Experiencing our own adult life cycle through the Wisdom of Solomon and his father David
Midrash Shir Hashirim Rabbah 1:1, Section 10:
Rabbi Jonathan said: Song of Songs he wrote first and afterwards Proverbs, and after that Ecclesiates..
On the basis of the ways of the land (“Derech Eretz”), that when a man is a lad he speaks the words of song, (Song of Songs), when he matures he speaks words of proverbs, when we gets old he speaks words of vanity. (from Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of vanity all is vanity”.
Solomon as the author of adult life cycle writings serves as a background for an examination of our own experience. The portrayals of his parents, David and Bathsheba suggest what growing up in the royal household might have been like.
We approach the Bible as a literary anthology of human experience using the lives and times of David and Solomon and the writings attributed to them, Psalms to David and Song of Songs, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes to Solomon. And for family background, we must include and start with ancestor Ruth.
We will examine these texts as literature and history and as inspiration for artistic endeavors. We treat artistic representations as ‘family pictures’ yielding possible insights into our characters and their stories.
By way of background, a chart of three approaches to the adult life cycle.
Note: Our Retirement ages expand into our 70’s, 80’s and 90’s
| “The Seasons of a Man’s Life” – Daniel J. Levinson | Rabbinic Tradition, Mishnah Avot 5:24 | Solomon | |
| Birth – 17 | Childhood and Adolescence | At five years Scriptures, at ten years for the Mishnah, at thirteen for the commandments, at 15 for the Talmud. | |
| 17-22 | Early Adult Transition | Bridal Chamber | Song of Songs |
| 22-28 | Entering Adult World | Calling | |
| 28-33 | Age 30 transition | Authority | |
| 33-40 | Settling Down | Discernment | |
| 40-45 | Middle Life Transition | ||
| 45-50 | Entering middle adulthood | Counsel | Proverbs |
| 50-55 | Age 50 transition | ||
| 60-65 | Late adult Era | Elder Status | Ecclesiastes |
| 70 | Gray Hairs | ||
| 80 | Special Strength |