Links for today’s readings:
Mar 16 Read: Ecclesiastes 4 Listen: (2:18) Read: Psalms 52-54 Listen: (3:18)
Scripture Focus: Ecclesiastes 4.13-16
13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
1 Kings 11.34-35
34 “ ‘But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees. 35 I will take the kingdom from his son’s hands and give you ten tribes.
Reflection: Don’t Wait for Self-Reflection
By John Tillman
Ecclesiastes can be read as Solomon’s long, self-reflective confession of and repentance from his lavish life of experimentation in search of meaning.
Many characters in the final paragraph of today’s chapter fit Solomon’s later years. This points to him writing it near the time of his death. It doesn’t seem to be a prophetic statement or a statement inserted afterward because it doesn’t get enough details exactly correct. Instead it seems like the human musings of a king finding the wisdom to diagnose his foolishness. He seems to realize that, because of him, things will turn out badly when he is gone.
The “poor but wise youth” fits Jeroboam. Jeroboam’s mother was a widow, so he grew up poor. The quality of his work in repairing the wall caught Solomon’s eye. Solomon elevated him, putting him over the labor force from Joseph’s tribes. (1 Kings 11.26-28)
The “old but foolish king” who cannot “heed a warning” fits Solomon himself. (1 Kings 11.9-13) The prophets told him God would take tribes away from his son’s kingdom. Yet, when a prophet chose Jeroboam to be that king, Solomon tried to kill him, forcing Jeroboam to flee to Egypt.
God sent other “young men” to be Solomon’s enemies. Hadad the Edomite and Rezon of Zobah were sons of kings conquered by David. They escaped as children and grew up to attack and harass Israel during Solomon’s rule. (1 Kings 11.14-25)
The “successor” that the people were “not pleased with” fits Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. After Solomon’s death, the people brought Jeroboam back from exile as their spokesman. The former forced labor supervisor requested a lighter load of labor and taxes for the people. Rehoboam’s spiteful and angry answer tore the kingdom apart. Ten tribes followed Jeroboam, “the youth” instead.
“This too is meaningless,” Solomon said. With all his wealth, wisdom, and advantages, Solomon squandered his opportunities. Instead of faithfulness, he chose idolatry. His lavish lifestyle poisoned his son’s heart against prudence and humility. Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, and the whole nation were harmed by Solomon’s foolishness.
Whether from Solomon or the thief on the cross, deathbed confessions are honored. It’s never too late for self-reflection and honesty, confession and repentance. But it’s never too early either. Why wait?
It is better to repent and serve God while you are young. (Ecc 12.1) Imagine the difference in Israel’s history if Solomon had done so. Imagine the difference in your life if you start now.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Love the Lord, all you who worship him; the Lord protects the faithful, but repays to the full those who act haughtily. — Psalm 31.23
Read more: Existential Dread
Our faith in God does not remove these moments of existential dread…pain needs to be voiced.
Read more: Betrayal and Failure — Guided Prayer
We’ve been betrayed by leaders, by institutions, by our faith communities, by former heroes, and even by our friends or family.
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
