Ecclesiastes 12:13 AMP
[13] When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.
Solomon started life so good. By natural calculation and genetics, he was not in line to the throne. His father's lust for women was what led to the murder of Uriah, and the later marriage of David to Bathsheba. Solomon was also not the first son, which was the usual practice of determining lineage to the throne. On all fronts, Solomon did not stand a chance, but then, if you have never met the God who can fetch water with a basket in order to disgrace a bucket, you may never understand how God works. This is a God who used a stick to make an iron axe head float in water, and make a donkey speak in a human voice, in order to caution Balaam the prophet. God has principles, but He also cannot be boxed into a corner. He determines the who, the when, the how and the why. He sets one up, and brings down another. He rules over the affairs of men, and it is in the best interest of man to cooperate with God.
In the case of Solomon, there may have been better alternatives. Absalom was on record as being a handsome man, but we know how his life ended. Others would try and scheme to take the kingship, but God already had a plan, and the choice had been made, and no one was going to thwart God's plan. However, it has to be noted that God will always play His part, but He will not play my own part for me. In the case of Solomon, God came to him and asked him to request for anything. Solomon asked for wisdom, and God gave him that and much more. Kings and queens came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon speak, but as we also know, with popularity came the burden of distraction. The man who was called wise failed to grasp the danger of lust, greed and idolatry. Solomon in his own words said that whatsoever his eyes desired, he did not keep them from himself, yet he was not fully satisfied with the abundance of provision or possession, because, as Jesus had made clear, a man's life does not consist of the abundance of the things that he possesses.
The verse above helps put all these concerns in the right perspective. No matter what else you take hold of, make sure it is with the fear of God. No matter what else you have, if the fear of God is absent, you are headed for disaster and disappointment. As it was in the days of Solomon, so it is today too: the only thing that truly counts is what I do with and for God. If the wisest man who ever lived, and who enjoyed all that life had to offer, could come to the conclusion that the end of all matters on earth was to fear God and keep His commandments, we will do well to listen and heed. To fear God is to know Him, know what He loves and hates, and act accordingly. It is to avoid sin at all cost. To fear God is to offer my life as a daily worship to Him, and there are no exceptions for anyone. No one will be able to claim ignorance; God has made Himself and His expectations known to all mankind. The choice, as always, is mine to make. God's time of favour is here.
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