After doing some reading in the Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles over the past few months, something occurred to me (I believe it occurred to me simply because the Holy Spirit brought it to my attention).
Most folks would probably readily agree that the two most prominent kings of Israel were David and Solomon.
I realize there were other kings of significance, such as Hezekiah, who sought after the will of the Lord nearly all of his life. But still, the most prominent would have to be David and Solomon I believe.
THEIR HISTORY
King David was far from perfect when you look at his deeds. Probably the most prominently sinful deed which he did was in the taking of Bath-sheba and the instigation of the death of her husband, Uriah.
King Solomon however seems to have done little as concerns disobedience to the Lord; at least until his later years. For when he was older he was seduced into the evil idolatry of his wives; for he had taken many.
Now Solomon was said to have received greater wisdom than any man before him or any man after him. Indeed there is a whole book of the Bible dedicated to this great wisdom, i.e., Proverbs(Actually three books, including Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon). Reading this book it is easy to see why Solomon was considered such a wise man.
King David has much of a book of the Bible which is dedicated to the praise which David offered up unto the Lord.
More beautiful scriptures of praise are not to be found, than those in the book of Psalms.
QUESTION
My question is: with such wisdom as Solomon had received from the Lord, how could he allow himself to fall away from trusting in the Lord? David did not have; for he was not given the great wisdom of Solomon.
With Solomon’s great wisdom which seemed to encompass all things, how is it that he did not continue to understand that all power which was given unto him was of the Lord?
Also, why is it that even though David sinned, and grossly at that; he nevertheless remained a man after Gods own heart?
IN A NUTSHELL
I believe we can give the answer in a nutshell.
Where Solomon was given great wisdom and at the beginning trusted in the Lord: he later perhaps begin to trust more in that great wisdom, than in the God who gave it to him. David simply trusted in his God.
Where David’s heart was full of praise to his God, Solomon’s heart became filled with the praises of the many people who patted him on the back and bragged about how wise he was (this very spirit of pride is alive and well in the church of today. Many people start out trusting in Christ and the Gift of Grace which is given to them by God. Later however and unfortunately, many begin to trust in how good they have become, and in the works of their own hands( this happened to me); leaving behind [just as Solomon did] the understanding and thankfulness of what was accomplished by Christ on their behalf).
TODAY
I have been privileged to sit under the ministry of some very anointed ministers. Most of them spoke with much understanding and wisdom. And I am quite certain that they had received this wisdom from the Lord.
It was easy to tell in many cases that these ministers had spent time with the Lord. And much of this time was probably spent on their knees.
I have heard these ministers, under an anointing from the Lord, speak of numerous things which I simply had not known or understood previously. I speak of such ministers, with a thankful heart, for I am persuaded that the Lord used them to help teach me many things; and undoubtedly also taught many others as well.
There is one minister I sat under only once which was however much different.
There was not the usual ministering and teaching which was usually designed to increase my understanding of what Christ had accomplished for me or of some points of doctrine. The minister had no sermon outline I am quite sure. Neither did this minister spend any time telling people in the huge congregation; that they might be doing this of that wrong, or that if they would do such and such that God would bless them more.
What I did see from this minister was constant praise (brings to my mind that man after Gods own heart; David). From the beginning of the service to the end, was a continual time of Praise to God. In all of the services I have ever attended, I have never seen or felt the presence of the Lord more. The Holy Spirit seemed to move on everybody, and there were many people healed in that service. In case you have not guessed who was the minister at this service: it was Kathryn Kulman.
If you were ever fortunate enough to attend one of her services, I’m sure you know what I mean.
MESSAGE TO US
I believe a message to believers today which can be garnered from the history of these two kings, and a history of Kathryn Kulman services, would be: Praise is better than wisdom. We cannot all be wise, but we can all give praise. And if the believer will at all times give praise for all the Lord has done for him: THE LORD WILL UNDOUBTEDLY GIVE HIM THE WISDOM WHICH HE NEEDS, AND THE LORD WILL CONTINUALLY REVEAL HIMSELF TO SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL.
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