by David McAllister, Ireland
Anyone writing on Solomon could approach the subject from several angles. He could take an historical approach to this reign, which took place at a crucial period in the story of the nation. There is plenty of scope for practical lessons to be drawn: a character study on Solomon (both his strengths and his weaknesses) would provide much instruction. Alternatively, one could consider Solomon’s spoken words, notably his prayer at the dedication of the Temple, which is full of rich teaching, setting forth timeless principles. Again, there is much that could be studied in his writings, in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. Another line that could be followed is to consider New Testament references to Solomon. There are also many illustrative studies that could be done. For example, while assemblies gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ are not in the Old Testament, either actually or prophetically, yet there are many things in the Old Testament that can illustrate assembly principles. The happy conditions that pertained in Solomon’s kingdom could be used to picture how things ought to be in an assembly today.
However, what we will actually consider in this chapter is how the reign of Solomon illustrates the future reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, when He sets up His Kingdom. While the approaches outlined above (and the list is not exhaustive) will not be pursued in this chapter, there is a book which can be highly recommended, authored by A.J. Higgins1, which has comprehensive coverage of and profitable teaching on the various aspects of the life of Solomon.
- 1 Higgins, A.J. “Ritchie Character Study Series – Solomon”. John Ritchie Ltd., 2017.
One reason for settling on considering parallels between the reigns of Solomon and the Lord Jesus is the title of this book: “The Glory of the House of David”, which supremely points to the glory of ‘great David’s greater Son’, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to His glorious Kingdom, which will be established on this earth for one thousand years, and which will then, in the new heaven and the new earth, continue eternally. While there are later kings considered in this book whose reigns also give glimpses of that of the Lord Jesus, it is foreshadowed more fully in Solomon’s reign than in any of these others.
Any who may consider such a comparison far-fetched can be directed to Psalm 72, which is titled, “A Psalm for Solomon”. As J.M. Flanigan2 discusses in his commentary on the Psalms, commentators are not united as to whether it was written by Solomon, or by David for Solomon, or if the material was provided by David and composed by Solomon. Whatever the exact case, we can be sure that Solomon was intimately familiar with the contents of this Psalm, and he would have appreciated that “it was written in connection with Solomon’s reign, but remained unfulfilled in its fullest extent during his lifetime. Some Solomonic references should be noted … However, these are but faint glimpses of another King. The Psalm goes well beyond Solomon and points to ‘a greater than Solomon’ Matt.12.42!” These words are quoted from J.M. Riddle3 in his chapter on Psalm 72 for “The Glory of the Messianic Psalms”. In that chapter he very helpfully discusses the way in which this Psalm speaks both of Solomon and of Christ. The reader is recommended to read it. The fact that Solomon would have seen that he and his kingdom were a shadow of Someone and something much greater should encourage us to explore that subject!
- 2 Flanigan, J.M. “What the Bible Teaches – Psalms”. John Ritchie Ltd., 2001.
3 Riddle, J.M. “The Glory of the Messianic Psalms: Chapter 13 – Psalm 72”. Assembly Testimony, 2020.
A few points should be clarified at the start. First, we know that Solomon started well, but, sadly, finished poorly. This chapter will highlight the praiseworthy things in his life, and not the failures. This means that we are being selective in the material used, and are not presenting a full picture of Solomon. This should ever be borne in mind, but we will not weary the reader by constant repetition of it.
Second, even in the areas where Solomon and his reign are typical of the Lord Jesus and His reign, we must acknowledge that the former is but a faint shadow of the latter. For example, while both reigns are characterised by the monarch’s wisdom, in Solomon’s case it was given to him by God, at a clearly-identified moment in time, 2Chr.1.7-12, whereas the Lord Jesus Christ ever is, was, and will be, inherently and eternally, “the wisdom of God” 1Cor.1.24. Every good thing about Solomon is also true of Him, but only in Him is it seen in its fulness. However, as with the previous paragraph, while we must ever be mindful of this, we will not keep restating it through the chapter.
