Weekend Story-King Solomon’s Test
November 3, 2025
King Solomon, the wise Persian king, once decided to test the wisdom of his most trusted minister, Benaiah.
He called him and said, “Benaiah, there is a unique ring I want you to find for me before the harvest festival, six months from now.”
“Your Majesty,” Benaiah replied, “if such a ring exists, I will find it. But what makes it so special?”
“It has magical powers,” said Solomon. “When a sad man looks at it, he becomes happy. And when a happy man looks at it, he becomes sad.”
King Solomon knew no such ring existed. He simply wanted to see what his minister would do.
Benaiah set out across the kingdom — village to village, market to market — asking after the magical ring. No one had ever heard of it. As the festival drew near, he grew despondent.
The day before the celebration, he wandered through a small market he hadn’t yet visited. There, he came across an old jeweler selling antique trinkets. On a whim, Benaiah asked, “Old sir, have you ever seen a ring that can make a happy man forget his joy and a broken-hearted man forget his sorrow?”
The merchant smiled knowingly. He took out a simple gold band, engraved a few words on it, and handed it over.
Benaiah read the inscription and broke into a smile. “Thank you, wise man,” he said, paying him five gold coins.
At the festival the next day, King Solomon asked, “My friend, have you found the ring?”
The court watched, amused, expecting Benaiah to admit defeat. But instead, he presented a small gold ring and said, “Yes, Your Majesty. Here it is.”
Solomon took the ring and read the words. The smile faded from his face.
Engraved on the ring were four simple words: “This too shall pass.”
In that moment, Solomon understood the wisdom of impermanence — that everything in life, good or bad, is fleeting. When sorrow comes, it will not last. When joy arrives, it too will fade. Nothing is permanent — not pain, not pleasure, not power.
And in that understanding lies true peace.
PS: Resharing this blog post published in June 2021 as a Weekend Story
