4. The burden of taxation. With a splendid court, an immense harem, and a wealthy nobility came high prices and high taxes; the rich growing richer rapidly, the poor becoming poorer. The events of the next reign show how heavy and unendurable these burdens grew.
5. Heathen customs. With the foreign peoples came the toleration of idolatry, its encouragement, and all the abominations connected with it. Jeroboam could not have established his new religion (1 Kings 12. 28) if Solomon had not already patronized idol-worship.
6. Underlying all was the old tribal jealousy of Ephraim and Judah, fostered by an able leader (1 Kings 11. 26), ready to break out in due time, and to destroy the empire.
After all, it is uncertain whether the reign of Solomon was a golden or only a gilded age.
Blackboard Outline.
I. Rei. Sol. 1. Cl. thr. 2. Acc. 3. Emp. [Lands. Cities] 4. For. rel. 1.) Ty. 2.) Eg. 3.) Ar. 4.) Ind. 5.) Sp. 5. Buil. 1.) Tem. 2.) Pal. 3.) For. cit. 4.) Aque. 6. Sins 1.) For. mar. 2.) Tol. idol. 3.) Mag.
II. Gen. Asp. Isr. 1. Pea. 2. Str. gov. 3. Abun. weal. 1.) Conq. 2.) Trib. 3.) Com. 4.) Tax. 5). Pub. build. 5. Lit. art.
III. Dan. Per. 1. Abs. pow. 2. For. wor. 3. Lux. cor. mor. 4. Bur. tax. 5. Hea. cus. 6. Tri. jeal.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.
What is meant by the Golden Age of Israel?
Who was Solomon?
How did Solomon obtain the throne?
What events marked his accession?
What lands were included in his empire?
What were the frontier cities of the empire?
With what foreign countries did Solomon have relations?
What resulted from his alliance with Tyre?
What innovation came from Egypt?
Who visited Solomon from Arabia?
What were the early names of Spain and India?
What four classes of buildings were erected by Solomon?
What were the different parts of his temple?
What was the name given to Solomon's palace?
Name some of the cities which he built and fortified.
What other public works did he build?
What three kinds of sin did Solomon commit?
What was his motive in seeking foreign marriages?
Name five general aspects of Israel in Solomon's reign.
What were the benefits of the peace at that time?
What was the characteristic of Solomon's administration?
What opportunity did the age give to a great empire for Israel?
What were the sources of the wealth in Solomon's age?
How was it a period of literary activity?
What ancient legend illustrates the dangers of Solomon's age?
What were some of these dangers?
Wherein did Solomon set aside the Israelite constitution?
What was the defect in the religion of Solomon's time?
What evils resulted from the wealth of that time?
What caused heavy taxation?
What heathen customs were introduced?
What showed that tribal jealousy was still existing?