CHAPTER EIGHT

The Solomonic Kingdom

SCRIPTURE COVERED: I Kings 1—11; II Chronicles 1—9

TIME COVERED: ca. 971-931 B.C.

Peace and prosperity—these two words describe the golden era of Solomon's reign over Israel. He reaped the benefits of his father's military efforts in uniting the nation, expanding the borders of Israel, and gaining international recognition.

Solomon's reign of forty years as given in these two accounts is difficult to outline in any chronological order. The building and dedication of the temple that occurred during the first decade receive the most consideration in these records. The building of the palace was completed thirteen years later. Many activities that are barely mentioned have been illuminated in recent years through archaeological excavations. Lacking a chronological perspective, the Biblical content is considered topically in this analysis of the accounts in I Kings and II Chronicles.

	I Kings	II Chronicles
I. Solomon Emerges as Sole Ruler		1:1—2:46
II. Prayer for Wisdom at Gibeon	3:1-15	1:1-13
III. Wisdom in Administration	3:16—4:34
IV. Trade and Prosperity		1:14-17

SOLOMON ESTABLISHED AS KING

Solomon inherited the throne of his father David. Although Adonijah, another son of David, enlisted the support of Joab and Abiathar, the priest at Jerusalem, to have himself anointed as king, the appeal of the prophet Nathan and Solomon's mother Bathsheba to David resulted in recognizing Solomon as king. Zadok, the officiating priest at Gibeah, anointed him on the eastern slope of Mount Ophel. In a public acclaim, "Long live King Solomon!", the people of Jerusalem expressed their support so effectively that the supporters of Adonijah dispersed.

In a subsequent convocation, Solomon was officially crowned and recognized by the nation (I Chron. 28:1). With officials and statesmen representing the whole nation present, David delivered a charge to the people outlining their responsibilities to Solomon, the king of God's choice. Privately, David reminded his son that he was responsible to obey the Law of Moses (I Kings 2:1-12).

Numerous changes occurred as Solomon was established on the throne. Adonijah's request to marry Abishag, the Shunamite maiden, was interpreted by Solomon as treason resulting in Adonijah's execution. The removal and banishment of Abiathar to Anathoth marked the fulfillment of the solemn words spoken to Eli (cf. I Sam. 2:27-36; I Kings 2:26, 27). Joab's treasonable conduct in supporting Adonijah and his crimes during David's reign brought about his execution. As a young man possibly in his early twenties, Solomon sensed his need for wisdom as he assumed national leadership. Sacrificing at Gibeon where the tabernacle and the bronze altar were located, he received the divine assurance that his request for wisdom would be granted. Conditioned on his obedience, he was also assured of riches, honor, and long life. Solomon's wisdom as king of Israel became a source of wonderment. The wise judgment rendered by Solomon in the case recorded in I Kings 3:16-28 very likely represents but a sample of many decisions that exhibited his wisdom before his people. Internationally, his fame spread through extensive trade (II Chron. 1:14-17).

Solomon's kingdom may have been very simple at the beginning but became a vast organization in the course of controlling his vast empire. The king himself constituted the final court of appeals. Appointments of various officers are listed in I Kings 4:1-6 and represent an increase over those under David. For taxation purposes the nation was divided into twelve districts. In rotation, each district supplied provisions for the central government during one month of each year from a store city or from warehouses where these supplies were collected during the rest of the year. One day's supply for the king and his court of army and building personnel consisted of over 300 bushels of flour, almost 700 bushels of meal, 10 fattened cattle, 20 pasture-fed cattle, 100 sheep, plus other animals and fowl (I Kings 4:22-23). Solomon also added to his armed forces 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen which were stationed in Jerusalem and chariot cities throughout Israel. This added to the burden of taxation a regular supply of barley and hay. Through efficient organization and wise administration, Israel maintained a state of prosperity and progress.

THE BUILDING PROGRAM

The temple constructed by Solomon represented a high point in Israel's religious history. It marked the fulfillment of David's desire to establish a permanent place of worship. The significant events include:

	I Kings	II Chronicles
I. The Temple in Jerusalem	5:1—7:51	2:1—5:1
II. Solomon's Palace	7:1-8
III. Dedication of the Temple	8:1— 9:9	5:2—8:16
IV. Settlement with Hiram of Tyre	9:10-25

Through treaty arrangements with Hiram, the wealthy and powerful ruler of Tyre and Sidon who had extensive commercial contacts throughout the Mediterranean world, vast resources were available to Solomon. Advanced in architecture and workmanship of costly building materials, the Phoenicians not only furnished building supplies, but also thousands of architects, technicians, and foremen who supervised building the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon made payment in grain, oil, and wine.

The temple was erected on the top of Mount Moriah located directly north of Zion where David had built his palace. On this place, where Abraham had gone to sacrifice Isaac, Solomon's temple stood until it was destroyed in 586 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar. It was rebuilt in 520-515 B.C. and demolished in A.D. 70. Since the seventh century A.D. the Mohammedan mosque, the Dome of the Rock, has been located on this site which is regarded as the most sacred spot in world history. Today this temple area very likely is larger than it was in Solomon's time, covering about thirty-five to forty acres.

