A baby’s first words are usually “mama” or “dada” – followed quickly thereafter by “bye-bye” and then “no.” To a baby, the word “no” is associated with something bad – usually because the person uttering the word is using a stern tone and not smiling. But you and I know that the word is actually a protecting word – no to a hot stove, no to running in the street, no to climbing up the kitchen drawers – no to things that might cause problems.

Apparently, Solomon had failed to latch on to the word “no” because he tells us:



Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure. (Ecclesiastes 2:10)

And that includes all sorts of pleasures, including sexual pleasure. God had warned Solomon not to marry foreign women, because they would worship their pagan gods and lead his heart astray (which is exactly what happened).

King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of the Pharoah… And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines… (1 Kings 11:1,3)

As Solomon said in his reflections, he didn’t withhold his heart from ANY pleasure!

He seems to have embraced what’s called the Pleasure Principle: the tendency for someone to seek immediate gratification of instinctual needs. In other words, I want it, and I want it NOW! That was the way Solomon operated.

Some of his pleasures were blatantly selfish. For example, it has been reported that King Solomon even had snow brought down from Mount Hermon so he could have cold drinks in the summertime!

The Message offers this take on Ecclesiastes 2:10: I never said no to myself.

Whether it was another sexual encounter or a third piece of pie, nothing was a no-no for Solomon.

As you reflect on your own life, are you thankful God blessed you with the good sense and self-control to say no to some things? And maybe remorseful that you said yes to some other things?

Father, thank you for those times when your Holy Spirit has strongly nudged me away from temptation. You know I want to do the right thing, but sometimes my flesh is weak (Matthw 26:41). Draw me close to You and help me learn to say no to myself. Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life through Your Word (Psalm 119:37). Amen

By Judy Shrout