Chapter 10

Solomon spends time in chapter 10 much as he did in Proverbs. He spent considerable time in Proverbs discussing deriding fools and foolish conduct as he does so here. This chapter seems more like a collection of wise sayings and observations as opposed to a sermon. Its purpose is to recommend wisdom to us, its precepts and rules recommending that wise and great men take great precaution as true wisdom will gain great reputation and is easily lost with a little folly. I can relate to this.

10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. 10:2 A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Think of this in terms of right and left handed persons. The mechanics of writing are ordered from different sides of the brain for each. A right handed person can perceive an awkwardness when observing a left handed person. They are considered here as a place of protection vs. a place of danger. I am sure this mattered more in his day than now. Left handed people are more prone to accident statistically, but then the world is designed for right-handedness, eh?

10:3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses. It is wise to live a quiet and peaceful life. A wise response is not to respond to the folly of a superior. Don't quit your job when your boss flies off the handle. Employ a little wisdom here.

10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 10:6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth. The lesson is that the self-controlled person who has less rank in society is really more powerful than the out-of-control person who might have power over him. It is safer and better to yield to an angry prince than to contend with him. There are most capable people who are walking as servants while the more foolish are in power upon horses. Do you ever wonder why some people get promoted to management positions?

10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 10:9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 10:10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 10:11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. Solomon is showing danger in what a person undertakes to state that one must show wisdom in everyday tasks to guard against what may happen if they are not careful. Improper timing can foil wisdom in these and many matters. Dig a pit for someone else, you might fall in it yourself. Consider a hedge metaphorically as a boundary. Break that boundary and the hiding serpent may bite you.

10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 10:14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 10:15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city. Ever hear the term, "word salad"? Fools destroy themselves by the way they talk. They don't know when to be quiet, or when to come out of the rain. Foolish people are nonsense. People with some wisdom will speak graciously, to the point, and have some value in what they speak. A fool is a waste of time and energy. If they have any idea of what they are doing, it is probable it is not in your best interest. Note, Many who are empty of sense are full of words; and the least solid are the most noisy.

10:16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 10:17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 10:18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. This can speak to the foolishness of those in authority, or government or a foolish man as head of his family. They show the bad effects of such leadership. Let those in leadership take note of what can happen when they make such foolish decisions. The Old testament has many rules for its kings. Drunkenness and sloth are foolish.

10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. Show me the money...Don't spend your talk and time trying to overthrow those who have more power than you. It can certainly come back to haunt you. Does Solomon, and the Bible, say do not speak out against injustices? Not really, but he really isn't addressing how to affect change in a corrupt government, just don't endanger yourself unnecessarily. Be smart about it.

Resources used in this post are Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, Dr. Constable's note on Ecclessiates, Bible Trak Bible Commentary, On-line Bible UK.

Solomon's Throne

Let's imagine for a moment we are living in the 10th century BC and we, for some reason have an audience in the court of King Solomon, the wealthiest, wisest, most industrious leader of Israel in its glory. We are introduced and escorted to see the king approaching his throne. (This is directly from Answers.com, but many sources were compiled in writing it.)

Solomon's throne is described at length in Targum Sheni, (an Aramaic translation and elaboration of the Book of Esther) which is compiled from three different sources and in two later Midrashim (a group of Jewish commentaries on the Hebrew Scriptures compiled between A.D. 400 and 1200 and based on exegesis, parable, and haggadic legend). There are six steps leading to the throne. There are animals of pure gold on each side of the steps. On the first step, a lion on one side and an ox on the other. On the second step a wolf opposite of a sheep. On the third is a tiger opposite a camel. On the fourth step an eagle opposite a peacock. On the fifth step, a cat opposite a rooster/cock. On the sixth step there is sparrow hawk opposite a dove. On the top of the throne there was a dove holding a sparrow hawk in its claws, symbolizing the dominion of Israel over the Gentiles. The throne was covered with fine gold from Ophir, studded with beryls, inlaid with marble, and jeweled with emeralds, rubies, pearls, and all manner of gems.