The temple itself was twice as large as the Mosaic tabernacle in its basic floor area. As a permanent structure it was much more elaborate and spacious, with appropriate additions and a much larger surrounding court. Although modern excavators know no archaeological remains, it is quite likely that the art and architecture were basically Phoenician. Descriptions indicate that the temple and its furnishings were very elaborate with gold being used freely. The splendor and beauty of this temple apparently were never equaled in the history of Israel.

DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE

The dedication of the temple was the most significant event in the religious history of the nation since Israel left Mount Sinai. Not without importance is the chronological notation in I Kings 6:1 relating the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the building of the temple. Whereas the pillar of cloud hovered over the tabernacle, the glory of God was manifested in the dedication of the temple signifying God's blessing and benediction. The temple was dedicated as the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Tabernacles that also reminded them that they once were pilgrims in the wilderness. With Solomon as king, the kingdom of Israel was divinely confirmed as anticipated by Moses (Deut. 17:14-20).

Solomon was the key person in the dedication ceremonies. Under the covenant all Israelites were God's servants (Lev. 25:42, 55; Jer. 30:10, and other passages) and viewed as a kingdom of priests unto God (Ex. 19:6). Solomon, in his unique position as king of God's chosen people, took the position of a servant of God in representing his nation in the dedication ceremonies. This relationship with God was common to prophet, priest, layman, and king in true recognition of the dignity of man. In this capacity Solomon offered prayer, delivered the dedicatory address, and officiated at the offering of sacrifice.

Solomon also built an elaborate palace for himself that took thirteen years to complete. It contained government offices, living quarters for the daughter of Pharaoh, and his own private residence. In addition, the maintenance of the powerful army and the administration of the kingdom required building numerous cities such as Megiddo throughout the land.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

David had already taken control of Edom and the vast natural resources extending south to the Gulf of Aqaba. Recent archaeological findings indicate that Ezion-geber was a large refining center of iron and copper in the days of Solomon. Aided by Phoenician engineers, the city became the "Pittsburgh of Palestine."

	I Kings	II Chronicles
I. Naval Ventures at Ezion-geber	9:26-28	8:17,18
II. The Queen of Sheba	10:1-13	9:1-12
III. Revenue and Trade	10:14-29	9:13-31

Control of this metal industry placed the Israelites in an advantageous position in commerce and trade. Through the aid of the Phoenicians, Solomon built ships that took iron and copper as far as southwest Arabia (modem Yemen) and the African coast of Ethiopia from where they returned with gold, silver, ivory, and monkeys. Phoenician commerce provided favorable contacts with the Mediterranean world. As a result, Solomon accumulated extensive wealth.

Horses and chariots were acquired by Solomon from the Hittites through the Arameans. Although David hamstrung or lamed all the horses he captured, with the exception of one hundred (II Sam. 8:4), it is obvious that Solomon accumulated a considerable force. These were helpful for controlling the commerce that crossed Israel's territory. Additional wealth was accrued to Israel by establishing vast camel caravans to promote spice trade between Southern Arabia, Syria, Phoenicia, and Egypt-International respect and recognition increased Solomon's wealth by gifts from rulers far and near. People from afar came to hear the wisdom of this Hebrew king expressed in his proverbs, songs, and speeches. The visit of the Queen of Sheba may represent but a sample of the international acclaim. Commercial interests motivated her 1,200-mile trip by camel very likely. The wealth and wisdom of Solomon was never exceeded by any Israelite king.

APOSTASY AND DEATH

Tragic and disappointing is the final chapter of Solomon's reign as reported in I Kings chapter eleven. The simple facts are that the king who had reached the zenith of success and fame in wisdom, wealth, and international acclaim under the divine blessing terminated his reign in failure. Like the Israelites in the wilderness after God's revelation to them at Mount Sinai, Solomon departed from wholehearted devotion to God. He broke the very first commandment by his inclusive policy of allowing idol worship at Jerusalem.

A. Foreign wives and idolatry

Solomon also conformed to contemporary culture by making alliances with foreign rulers and confirming this by marriage (I Kings 11:1-8). By taking wives from Egypt, the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites, Solomon permitted idolatry to prevail in the environs of the temple he had erected unto God. The multiplicity of wives resulted in his ruination, as his heart was turned away from God (Deut. 17:17). Some of the gods which Solomon recognized by building high places for them were not removed until the times of Josiah, three and a half centuries later (II Kings 23:13).

B. Judgment and adversaries

While Solomon was still living, the stage was set for the disruption of the kingdom. Because of disobedience, the kingdom was to be divided according to the words of the prophet Ahijah (I Kings 11:9-43). For David's sake, the judgment was withheld until after the death of Solomon. Enemies and strong leaders such as Hadad the Edomite, Rezon of Damascus, and Jeroboam, to whom the prophet Ahijah gave ten pieces of his mantle to indicate that he would rule over ten tribes, began to threaten the rule of Solomon. Even though the kingdom was sustained and not divided until after his death, Solomon was subjected to the anguish of rebellion at home and secession in various parts of his empire as a result of his personal failure to obey and serve God faithfully.