LAST week we talked about King David and his lust for Bathsheba. As punishment for King David’s sins of coveting Bathsheba who was Uriah’s wife and murdering Uriah so he could marry her even though he already had 6 wives and numerous concubines, the first born son of David and Bathsheba died several days after birth. But their second son, Solomon succeeded David as King of Israel and Judah.
King Solomon had a dream. He dreamt that God, Yahweh, the God of Moses and Israel, my God whose only Son, Jesus, became man through the Blessed Virgin Mary, and willingly died on the cross to redeem mankind from the consequences of sin, asked him what he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom so that he would be a fair and just to his people. God was pleased with what Solomon asked for because most people would ask for longevity and wealth. God was so pleased with Solomon that not only did He give him wisdom. He also gave him longevity and great wealth. However, God’s condition was that he would continue to have wisdom, longevity and great wealth as long as Solomon walked with God and followed His commandments.
Two women who lived in the same house had given birth. One of the babies died at night. The mother of the dead baby switched her baby for the live one. In the morning, she claimed the live one as her own. Both women brought their dispute to King Solomon. Solomon asked for a sword and told the women he was going to cut the baby in half and give each woman half. The fake mother agreed. The real mother disagreed and told the King the other woman could keep the baby. King Solomon gave the baby to the real mother. Wisdom leads to the truth and the truth is that the woman who was willing to give up the baby so the baby may live, instead of being cut in half, is the real mother.
How many wives did King Solomon have? He had seven hundred wives! And how many concubines did he have? He had three hundred concubines! So, not only was he wise, he was also insatiable. All his wives were foreign princesses who brought their idols with them. Some of his wives were able to convince Solomon to make temples for their idols which he also worshipped! Thus, Solomon eventually betrayed God when he turned to the idols of his numerous wives. When this happened, God became displeased with Solomon so all of his 700 wives started to nag him about every little thing. “Why are you late for dinner tonight, Shlomo?” he was asked this question 700 times a night, and he had to respond 700 times a night, making him miserable for the rest of his shortened life. Don’t forget God said that he would continue to be wise and live long if he kept the commandments of God. By turning to his wives’ idols he broke the 1st commandment: “I am the Lord, your God, and you will have no other gods before me!” Was Solomon also committing adultery? No, because all the 700 women were his wives, he was married to them. You cannot commit adultery with your own wife! That’s how wise he was. How about fornicating with his 300 concubines? He owned his concubines as property. It is legally impossible to fornicate with property, that’s how wise he was.
Now let’s pretend that King Solomon did not break the first commandment. He might still be living today as the King of the world because of God’s promise to him of longevity. If you are having problems with too much debt today, you might go to him and ask him if you should seek bankruptcy relief. Solomon is not around anymore, but our God is. So, just to pray to Him and ask Him for wisdom like King Solomon but don’t ask Him for 700 wives. That’s not a wise idea nowadays.
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Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S Fremont Ave Bldg A-1 Suite 1125 Unit 58 Alhambra, CA 91803.