Third, there may be comparisons made in this chapter (or, perhaps more likely, expected comparisons that are not made) with which not all readers will agree. An example is that some see in Solomon’s Egyptian wife (the daughter of Pharaoh, 1Kgs.3.1) a picture of the Church, Christ’s Bride, drawn mainly from the Gentile nations. However, we must ask: was this marriage a good thing? The reader’s attention is drawn to two events in Solomon’s life: first, the king of Egypt gave sanctuary and succour to two of Solomon’s adversaries: Hadad the Edomite, 1Kgs.11.18, and Jeroboam, 1Kgs.11.40; and second, when Solomon had finished building the Temple and his own house, he brought his Egyptian wife out of the city of David, saying, “My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the Lord hath come” 2Chr.8.11. Clearly he felt that her presence was not compatible with the holiness of the place. In light of these things, I cannot warm to the idea of this woman picturing the Church. Whatever the view taken, at least we should keep in mind that, while types and shadows are Scriptural, and very precious, we need to be careful as to how far we take them.
When the Lord Jesus Christ first came to earth, He said of Himself, “A greater than Solomon is here” Matt.12.42; Lk.11.31. It was true then, and it will be no less so when He comes for the second time. He is greater than Solomon was, even when Solomon was at his very best! As we embark on a consideration of Solomon’s kingdom and glory, may it point us to that greater Monarch, a greater Kingdom, and a greater glory; may it cause us to look with ever greater anticipation to that day when He shall reign; and may it draw out our hearts in greater love for Him.
We will seek to draw parallels between the reigns of Solomon and of our Lord Jesus Christ under seven headings:
- The Certainty of His Reign
- The Commencement of His Reign
- The Compass of His Reign
- The Character of His Reign
- The Conditions of His Reign
- The Centrepiece of His Reign
- The Conclusion of His Reign
THE CERTAINTY OF HIS REIGN
As David’s life drew to a close, many might have thought it far from certain that Solomon would reign. They could have pointed to the seeming anarchy in the nation; or to the fact that Solomon was not David’s eldest son; or to the machinations of Solomon’s older brother, Adonijah, and regarded him as a more likely successor. Yet, from the Divine perspective, Solomon was certain to reign.
Today, the world appears to be a chaotic scene. Men do not know where to turn in seeking to solve the many problems. The possibility of Christ returning and setting up His Kingdom on earth is stated as being impossible, not only by the godless, but by many who name the name of Christ. And, while the world situation is bad now, the Scriptures make it clear that it will be far worse in the days before He comes to reign. Yet it is sure that He will do so.
Since Solomon was not the first son, it may have been felt that, naturally, others had priority over him, including Adonijah. However, what might have seemed right naturally was not God’s purpose. Paul reminds us that Adam appeared in the world before the Lord Jesus Christ: “The first man ‘Adam was made a living soul;’ the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven” 1Cor.15.45-47. God’s purpose will ultimately be fulfilled not in the “natural” man but in the “spiritual” Man, not in the “first man Adam” but in “the last Adam”, “the second man”.
The future administration of this world will be under man, not angels. “For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, ‘What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in that He put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man” Heb.2.5-9. Although Adam was set over the creation, the writer to the Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that these words will be fulfilled, not in the dominion of the first man, but in the dominion of the “second man”, the Lord Jesus Christ.
However, even before he became king, Solomon faced a usurper to the throne: his brother Adonijah. The story of his plot, its apparent early success, and its soon-to-follow failure is given in 1Kings chapter 1. The first words recorded of him there are striking: “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king” 1Kgs.1.5. This would take us in mind to another usurper, in the days leading up to the establishment of the coming reign of Christ, described by Paul: “that man of sin … the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” 2Thess.2.3,4.
Just as many were deceived by Adonijah, and followed him, so shall many follow the “man of sin”, and, as Solomon’s rival seemed to be doing well, so shall that future rival have early triumphs. However, Adonijah’s plot was sure to fail. Why? Because God had decreed that the throne would be Solomon’s. Some years before Solomon’s birth, He promised to David, through the prophet Nathan: “I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for My name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be My son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: but My mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” 2Sam.7.12-16. That Solomon is the one here promised is evident: on more than one occasion Solomon stated that the prophecy of David’s son who would “build an house unto My name” was fulfilled in himself, 1Kgs.5.5; 8.19,20.
