Why was the Holy Blessed One called the King of honor? Because He distributes honor to those who fear Him. How so? A king of flesh and blood, no one rides on his horse, and no one sits on his throne. But the Holy Blessed One had Solomon sit upon His throne, as it says “Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king.” (Chronicles I 29:23).
The Talmud (Shemot Rabbah 8:1) says that regarding a king of flesh and blood, no one wears his clothing, but Israel wears the clothing of the Holy Blessed One.
What is the clothing of the Holy Blessed One? Strength, as it says “the LORD is robed, girded with strength.” (Psalms 93:1)
And He gave it to Israel as it says “God gives strength to Israel, God blesses His people with peace.” (Psalms 29:11)
King Solomon surpassed all the monarchs on earth in wealth and in wisdom. All the world came to pay homage to Solomon and to listen to the wisdom with which God had endowed him. (Chronicles I 29:25)
“Because you asked for this—you did not ask for long life, you did not ask for riches, you did not ask for the life of your enemies, but you asked for discernment in dispensing justice. I now do as you have spoken. I grant you a wise and discerning mind; there has never been anyone like you before, nor will anyone like you arise again. And I also grant you what you did not ask for—both riches and honor all your life—the like of which no king has ever had.” (Kings I 3:11-14)
Unfortunately, Solomon eventually thought he knew better than Hashem, and he lost his kingdom along with his wealth and wisdom.
“Anyone who acts haughtily, if he is wise his wisdom departs from him.” (Pesachim 66b:6)
The Talmud says that after he was a great king from one end of the earth to the other, his kingdom diminished and he was king only over Israel. After he was king over Israel, his kingdom diminished and he was king only over Jerusalem. After he was king over Jerusalem, his kingdom diminished and he was king only over his house. He was not even king over his bed, as he feared the spirits. (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 1:1-10)
(Adapted from various sections of A Letter for the Ages)
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Michal Oshman is a former commanding officer in the Israeli Defense Forces. She holds masters’ degrees in organizational sociology and psychodynamics. She has held leadership positions at companies such as eBay, WPP, and Facebook. She is currently the European culture lead at TikTok. Despite these achievements, for most of her life Oshman was consumed by...
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