Some days are bad, some are good, and others...golden. Some days things go perfectly; you wake up BEFORE the alarm goes off, you fix the eggs so they are just right, an unexpected check comes in the mail and this list goes on and on and on. I remember days like this because they don't happen very often. Most of the time, life is a mixed bag; but occasionally, life is just like this picture...golden. When this comes to mind I think of the golden age of Israel and Solomon; how at first he thought just of others and how God continually blessed him and made his life golden. I have listed just a couple of passages from 1st Kings.1Ki 3:5 In Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give you.
1Ki 3:6 Solomon said, You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
1Ki 3:7 Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child; I don't know how to go out or come in.
1Ki 3:8 Your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can't be numbered nor counted for multitude.
1Ki 3:9 Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?
1Ki 3:10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
1Ki 3:11 God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice;
1Ki 3:12 behold, I have done according to your word: behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there has been none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like you.
1Ki 3:13 I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like you, all your days.
1Ki 3:14 If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.
and
1Ki 4:21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
1Ki 4:22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and sixty measures of meal,
1Ki 4:23 ten head of fat cattle, and twenty head of cattle out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fattened fowl.
1Ki 4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides around him.
1Ki 4:25 Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
1Ki 4:26 Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
1Ki 4:27 Those officers provided food for king Solomon, and for all who came to king Solomon's table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking.
1Ki 4:28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they to the place where the officers were, every man according to his duty.
1Ki 4:29 God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.
1Ki 4:30 Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
1Ki 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the nations all around.
1Ki 4:32 He spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were one thousand five.
1Ki 4:22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and sixty measures of meal,
1Ki 4:23 ten head of fat cattle, and twenty head of cattle out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fattened fowl.
1Ki 4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides around him.
1Ki 4:25 Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
1Ki 4:26 Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
1Ki 4:27 Those officers provided food for king Solomon, and for all who came to king Solomon's table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking.
1Ki 4:28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they to the place where the officers were, every man according to his duty.
1Ki 4:29 God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.
1Ki 4:30 Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
1Ki 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the nations all around.
1Ki 4:32 He spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were one thousand five.
World English Bible
Smart, loaded and musical too; Solomon was indeed "Golden". But with all his attributes and all his wealth and power, he forgot God in the latter part of his life and the kingdom divided after his death. This man is an object lesson for us all; we should never forget God, never, ever. Remember, even gold can tarnish, and so can we! In the best of times, think of what God has done for you...remember.