Heroes have inhabited cities throughout time, even ones that fell. They played their part; they defied evil; they counted the cost; they provided an alternative to what became.
Solomon saw such a man. He viewed him as a lion among goats, a king among commoners. He saved his city. In Solomon’s mind, this man’s name became synonymous with wisdom itself. He sketches his heroics:
I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. (Ecclesiastes 9:13–15)
The situation was grim. A great king came against a little city. And not just a little city, but a little city with few men in it. This second fact determined the strength of the city. What was true then shall always be: When the enemy surrounds the gates, cuts off supplies, and shouts as he fires upon the stronghold, you count how many men you have.
The little city stood no chance, it seemed. History has seen many great kings with great siegeworks attack little cities with few men; the outcome is predictable. Such inevitability sets the stage for what amazes Solomon. In this helpless city was found one poor man who saved it.
He was poor — no billionaire rode to their rescue. No man of influence or resources. He had nothing of the world to appease the gods or scare the enemy. He was poor. But he was not only poor. Solomon knights him wise. And this wise man, instead of remaining silent and small, rose to the defense of his people with the wisdom he possessed.
Solomon does not give us this man’s proposed plan. Solomon simply presents him — dressed in shabby clothing but courtly, lowly and overlooked but peerless in perception. His intervention illustrated that wisdom is better than might and weapons of war (Ecclesiastes 9:16, 18). Cities remain strong where men of this wise man’s lineage are willing to prove the same. The city may be modest in size and the threats tremendous, but are there a few wise men willing to act?
And so we have it: a harassed and hopeless city saved by a poor, wise hero who feared God. This miraculous preamble makes the ensuing fall of the city so incredible.
The City Forgets
Solomon shows us the steps for how cities fall.
First, forget wisdom. If you had huddled within the city, and God raised such a deliverer, what reward would be too great to show your gratitude? He who saved this city should have been repaid with wealth and honor. Yet hear how Solomon continues his tale:
He by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. (Ecclesiastes 9:15)
They did not exalt him; they forgot him. They did not love him; they left him. They did not thank him; they ignored him. He remained the pitiful poor man. They should have offered him applause, named streets after him, and pleaded that his wisdom would continue to bless them. He should have been mayor. They should have covered his moth-eaten shirt by placing a robe upon his shoulders and a ring upon his finger, for wisdom says, “By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just” (Proverbs 8:15).
Remember, this poor, wise man was “great” to Solomon. Solomon, the man to whom God gave “wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29), was impressed by the wisdom of this poor man — but the people were not. “Fools despise wisdom” — even after it saves them (Proverbs 1:7). Once this torchbearer of truth had served his purpose, they hurried back to life as normal.
Solomon offers us a case study for why cities and nations and kingdoms fall. They are full of sinners. The first step is for such a people to forget God’s wisdom and the men who brought it.
The City Falls
After they reject wisdom, they follow fools. Here we find a principle that shouldn’t shock us anymore: The truest threat to the city is not the enemy without but the citizens within. And I do not mean murderers, spies, and traitors, but average citizens.
Here was a foolish people. Few men lived in the city, and even fewer sensible men. Who was that poor man who did that one thing that one time? They can’t remember. They could not relate to the man through whom blessing arrived. If a man of the world had saved them — dressed in a suit, speaking like them, sinning like them — they would have crowned him. But the righteous man who acted for their good would not be honored among a people who were not good.
Solomon gives his commentary on what he witnessed:
But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. (Ecclesiastes 9:16–18)
The people did not care to listen any longer to that poor man. They grew bored of the beliefs that led to their peace and flourishing. Quiet and heaven-sent notions weren’t their thing anymore now that the enemy had left. They wanted a loud man with evil ideas to take them where they always wanted to go. The chief clown is the fitting ruler among fools.
So when a city is spared yet then forgets and returns to its child sacrifice (abortion), sexual perversity (transgenderism and homosexuality and pornography and adultery), or proud and polite ignoring of God, the fall they feared will arrive on the ballot. God gives them up. When a people despise the voice of the one true God, they begin to rot at the core, whether as a small town or big city. God will not be mocked; what a place sows, it will reap.
Solomon’s end note is ominous: “One sinner destroys much good” (Ecclesiastes 9:18). One worthy man can save; one sinner can destroy. “Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor” (Proverbs 28:15–16). But take note that when he does rule, it will not be a downfall caused by that man alone; the people, too, shall deserve blame for refusing wisdom and choosing the way of demons and fools.
Christians Act
When wicked rulers grow more numerous, and cities and states give control to leaders who worship false gods, punish the good and reward the evil, good men and women may become disheartened. You may ask despairingly, “What can one wise Christian man do?” Solomon answers: “Save a city. Divert disaster. Bring about the impossible.”
Heroes have inhabited cities throughout time, even ones that eventually fell. They played their part; they defied evil; they counted the cost; they provided an alternative to what became. And sometimes, through their influence, the people repent, God relents, and all see that wisdom is still better than might.
But what is better than a single wise man? Churches full of wise men and women gladly submitted to the word of God. That sole man could have been made even mightier if flanked by a company of fellow believers.
Saints, strategize how to do good in the city where you sojourn. Act wisely. Bless. Defend the oppressed. Expose works of darkness. Stand in the gap. Remind a wicked world of the one who gives them life, breath, and everything. Tell them where you are going and who is bringing you there, and compel them to come along.
Bring your light outside of homes and church buildings. Rulers need to know their King. The people need to know their left hand from their right. Protest. Lobby. Pray. Rebuke. Bring God’s word into capitol buildings and neighborhoods. Nominate Christian candidates and vote only for those who uphold the big “E” on the eye chart of Christian ethics.
But never forget the preeminent power to truly save a city: the gospel of Jesus Christ. Evangelism and social concern are dear friends. People change places, and no people has blessed any place more than Christians. We need more children of light to flood the darkness. “When the wicked rule, the people groan,” but “when the righteous increase, the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2).
Pray for revival and gospel advance in our world. Don’t believe that caring about the politics of a place is inconsistent with faithful Christianity, nor forget the Christian heartbeat to see souls, not just votes, changed. If one wise man can save a city, what might a city with gospel-preaching, Christ-loving, and city-engaging churches accomplish?
Desiring God