Making The Same Mistake

When Rehoboam insisted on raising taxes, most of the people voted with their feet to leave, much like what has been happening in California for several years with the businesses and working class people.  The only ones who stay are the extremely wealthyor those who profit from the various government programs and the people who can’t afford to leave.   Kearing that Jeroboam had returned, the people made him king over all but Judah, as I Kings 12:20 tells us.  “And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.”

Angered by the people’s revolt, and determined to have his way, Rehoboam decidecd to stop Jeroboam and his government any way possible, much like what happened with the 2016 presidential election, as I Kings 12:21 describes.  “And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. “

God plainly told them that the people’s choice of Jeroboam was what he had planned and they were not to stop him, in I Kings 12:22-24.  “But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.”  Acceding to God’s will, Rehoboam and the people of Judah stopped their efforts to discredit and destroy Jeroboam. 

God gives man the freedom to decide what they want to do.  He had chosen both Saul and Solomon, and both of them turned away from God, although David stayed faithful.  God had chosen jeroboam, and like Saul and Solomon he would turn away, as I Kings 12:25-33.  “Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.  And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.  Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.  And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.  And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. 

And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.  And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.  So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.”

Like Saul, Jeroboam didn’t really trust God to unite the people behind haim and decided he had to do something to unite them.  With that in mind, he started his own religion, using things from Israel’s past, such as the golden calf of Exodus 32, and religious rituals and ceremonies similar to those in the Law becaquse they were familiar things and the people readily accepted them.  It was especially easy for the people to accept afte Solomon’s building temples to other gods in Jerusalem and around he country.   

When one does the same thing others have done, he should expect the same results, but obviously Jeroboam didn’t learn from his predecessors.  We don’t have to make the same mistakes, because as I Corinthians 10:11 tells us, “…all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 

Demanding His Way

Because of Solomon’s sin, God had declared that Jeroboam was to be the next king, but when Solomon died, his son Rehoboam assumed the throne, and the people intended to make it official, as I Kings 11:43-12:1 tells us.  “And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.   And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.”

Jeroboam had been forced to flee to Egypt, but when Solomon died, his friends informed him it was safe to return.  Over the years, Solomon had steadily increased the taxes to support his extravagant lifestyle and ever increasing military expenditures and government projects.  This got a lot worse when he began building temples and houses for all seven hundred wives and three hundred mistresses.  The people requested assurance from Rehoboam that he would cut back and reduce the taxes, in I Kings 12:2-4.  “And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.”

Like most politicians, Rehoboam was isolated from the people and more concerned with maintaining his life style than with the peolle’s sufferings.  He promised to check out what he could do, just to pacify them, and contacted his father’s advisors, In I Kings 12:5-7.  “And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.  And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?  And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.”

The older advisors told him that if he would cut the taxes, the people would gladly support him, and his descendants.   Unfortunately, like most politicians, Rehobaam was more concerned with his own agenda than with what the people wanted.  This was not the advice he wanted, so he consulted his personal friends who had the same experience and ideas he had, as I Kings 12:8-11 describes.  “But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?

And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.  And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”  The younger men advised him to reject their request and show he was in charge.  He should up their taxes as punishment for complaining because after all they could afford it, and they just don’t understand how important these other programs are.  It was exactly the same attitude many of our liberal politicians have today.   

When he met with the people, Rehoboam took the younger people’s advice, in I Kings 12:12-14.  “So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.  And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”

God had said Jeroboam was to be the next king, and he would use this selfish and ill advised threat by Rehoboam to make it happen, as I Kings 12:15-17 tells us.  “Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.  So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.   But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.”

The only ones who stayed with Rehoboam were the ones in Judah, who had benefitted most from Solomon’s policies.  While silver was as common as gravel in Jerusalem, it was pretty scarce in other parts of the country.  The contrast was much like the differences today between our metropolitan areas such as New York or Los Angeles and the rest of the United States. 

