306. THE GLORY OF SOLOMONS REIGN
"Behold the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard €
The reign of Solomon ushered in a glorious period in the history of Israel that will never be equalled until the "greater than Solomon, the Lord Jesus Christ, sits on the throne of the LORD € in Jerusalem.
Solomon received a kingdom prepared for him. He was given wisdom of God that excelled the wisest scholars of that day and all nations sent their ambassadors to pay homage to the King and to hear his words Riches and honour poured into Jerusalem, so increasing the splendour of his reign. The 40 years of Solomon's reign typify the everlasting Kingdom of God to be ruled over by Christ at his second advent.
Our aim in this lesson is to see the magnificence of Solomon's reign, a reign which types that of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Kings 10
THE HERITAGE OF DAVID.
This golden age of Israel's history was made possible by the successful military campaigns of David against neighbouring enemies. Solomon's task was therefore to maintain and control the expanse of territory handed down to him by David. As a wise administrator, Solomon was in a position to reap the fruits of David's victories.
Altogether he reigned over Israel for a period of forty years (2 Chron. 9:30), and it was in this period of Israel's prosperity that Solomon transformed Israel from its pre-Davidic state of confederate tribes to a strong, centralised government, superintending the multitudinous activities of a far-flung empire (1 Kgs. 4:20-21). The traditional tribal boundaries were replaced by administrative districts. Over these twelve districts he placed a taxation officer, one of whose main duties it was to see that his district furnished provisions for the royal court one month in twelve. This would have entailed quite a burden, for we are told the food consumed in just one day consisted of 240 sacks of flour, 480 sacks of meal, ten fattened cattle, twenty pasture-fed cattle, one hundred sheep, besides numerous fowls and animals of the deer species (1 Kgs. 4:22-23).
SOLOMON € THE BUILDER (1 Kgs. 7:1-8; 9:15-24).
In addition to the building of the glorious Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem (as described in Lesson 5), Solomon's tremendous building activity is seen in the refortification of Jerusalem, the building of his palace and administrative head-quarters, and further afield in the building of "store-cities" and "the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen".
As glorious as the Temple was, the other buildings linked with it were also magnificent. Solomon's Judgment Hall was large and lofty, its cedar-lined walls housing a large canopied throne of ivory, overlaid with gold and flanked by lions (1 Kgs. 10:18-20). Here Solomon handed down his royal judgments (1 Kgs. 7:7), prefiguring the greater splendour and solemnity of Christ, of whom it is said that he shall have "a great white throne" of judgment (Rev. 20:11).
Adjacent to the Hall of Judgment and linked with the great "House of the Forest of Lebanon" was the Hall of Pillars, where interviews of business and state receptions were held.
Rows of massive square cedar pillars supported the roof of the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kgs. 7:1-5). On the panelled walls hung 500 shields of gold (1 Kgs. 10:16, 17), used for the ceremonial processions of the King, the spectacle of which so impressed the visiting Queen of Sheba. Even the drinking vessels and plates displayed in this splendid house were of gold or of "pure gold". As for silver, "it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon" (v.21). An even greater glory will characterise the splendour of the royal buildings in the Age to come (see Isa. 60:11, 13, 17).
As well as the buildings of state, Solomon had his own magnificent private palace together with a palace built for one of his wives, the daughter of Pharaoh (1 Kgs. 3:1; 7:8). He also established royal gardens and parks containing artificial lakes, flower beds and orchards (Eccl. 2:4-6).
Archaeologists have uncovered convincing proof of Solomon's building activities throughout the land, especially at Hazor, Megiddo and Gezer, the remains of which give witness to the truth of 1 Kings 9:15. Megiddo is especially noteworthy with its stables for 450 chariot horses. Solomon's formidable army necessitated the building of 4,000 stalls for horses, servicing the ring of cities strategically located near the borders of Israel and manned by companies of charioteers (1 Kgs. 9:15-19; 10:26; 2 Chron. 9:25).
