I Kings Chapter 4
Please read: I Kings 4 -
The reign of Solomon was one marked by many remarkable greats. He was great in military strength, great in the size of his country, great in organization, great in wealth, great in wisdom and in decision making. But there is one statement in the middle of this passage that stands out and that is “Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba.” It had been a long time since these people felt safe and secure in their own country. This is what God wanted for them when He brought them into the promised land.
It would be so advantageous if we as a Christian nation would examine the way Solomon ran his country. He was concerned first with pleasing God and every decision stemmed from the wisdom and understanding he received from God. The wisdom that God gave Solomon was so great that people travelled from all over the world to hear him speak. When we function from a place of being in God’s will we are truly effective.
Let's Reflect
1. The chapter begins by explaining the organization that Solomon established in his kingdom. Two of the names listed in the first six verses were carried over from his father David’s kingdom. They were the two priests. What were their names?
2. What was the responsibility of the twelve officers who carried out a specific task, one per month?
3. How do verses 20 and 25 describe the state of Solomon’s kingdom?
4. When it was their turn, the 12 officers also took care of what? See verse 28
5. How was the wisdom of Solomon described that God gave to him?
6. Part of having great wisdom and understanding is the ability to produce great works of literature. What was accredited to Solomon’s name in verse 32?
7. A beautiful thing happens when people begin to gain wisdom and knowledge of God, they gain an appreciation and understanding of the whole of God’s creation. What types of things did Solomon enjoy talking about?
8. Allow yourself a few moments to think about the kind of life that Solomon and the people of Israel enjoyed all because of the blessings of God being poured out on a man who sought after the wisdom of God.
