Solomon often adds an element of surprise. See how Solomon works in so many different ways.
These two situations illustrate two attitudes to life which distinguish God’s people from worldlings. The Christian is content not to be held in high regard and does not parade his gifts or his knowledge before men, and he is not unduly concerned about his reputation. He is content to walk quietly and modestly through the world, and to focus on his service and obedience to God. He is not concerned about man’s judgment because he knows it to be flawed and based on an entirely different set of values to God’s judgment; in fact, he does not even judge himself. But the non-Christian is a slave to human praise and will even cause himself unnecessary distress in his attempt to obtain recognition in the world. This compulsive desire for esteem becomes the ruin of many, not only in this life but in eternity. The lost will find they have nothing left, for even the things they set some value on will be taken away from them.
In a church, if you want to find somebody who is just the person to help that ailing or wandering brother or sister, it is very often not the highly regarded person, but the modest person who is very effective at getting alongside who you will choose to use pastorally. And the person with all the airs and graces, I am sorry to put it this way, but you will often say, ‘Ah not him, not her.’ Let us stop thinking about ourselves, and what we imagine ourselves to be, or to deserve, and start thinking more about what are we doing. That is the attitude to the Christian life.