Solomon also developed a highly industrialised metal refining network, with the mining of ore in the Arabah south of the Dead Sea, and a great smelting refinery at Ezion-geber, the place also of Solomon's seaport on the Red Sea. In describing the site, the excavator has written: "An effective business organisation had to be called into existence to regulate the profitable flow of raw materials and finished and semi-finished products. There was, so far as we know, only one man who possessed the strength, wealth and wisdom capable of initiating and carrying out such a highly complex and specialised undertaking. He was King Solomon. He alone in his day had the ability, the vision, and the power to establish an important industrial centre and sea-port such a comparatively long distance from the capital city of Jerusalem. Ezion-geber represents one of his greatest, if indeed up to the present time his least known accomplishments € € Nelson Glueck, "The Other Side of the Jordan".
SOLOMON € THE MERCHANT (1 Kings 10:21-29).
Solomon capitalised upon the strategic advantage of Israel in its geographical position between Asia and Africa. He controlled the north-south caravan routes and, with the aid of the Phoenicians, he built a fleet of ships based at Ezion-geber to carry his refined copper and other commerce. This fleet made the trip southward to Ethiopia, the Arabian Yemen and India once every three years, bringing back gold, silver, ivory, apes and peacocks (1 Kgs 9:26; 10:22).
His enterprising business sense is seen in him becoming the exclusive agent through whom the Hittites and Armenians had to negotiate in order to buy horses from Kue (Cilicia) or chariots from Egypt (1 Kgs. 10:28, 29 R.S.V.). These and other enterprises made silver as common as stone and cedar as sycamore in Jerusalem. In one year 666 talents of gold flowed into Solomon's treasury (1 Kgs. 10:14).
THE QUEEN OF SHEBA (1 Kgs. 10:1-10).
The spices of Sheba were exported along the "Incense Road" terminating at Ezion-geber and from thence north to Jerusalem and Syria or south to Egypt. With the build-up of Solomon's industry at this terminus the Queen of Sheba became increasingly aware of the glory of the Kingdom. Further, 1 Kings 10:1 indicates that she heard (continuous tense) of the "name of Yahweh" in relation to Solomon's kingdom. Taking a very great train of camels laden with spices, gold and precious stones fit for such an important monarch, the Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem and immediately plied Solomon with questions and examined thoroughly the worship at the Temple and all the evidences of a pros perous, well-organised and happy nation. She was stunned at the glory of Solomon's reign. Her speech reveals her comprehension and acceptance of Yahweh's sovereignty in this, the Kingdom of God of the past (vv.6-9).
The visit of the Queen of Sheba bearing her gifts and returning in praise of Jerusalem's King is highly typical of the Gentile rulers, particularly Britain, accepting the greater than Solomon, even the Lord Jesus Christ. When these "modern" rulers see the glory of Christ's Kingdom, the magnificence of his court with his immortal attendants, the beauty and purity of worship and a faithful redeemed Israel, they will also declare that the "half has not been told them". Being powerfully impressed they will return home to their peoples full of praise for Zion's King (Psa. 72:10; Isa. 60:3-11; Zech. 14:16).
THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON (1 Kings 4:29-32).
Solomon's wise choice in asking of Yahweh "an understanding heart to judge thy people" (1 Kgs. 3:5-9), resulted in Yahweh's approval and granting of a "wise and an understanding heart" and in addition "both riches and honour" (1 Kgs. 3:13; 4:29).
His wisdom was acknowledged to far surpass those of his contemporaries in Egypt, Arabia, Canaan and Edom (vv. 30-31), causing the surrounding nations and their kings to come up to Jerusalem to hear his wisdom. In a similar way the nations of the future will desire to be educated at the house of the God of Jacob (Isa. 2:2-4), acknowledging that the wisdom of the world in these times of the Gentiles amounted to "lies, vanity and things wherein there is no profit" (Jer. 16:19).