Refusing to accept the people’s will, Rehoboam decided to prove they had to do what he said, and sent the tax collectors to take the money from the people.  That eliminated any possibility of working things out, as I Kings 12:18-19 tells us.  “Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.  So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.”  Efforts to force people to do things invariably cause resentment, and history is littered with stories of rulers who tried to force their will on the people and destroyed their country.    Unfortunately, many politicians do not understand history.  The American Revolution was the direct result of excessive taxation by a king who refused to listen to the people.  Leaders need to pay attention to their people. 

Solomon’s Replacement Chosen

God had caused Hadad the Syrian and Rezin the Edomite to begin raiding into Israel in an effort to make Solomon aware God was no longer blessing him as freely because of his sin.  Like many people, since the raids did not affect him personally, Solomon didn’t think about why they were happening, treating them as normal opposition.  When that didn’t work, God sent another man to shake him up, in I Kings 11:26-28.  “And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.  And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.  And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.”

Almost a hundred years before, Saul had been much like Solomon, putting his own desires and convenience ahead of God, finally deliberately disobeying.  When he did, God chose David to be the next king.  This time, he sent his prophet to Jereboam to inform him that he was to be the next king, in I Kings 11:29-37.  “And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.  And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.  And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.”

Because Solomon had not followed God, the Lord was going to fulfill the warning he gave in I Kings 9:4-9.  “And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.  But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?  And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.”

Because of Solomon’s sin, the nation would split with only the the tribe of Judah chosing to remain with David’s family.  They would only retain that tribe because of God’s promise to David because of his faithfulness.  He promised that if Jereboam would serve God, he would be blessed in the same way God had offered to bless Solomon if he would obey, In I Kings 38.  “And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.”  God was not forgetting his promises to David, despite Solomon’s sin.  One day he would bring David’s family back into power and fulfill the promises to David, as I Kings 11:39 tells us.  “And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.”

When Solomon learned Jeroboam had been chosen to be the next king, he reacted just like Saul did, trying to kill him.  Jeroboam fled to Egypt for protection until Solomon’s death, as I Kings 11:40 describes.  “Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.”

Unfortunastely, when leaders or those in authority go into sin they tend to become very selfish, unwilling to give up control and often doing their best to ensure that whoever is chosen to take their place cannot succeed.  While modern leaders seldom resort to actual murder, they often make false accusations and distortions to assassinate his character or stir up conflict driving people away in an attempt to destroy either the organization, whether it is a nation, a business, or a church. 

Ignoring The Warnings

Some of God’s commands relate to things which are inherently wrong, such as murder, rape, adultery, theft, etc.  Others were designed to prevent various problems, whether health related, or business related, and dealt with actions that were not inherently wrong in themselves.  For example, it was not inherently wrong for Solomon to have horses or chariots.  The problem came when they began to depend on the chariots and horses and theire alliance with Egypt to protect them instead of trusting God. 

Just as a parent may overlook minor because the effect is minimal, God often overlooks minor disobedience by his children.  If the disobedience become a problem however, he will intervene.  Solomon’s marriages had led to his turning away from God and worshipping idols, as well as encouraging others to commit idolatry.  The effects were so serious the disobedience could no longer be overlooked.  God began to use other people to get Solomon’s attention.  The first was the descendant of the Edomites David had defeated, as we see in I Kings 11:14-22.  “And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.  For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom; (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)  That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.  And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.

And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.  And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.  And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.

Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.”  Once he learned David and Joab were both dead, Hadad returned to Edom and began rebuilding.  When they became strong enough, they began to raid Israel from the south. 

David had defeated the Syrians and made a treaty with them, as well.  One of the Syrians, Rezin had rebelled against the king of Zabah, and seized Damascus, regularly violating the treaty with Israel, as I Kings 11:23-25 describes.  “And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah: And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.  And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.”

When Solomon began his reign, David had made treaties with all his enemies and no one caused him any trouble.  Later, as he became more concerned with his own prestige and power and neglectd God, Hadad and Rezin began causing unrest along the borders in an attempt by God to get Solomon’s attention.  Focused on himself, Solomon did not take the raids seriously, but continued to move further from God and his commands. 

God nearly always gives warnings when things are not right, but unfortunately, just like a child ignoring his parent’s warnings, most people are wrapped up in what they are doing and ignore the warnings.   Few are like David, willing to acknowledge they are wrong and change their behavior.    