This promise is highly pertinent to our discussion, for at least two reasons: first, part of it is quoted in Heb.1.5, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ: “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son”. That the Holy Spirit, speaking through the writer to the Hebrews, applies this to Christ shows that Solomon is a picture of Him in this respect. Second, it is clear that the promise in 2Samuel chapter 7 goes far beyond Solomon personally, and indicates that the establishment of Solomon’s kingdom will ultimately lead to the eternal establishment of the “house”, “kingdom”, and “throne” of David. And, as many Scriptures teach, it is in the Lord Jesus Christ that this will be fulfilled. Hence the link between Solomon and the Lord Jesus Christ is unequivocally stated, and shows that we are on solid ground when we seek to draw parallels between the two reigns.
When Solomon was born, David “called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord” 2Sam.12.24,25. Jedidiah means ‘beloved of the Lord’, which was certainly appropriate, since it is stated that “the Lord loved him”. So Solomon was the true son of David, the son who had been promised, who was destined to fill the throne, and who was loved of the Lord. What a lovely picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of David, promised of God, and beloved of God Himself!
David fully believed God’s promises concerning Solomon. Here are his words to Bath-sheba, Solomon’s mother, when he heard of Adonijah’s attempt to seize the throne: “I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead;’ even so will I certainly do this day” 1Kgs.1.30. So, all who said, “God save king Adonijah” 1Kgs.1.25, were doing so in vain, and would have to give way to those who, later that day, said, “God save king Solomon” 1Kgs.1.39. Despite their vain imaginings, God would establish His king, Solomon, upon the hill of Zion. The Psalmist writes of a greater Son of David: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bands asunder, and cast away Their cords from us.’ … ‘Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion’ … I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, ‘Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession’” Ps.2.1-3,6,8. Nothing can prevent God’s purpose for the reign of His Son. It is certain.
THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS REIGN
For his kingdom to be secure, Solomon needed to ensure that any threat to it was removed. Before he died, David identified several persons, both for blessing and for judgment, and the subsequent events show how these, and others, were dealt with.
There was to be reward for faithfulness. David instructed Solomon: “But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother” 1Kgs.2.7. He did not forget those who had been faithful to him in the days of his rejection, and they were to be rewarded, not only with “kindness”, but shown the greatest possible honour: to eat at the king’s table. Doubtless Solomon carried out his father’s request.
Solomon also rewarded those who had been faithful to him personally, in his own dark hour immediately preceding his reign. “Benaiah the son of Jehoiada” had been one of the most honourable of David’s mighty men, and had been set over David’s guard, 2Sam.23.20-23. In the crisis at the end of David’s reign, recorded in 1Kings chapter 1, he had stood against Adonijah and for Solomon. He was entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out judgment on behalf of the king, 1Kgs.2.29,30,34,46, and we read that “the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in [Joab’s] room over the host” 1Kgs.2.35; 1Kgs.4.4. Zadok the priest had also stood for Solomon at that time, and the king put him “in the room of Abiathar” 1Kgs.2.35.
All this is a picture of the rewards that the Lord Jesus Christ will grant in His reign to those who have been faithful to Him in the days of His rejection. We cannot be sure of the precise details of the rewards for saints of the Old Testament, of the Church age, and of the Tribulation, yet all, from every age, will be honoured, and have roles to carry out, in connection with that glorious Kingdom. For example, the Lord told His apostles, “In the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” Matt.19.28. Perhaps this is pictured in the fact that “Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel” 1Kgs.4.7-19. Many Scriptures, such as Matthew chapters 24 and 25 and the Book of Revelation, show that those who stand for Christ in the terrible days of tribulation just before His coming to reign will be fully rewarded. And we too, in this Church age, should be encouraged to remain faithful to Him, knowing that He will not forget.
However, there was another side to David’s last words to Solomon in 1Kings chapter 2: there was to be retribution for unfaithfulness. As with those to be rewarded, David named those who were to be punished: Joab, v.5, and Shimei, v.8. There were others whom he did not name: Adonijah and Abiathar, with whom Solomon would have to act in wisdom. Early on in Solomon’s reign, he dealt appropriately with all four of these men, whether by death, vv.25,34,46, or by banishment, v.26.
