Solomon

1 Kings

Solomon had wisdom –
T’is a well-known fact,
But using wisdom wisely
Was a skill that he did lack.

It started back when he was young,
Just starting out as king,
He asked the Lord to give to him
Just one specific thing.

“Give me wisdom!” was his plea.
“I’ll keep away all strife!”
But God gave even more to him:
Riches, fame, long life.

At first the wisdom did him well,
He prospered in his reign,
But then a wandering eye
Gave his legacy a stain.

Not just one more wife –
Hundreds made a vow,
Then a bunch of concubines
Showed up to take a bow.

Solomon made alliances
With each and every one,
And worshiping all their idols
Made his kingdom come undone.

Although he reigned for 40 years,
No such luck with his descendants,
Until the Son of David came
Accepting man’s repentance.

So, Solomon wasted gifts from God
And squandered what he had,
But God used him anyway
To bring lots of good from bad.