The Midrashim states the six steps represent Solomon's belief that six kings would rule over Israel. Also on top of the throne was a golden candelabrum. On the seven branches of one side of the candelabrum were the names of seven patriarchs: Adam, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Job. On the other side were seven branches with the names of Levi, Kohath, Amram, Moses, Aaron, Eklad, Medad and either Hur or Hagga, depending on the version. Above the candelabrum was a jar filled with olive oil and beneath it a golden basin which supplied the jar with oil and which the names of Nadab, Abilu and Eli and his two sons were engraved. Over the throne were twenty-four vines fixed to cast a shadow on the king's head.

By some mechanical contrivance, the throne followed Solomon wherever he wished to go. Other mechanics caused the animals on the first step, when Solomon placed his foot upon it, to have the ox stretch forth its leg, on which Solomon leaned. There was a similar mechanical action that took place with each of the animals on each of the six steps. From the sixth step, the eagles raised the king and placed him in his seat, near which a golden serpent lay coiled. When the king was seated, the large eagle placed the crown on his head and the serpent uncoiled himself. Then the lions and eagles moved upward to form a shade over him. The dove then descended, took the scroll of the Law from the Ark, and placed it in Solomon's knees.

It was the task of seven heralds to keep Solomon reminded of his duties as king and judge. The first one of the heralds approached him when he set foot on the first step of the throne, and began to recite the law for kings, "He shall not multiply wives to himself." (oops) At the second step, the second herald reminded him, "He shall not multiply horses to himself" (oops, again); at the third, the next one of the heralds said, "Neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold." (how many times was he reminded of these things?) At the fourth step, he was told by the fourth herald, "Thou shalt not wrest judgment"; at the fifth step, by the fifth herald, "Thou shalt not respect persons," and at the sixth, by the sixth herald, "Neither shalt thou take a gift." Finally, when he was about to seat himself upon the throne, the seventh herald cried out: "Know before whom thou standest."

When the king sat, surrounded by the Sanhedrin (the highest judicial and ecclesiastical council of the ancient Jewish nation, composed of from 70 to 72 members), the wheels of the throne began to turn and the beasts and fowl began to utter their respective cries. This action frightened those who intended to bear false testimony. In addition, while Solomon was ascending to the throne, the lions scattered all kinds of fragrant spices. The BibleThe Bible describes the Throne Of Solomon as the most powerful seat or structure that was ever created after the Arc Of Covenant. "Solomon's" Throne emanated such magical powers that, not even Moses could surpass if he was alive. Still remember why you came before the king?

After Solomon's death, the Pharoah Shishak (Solomon's father-in-law), when taking away the treasures of the temple (I Kings, xlv. 26), carried off the throne for security for his daughter. It remained in Egypt until Sennacherib conquered that country. After his fall, Hezekiah gained possession of it, but when Josiah was slain by Pharoah Necho, the latter took it away. According to Rabbinical accounts, Necho didn't know how to operate the throne and accidently struck himself with one of the lions causing him to become lame. The throne subsequently fell in to the hands of Nebuchadnezzer who shared a similar fate. The throne then passed to the Persians whose king Darius was the first to successfully sit on the throne since Solomon's death. After that the throne passed to the Greeks and Ahasuerus. The Median rulers parted with the throne to the Greek monarchs, and finally it was carried to Rome. There is no further account of the throne's existence. I wonder if it was taken apart for the gold and jewelry and mechanics. or it is still somewhere to be discovered by the Archeologists? Archeologists believe it existed because so many kings wanted possession of that throne. No one has been able to replicate the complexities of the throne. Imagine showing up with this at the Antique Roadshow.

This blog utilized information from Answers.com and their related references, www.globusz.com/ebooks/LegJew4/00000058.htm, www.domainofman.com/forum/index.cgi?noframes;read=143, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon

Chapter Nine

Solomon sees in hind sight that enjoying life as God's gift is central to living your life. Our world is finite. Sin has twisted life making it something other than what God intended it to be. Our world values many things in life above wisdom. Solomon believes, in this stage of his life, that wisdom is the greatest asset in living, though it goes unrecognized as we worship attractiveness, wealth, popularity, addictions and success. It is all smoke. It vanishes into thin air.