Solomon Turns Away From God

God had warned Solomon that he must keep God’s commands if he was to receive the same promise as David received.  As we have already seen, Solomon had begun to let those commands slip as he became wealthy and famous.  He spent nearly twice a much on hi sown house as on the Temple, and his gold shields and ivory throne were purely for flaunting his wealth, In addition he began to build his army, accumulating vast numbers of chariots and calvary, in direct contradiction to God’s command, as we see in Deuteronomy 17:14-16.  “When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.  But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”  Deuteronomy 17:17 added one more command for Israel’s kings.  “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”

Solomon ignored this last command, as well, as I* Kings 11:1-2 tells us.  “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;  Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.”

Many of these wives were married in and attempt to forge treaties with their  home countries, in the belief that they would not want to cause problems for their own children.  Not only had God forbidden the kings to extablish harems for themselves, but he had warned that marriage with certain groups would encourage idolatry and rebellion against God, in Exodus 34:12-16.  “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.”  Not only die Solomon make treaties with these groups, he married into them. 

I Kings 11:3-8 tells us the results were exactly what God had warned about.  “And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.  For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.  And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.   Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.  And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.”

By worshipping their gods and building temples to them Solomon not only got involved in idolatry but by example encouraged the rest of Israel to do so.   This was especially frustrating to God because twice he had met Solomon personally, warning about the danger of turning away, as I Kings 11:9-13 tells us.  “And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.  Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.  Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.  Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.”

Solomon’s disobedience would result in the nation of Israel splitting, with Solomon’s retaining only one tribe and the capital and the rest going to another king.  Because David had been faithful to God, God would not allow the split to happen until Solomon’s death, for David’s sake, and because he had chosen Jerusal;em and the Temple for his own city. 

Unfortunately, many people and organizations today are like Solomon.  When they begin to experience God’s blessings they forget about what God commanded in their efforts to promote their ministry and enhance their reputation or income, and nany times, we learn they have been given special warnings about their particular sin.      

Flaunting His Success

Thanks to his trading ventures with Hiram of Tyre and the Phoenicians, and leasing out certain cities, Solomon had a vast fixed income, as I Kings 10:14-15 tells us.  “Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffic of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.”  Besides the money from his business ventures, he charged fees for being in business, tafiffs for crossing the land, and inport and export tariffs. He also colledted tribute from the various groups David had conquered in present day Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. 

With such a vast income, Solomon adopted an extravagant an life style, showing off his extreme wealth, as demonstrated by his furnishings and the uniforms of his guards.  I Kings 10:16-21.  “And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.  And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.  The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.  And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.  And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.” 

The gold shields were purely for show, as they would be too thin and soft to provide protection.  The throne built of ivory large enough to support twelve lions, and overlaid with the purest gold would be extremely expensive, representing vast numbers of elephants being killed for their tusks.  Twelve lions acting like house pets on the throne would be quite intimidating to othe people. and that all his dishes and utensils were of gold would only add to the impression of unlimited wealth.  

Solomon had a trading venture with Hiram of Tyre, based out on Eziongeber on the north end of the Gulf of Aqaba that traded along the coasts of Africa and India.  He also had trading ventures with Hiram and what would become the Phoenician Empire in the Mediterranean Sea, extending all the way to Spain and for a time even including France and England.  He charced huge fees as a consultant for various governments and major businesses, as we see in I Kings 10:22-25.  “For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.   So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.  And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.  And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. “

With so much money available, Solomon began to llo for things to spend it on.  One of the most obvious places was updating and strengthening their defenses.  Solomon built up the army mightily as we see in I Kings 10:26-29.  “And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.  And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.  And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.  And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.”To defray the cost, Solomon had the chariots and horses loaded with linen yarn which he then wholesaled to the businessmen in Israel for a profit.  Just as many people today won’t bother to pick up a penny, in Solomon’s day gold and silver were so common place most people wouldn’t even bother to pick up a silver coin. 

While strengthening their defenses seems like a logical and wise choice, it reveals a change in Solomon’s relationship with God.  In Deuteronomy 17:14-16, God had commanded, “When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.  But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”  Solomon was going directly against God’s command.    Instead of trusting God for protection he is beginning to trust in his army, putting human logic ahead of God’s command.  

