1 Kings

1 Kings 4:1-6

Solomon was granted wisdom by the Lord and a wise leader surrounds himself with others who hold to the same standars as he.  Solomon became a leader of leaders by setting these men over certain parts of the kingdom.  Our God is a God of order and a man wise in the Lord is ordered and a good steward with all that has been entrusted to him.

First and foremost, Solomon was the king over all of Israel; this is to say the kingdom was united in his reign.  But also Solomon became renowned over the world at that time.    

Azariah is listed as priest, the son of Zadok, but then Zadok and Abiathar are listed as priests.  This may have been because Zadok and Abiathar had served under David; however, Abiathar was exiled after his part with Adonijah.  While Solomon could exile Abiathar, he could not take away his priesthood; this was apointed by God and only God could do that.  We know Nathan served David faifully, so it wouldn't be at a surprise to find two sons of Nathan in this cabinet, although we don't know for sure they were sons of David's Nathan. 

1 Kings 4:7-28

Solomon wisely set up his government and he set 12 governors over the kingdom.  These twelve divisions were not along tribal boundaries as beforee.  It may be that Solomon was trying to erase some of the tribal loyalties to unite the nation.  Each one of these states was conscripted to provide food for the king and his household for a month out of the year.  Now this was no small thing when we consider Solomon ended up with 700 wives and 300 concubines.  He also had 40,000 horses and 12,000 horsemen among others.  We are told what the daily provision might look like.  Various resources give different amounts for a Kor; it seems to be equivalent to about 4.25 to 6.25 bushels; so every day 150 bushels of flour 300 bushels of meal, minimum.   A fatted oxen was a tremendous amount of meat; they needed ten oversized oxen and twenty averagae oxen from the pastures.  On top of all that they required one hundred sheep; deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fatted fowl.  This is an incredible feast!  It took an army to prepare all this food, every day.  Solomon certainly belived in a large government.  Chuck Smith speculates that it took the other 11 months to gather all they needed for the one month they served.  On top of all the people of his government, Solomon was constantly receiving visiting heads of states that traveled in large groups to come and hear the wisdom of Solomon.  Samuel had warned of this and we see it beginning to happen (1Samuel 8:12-18).

There was peace in the land under Solomon's reign and each man lived under his vine.  But this large government and the conscription of men to the service in this way, the taxation and extravagance of the palace had to have an affect on the people. 

1 Kings 4:29-34

Solomon's exceedingly great understanding was his knowledge of things in life and in the world.  His lartgeness of heart was understanding of heart and emotions and the innermost part of men & women.  There was no one like Solomon in his wisdom yet we know it couldn't keep him from sin; there were things he was blinded to.  God alone could provide the wisdom that satisfied our soul. 

We only have a small portion of the proverbs Solomon wrote.  We only have a couple of the songs.  Not only did he know and speak these things about life; he also knew of trees, animals, birds, reptiles and fish.  Solomon was a walking encyclopedia – but he was still just a man who needed God. 

©2016 Doug Ford