In this chapter, Solomon's emphasis is on what mans does not know because God has not revealed many things. He also is emphasizing this mystery must not diminish human joy or prevent us from working with all our might. vs.1 All these things have I considered in my heart, that I might carefully understand them: there are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of God: and yet man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love, or hatred: vs. 2 But all things are kept uncertain for the time to come, because all things equally happen to the just and to the wicked, to the good and to the evil, to the clean and to the unclean, to him that offereth victims, and to him that despiseth sacrifices. As the good is, so also is the sinner: as the perjured, so he also that sweareth truth. vs. 3 This is a very great evil among all things that are done under the sun, that the same things happen to all men: whereby also the hearts of the children of men are filled with evil, and with contempt while they live, and afterwards they shall be brought down to hell. vs. 4 There is no man that liveth always, or that hopeth for this: a living dog is better than a dead lion. vs.5 For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing more, neither have they a reward any more: for the memory of them is forgotten.

Verse 5 is something I saw on a gravestone in a cemetery on the south side of Princeton while I was in high school. It struck me as profound, and a little morose. Our finiteness of life is not something we grasp, as real as it is. I know that a funeral always puts this reality into perspective. Would we live our life differently with this knowledge? So here is our world: the wicked and good both get the same thing and it is very hard to discern which is what. Our definition of happiness has to include the good and the bad that happens in life, while we are here to experience it. There is no getting around it. God decides which is which and it is not dealt with until the next dimension. The most vile of life is better than the most noble dead. On the other side of life, the difference between them will be vast.

vs, 6 Their love also, and their hatred, and their envy are all perished, neither have they any part in this world, and in the work that is done under the sun. vs. 7 Go then, and eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with gladness: because thy works please God. vs. 8 At all times let thy garments be white, and let not oil depart from thy head. vs. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest (from a man with how many wives?), all the days of thy unsteady life, which are given to thee under the sun, all the time of thy vanity: for this is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherewith thou labourest under the sun. vs, 10 Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge shall be in hell, whither thou art hastening. Solomon believes we really have no control over our lives. We don't know what is coming or what it all means. Why are we in such a hurry to get there? We spend a good deal of energy on our physical being, but how much time do we spend on our spiritual being? Live! and enjoy your work and what you have of life. When you die, it is all gone. Now, to clarify an earlier statement, when someone is suffering and says they would be better dead, his opportunities for earthly enjoyment will cease when dead. Gain wisdom to do and be as good as you can.

vs. 11 I turned me to another thing, and I saw that under the sun, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the learned, nor favour to the skillful: but time and chance in all. vs. 12 Man knoweth not his own end: but as fishes are taken with the hook, and as birds are caught with the snare, so men are taken in the evil time, when it shall suddenly come upon them. vs. 13 This wisdom also I have seen under the sun, and it seemed to me to be very great: vs. 14 A little city, and few men in it: there came against it a great king, and invested it, and built bulwarks round about it, and the siege was perfect. vs. 15 Now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he delivered the city by his wisdom, and no man afterward remembered that poor man. Wisdom is no guarantee for a good life. There is a story that Alexander the Great came upon a small town with the intention of destroying it. An old man came to him from the town and Alexander said, "I will not grant what you wish in my desire to take over this town." The old man replied, "Then please destroy this city and leave nothing unturned." Alexander did exactly as he said he would do to the old man and left the city unharmed. No one remembered the old man and his wisdom. Sigh, Wisdom is better than wealth or power and it goes unrecognized.

vs. 16 And I said that wisdom is better than strength: how then is the wisdom of the poor man slighted, and his words not heard? vs. 17 The words of the wise are heard in silence, more than the cry of a prince among fools. vs. 18 Better is wisdom, than weapons of war: and he that shall offend in one, shall lose many good things. A man may commit one sin and this can destroy a lifetime of virtue. A wise man can make one foolish statement and destroy his reputation. Such is life. He who destroys his own soul, takes a lot of others with him. One sinner destroys much good and his compensation does not necessarily show up until this life is over. Heaven is not on earth. Do not let that keep you from doing your best work, eating what is provided for you and enjoying your friends and family. Keep your self focused upon the words God left us and in doing as much good as you are able. Always. Wisdom.

Contributions from Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, Bible Tracks Commentary, Dr. Constable's note on Ecclesiastes, www.telechem. com and the Douay-Rheims Bible