When an important event happens in someone’s life, such as a graduation, a wedding, or for the select few, a coronation, tribute speeches and homages are often written and given. On occasion these might be given in a song or poem. King David was a prolific poet and songwriter, and that was the best way in which he expressed his thoughts and feelings. Towards the very end of his life, King David proclaimed his son, Solomon, to follow as the next monarch, and had him anointed king while he was still alive. For this special occasion in Solomon’s life, his father David composed Psalm 72. Though he wrote this psalm in honor of his son Solomon, David probably had no idea that these words would also be prophetic for the coming Messiah.
Psalm 72 opens as a prayer to the Lord that God would bless the new King of Israel. David knew that the Lord had promised him that a son of his would sit upon the throne, and that his dynasty would last forever. He had his son Solomon anointed before he died to squash the claims of Adonijah, (another of his sons), from claiming the throne.
In this psalm we read of several prayers that David made in honor of his son being king. David prayed that the Lord would ensure that Solomon would reign as king with right judgments, with righteousness, and with justice (vs. 1-2). He also prayed that, rather than declaring war against Solomon and attacking him, the kings of other nations would seek peace with him, and offer him gifts (vs. 10-11, 15). David prayed that Solomon would be a good and caring king (vs. 12-14). He prayed that Solomon would show compassion and concern for the poor and needy, which most kings at that time didn’t care for in the least. David prayed for a fruitful and prosperous country for Solomon (vs. 16), and that he would be remembered forever (vs. 17).
Most of these prayers were answered in the person of his son, King Solomon. Shortly after the death of David, the Lord spoke to Solomon, asking him what he would like Him to give him (I Kings 3:5-14). Solomon asked for wisdom, and the Lord promised him great wisdom, in addition to the “usual” requests most people would ask, such as long life and riches. The Lord blessed Solomon with great wisdom, ruling the people with right judgment and justice. Foreign rulers came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, to see the greatness of the Temple he built, his palaces, and see his royal court, and they brought him gifts fit for a king. We read in Scripture of just one of these visits, that of the Queen of Sheba (I Kings 10:1-13). Solomon was perhaps one of the wealthiest people in his lifetime. And we can attest to the fact that he is very famous to this day.
However, not only was this psalm written by King David with his son Solomon in mind, but this was also a prophetic passage of Scripture, as these words also apply to the Lord Jesus in an even greater sense than they do to Solomon. Yes, we know that Solomon was wise, and ruled his kingdom with right judgment, that is, until he began to fall away from the Lord. After Solomon began to marry foreign, pagan women, these wives turned his heart away from faithful worship of Yahweh, and instead he built altars to pagan gods. He was no longer such a wise king. When the Lord Jesus will reign, He will faithfully mediate God’s justice on all nations.
Though we know that Solomon was extremely wealthy, and his country was very prosperous, we don’t know if he, personally, was caring for the poor and needy. When a country is prosperous, there are fewer poor folk, but they still exist. However, Jesus cares for the needy, the afflicted, and the weak, because they are precious to Him. Verses 12-14 very clearly refer to the Lord Jesus. Very few rulers of any country, whether they are elected officials or hereditary monarchs, have been a champion of the poor and needy, but we know that Jesus is.
This psalm speaks of kings coming from the four corners of the known world to offer Solomon gifts. Tarshish was the ancient name for where Spain is today, at the far end of the Mediterranean. Few sailing ships traveled farther than there. Sheba was in the southern Arabian peninsula, where Yemen is today. And Seba is along the northern coast of Africa, where Tunisia and Libya are today. When Jesus returns to set up His Millennial kingdom, all nations, far and near, will turn to Him for salvation.
As we read in Philippians 2:10-11, one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Only the Name of the Lord Jesus will last forever. And most assuredly mankind can only be blessed through Jesus, and through no one else, no matter how great they may seem.
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