Solomon’s Growing Reputation

Solomon spent a great deal of time studying science and the things around him, and God had given him a special ability to understand what he studied.  Over time, he became well known for his understanding and wisdom as a result, not just in Israel, but in other countries as well.  Eventually hs fame spread as far as present day Somalia and Eritrea, known at the time as Sheba.  The queen of Sheba came to consult with Solomon about some things she needed to know, but she tested his knowledge and understanding before accepting him as being ghe expert people said he was, in I Kings 10:1-2.  “And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.  And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.”   

Many times when reporters talk about asking hard questions, they are more interested in promoting their own agenda than in learning the truth.  The queen of Sheba had legitimate questions which would require serious thought to answer.  I Kings 10:3 tells us Solomon was able to answere all the questions.  “And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.”

The queen of Sheba had not thought anyone knew the answers to some of her questions.  After seeing How God had blessed in giving Solomon such understanding, and how he used it to accomplish things in Israel, from the construction of the Temple to his agricultural research, She was thoroughly impressed, as I Kings 10:4-9 tells us.  “And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.  Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.  Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.  Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.”

The claims had seemed so unbelievable, she didn’t think anyone could do what she had heard, but when she met with him she learned he far exceeded the claims.  As a token of her respect, she gave  huge and very expensive gifts, including over eight thousand pounds of gold, a huge quantity of spices, and precious stones, in I Kings 10:10.  “And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.”

Solomon responded in a similar fashion, not only providing for her and her retinue while they were there, but giving her any thing she wanted from his stores, as I Kings 10:13 tells us.  “And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants. “

Expanding Government

To build government programs and and structures costs quite a bit, and Solomon’s constructions were no different  Hiram had demanded his workers and people be given their food for doing the work, but in addition. Solomon agreed to let him buy twenty towns in the area around the Sea of Galilee, as I kings 9:10-14 describes.  “And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD, and the king's house, (Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.  And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.  And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day.  And Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.” 

Hiram paid a hundred twenty talents or 8400 pounds of gold for the cities, even though they were not exactly what he wanted.   This provided a lot of the money to pay workmen and buy materials for the various building projects, some of which are described in I Kings 9:15-19.  “And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.  For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.  And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether, 1ki 9:18 And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land, And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.”

To do all the work, Solomon required that the descendants of the peoples who had originally owned the land spend a certain amount of time each year working on Government projects, while only Jewish people were allowed to serve as overseers, government officials and military personnel, as I Kings 9:20-25 describes.  “And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.  But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. 1ki 9:23 These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.”

Here again we see a major contrast between David and Solomon’s attitudes.  David had allowed other groups to serve in his army, even making a Philistine from Gath, Ittai one of his generals in II Samuel 18:2.  Because of the way he treated them even former enemies had surrendered to David and became his subjects.  Later they reberl agains Solomon and his descendants because of the way they were treated, in violation of God’s commands in Leviticus 19:33-34.  “And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.  But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.”  Solomon was more concerned with accomplishing his goals than with obeying God.   

The expenses did not stop with the completion of the Temple, but were ongoing like probably every government in history, as we see in I Kings 9:24-25.  “But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David unto her house which Solomon had built for her: then did he build Millo.  And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.”

Before long the sale of the cities, forced labor and taxes were not enough to meet the governments demands, and Solomon negotiated a partnership with Hiram or Tyre to establish a port on the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba and send trading ships along the alng the coasts of Africa and India.  It was a profitable venture as I Kings 9:26-28 tells us.  “And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.  And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.  And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.”

Throughout history, governments have expanded until the peope were not able to support them.  When that time comes governments often begin to try to get into business, like Solomon in the trading business, but eventually even that cannot cover the everincreasing costs.  When he died, the people would beg his son to reduce the taxes because they had become such a burden.    

