1 Kings 10
Bible Passage: 1 Kings 10
The description of Solomon’s creative designs of the palace and his wealth makes one go “wow!” The whole palace must be filled with grandeur and glittering with gold everywhere!
When the queen of Sheba saw all these marvels, “there was no spirit in her”! (v 5)
Are you able to imagine the splendor of Solomon’s wealth and wisdom when you read this chapter?
I think the descriptions of Solomon’s splendor and the expressions of the queen of Sheba are no exaggerations, for all his officials were eyewitnesses and beneficiaries to the king’s wisdom and blessings.
Furthermore, news of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth traveled to many parts of the world, so much so that people from all over the world wanted to seek an audience with King Solomon.
As for me, yes I was amazed by the kind of wealth and wisdom Solomon possessed, but what made me thought deeper were the nagging questions, “Were all these wealth necessary?” and “Did all these wealth and wisdom benefit the people of Israel or only to the king himself?”
While Solomon’s wisdom and wealth were still evidence of God’s abundant blessings, it seems that his great wisdom, wealth, and power had distorted his moral judgments in the proper use of these blessings.
As we can see that the influx of food described in chapters 4 to 5 had been replaced by an influx of luxury goods in this chapter. (vv. 10 – 12, 22, 25). What were the apes and monkeys or peacocks for?
Solomon also did many things that were against the commandments of God, for example, before there were even kings in Israel, God had already made clear to them,
But he (the king) shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, “You shall not return that way again.
Deuteronomy 17:16
Then what did Solomon do in this chapter? Another “wise” trade tie and political move with Egypt?
Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought
them in Keveh at the current price.
1 Kings 10:28
It is indeed true that when a man is given power and wealth, he would tend to do the desires of his own heart to the utmost.
A man can be very happy to have much wealth, but the question is whether this rich man can enjoy his wealth or not, for it is useless for a man to have great possessions but unable to enjoy it.
As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to
eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor–this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 5:19
Wealth is needed in many aspects of our lives, but having an excess of it may cause us harm if we do not make good and proper use of it, especially in things that are beneficial to our fellow man and able to glorify God.
Being rich is not a sin, but we must have the right attitude regarding our riches. We can’t bring money into our graves, but money (or the love of money), can bring us into our graves! (ref. 1Tim. 6:10)
We often see the glories of the things which Solomon was enjoying, but let us also draw some lessons of warnings for us today through his wealth and wisdom.
Wisdom and blessings from God are indeed very good and important to our spiritual lives, but we must not misuse them as we are often inclined to.
May God help us to understand that “godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Shalom!