Solomon Skilled in His Work Stands Before Kings Not the Obscure

(Proverbs 22:29): "Do you see a man skilled in his work?" - Come and see the wisdom of Solomon, who was skilled in the work of the Holy One, blessed be He, for he built the Temple in seven years [as it is said (1 Kings 6:38): "and he built it in seven years"], and his own house he built in thirteen [as it is said (1 Kings 7:1): "and his house Solomon built in thirteen years"]. Another interpretation of "Do you see a man skilled in his work": at the time when the Sanhedrin sought to count him among three kings and four commoners [who have no share in the world to come], the Shekhinah stood before the Holy One, blessed be He, and said before Him: 'Master of the worlds! "Do you see a man skilled" - they wish to count him among the obscure ones!' At that moment a heavenly voice went forth and said to them: "He shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before obscure ones" (Proverbs 22:29).