THE blessings which accrue to the individual, and through him to the world at large, through the acquirement and constant expression of wisdom, were convincingly illustrated in the life of Solomon, as recorded in the first chapter of II Chronicles. It is related therein that when the youthful Solomon succeeded to the kingdom of his father, David, he was perturbed by a sense of his high calling and the magnitude and sacredness of the task before him.
But Solomon, who from early childhood had been taught by the example of David to turn to God for aid, was active in his obedience to God, as the Scriptures testify. Therefore he prayed, "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?" Following this meek plea for help and guidance, the record continues, "And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, . . . wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee."
Throughout the centuries since elapsed, the wisdom of Solomon has been proverbial as an example for human conduct; but the connection between the wisdom which he manifested and his reliance on God for help has not been generally discerned. The world's spiritual advisers have, times without number, counseled mankind to ask wisdom of God; but it would seem that this asking has been predicated mainly on the belief that such prayer would be answered in proportion to the fervency and frequency of the petition; that "wisdom . . . the principal thing," while a quality much needed in the world, was not a universal attribute, but one which might be granted to individuals according to the good pleasure of a mutable God.
