Placed at the head of a nation that had been set as a beacon light to the surrounding nations, Solomon should have used his God-given wisdom and power of influence in organizing and directing a great movement for the enlightenment of those who were ignorant of God and His truth. Thus multitudes would have been won to allegiance to the divine precepts, Israel would have been shielded from the evils practiced by the heathen, and the Lord of glory would have been greatly honored. But Solomon lost sight of this high purpose. He failed of improving his splendid opportunities for enlightening those who were continually passing through his territory or tarrying at the principal cities.

Salomo var blevet stillet i spidsen for en nation, der var anbragt som et fyrtårn for nabofolkene. Han burde have benyttet sin gudgivne visdom og sin stærke indflydelse til at organisere og lede en vældig bevægelse med det formål at sprede oplysning blandt dem, der ikke kendte Gud og hans sandhed. Derved ville store skarer have besluttet sig til at efterleve de guddommelige forskrifter, Israel ville være blevet beskyttet imod de onder, som gik i svang blandt hedningerne, og herlighedens herre ville være blevet højt æret. Men Salomo tabte dette høje mål af syne. Han udnyttede ikke sine gyldne anledninger til at sprede lys blandt dem, der til stadighed drog gennem hans rige eller gjorde ophold i landets største byer.