62. Solomon.—On David's death his son Solomon ascended the throne. Bathsheba was his mother. He began his reign well. When God gave him his choice between riches and wisdom, he chose the latter (1 Kings 3:5-15). He it was who carried out David's plan for a "magnifical" temple in Jerusalem, where he built the most splendid temple that the world had so far seen. His prayer at the dedication of the temple is a most remarkable one (1 Kings 8). His fame spread through the world, and on one occasion the Queen of Sheba, in Arabia, journeyed over one thousand miles to make him a visit. Her astonishment at what she saw and heard in Jerusalem is told in 1 Kings 10. In amazement she cries out, "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 exceed the fame which I heard."
63. But alas! Solomon did not continue as well as he began. To enhance his glory and extend his political power, he made alliances with idolatrous sovereigns. He married the daughter of Pharaoh, and besides this had multitudes of wives, who led his heart astray (1 Kings 11:1-8). God's warning, given in the same chapter, seems to have been disregarded.
64. Samuel's Warnings come True.—In Solomon all the warnings of Samuel as to what would come on the nation if they persisted in their choice of a king were fulfilled (1 Sam. 8:1-18). He also disregarded what God had said through the mouth of Moses, as recorded in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. He multiplied taxes to such a degree that the people were not able to bear them. His court life was most luxurious and enervating, and the demands of his wives for all manner of indulgences were continuous. In this way, though there was much outward prosperity, the seeds of decay were sown with prodigal hands. Of course the end of such a policy could be only disaster, though the king in his mad search after power and luxury failed to see the approaching storm. However wise he may have been, as shown in his proverbs, he lacked that practical wisdom which begins in the fear of God. He went steadily down hill, and only his fame, and his reputation as being the son of David, saved him from overthrow. But immediately on his death the consequences of his misrule showed themselves in a most pronounced way, in the disruption of the kingdom. Like Saul and David, he also ruled over Israel for forty years.
Test Questions
What ostensible reason did the Israelites give for asking for a king?
What other and truer reason did they urge?
What had God to say about this request of the people?
What good did Saul accomplish?
Why was Saul rejected by God from being king?
How did Saul come to his end?