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But that wouldn't do. The king didn't want a fearful slave for a wife. He wanted someone who would love him, someone to share his life, someone who would be happy and eager to spend her days at his side. (2:13) He could shower her with gifts and jewels and beautiful robes and -- No, no, that wouldn't do either. He didn't want to buy her love. He wanted her to love him for himself, not for his gifts and his wealth. (2:14) Somehow he had to find a way to win the maiden's love without overwhelming her, without destroying her free will. Somehow he had to make himself her equal. (2:15) So the king clothed himself in rags and went to her as a peasant. But the truly amazing thing is this: The king did not merely disguise himself as a poor man. He actually became poor! He loved this maiden so much that he renounced his throne, his wealth, and his kingly power to win her love!9 (2:16) This beautiful parable shows how the King and Creator of the universe manifests Himself in a humble human being and subjects Himself to the requirements of nature: hunger, pain, disease, and even death. If God overwhelmed us with His infinite power and glory, we could not love Him freely. We would act more like fearful slaves. (2:17) Knowing God is the first and foremost knowledge:
(2:18)
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