READ: 1 Kings 4:1-6
“And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and ZABUD the son of Nathan was principal officer, and THE KING’S FRIEND:” – 1 Kings 4:5
If you want to be close to an important person, you must be a man of understanding. A lack of understanding will not allow you to be near or close to important people.
A person without understanding will criticize things he does not understand. He will never understand why you have the privileges you have. A person without understanding will not know why you are eating chicken. A person without understanding will not know why you have a certain type of car. A person who lacks understanding will not know why you have a certain amount of money.
A person without understanding will not appreciate why you have certain people working with you. A person without understanding will not understand why you have a bodyguard. A person without understanding will not understand why you come and go at the time you do. You will have a thousand meetings to explain things but he will still not get it. You do not want to be near a person without understanding. You will feel uneasy.
When Ham came close to Noah, he only criticized his father (Genesis 9:18-25). Why would you want someone like that near you?
King Solomon had many workers but we only hear of Zabud as the king’s friend. Zabud had certain qualities that made Solomon choose him. Solomon chose him and brought him closer than a normal employee. A lack of understanding will not allow you to be a friend of the great. Your presence brings uneasiness.
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, LEST THEY COME NEAR UNTO THEE. Psalms 32:9