 1 – 13

Micah 6: 8

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