Clay Nelson wonders in his Pentecost 11 sermon if Solomon embodies wisdom, then what the hell is wisdom anyway?  His question takes him to an unexpected answer.

"When I read the story of Solomon’s rise to power and his prayer for wisdom I roll my eyes. How can a man who allowed his mother to manipulate him into killing off his half-brother, his father’s priests and advisors to solidify his power be considered wise? It is baffling that this same person who after praying for wisdom would drain his kingdom’s resources and oppress his people to build a Temple even God did not want. That this despotic ruler is promoted as the embodiment of wisdom, makes me wonder what the hell wisdom is anyway and how do we know our prayer for it is answered?"

Full text and video links at http://www.stmatthews.org.nz/nav.php?sid=503&id=961