So too, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to reign, He will act in judgment against those who have refused and opposed Him. Of the Man of sin (pictured in Adonijah) and those standing with him to oppose the Son when He returns to reign, we read, “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth” Rev.19.20,21. Matthew chapter 25 records not only the blessing of those living on earth who are His, but also the solemn condemnation of those who are not, vv.31-46. The Lord speaks of this period: “The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” Matt.13.41-43. The solemnity of these things ought to grip our hearts, and fill us with the desire to see sinners saved, that they might enjoy the glory of that future reign, and be delivered from eternal banishment from the presence of God.
In the early days of his reign Solomon said, “But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent” 1Kgs.5.4. It will be so too at the commencement of the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE COMPASS OF HIS REIGN
Several features of 1Kings chapter 4 combine to give a clear picture of the extent of Solomon’s reign.
Solomon’s kingdom brought the nation together administratively to a greater degree than ever before. This is demonstrated in the lists of names of “princes” and their specific responsibilities, vv.1-6, and the “twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household”, all with their own clearly demarked places of operation, vv.7-19. That each of the twelve was responsible for a month of the year, v.7, points to a high level of organisation and co-operation.
The unity of the nation is also clearly portrayed in the use of the words “Israel and Judah” together. They were strong numerically: “Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude” v.20. This strongly echoes God’s promise to Abraham in Gen.22.17: “in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.” Such phraseology had subsequently been used by writers of Scripture of the enemies of God’s people, Josh.11.4; Judg.7.12, but now, in 1Kings chapter 4, for the first time it is used as a description of the numerical strength of His own nation.
Such strength in the nation is portrayed geographically too, as shown in v.25: “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” The border towns of Dan (in the north) and Beersheba (in the south) appear together in a number of different Old Testament Scriptures, to denote the full extent of the land. The vine and the fig both symbolise the nation, and the picture conveyed by “every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba” is one of a united nation, where every part of the country enjoyed the same amenable living conditions.
The position of the nation internationally also reached new heights. In Gen.15.18-21 God told Abraham the extent of the territory that He would give to his seed. In Solomon’s day, as recorded in 1Kings chapter 4, the great bulk of this territory came under Solomon: “And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life … For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him” vv.21,24. This was not a complete fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham, for not only were there places promised to Abraham that lay outside the territories of 1Kings chapter 4, but, also, there were places within it that still had their own territory and their own kings. They were under Solomon’s dominion, and they paid tribute to him, but they retained a measure of autonomy. Nevertheless, at this point in the nation’s history it came closer to control over the lands named in Genesis chapter 15 than it ever had before.
Finally, verses 29-34 of 1Kings chapter 4 show that the nation reached unprecedented heights illustriously. We are told of places, v.30, and people, v.31, renowned for wisdom, but who were surpassed by Solomon. Thus, “his fame was in all nations round about” v.31.
In all these aspects the nation reached its zenith under Solomon. And sadly, things have never been the same since. The reign of Solomon marks the ‘high water mark’ of the nation in terms of its internal unity and stability, and of its national power and international influence. In this, it represents the closest conditions and the clearest picture that we have in the Scriptures to the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is not until then that the extent of Solomon’s reign will be recovered; however, it will not merely be recovered, but surpassed in every degree! Then the promise to Abraham of the land will be fulfilled in its entirety; the nation will be united, never to be divided; the King, our Lord Jesus Christ, “shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth” Ps.72.8; “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one” Zech.14.9.
THE CHARACTER OF HIS REIGN
What would characterise Solomon’s reign was established when God spoke to him in a dream, as recorded in 1Kings chapter 3, and asked him, “Ask what I shall give thee” v.5. Solomon’s request was: “Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this Thy so great a people?” v.9. God was greatly pleased with this request, and responded: “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days” vv.12,13.
Thus, Solomon reigned over his people with God-given wisdom which enabled him to make decisions with discernment, resulting in righteous judgements. This was very quickly manifested at the close of the same chapter, where we read the account of the two women who came disputing to which of them the living child belonged, vv.16-28. Solomon’s wisdom and judgement in the case draw this concluding comment: “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment” v.28.