God Warns Solomon Of Danger

When Solomon started out, he loved the Lord, and although he sacrificed in the high places he seemed devoted to God.  He had spent thirteen years building his own house, and seven building the temple, as well as various other things.  When they dedicated the Temple God’s spirit had so filled the building they couldn’t stay inside to minister, clearly indicating God was pleased.  After they finished dedicating, God appeared to Solomon again, stating clearly that he had accepted the Temple as his place of worship, in I Kings 9:1-3.  “And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do, That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.  And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.”

God also rminded him that if he would be faithful to God, he would bless his family, conveying all the promises he had made to David to Solomon, in I Kings 9:4-5.  “And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.”

Unfortunately, it is easy for people who have been successful  with no major problems to become  proud and forget that their success came from God and begin to act on their own. God knew this would be a special temptation for Solomon, so in I Kings 9:6-9, God warned him of the danger.  “But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?  And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.”

Solomon and his children would be leaders of Israel.  God warned that if they themselves turned away from God, as the leaders, they would cause the people to turn away from God as well, eventually causing them to lose the land God had given them, and the Temple to be destroyed.  Israel would be a nation, but they would be known as the people who lost everything because they chose to practice other religions instead of following what God commanded. 

In any organization or group, the leaders set the example as to the attitudes and moral and ethical practices of the group or organization.  Caring, moral and ethical leaders tend to develop and promote caring, moral and ethical followers while selfish, immoral and corrupt leaders develop and encourage those who are selfish, immoral and corrupt because of the example they set.  This is why God sets such stringent standards for those who are chosen to be pastors or church leaders.   When leaders are unhappy with their people they need to examine the example they are setting, whether it is in the home, school, church, business, or government.

The Dedication Ceremony And Celebration

After finishing his prayer, asking God to honor their efforts to please him, Solomon addressed the people, reminding them what God had done for them in the past and reminding them that if God was to bless them in the future in the same way, they would need to follow his commandments.  When they did so, other peoples would know that God is the oly God, in I Kings 8:54-62.  “And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.  The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.  And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.  Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.”

At that moment Solomon and all the people’s desire was to serve God.  They willingly sacrificed vast amounts of livestock to show their excitement toward God, as I Kings 8:62-64 describes.  “And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD.  And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD. The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brazen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.”

The new altar in the Temple sixteen times as large as the one in the Tabernacle, but it were not nearly large enough to handle all the sacrifices that were offered.  In order to handle all the sacrifices, Solomon had the area infront of the Temple where the people gathered purified so that they could use it for making sacrifices as well, as II Chronicles 7:7 explains.  “Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.” 

They had spent seven days getting everything moved into the Temple and dedicating it.  They spent the next seven days in a tremendous feast, celebrating the completion of the Temple and God’s blessings, as I Kings 8:65-66 describes.  “And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.”    On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.” Jews from the Syrian border to the border with Egypt came to take part in the celebration, and returned home excited about their country and God’s blessings. 

Solomon’s Prayer Of Dedication

After reminding the people why they had built the Temple, Solomon prayed, asking God to bless the temple and the people of Israel, thanking Him for all the many things He had done for Israel and for David and Solomon.  His prayer gives and example of Paul’s instruction in Philippians 4:6.  “…in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Solomon startd out by thanking God for his promises to David and that he has kept them, requesting that he continue to keep them in I Kings 8:22-26.  “And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:  Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.  And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.”

Solomon realized that big and impressive as it was, the Temple they had built was only a token that could never approach God’s glory.  In spite of that he asked that God would honor their efforts and Hear their prayers in I Kings 8:27-30.  “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?  Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.  And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.”

Knowing their sinful nature, Solomon realized they would fail God repeatedly, and asked that he would judge, condemning the wicked and justifying the righteous so that people would realize the consequences of sin and turn back to him.  He asked that when they repented, God forgive them and bless tham again, in I Kings 8:31-32.  “If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

If they sinned so much God was forced to take drastic measures against them, he prayed that the Lord would forgive if they turned back to him and restore their land, in I Kings 8:33- 40.  “When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.

 When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpillar; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be; What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house: Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.”

Solomon also prayed for those who would turn to the Lord as a result of Israel serving God, that he would bless tham as well, in I Kings 8:41-43.  “Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake; (For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house; Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.”

He prayed that they would be blessed in battle when they worshipped God in the Temple, In I Kings 8:44-45.  “If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name: Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.”

