These chapters starts off well – Solomon is visited by the Queen of Sheba – surely one of the most famous state visits of all time – and she is so impressed she gives him the riches of her country.

What strikes me is the way everybody comes to Solomon to listen to his wisdom. I can’t imagine anyone today even bothering to look for wisdom, let alone travelling a long way to hear it.

Sadly, though, Solomon’s downfall is but verses away. He marries hundreds of foreign women and sets up temples to their gods. He turns away from his own God, so God says that he will take away ten of the tribes of Israel from his kingdom in the next generation.

Dear God, Help me to search for your wisdom. Help me to ache for it. Thank you for the flame of faith, of your Spirit, you have entrusted to me. Please help me to always grow it, tend it, and share it with others. Please forgive me my sins, and show me a good way of living with my family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.