King Solomon was one of the most brilliant and talented people, ever, and it didn't give him joy, happiness. It reminds me of most of the totally brilliant people I've known, and how miserable they were. Never quite fit it. Never challenged at school, many dropped out. Friends with super brilliant kids all report similiar problems. The challenge of raising the super gifted isn't included in parents guides.
Another known problem is of the sons of the famous. Famous people frequently spend more of their time and attention out of their homes and away from their kids. Other times, even if they are good parents, the kids feel that they can never compete and go in different, sometimes dangerously different directions.
King Solomon had some of the same talents/weaknesses as his father, maybe even more. It could be that his attempts to prove that he didn't need the strictness of mitzvot was his way of "fighting." King David had to make up for his childhood when he was treated as "Cinderella." He refers to it in many t'hilim, like the Shir Hamaalot before benching, "whoever sows in tears, reaps in joy." Also in 30 and 31. His son Solomon didn't have to sow in tears. His tears came much later. Trees buffeted by winds when small can survive the snows. Solomon couldn't deal with troubles, because he was too protected when young.
Best we remember that King Solomon had two sons and the events in 1 Kings Chapter 12 indicate the results of Solomon"s sins. These two boys who wanted to be King could not resolve the issue of TAXES on the peoples who requested they be lowered. The Older men of Israel told Rehoboam to do it if he expected Israel to follow him. The younger men told him to put his foot on their neck and raise taxes which he did. Israel split into two kingdoms one called Israel or the Northern and the other call Judah or Southern branch. Taxes have been a problem for centuries and we have the same today. Old Solomon sins found him out.
ReplyDeletethanks, good point
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