This reputation soon spread beyond the borders of the land: “And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom” 1Kgs.4.34. Hiram, king of Tyre, said, ““Blessed be the Lord this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people” 1Kgs.5.7; and, most famously of all, the queen of Sheba came, and stated, “It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made He thee king, to do judgment and justice” 1Kgs.10.6-9.
Not only does Scripture record Solomon’s wisdom, expressed in his righteous decision-making, but it also speaks of his expertise in a variety of fields, including botany and zoology, 1Kgs.4.33. It is also notes his many proverbs and songs, 1Kgs.4.32, many of which we can read in his books: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. His spoken words also testify to his wisdom and righteousness, for example in his prayer at the dedication of the Temple, where, among his many other wise words, he speaks of his people: “… that they may fear Thee all the days that they
live …” 1Kgs.8.40, and of his desire for strangers who come to them:
“… that all people of the earth may know Thy name, to fear Thee, as do Thy people Israel …” 1Kgs.8.43. There can be no doubt that, in those days, Solomon’s kingdom was characterised by order, wisdom, righteousness and the fear of the Lord.
All this beautifully pictures the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ: One Who did not need to ask God for wisdom, but Who is “Christ … the wisdom of God” 1Cor.1.24; One Who is inherently righteous, and Who ever and eternally makes just judgements; One Whose understanding is infinite, Ps.147.5. Scriptures that could be quoted in this regard are numerous; here is one: “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears: but with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins” Isa.11.1-5.
THE CONDITIONS OF HIS REIGN
Not surprisingly, with such a foundation of wisdom and righteousness, blessed conditions pervaded the life of the people under the reign of Solomon.
Peace
Peace was enjoyed by Solomon personally, both within his kingdom and in his relations with the nations round about: “For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him” 1Kgs.4.24; “and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon” 1Kgs.5.12.
The peace personally enjoyed by Solomon extended to all his people: “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely … from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon” 1Kgs.4.25. David had to fight wars to establish the kingdom, but Solomon did not. The battles were over; the peace had been won, and it was enjoyed by all.
This all points to the great reign, of even greater peace, that will yet take place in this world. In the “Psalm for Solomon”, we read: “The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness … In His days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth” Ps.72.3,7. Isaiah writes: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever” Isa.9.6,7.
Produce
Solomon’s kingdom enjoyed tremendous agricultural productivity. The record of the daily provision for him and his household is staggering: “And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl” 1Kgs.4.22,23. Yet it was not a case of a greedy monarch faring sumptuously, while his subjects were in hunger. We read in the same passage that “Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree” v.25.
It will be so in the Millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ: “There shall be a handful [‘abundance’ Newberry margin] of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth” Ps.72.16; “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of My people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them” Amos 9.13,14.
Prosperity
In light of all this, unsurprisingly there was unparalleled prosperity in Solomon’s kingdom. We often read the first part of 1Kings chapter 10, with its story of the visit of the queen of Sheba, but when we go further down the chapter, we read of Solomon’s profitable trading arrangements with other nations, and of the many valuable items brought to him. We get many insights into Solomon’s wealth, such as his drinking vessels of gold, v.21, and the fact that in Jerusalem silver was as abundant as stones, v.27. Well could the queen of Sheba say, “Behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard” 1Kgs.10.7 But, once again, this did not mean the people were in poverty. Solomon’s prudent and benevolent government meant that the nation shared in the benefits of his prosperity. We read, for example, of the people leaving Solomon: “and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had done for David His servant, and for Israel His people” 1Kgs.8.66. There was certainly no hint of discontentment there!
What prosperity there will be in that day when the Lord reigns on this earth! As Psalm 72 and other Scriptures show, there will be trade, tribute and material prosperity to surpass even that of Solomon’s day: “In His days shall the righteous flourish … The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts … He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy … to Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba” Ps.72.7,10,12,13,15.
However, even more wonderfully, there will be unprecedented spiritual prosperity, and the anticipation of this thrills the soul of every believer: “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” Isa.11.9; “Prayer also shall be made for Him continually; and daily shall He be praised. His name shall endure for ever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed” Ps.72.15,17.