The combination of international contacts, wealth and relief from war provided an ideal time of literary productivity. Solomon collected and composed thousands of proverbs and songs (v.32). He also studied botany and zoology (v.33), using them in his observations of nature in his proverbs (e.g. Prov. 30:24-31). Extensive collections in the Book of Proverbs are credited to him (10:1 to 29:27) and the entire collection bears his name as the chief contributor (1:1). The Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes also bear eloquent testimony to his wisdom.
SOLOMON COMPARED WITH CHRIST.
There are many points of comparison between Solomon, the last king to rule over a united Israel, and Christ, the next king to rule over all Israel (Ezek. 37:20-24).
€ Solomon's Temple was intended to be a house of prayer for all nations: Christ will build the Temple of the Age to come for the same purpose (Zech. 6:12, 13; Isa. 56:7).
€ In the construction of Solomon's Temple, the men of Tyre were involved as well as men of Israel: in Christ, Gentiles and Jews make up God's spiritual temple (cp. Eph. 2:19-22 and 1 Pet. 2:4-5); and in the coming Kingdom, men of all races will worship in the House of Prayer (Isa. 56:7).
€ Under Solomon, Israel was prosperous and happy, and so will the nation be under Christ (Zech. 8:13).
€ Solomon entered into a league with the mercantile power of Tyre to establish his Kingdom; Christ will do likewise with the English-speaking peoples, the Tyre of the latter-days (cp. 1 Kgs. 10:22-23; 2 Chron. 9:10-22 with Isa. 23:17-18).
€ Solomon divided the nation into twelve districts, and placed over them twelve princes (1 Kgs. 4:7): Christ will do likewise with the land (Ezek. 48) and princes (Matt. 19:28).
€ Under Solomon, the world's wealth flowed to Israel, and this will happen again under Christ (cp. 2 Chron. 9:13-14 with Hag. 2:8-9 and Isa. 60:11 A.V. mg.).
€ People from all parts of the world flocked to hear the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kgs. 4:34; 10:23-25), and when Christ rules in Jerusalem everyone will go up to hear his marvellous wisdom (Zech. 14:16; Isa. 2:2-4; Jer. 16:19).
€ Solomon was a man of peace € Christ is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6; cp. Psa. 72:7).
€ The world admired the glory of Solomon, and when Christ reigns "the whole world shall be full of his glory" (Ps. 72:19).
LESSONS FOR US:
The golden age of Israel's history was due in part to the thorough preparation of David and more especially to the blessings of Yahweh in response to Solomon's request for wisdom and understanding.
€ During Solomon's reign there was peace at home and abroad, the people were happy and secure and Gentiles were attracted to the worship of Yahweh; all these features will be seen in perfection in the Kingdom to be established by the Son of God.
€ We too are promised the blessings of the Father if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:24-34).
€ If we avoid the entanglement of the cares of this life by a humble devotion to God in every aspect of our daily lives, we can look forward in joyous expectation to participating in the glorious Kingdom of the one greater than Solomon.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield) € Vol. 4, Nos. 7-9
"The Visible Hand of God" (R. Roberts) € Chapter 24
"The Ways of Providence" (R. Roberts) € Chapter 18
"Biblical Archaeology" (G. Ernest Wright) € Chapter 8
"The Companion Bible" € Appendix 68.
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
1. What was the Queen of Sheba's reaction when she visited King Solomon? How will this visit be re-enacted in the future?
2. Solomon's reign is a type of the Kingdom age. Briefly explain and illustrate this statement.
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. Describe how Solomon extended the preliminary work of David in establishing the Kingdom.
2. Describe the physical achievements of Solomon's Kingdom.
3. Compare the glory of Solomon's reign with that of the future reign of Christ.
THE PARABLE OF SOLOMON'S REIGN
The following chart lists the ways in which Solomon's reign typifies that of the Lord Jesus Christ. As an exercise mark them in your Bible.