Reading: 1 Kings 4-7, Psalm 95
Well, Solomon is securely on the throne of his father David, and things are looking pretty darn good for the people of Israel now. Today we read about how Israel was populous, secure, and wealthy during the reign of Solomon. He makes strategic alliances, builds a strong military, some fantastic buildings, and wows the world with his knowledge. David has bequeathed a strong, peaceful kingdom to his son. At least, now that his other sons are out of the way.
Chapter 4 continues the author’s celebration of Solomon’s wisdom. This isn’t just a dull recounting of who ran what department in Israel, it is a revolution in the administration of the kingdom. During Judges and even the reigns of Saul and David, Israel was effectively a federation of tribal groups. We see them splinter off, ally with one another, fight each other, and ask why they should all follow one king. Solomon sets up an administration that crosses tribal boundaries, puts people from different tribes in positions of authority, and centralizes power in Jerusalem and his own household by marrying them into his own family. In short, it is during Solomon’s reign that Israel becomes a united nation. Though as we will see, the old disagreements are not wholly forgotten, and will resurface after Solomon dies. We are also told how Solomon is not only wise in matters of judgment, like the story at the end of Chapter 3, but in a scientific sense. When we read he “spoke of…” a wide variety of topics, it is being used in a professorial sense. He spoke with authority and understanding surpassing the most renown sages of his day.
This is all very good for Israel, and even better for Solomon himself. This short period of time, from the beginning of Solomon’s reign through the completion of the Temple, is very close to the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Israel at Sinai. They have gained the promised land, and they are as on top of the world as they will ever be. At the height of this prosperity, Solomon decides it is time to build a Temple to the God of Israel.
Building the temple is an interesting undertaking. No where does the story tell us that God wants a stone house to replace the tabernacle. The decision to build the temple is first David’s, which God rejects, and then Solomon’s, which he does not get in the way of. God’s promise that David’s descendant would build a house for the Name of God likely motivated Solomon, but it is not at all clear that this is what God meant.
All that said, the temple is pretty magnificent. Solomon imports giant trees, the best stone, even the most gifted craftsman, to build a larger and more permanent version of the tabernacle. And make no mistake, that is exactly what it is. Everything that the tabernacle was, this temple is. Remember the purpose of the tabernacle from way back in Exodus. This is a place to meet with God. A place where petition for atonement can be made and the relationship between a holy God and an unholy but purified humanity can occur. The ark, God’s throne, sits in the center of it, where only the High Priest can approach once a year. During the construction, God shows up and speaks to Solomon with a reminder: This temple is all well and good, but it is faithfulness to the covenant laws that matter. Solomon completes the work, and it is a fantastic building. But as we will see tomorrow, God will be issuing some more reminders that while it looks amazing, man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. The Temple is only as effective as the heart of the King and the High Priest.
Right next to the story about Solomon’s construction of the temple, the seat of God’s throne and place of God’s judgment, we have an account of the building of an even larger palace, the seat of Solomon’s throne and Solomon’s judgment. The details given aren’t enough for us to get a complete picture of what Solomon’s palace looked like, but it certainly gives the impression of something fabulous and impressive. It also takes almost twice as long to build as the temple. Solomon has build a Temple for the purpose of the glory of the God of Israel, but he has also build a palace to his own glory. Now we have two thrones, sitting right next to each other in Jerusalem. The throne of God sits in the Temple, and the throne of David’s heir sits in the royal palace.
Solomon’s reign, just like those of Saul and David before him, begins with hints of his undoing. His Egyptian wife. His accumulation of horses for military purposes. His massive palace build for his own glory. In subtle ways Solomon is starting down a path of rebellion from the Deuteronomy 17 laws for the king. Though he is the wisest man in all the world, he is still subject to the human problem, and he is not the faithful anointed one Israel is searching for.