REIGN OF SOLOMON

1. The trouble that was threatened about the succession after David should die was averted by having Solomon anointed while David was still living. He was advised what to do concerning those who had shown enmity to David, and was encouraged to devote his powers to the great work of building the temple. The leaders among the Israelites were exhorted to render the young king all possible help. The age of Solomon at his accession is not known. The difficulties before him were great, especially because of the prevalence of wealth and luxury among the people, and the danger of national decline due to these. He, however, had some good counsellors about him, and the early part of his reign was probably influenced by these.

The reason why David did not himself punish those whom he counsels Solomon to punish, was due most likely to the fact that he looked upon their opposition to him as a punishment from God, and did not presume to resent it, while at the same time their conduct was deserving of punishment because they were enemies of the authority God had established, they had shown hostility to the anointed king.

2. Among the special advantages that Solomon had at the beginning of his reign was a message from God offering him whatever he might choose, and in answer to his request promising such wisdom as he would need for the government of so great a people. The wisdom asked was not religious ness nor piety, but ability to rule. The evidence that his prayer was granted was shown in the case he was called upon to decide between the two contending women. These great privileges of Solomon, being neglected, came to be the cause of great punishment. He sinned against superior light.

3. The metals needed for the temple were already secured by David. The lumber was secured from the Lebanon range of mountains by a treaty made with the king of Tyre. This was paid for with wheat and oil, probably gotten from the territory of Asher. Solomon sent workmen to cut the timber, while Hiram had it transported by sea to Joppa. Stone seems to have been procured from the same region, though some of it may have come from some point nearer Jerusalem. Just as is often the case at the present day the stones were prepared for their positions at the quarry. The measurements of the temple were precisely twice those of the tabernacle. It required seven years to build it. It was not such a large building, but the work was difficult, and demanded skill. Solomon had also a palace built for himself exceedingly magnificent, requiring thirteen years in its construction.

The precious stones mentioned are such as were expensive because of their size. It seems to have been possible to prepare stones for building in those times with as much ease as at present, if not with even greater ease.¹ It is difficult to account for the remarkable polish of the surfaces of some of the stones used, and the great distances that they were transported.² Engraving upon gemstones was executed with as much skill then as now, and it is claimed with greater ease. The brass mentioned in the Old Testament is sup posed to have been more probably bronze.

Besides the buildings at Jerusalem there was also extensive building carried on in other places, both for the pleasure of the king and for the welfare of the nation. Store cities were built and defenses made. It is not certain, but probable, that the name Tadmor in the wilderness is the same as Palmyra where the famous ruins still stand.

4. The dedication of the temple was an occasion of great solemnity and magnificence. In a special manner God showed his acceptance of the house built for the glory of his name. In Solomon's prayer there is recognized the fact that God is omnipresent. The burden of the prayer is that Jehovah would answer in mercy those who should call upon him wherever they might be, or in whatever circumstances, especially that he would show mercy to those repenting of their wickedness. The dedication took place in the seventh month, the most sacred of all the months. Most of the sacrifices offered at this time were peace -offerings, in which the flesh was not burned, but eaten by the priests and the offerers themselves. It was a joyous feast before Jehovah.

5. The management of Solomon's estate was most elaborately provided for. What was needed for the maintenance of his large retinue was secured by officers appointed for the purpose. The various divisions of the government were placed under competent men. The personal wealth of the king and the magnificence of the court became increasingly great. The commerce with other peoples, carried on by the direction of the king, or through his encouragement, was very extensive. The fame of Solomon became so great that the prayer of David for him was answered by the coming of many kings to do him homage, and bring to him tribute. The income of Israel during this period from sources outside of the country was enormous. The visit of the queen of Sheba indicates the fame of Solomon among outside potentates.

The chief characteristic of the reign of Solomon, aside from his work of building the temple, was the wealth and magnificence at this time. It must be admitted, however, that this was due more to what David had accomplished than to the superior qualities of Solomon as a ruler. Everything possible was furnished him as he began to rule.

6. Despite the fact that Solomon was most highly exalted by Jehovah, was given such a noble work to do, and had God appear to him twice to encourage and warn him, yet he most wickedly turned from Jehovah through the influence of his heathen wives, and established the worship of idols by the side of the worship of Jehovah. No other king of Israel presents such a marked contrast between a splendid beginning and a wretched end. Even if the temptations were strong, because of the idolatry around him and the desires of the wives he had taken, he had the teachings of his father and the influence of the righteous ones in his kingdom, and especially the memory of the solemn warning God had given to him, and his fall is inexcusable in the highest degree.

The view advanced by some that Solomon's course in this matter of idol worship indicates a spirit of liberality is utterly unwarranted and indefensible. It was his chief business to secure fidelity to Jehovah on the part of his people, and this was impossible if he gave them to understand that other gods might be worshiped in the land that was not to be polluted by idolatry. He need not have gone outside to punish idol worshipers, but he cannot be justified fox sanctioning it himself.

7. In estimating the reign of Solomon we find: First, the nation enjoyed under him very great prosperity, wealth was abundant, income from other peoples was great, the defenses of the country were secure. Second, the nation was raised to a position of supremacy over the surrounding peoples, no enemy appeared to defeat Israel, the glory of the nation reached its highest point. Most of this was due, however, to the reign of David. Third, in religious respects the reign was a sad failure. The influence of the king was not simply neutral, it was positively bad. At no time does Solomon exhibit any deep religious convictions, In the writings ascribed to him there is nothing to compare with the lofty sentiments and rich religious experience shown in the psalms of David.

As far as the historical books are concerned there is no hint that Solomon regained the favor of God before his death.³ He passes from view under a cloud of condemnation. If we may suppose that the book of Ecclesiastes was written by him toward the close of his life, we would get from that evidence that he had seen the foolishness of his course. On the whole, it may be said that the tendency is to estimate Solomon too highly. If it had not been for the great work he was given to do he would be ranked far lower than he is,

SUMMERY

1. David has Solomon made king; advises and encourages him. Punishment of offenders.

2. Wisdom given to Solomon.

3. Timber and stone for the temple. Skill in cutting stone; other building of Solomon.

4. The dedication of the temple.

5. Wealth and magnificence in Solomon's reign. His magnificence largely due to David.

6. Solomon's turning to idol worship inexcusable. Wrongly interpreted as liberality.

7. Estimate of his reign; internal condition of Israel; relation with outside nations; religious character of the king. Evidence of his change of living.

1) Petrie, “Ten Years’ Digging in Egypt,” p 26.

2) Wilkinson, “Anc. Egyptians,” Vol. II., 302.

3) Stanley, “Hist. Jews Ch.,” Vol. II., 280.