Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.

I can’t help but think of the above verses while reading 1 Kings 4. God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. v. 29. It goes on to show how great was Solomon’s wisdom.

For all of Solomon’s wisdom, it is never said that he had a heart for God. His father, David, had a heart for God. Love never fails as David experienced.

Energy fails. Understanding fails. Patience fails. After staying with our two youngest, very energetic grandkids, I am completely spent. I long to live a life of serving and after 4 days there is no serving left in me!

And then blessing of blessings, I am in that quiet space of sacred being with God who gives me strength and quiet. I am being refueled spiritually; my body will take a bit longer to recover!

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:9-13.

Our grandkids think like a child; how can they not? The world revolves around their needs to the exclusion of others’ needs. Even when they want to show kindness and give to the other, they are upset when the other refuses what they want to give! The greatest gift is love for others and that comes from our Creator God, the Creator of all life. Our grandkids understand and respond to love especially when it is for them. Don’t we all?

And Solomon? From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. v. 34. I doubt Solomon took care of upset grandkids. And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life. v. 21. I doubt the subjects bringing tribute or laboring to provide that tribute were able to benefit from that wisdom.

Solomon’s wisdom and rule showcase a kingdom ruled by a man; wonderful for the select few. The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. v. 20. Isn’t that the way of the kingdoms of this world? And yet, we have this promise of our Creator God: And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:76-79. John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord and his message was repentance and salvation…the gift of salvation through the forgiveness of sins because of the tender mercy of God. The love of God never fails anyone and provides for all who are willing because our Creator God loves His people and they are us. Solomon, David, all people of all nations then and now. Love never fails whether it’s fractious grandkids, weary grandparents, people and nations in bondage of every kind. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love…guiding our feet into the path of peace.

Solomon had great wisdom. God has more.