And finally he prayed that if they turned away from God and he was forced to take their land away, that God would forgive and protect them in what ever land they might be transported to, in I Kings 8:46-53.  “If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near; Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause, And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them: For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron: That thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.  For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.

Completion Of The Temple

Solomon started building the Temple in the second month of his fourth year as king.   In the seventh month of his eleventh year, construction was finished, and they moved the Ark of the Covenant into its permanent place in the Temple, along with the various implements and furnishings from the Tabernacle, as I Kings 8:1-9 tells us.  “Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.  And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.  And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.  And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.”

 And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.  And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.  For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.  And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.  There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.”

When Moses finished the Tabernacle, the Glory of th Lord had so filled the Tabernacle that even Moses could not go inside, according to Exodus 40:33-35.  “And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”

The same thing happened when Solomon finished the Temple, in I Kings 8:10-11.  “And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.”  Solomon recognized this as a sign that God had accepted the Temple, in I Kings 8:12-13.  “Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.  I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.”

With the assurance that God was pleased, Solomon addressed the people reminding them how the Temple came about, in I Kings 8:14-21.  “And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;) And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying, Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.  And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.  Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.  And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.  And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

Reminded To Stay Focused

Solomon loved the Lord, and was building the Temple, but as we saw in the last lesson, he was not wholly focused on the Lord like his father. Right in the middle of the construction of the Temple, God appeared to him, reminding him of the necessity of following God’s command, as I Kings 6:11-13 tells us.  “And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.”

God told Solomon that if he would follow all God’s commands, he would bless him with all the promises he had made to David, and would dwell among the people of Israel.  We know that God will always keep his promises, but the clear implication is that he would fulfill the promises to David through another of David’s family if he did not.  God’s promises to David were unconditional, because he knew David would be faithful, but his promise to Solomon was conditional because he knew Solomon was not as dedicated to the Lord as David. 

We need to realize we cannot judge a person’s spiritual state by what they do or how much they seem to be blessed.  Solomon’s building the Temple seems like a greater work for God than anything David did, and he was blessed far more financially than David, yet even in the mids of his greatest accomplishments, God warned him to be careful.  Jesus did not say we would know whether a person was serving God by their works, but by their fruit.  When we look at the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, we find that is is comprised of various heart attitudes the Holy Spirit produces.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

 The important difference between Solomon and David was their heart attitude.  Even a wicked man can do things that look really good, but as God told Samuel in I Samuel 16:7, “… the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”     Far too often we get caught up in what they are doing, and over look the underlying purpose.  Paul warned that some are acting out of a desire to glorify themselves, ultimately glorifying Satan, in  II Corinthians 11:12-15.  “But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”  Sometimes those who  seem most like special messengers or apostles of God are in reality serving Satan. 

Another important poingt we often ignore is what God told Solomon in I Kings 6:11-13 about if he would serve God, then God “…will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.”  God had repeatedly stated that his presence among the people would depend on their obeying his commands.  As Leader, Solomon would set the example and greatly influence whether they obeyed God or not.  People take their cues from their leaders.  Even those who love the Lord can lead people astray if they lose their focus.

Commencing Construction

It is extremely difficult to establish accurate historical dates for many events.  Many times records were listed from the date a king took office or some natural phenomena which other groups may not have been aware of.  Many groups did not keep detailed records and frequently, even among those that did the records are incomplete, having been lost or destroyed over the centuries.  As a result, dates before the establishment of our modern dating system are at best, educated guesses.  To further compound the errors, the methods of recording numbers was often easily misunderstood or mistranslated.  One example of this is shown in I Kings 6:1.  “And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.”

