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Was Solomon a very happy
king? Yes, he had much to make him happy. He had riches, and
possessions, and honors, and knowledge. Could these things make him
truly happy? No, but Solomon had something more and better than all;
he had God's love and blessing. Solomon was very wise; he understood
many things, and wrote many learned books. He wrote about animals,
and trees, and flowers. He knew the names and the histories of them
all. It is very pleasant to have much knowledge; and when we learn
about the wonderful works of God, the beautiful animals and plants around
us, and the sun, and moon, and stars, which we see shining so brightly in
the sky, we should praise God who gave them all to us, and thank and bless
Him. It is right to wish for knowledge, and children ought to be
very attentive to those who teach them, and very anxious to become
wise. But we must not be proud of what we know. Solomon knew
more than any man ever knew, but he was not proud. None of us know
much. We are all ignorant, and we ought all to be humble. God
alone knows all things; the past, the present, the future, every thing,
every where, He knows. How wonderful God is! But what is the
best knowledge, the best wisdom? The knowledge of God and of
heavenly things. All earthly wisdom must soon end; but holy,
heavenly wisdom will last for ever. If we ask God for this, He will
teach us more and more of it, while we live; and at last, take us to
heaven, where we shall know and see things which we cannot understand
here. What books did
Solomon write? He wrote the book of Proverbs, and the book of
Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, and many beautiful Psalms. He
wrote much for young people. He wanted to teach them to love and
serve God. Solomon told the young people, that riches and pleasures
could not make them happy; he said, "All is vanity and vexation of
spirit;" and then he advised them to begin to serve the Lord, before
it should be too late. He said, "Remember now thy
Creator in the days of thy youth;" for he knew how happy they would
be if God was their father and their friend. Solomon
now began to think of David's command, and prepared to build the temple of
God. He wrote to Hiram, the king of Tyre, to tell him what he wished
to do. Solomon asked Hiram to send him cedar trees from Lebanon, to
build the house of the Lord. Then Hiram sent to Solomon, saying,
"I will do all thy wish, and give thee cedar trees and fir trees from
the forest in Lebanon. My servants shall cut them down, and bring
them by sea to the place thou shalt choose." Then Solomon began
to work directly. He sent many of his servants to Lebanon, to help
Hiram's servants to cut down the trees. Then all the wood was
carried to the sea, and floated down to Joppa; and there Solomon sent his
people to take the wood, and bring it safely to Jerusalem. Hiram and
Solomon were great friends, and they helped one another to work for God's
service and glory. Those are the best friends who try to help one
another to serve God.
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