KING SOLOMON: FALLING PREY TO EXCESS
Published on Thought Leaders and Linkedin on April 5, 2016
“Some of the best lessons we ever learn are learned from past mistakes. The error of
the past is the wisdom and success of the future.” – Dale Turner
This can be applied to all walks of life, but as author Bryan Britton argues below, now
is as good a time as any. He argues in the extract from his book ‘Stepping Stones’ that
with the constitutional and parliamentary crisis faced by South Africa, it’s time for a
bit of wisdom from the past. Britton looks at King Solomon’s rule of law and how
despite all its success his demise can be attributed to falling prey to excess.
Parliamentarians be reminded. – Stuart Lowman
Extracted from Bryan Britton’s 2010 book ‘Stepping Stones’
Every now and then, when ministers are challenged in Parliament, we hear them say:
“Don’t tell me what I have done wrong, tell me what I should have done”. This is not
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a humble request for assistance but an arrogant challenge to the detractor not to
criticise, but to contribute.
To that end here is an initial contribution:
King Solomon, son of King David, ruled Israel between 970 BC and 930 BC, and
demonstrated leadership skills which today’s leaders seldom display. In his day, he
ruled with wisdom greater than the Eastern Mystics and was more just than the
Egyptian scholars. Devoid of bias to any religion or ethnic group, Solomon’s blueprint
on how to establish and rule a kingdom still has relevance today.
1. Align yourself with God: When we learn to glorify God and seek his guidance, we
receive the wisdom to lead. When we pursue our egos, we tamper with ignorance
and turmoil. Solomon sought not glory, riches, conquests, lovers, longevity, fame
nor compensation. He asked humbly for wisdom and knowledge. This is the first
requisite for leaders to build and rule a kingdom.
2. Focus on your primary mission: Build the state on righteousness. Protect and
respect your primary religious, judicial and parliamentary institutions. Concentrate
on your primary mission. For example, in South Africa, service delivery would
demand your immediate attention, not building an army or a navy.
3. Gather your internal resources and form trade: Decide on the key resources
required to complete your primary mission. For those resources not available
internally, arrange with neighbours to trade to acquire these.
4. Consolidate leadership within your kingdom: Ensure that the leadership is aiming
to climb the same hill. If they each climb different hills your leadership will be
diluted, scattered and ineffective. If you are not able to consolidate some
leaders, then will become leaders of their own hills and your kingdom will be
divided.
5. Form strategic alliances: Conclude alliances with leaders of other kingdoms for
the benefit of both parties. Solomon’s alliances with Sheba, Arabia and Ethiopia
ensured peace and prosperity for his own kingdom.
6. Safeguard your valuable assets: Solomon spent considerable time and effort
safeguarding the Ark of the Covenant with God and the tablets bearing the Ten
Commandments. These were physical manifestations of the people’s belief in God
and the code of ethics they had agreed to live by. South Africa’s Constitution, Bill
of Rights, Environment, Judiciary, Electricity and Water supply would be modern
examples. And by no means least, your most valuable asset – your people.
7. Rule wisely: Solomon was revered for his fair play and justice. He thought it
important to build a kingdom through integrity, honesty and goodwill. The greed
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graft, corruption and slothfulness that abounds in South Africa is far removed from
Solomon’s kingdom.
8. Celebrate success: But not too much. It is important to pause and celebrate
collective accomplishment and rejoice in goals met. It is not wise to rule by a
succession of raucous and meaningless parties.
9. Avoid extravagance: Extravagance creates a genre of self-indulgence which
invariably excludes those who “patiently wait for the crumbs to fall from the rich
man’s table”. This sort of behaviour creates dissension in kingdoms and indeed
Solomon ultimately succumbed to its dreadful consequences.
10. Keep agreements: Solomon was meticulous about keeping the promises that he
had made to God and to his people. It was a cornerstone of his kingdom. Solomon
prospered by keeping his word. And his people prospered along with him.
Solomon’s eventual demise can be attributed to falling prey to excess.
After many years of just, progressive and fruitful rule he broke his own rules. The
result was a fall from grace and he ended his days in confusion, turmoil and revolt.
In Ecclesiastes 5:4 Solomon reflects on his folly and advises: “When we make a vow
to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfil your vow”.
Parliamentarians, be reminded.
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