Solomon’s Final Conclusion
Ecclesiastes 9:1 - 12:14
“Woe to the land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time - for strength and not for drunkenness. Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.” - Ecclesiastes 10:16-18 NIV
It appears that Solomon is pointing out something that Jews should be painfully aware of. Thru the generations Israel had many immature and irresponsible leaders. Knowing this would be the result of Israel having a king like the other nations is the reason God had set Himself up as their only true king. However, there came a time chronicled in 1 Samuel*, when the Jews insisted on having a king so they could be like the other nations. Now the other nations were not the chosen people of God and both God and Samuel knew this. Samuel took offense to this request, but God allowed it because the people thought they knew better then God how to live. Even today God desires people who want to serve Him, not feel forced to.
The books of 1st & 2nd Kings describe the decline of the kingdoms when Israel’s leaders were only concerned about themselves and not the people. These leaders were selfish and lazy. I liken the history of Israel and where they stood with God to a rollercoaster. There were good years, full of joy and prosperity (the rise of the coaster) and very bad years, when evil ruled (the drop of the coaster).
The verbiage used by Solomon here is very descriptive. We can picture in our mind’s eye sagging rafters which cause leaks in a house. Perhaps you’ve had the misfortune of sagging rafters at one time in your own home. That is a perfect expression of what the Israeli king at the time held as most important. As long as he was satisfied and his personal needs were met, why should he care what happened around him. Kings of this ilk were often overrun by other nations. They were easily manipulated due to their weak constitution. It is very easy to see the good from the evil kings. The good kings served God which served as a example to encourage the people to do likewise. The evil kings couldn’t care less what happened around them. They were to a man weak minded and useless to everyone, even themselves. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: Footnote from Ecc. 10:16-18; The Life Application Study Bible; Tyndale Publishers.
* 1 Samuel 8
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