Solomon builds a government

1 Kings Chapter 4

Solomon was king over all of Israel and his high officials were: Azariah, son of Zadok, was priest. Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha, were court secretaries. Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud was the royal historian. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada was commander of the army. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests. Azariah, son of Nathan, presided over the district governors. Zabud, son of Nathan, a priest, was a trusted advisor to the king. Ahishar was manager of palace affairs. Adoniram, son of Abda, was in charge of the labor force.

In addition, Solomon had twelve district governors who were over all Israel. They were responsible for providing food from the people to the king's household. Each of them arranged provisions for one month of the year. Verses 9 through 19 list the names of the governors and the district in which they served.

Solomon's people were contented and had plenty to eat and drink. Solomon ruled all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the Philistines and as far south as the border of Egypt. The conquered peoples of those lands sent tribute money to Solomon and continued to serve him throughout his lifetime. The daily requirements for Solomon's palace were 150 bushels of choice flour, 300 bushels of meal, ten oxen, twenty pasture-fed cattle, one hundred sheep or goats as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl.

Solomon's dominion extended over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River from Tiphsah to Gaza. There was peace in the land and throughout Solomon's lifetime, all of Judah and Israel lived in peace and safety. And from Dan to Beersheba, each family had its own home and garden.

Solomon had four thousand stalls for his chariot horses and twelve thousand horses. District governors faithfully provided food for King Solomon and his court and brought barley and straw for the royal horses.

God gave Solomon great wisdom, understanding and knowledge too vast to be measured. His wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men in the East and Egypt. His fame spread throughout surrounding nations and he could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, animals, birds, reptiles and fish. Kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to Solomon's wisdom. He composed 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Solomon's organization of officials and governors was essential to maintain the government's effectiveness. It took good stewardship to be well organized and it helped people work together in harmony and directed that the desired goal was reached. Because Solomon applied his wisdom through God, his era is looked upon as the ideal of what any nation could become when united in trust and obedience to God.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Imagine a nation today, created by a leader who trusts in God to make things happen. Do you think it would ever be possible to create such a nation today? Hard to believe, but if a man of such wisdom were alive today and could rally people behind him and with God's help, maybe it could be done. We live in a world that is constantly under the threat of war, nuclear war etc. How great it would be to live like the Israelites in peace and safety! But unfortunately God only made one Solomon and even this great king would have his downfall.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake,those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.