Israel was stable and prosperous under Solomon. God had indeed fulfilled the promise He made to Abraham years earlier. First Kings 4:20 began this portion of Scriptures by saying that the number of people of Israel and Judah combined was said to be as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore. And not only was the population huge, but the citizens were also living a joyful life - drinking, eating, and rejoicing. Under the reign of Solomon, Israel had dominion over many of the surrounding nations. To sustain such a huge population of joyful people living in prosperity suggests that Solomon's system of running the country was working. Part of his prosperity came from the tributes paid by the surrounding nations that David had subdued. First Kings 4:21 said that those nations served Solomon all the days of his life.
First
Kings 4:22-25 reveal the amount of material resources required to sustain the
nation. Yet he was able to ensure that the people were at peace and living
a great life. Verses 22-23 detail what Solomon’s provisions for a day amounted
to. Just imagine that described amount, and then multiply them by 352 days a
year. That’s how much was required to sustain the government every day for a
year. The land was at peace and living in security suggest that people were
contented with the way the nation was being run. Militarily speaking, verse 26
said that Solomon owned “…40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000
horsemen.” The number of the stalls of horses for the chariots is probably a
scribal error. In 2 Chronicles 9:25, the number of horses was stated as 4,000.
From the calculation 4,000 seems a more accurate figure. This discrepancy, however,
has no theological implication hence it
is inconsequential.
The
12 deputies assigned over the 12 districts were each doing a fine job. Verse
27 suggests that each month one would meet up with Solomon for a meal and to
give their account. And when each of them met him, each would bring their dues
of “barley and straw for the horses and swift steeds to the place where it
should be, each according to his charge.” After the meeting, the deputies would
leave with nothing lacking.
For
the moment everything seemed rosy and fine. We will learn later how this would
take a toll on the people. But this is a subject for future discussion. One lesson we glean from these verses is that
prosperity is a good thing to have in life. But it must not be one’s primary
focus in life. God wants to prosper us but not at the expense of our
relationship with Him. We need to hold prosperity and spirituality in tandem.
What is more important is to learn how to handle the material blessings God has
granted us so that we will not allow them to overtake our love for
God. Material possession is a neutral thing. It is neither good nor
bad. But when we become obsessed with it, we run the risk of compromising our
connection with God. Jesus said, “what does it profit a man to gain the whole
world but loses his soul.”
Another
lesson is found in the last five words of verse 28 that say, “each according to
his charge.” These words describe how the deputies discharged their assignment.
They were each given responsibility for a district. It was required of each to
collect the taxes to be brought to the king for the sustenance of
the central government. According to verse 28, they obviously had
discharged their responsibilities well. What about us? We are all given talents
and gifts for the building of God’s kingdom. How are we using them for the
purpose of advancing the work of God? Remember we will have to give an account
to our Lord. So let’s steward our talents and gifts wisely now. Then we
will be able to hear the words of Jesus, “Well done, My good and faithful
servant.”
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