1 kings 10:23-25 — So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
So with Father’s Day coming next Sunday, I thought I’d offer some advice to Ladies. I’m sure some of you are wondering what to give to the father, grandfather, great-grandfather or plain old father figures in your life. They do so much but, after all, they have you — what more could they possibly want? 
I wonder if Solomon ever got tired of all the presents people brought him. He was surely the quintessential “man who had everything”.

Actually, I’m not so sure about Solomon. It seems to me that he was missing some pretty important things in His life. Let’s look at a few …

Do you think Solomon was happy in his marriage — or rather his marriages? “And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.” (1 Kings 11:3). The King who had been warned so directly by God to keep faith was led, by his wives, to follow strange gods. “And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.” (1 Kings 11:9-10). Now I can’t prove it, but I think those wives made the king’s life a misery, until he did what they wanted. I think that’s what’s behind verses like Proverbs 15:17, 21:9, 21:19 and 27:15, “A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.”

How do you think Solomon felt about His sons? Again, I can’t prove it but I think he was disappointed. He tried, that’s clear — after all he wrote that book of proverbs, but look at who he ended up with as a successor. Rehoboam was not even close to being smart … and with all those wives and concubines he’s the only son of Solomon we hear about!

All in all, I think Solomon was a disappointed man, despite his wisdom and wealth. To me that’s what’s behind the world-weary character of Ecclesiastes.

So what do you give the man who has “everything”? As I thought about Solomon it seemed to me that the answer became clear … a peaceful family — a loving wife and loving children — and time to enjoy them.

So that’s my Father’s Day gift guide. What do you think? Low cost, easy to do!