A while back I was doing some reading in the writings of Solomon, especially the book of Ecclesiastes and, judging from the things he talks about, I was reminded of a Country/Western song entitled “Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places.” I don’t remember who performed it, but that’s immaterial anyway. So, if you’ll bear with me for a few minutes, hopefully I can explain my connection between that song and the writings of Solomon.
You know, when you think about it, probably no one on earth was more blessed by God in material ways than our man Solomon. If you recall, he was extremely wealthy to the degree that God said that he would surpass all other kings before and after him in wealth and power. (1 Kings 3) Basically, Solomon would be the greatest and wealthiest king to ever be on earth.
But, if you recall, Solomon did not ask God for wealth. He asked Him for “wisdom” and “an understanding heart.” Because of Solomon’s attitude, God did bless him with “wisdom,” but then added all the other blessings to it. Solomon became known worldwide for his “wisdom” and his great wealth. So much so that the Queen of Sheba heard about him and had to come see for herself. She did so and left saying that all the greatness she heard about didn’t make up even half of what she’d heard. Sort of like saying that the things she’d heard didn’t come close to the real truth of his glory.
I think that it’s hard for folks today to comprehend the true greatness of Solomon, especially when you include the other parts of his life such as his political power with the other nations of his world. But, I think that we can look at his life and understand that he could have anything on earth that he desired and from his writings, it appears that he pretty much desired everything and got everything.
Several times he says that “I got me” and then mentions whatever the thing was that he got. Let’s look at some of them. He “got” himself a lot of things that he thought would make him happy. Things like “great works,” and “great houses.” He says that he made himself “gardens, vineyards and orchards.” He created “pools of water.” He “got” many “servants and maidens” and great herds of livestock. Above all of that, he “got” tons of “gold and silver.” He had numerous entertainers to amuse him. And he said, “So I was great..” in the ownership of all the pleasures of earth.
We also know that he amassed a great number of women in his life. The Bible says that he “loved many strange women” (1Kgs. 11:1) and it makes me wonder how the word “strange” applies here. According to Strong’s it can mean either “foreigner” or “outlandish” so you take your pick.
My point is, from the totality of the things he had and the things he “got” it seems that he wasn’t happy. He said that all of this was just “vanity,” meaning they were “unsatisfactory” or “transitory.” And that’s my tie-in to the song – he was looking for love in all the wrong places.
What, with all his wealth, power and, especially wisdom, he was simply searching in “all the wrong places.” Everything he tried, and according to him, he pretty much tried it all, he couldn’t find any earthly “thing” that would satisfy him. Sort of like the “highs & lows” of life. It would work for a while, then didn’t last. A new garden, a new house, a new wife, would be OK for a time, but then the “low” would come and he’d have to try something else.
Well, what did all of these attempts at gaining earthly pleasure bring him? They brought him to the realization that they were all “vanity.” Basically, “worthless.” But, they also brought him to the point that he wrote the following passage. “The conclusion, when all has been heard is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgement, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:13-14)
When we read that passage we can see that Solomon’s “wisdom” won out over all the other blessings of his life. All of his wealth and substance was worthless in the end. But, his “wisdom” allowed him to understand that there are three things most important in a person’s life: “Fear God” – “keep (obey) His commandments” & understand justice will be administered at the end.
“Fear God.” If one doesn’t “fear” (reverence) God then all other sins just fall in line. I direct your attention to what Paul writes in Rom. 1:21-22 and I think you’ll see the evidence of what I just said. “For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.”
“Obedience:” Solomon serves as a prime example of someone not following his own wisdom. That’s why he can look back over his life and tells us, don’t do the things I did, obey God because that’s the only thing that counts in the end. Because justice follows immediately. We’ll be judged according to what we’ve done and not by what we have accrued in life.
We seemingly have a large portion of society today that scoffs at God. That have made power and material things foremost in their lives. Just remember the lesson we learn from Solomon and to “look in the right places” for the love of God.
Ron Covey