Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon…. And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men… 1 Kings 4:25, 29-31
Solomon’s administration: 4:1-19. Solomon expands the governmental structure developed by David (cf 2 Sam. 8:15-18).
Solomon’s finances 1 Kings 4:20-27; Chronicles 1:14-17. Solomon’s rule is a time of security for the people of Israel.During his reign, trade brings great wealth into Jerusalem and supports Solomon’s growing court.
20 Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing. 21 So Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. 22 Now Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty kors of fine flour, sixty kors of meal, 23 ten fatted oxen, twenty oxen from the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fatted fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. 25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. 26 Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 27 And these governors, each man in his month, provided food for King Solomon and for all who came to King Solomon’s table. There was no lack in their supply.
Solomon’s intellectual achievements: 1 Kings 4:29-34. Solomon’s knowledge and his wisdom are “greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East.” With all his other activities, Solomon finds time to add thousands of proverbs and over a thousand songs to the literary heritage of Israel. He also becomes a botanist, cataloging all kinds of plant life, and a zoologist, researching the habits and characteristics of animals, birds, and reptiles. These early chapters dealing with Solomon’s first years give us a picture of an extremely gifted man.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 30 Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all men–than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five.
–> This is the kind of place where many of us want to live in. Having our own piece of land, being productive without suffering deprivation or oppression under a wise king.