A strong indication of how the conditions of Solomon’s reign picture those of Messiah’s can be seen by a comparison of two Scriptures: the first, already referred to, describes Solomon’s reign: “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon” 1Kgs.4.25; the second, written long after Solomon, looks forward to the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ: “But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it” Mic.4.4.
THE CENTREPIECE OF HIS REIGN
Solomon is, of course, famous for the Temple that he built in Jerusalem. We read of its planning and preparation, 1Kings chapter 5; its details and construction, 1Kings chapters 6 and 7; its dedication, 1Kings chapter 8; and God’s promise and warning to Solomon when all was done, 1Kings chapter 10. The city of Jerusalem and the Temple played a huge role in the life of the nation and in that of Solomon personally. When, for example, the queen of Sheba came to visit him, we read in 1Kgs.10.4,5 of eight things that she saw, the result of which was that “there was no more spirit in her”. The eighth, culminating, observation that led to this response was Solomon’s “ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord”.
The prophet Zechariah records concerning the Lord Jesus Christ: “Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord: even He shall build the temple of the Lord” Zech.6.12,13. Zechariah’s repetition of the words “He shall build the temple of the Lord” emphasise that it really will happen: the Holy Spirit, Who inspired the Scriptures, knew that there would be those who would deny it, and He leaves us in no doubt! The details of this Millennial Temple are given in the closing chapters of Ezekiel’s Prophecy.
Solomon built the Temple and was active in association with it, but, although he was the king, he could never function as a priest in connection with it. However, as the above verses in Zechariah show, the Lord Jesus Christ will not only reign as King; He will also officiate as Priest: “He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” Truly, He is “a greater than Solomon” Matt.12.42!
Under Solomon, the city of Jerusalem reached unprecedented heights of importance, influence and fame. Many flocked to the city and to Solomon: “So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year” 1Kgs.10.23-25.
All this is a foreshadowing of a coming day, when Jerusalem will be the capital of the world, the seat of its government, under the “King of kings and Lord of lords” Rev.17.14; 19.16. “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” Zech.14.16; “I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see My glory … they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord … And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord” Isa.66.18-20,23.
THE CONCLUSION OF HIS REIGN
The conclusion of Solomon’s reign presents many contrasts with the end of the Millennium, but there is one interesting, and sad, parallel: when Solomon’s time on the throne had run its course, there was a rebellion, led by a ringleader, Jeroboam. The agitators spoke to Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, saying, “Thy father made our yoke grievous … the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us” 1Kgs.12.4. This language is not in line with the record of Solomon’s reign in the previous chapters, from which words such as “grievous” and “heavy yoke” are absent. One is left with an impression that the complaints were unjustified, or, at least, exaggerated, and that the problem was likely more a case of them not appreciating how ‘well off’ they were, when they “dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon” 1Kgs.4.25. Hence their dissatisfaction and rebellion.
Even at the end of the greatest and most beneficent reign that this world will ever see, there will also be those who do not truly own or appreciate the King, and who will rise up in rebellion against Him. Jeroboam returned from exile to stir up the people against the house of David and lead the uprising, 1Kgs.12.2,3; so too Satan himself will emerge from the abyss, deceive the nations, and lead a rebellion against the Lord Jesus Christ, Rev.20.7,8.
But, thankfully, there the parallel ends. Whereas Jeroboam succeeded in dividing the kingdom, Satan and his hosts will be summarily defeated, and he and all those loyal to him will be cast into the lake of fire, Rev.20.9,10. And, while Solomon’s reign ended, the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His kingdom, will never end. After the thousand years, the current heaven and earth will pass away, and the new heaven and the new earth will be ushered in, Rev.21.1; 2Pet.3.10-13, but Christ’s kingdom will remain, and continue eternally: “He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end” Lk.1.33; “He shall reign for ever and ever” Rev.11.15. The Millennium will be the introductory stage of His eternal rule.
A Godly Israelite of Solomon’s day would gladly have echoed these words, found almost at the close of the “Psalm for Solomon”: “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things” Ps.72.18. While concurring fully with this statement, we can, in the light of New Testament revelation, go even deeper: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” Eph.1.3. Truly we can say, “And blessed be His glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen” Ps.72.19.