Solomon: Wealth and Wisdom

1 Kings 1–8 

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. DAVID. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

King David became the benchmark for all the kings of Israel because he was a man who pursued and followed hard after God. He did “what was right in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite” (1 Kgs. 15:5). 

Until Jesus came—the one called the “Son of David,” who descended from David’s line (Matt. 1:1)—all subsequent kings of Israel were measured against this shepherd boy who became king. Now, Jesus alone is the true standard—the “King of kings and Lord of Lords.” In Jesus, the Davidic Covenant is fulfilled, and David’s throne is established forever (2 Sam. 7:16). Soon in our study, we will follow the life of the King of kings.

From David to Jesus, there are 1,000 years of Israel’s history to cover. Today, let’s look at David’s successor, his son, Solomon. 

Solomon Named David’s Successor
As David neared death and could no longer rule, his eldest living son Adonijah^[1] declared, “I will be king” and began making plans for his coronation (1 Kgs. 1:5). However, Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan stopped the takeover, because God had chosen Bathsheba’s son Solomon as the next king. 

God named Solomon “Jedidiah,” meaning “beloved of the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:24–25). He also made clear that Solomon, rather than another son, would succeed David, promising, “I will give peace and quiet to Israel in [Solomon’s] days. He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever” (1 Chron. 22:9–10). 

Solomon’s Reign
We are not told how old Solomon was when he became king, but David described him as “young and inexperienced” (1 Chron. 22:5). Before David died, his charge to Solomon was, “Be strong, and show yourself a man . . . that you may prosper in all that you do” (1 Kgs. 2:2–3). 

Solomon took his father’s words to heart. One night God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask what I shall give you” (1 Kgs. 3:5). Solomon admitted his inexperience replying, “I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. . . Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kgs. 3:6–9). 

Because God was pleased with Solomon’s request, he granted him wisdom as well as “riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days” (1 Kgs. 3:11–13). As a result, Solomon stands out among the kings of the world.  

Solomon’s Accomplishments
During Solomon’s forty-year reign, Israel prospered under a thriving economy, so that the people “ate and drank and were happy” (1 Kgs. 4:20). Solomon “made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone” (1 Kgs. 10:27), a vivid picture of the kingdom’s immense wealth. The gold collected each year to support the kingdom is estimated to be worth nearly 2 billion dollars today, not including revenue from trade, tribute, and the nation’s broader economic strength. 

Solomon himself also enjoyed great luxury, drinking only from gold vessels, according to Scripture (1 Kgs. 10:21). He “excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom” (1 Kgs. 10:23), writing 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. He imported exotic animals and spoke on trees, plants, beasts, birds, reptiles, and fish. His knowledge and wisdom drew a constant audience, as the rulers of the world “sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God [had] put into his mind” (1 Kgs. 10:24; cf. 1 Kings 4:29–34). 

The queen of Sheba was one of the many who came to test Solomon’s insight and discernment. She marveled at all she experienced, declaring, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard” (1 Kgs. 10:6–7).

Solomon used his wisdom and wealth to undertake grand building projects, including a magnificent temple to honor the Lord. He spared no expense in hiring master builders and craftsmen for its design and construction. The “house that King Solomon built for the Lord” was ninety feet long, thirty feet wide, and forty-five feet high. Nearly the entire interior of the temple was overlaid with gold (1 Kgs. 6:2, 20–22). The project took seven years to complete.

Even with the temple’s obvious splendor, Solomon remained keenly aware of God’s immensity. At its dedication, he prayed, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (1 Kgs. 8:27). 

Another major project Solomon oversaw was the construction of his own palace, which took thirteen years to complete. He called it the “House of the Forest of Lebanon” (1 Kgs. 7:1–12). No doubt the dignitaries who visited Solomon during his reign were also impressed by its grandeur.

Solomon was a gifted leader and during his reign, Israel enjoyed peace, a thriving economy, and a strong, well-prepared military. He was one of the wealthiest and wisest men who ever lived. Yet his life also shows that intellectual power and authority do not nourish the soul. Despite all his greatness, he had a critical weakness that ultimately shattered his legacy and brought devastating consequences upon the nation of Israel. 

That’s where we will pick up next time. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on 1 Kings 1-8.  Where in your life might you be pursuing position or control instead of trusting God’s sovereign plan? 

Talking to God: Ask God to help you pinpoint any areas of self-focused pursuits. 

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