All the world came to pay homage to Shlomo and to listen to the wisdom with which Hashem had endowed himI Kings 10:24 (The Israel Bible™)וְכָל־הָאָרֶץ מְבַקְשִׁים אֶת־פְּנֵי שְׁלֹמֹה לִשְׁמֹעַ אֶת־חָכְמָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַן אֱלֹהִים בְּלִבּוֹHear the verse in Hebrewv’-KHOL ha-A-retz m’-vak-SHEEM et p’-NAY sh’-lo-MOH lish-MO-a et khokh-ma-TOa-sher na-TAN e-lo-HEEM b’-li-BO
Sanctifying God's Name
This verse represents a great sanctification of Hashem's (God's) name. Though King Shlomo (Solomon) was the wealthiest, most powerful king of all time, this was not the reason why he was sought out by the entire world. Rather, everyone wished to be in his presence because of the great wisdom Hashem had given him. This demonstrates that Israel is unlike all other kingdoms; it is a holy nation. When Jewish leaders represent the highest levels of ethics and wisdom, they sanctify God's name among all people of the world.
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