Hebrew Monarchy at Its Height

I Kings 9:1-7, 26; 10:26-28; 11:4, 11

GOLDEN TEXT: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”—Psalm 33:12

THE kingdom of Israel reached its greatest height of glory during the reign of King Solomon. When Solomon was young he impleaded the Lord to give him wisdom in order that he might judge the people of Israel righteously and rule over them in equity. God was pleased that Solomon asked for wisdom rather than riches so He granted the young king both wisdom and riches. Solomon’s wise choice indicates that by nature he was endowed with a large measure of good judgment, and this would constitute a solid foundation upon which the special gift of wisdom could be built.

Solomon’s great riches could be accounted for in part by the fact that his reign was characterized by peace, in contrast with that of David’s, his father. War, even in those ancient times, was expensive and wasteful. It has always tended to keep a nation impoverished. Solomon wisely conserved the wealth of the kingdom and thereby built up its glory until it became renowned throughout the then known earth. The Queen of Sheba, who heard of the wealth of Solomon, came to see for herself, and reported that the half had never been told.

Solomon’s wealth and the glamour with which he surrounded himself, was outstanding in the history of Israel, so much so that Jesus mentioned it in His day. Referring to the beauty with which God had clothed the lily, the Master said, “Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matt. 6:28,29) Solomon’s wisdom assisted him in the accumulation of great material wealth and the attaining of resplendent glory, yet this was largely artificial, and could not compare in genuineness with the simple and natural beauty of the lily.

Solomon was wise, yet in later life he yielded to influences which caused him to lose the favor of God, and the kingdom to be divided and taken away from his son. Contrary to God’s law he took wives from among the surrounding heathen nations. This in itself was a sin, although it was because he permitted these heathen women to lead him into the worship of false gods that the God of Israel cast him off from favor and wrested the kingdom from his family line. The worship of false gods is at the foundation of much evil-doing and is therefore one of the most fundamental of all sins.

The Golden Text lays down a. formula for true greatness and happiness in any nation, but to date no nation of earth has ever used it, except Israel; and even this chosen people of God acknowledged Him only halfheartedly. To the extent, however, that Israel did obey God’s law they were blessed and protected, as is evidenced by the glory of the kingdom in Solomon’s day. God blessed Solomon in connection with the building of the temple, and said to him, “I heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.”

The Lord said to Solomon that if he remained upright and maintained the integrity of his heart, “Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.” The throne of Israel was God’s throne in the sense that those who sat upon it represented Him. Hence in the temple and the throne together we have religious and civil government represented. When God is the real ruler of a nation these cannot properly be separated.

The kingdom of Israel was typical of the Kingdom of Christ—a Kingdom in which neither the civil nor religious interests of the people will be entrusted to imperfect and selfish men. During the thousand years of that Kingdom, Christ will establish His sovereignty over all nations who will then recognize Him as “King of kings,” and they will call Him blessed.

Jesus will also be the world’s High Priest, ministering to the religious needs of the people. Both His kingly and priestly offices will be shared by His church. As the people come into harmony with that divine government they will be blessed. Thus will be fulfilled God’s promise to bless all the families of the earth through the seed of Abraham.—Gal. 3:16,27-29

Solomon’s temple was typical of Christ and the church. Peter writes, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” As the typical temple was the meeting place between God and Israel, so Christ and the church will be the ministers of reconciliation between God and men during the thousand years of the Messianic Kingdom. Through their service the fallen race will be restored to perfection and to the favor of God.

QUESTIONS:

What was the secret of Solomon’s great wealth, and the glory of the Israelitish kingdom under him?

What was foreshadowed by the throne and the temple?

What is the antitypical temple of God?

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