Israel spent forty years in the wilderness, led by Moses.  After Moses death, they were led by Joshua Judges 2:7 tells us, “And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.”  Unfortunately, we don’t know how old he was when he took the lead, or how long the served the Lord after he died.  Eventually, they turned away from God Judges describes how for the next 370 years they were repeatedly over run and delivered by various judges.  Two more judges are listed in I Samuel, with Eli serving for forty years. After Eli’s death, ther was a twenty year period when there was no judge until Samuel grew up.  He then judged Israel until he became an old man.  Later Saul was anointed king and reigned for forty years, followed by David, who reigned over Judah for seven years and over all Israel for thirty three years.  Just the periods for which we have times described add up to 554 years, not including the period of Joshua’s leadership and influence or how long Samuel judged Israel.  The discrepancy could easily result from damage to the original manuscripts, from misunderstanding the Jewish writings, a scribal error in copying, or any number of other causes and should not cause serious doubts of the the validity of scripture.  It does point out the necessity of comparison with other passages to find out the truth.  When we study those other passages, the dates we obtain are much more compatible with records from Egyptian history. 

Foru years into his reign Solomon started construction on the temple.  It was a majpor project, requiring seven years to complete, as we see in I Kings 6:37-38.  “In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.” 

Solomon’s building the temple was a tremendous project demonstrating a very real love for God, but as we see, his love for God was not complete.  I Kings 3:3 told us, “And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.”  Though he was making the sacrifices to the Lord, he was ignoring the command in Leviticus 17:8-9.  “And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice,  And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.”  That same incompletel love showed up in construction of Solomon’s house.  I Kings 7:1 tells us, “But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.”  Much as he loved the Lord, he spent nearly twice as much effort on his own palace as on the Temple.    

Contracting To Build The Temple

David had earned the respect of the Phoenician king, Hiram of Tyre by his defeats of the various Syrian groups.  Since they were a sea going nation and built many ships, the Phoenicians had highly developed building skills, and David had employed them to build his house.   Hoping to maintain the friendly and profitable relationship, Hiram sent envoys to Solomon when he became king, as I Kings 5:1 tells us.  “And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.”

David had long wanted to build a temple, but had been prevented by the constant invasions by other countries.  David had defeated and subjugated those countries, leaving Solomon free to build the Temple.  He reminded Hiram of David’s desire and requested that Hiram supply the materials and expertise to build it, in I Kings 5:2-6.  “And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.  

But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.  Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.”

Hiram was excited by Solomons offer and readily agreed to do the work in exchange for a large supply of food for the nation, in I Kings 5:7-12.  “And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.  My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.

 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.  And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.  And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.”

With a firm treaty and trade agreement between the two nations, Solomon drafted men to supply the necessary labor for cutting the timber in Lebanon, as well as laborere to produce and transport the other materials, in I Kings 5:13-18.  “And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.  And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy. And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.

And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.” 

Every piece was carefully engineered and prefabbed by master builders before being delivered to the construction site, as I Kings 6:7 tells us.  “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.”  With no power tools or machinery, it was a huge undertaking, since every piece had to be hand cut.     

The Extent Of Solomon’s Kingdom

During his reign, David had taken vast areas of land when the surrounding countries attacked him.  When Solomon became king all that land came under his control, and there was no one to dispute his claims.  It was a vast area stretching from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt, as we see  in I Kings 4:20-26.  “Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.  And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.  

And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.  For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.  And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.  And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.”

Solomon’s kingdom stretched from Tiphsah, a ford on the Euphrates in northern Syria to Azzah, on the Euphrates in present day Iraq, to the Philistine land on the Mediterranean shore and southward to the northern edge of the Gulf of Aqaba and the eastern boundary of Egypt.  When he took control, none of the surrounding nations had any hope of attacking him because of his huge standing army.  Just to feed his government officials and the armyi took a vast amount of food every day.  Even later in his reign when other nations began to attack him the people in central Israel between Dan and Beersheba were not seriously affected.

The first 19 verses of I Kings 4 list Solomon’s various officers.  As I Kings 4:27-28 tell us, it was those officers’ jobs to collect the supplies needed for supporting the army and government.  “And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.  Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.”

God had blessed Solomon with great power, but hae also kept his promise to give him wisdom, as I Kings 4:29-34 describes.  “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.  And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.  For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.  And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.  And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom. “

Solomon became widely known for his wisdom and knowledge, with people traveling vast distances to learn from him.  During his life time Jerusalem was considered the greatest of intellectual centers in the world.   Some of his proverbs or wise saying can still be found in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, as well as a poem about marriage, in the Song of Solomon.