ORGANIZED LEADERSHIP. 1st Kings 4:1-34 In any social setting, whether a nation, a church, a family, or even a marriage, there must be some ordered structure to keep chaos and confusion to a minimum. God has established an order we call "headship" in nations, assemblies, and families. "The powers that be are ordained of God" keep nations in an order that preserves its citizens from acting independently to the detriment of society. Elders are made by the Holy Spirit to "feed the flock of God." Husbands are the "heads" of the wives who assume the responsibility of providing for the needs and guidance of the family.
Solomon designated areas of responsibility to eleven officials who were to take care of the specific needs of the government. Twelve governors were to be managers overseeing the taxing and gathering of supplies from each of the twelve areas of the nation. Solomon was passed on a unified kingdom by David, his father. During those years of David's reign, the kingdom of Israel was expanded. That unity would be maintained during and throughout Solomon's reign. Some of those who served under David continued in their service in allegiance to Solomon. Azariah was the grandson of Zadok, and his father, Ahimaaz, died. Azariah would succeed Zadok as the priest. Others are listed, and their responsibility to Solomon is identified.
Effectiveness in government depends on effectiveness in the organization. To maintain this order, you need a wise man to be the head of the government. Solomon was that man for his day and nation. Good organization helps people work in harmony and enables them to achieve the goal intended in the best possible way. When we serve the Lord our God, we must remember we are stewards of all our Master has given us. It is our responsibility to do our work as well as we can and in a careful way, as a wise person should. No one person can do everything. Some people have abilities that make them efficient in certain areas of work. A wise leader learns what each person can do and designates the work when that ability is used correctly.
District and tribal governors could keep track of all the needs to maintain a military and support the growing civil service. Each of the governors had eleven months to prepare for and provide for the needs of the central government by gathering what was necessary from their district. Government service became an extensive body of people who had to be kept by those of "forced labor." Some of these men were related to Solomon. The nation's prosperity depended on Solomon's ability to provide guidance and wisdom to the needs of the people. He had to pass judgments to keep order as well as provide guidelines for the future.
Spiritual maturity isn't limited to the years a person has lived. It is discerned by how a person lives and what they have produced for God through the gifts with which they have been entrusted. If a person is quiet and consistent among God's people, do not discount their ability and wisdom. "It is better to close your mouth and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Usually, the wiser a person is, the less they will flaunt their wisdom. They will be inclined to keep their counsel unless it is asked for.
Many people think they know the answer to the problems and don't even know the question. Please pay attention to the person who keeps his counsel until he is asked for an opinion or judgment. When he does answer, if he gives what the word of God says about a matter, he is a true wise man. He may explain the scriptural passage and apply it to the present circumstances. That kind of person and his reply can be trusted.
The size of the kingdom of Israel reached beyond the limits God had promised Abraham. David had conquered those tribes around, so the kingdom he handed over to Solomon extended from the Euphrates River in the north all the way south to Ezion Geber at the north end of the Gulf of Aqaba. The food and supplies to support Solomon and those in his service were tremendous. He had 1400 chariots, and two horses were needed for each one. Besides this, he needed other horses for spares. Vast amounts of animal feed were taken from the people, and the extravagant living at the palace, besides the standing army, would regularly take a significant quantity of supplies.
Because Solomon reigned over a peaceful nation, the population worked to provide a good living for themselves and those who led them. Peace, prosperity, and security are possible when the tremendous cost of warfare does not have to be paid. When a nation is united, there is an awareness of God, and trust and obedience to Him are genuine, then that nation can peacefully prosper even though there are high taxes to be paid.
The Lord Jesus Christ noted Solomon's wisdom when He was here. He said Solomon's wisdom was great, "but a greater than Solomon is here.” The understanding of Solomon in a wide variety of subjects is addressed in the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, as well as some of the Psalms.
At that time, other wise men were well-learned and famous as teachers and counselors, but the wisdom given to Solomon by the Lord set him apart from those people. The people of the Middle East learned a lot from Solomon and his observations of all that was happening around him. Solomon understood nature and why things were the way they were. He also understood people and their reactions to life and knew what they needed to hear to live properly.
If and when we are called upon to give some insight into a difficult matter, pray openly and out loud about the specific matter that has been brought to your attention. Consider carefully what the Bible has to say about that matter and subjects related to it. Get help, if possible, from other reliable sources. Then, form a precise and understandable statement using as few words as possible to clarify your conclusion.
They had longed for peace for many generations before peace finally came to the Israelites. The days of conflict were finally over. Dan at one end, to Beersheba at the other, the country had rest. Even the lands annexed beyond the stated borders lived in peace and prosperity. Everyone had full and plenty, and there was some left over. As those in the past, we must remember that when given much – much is required. If our prosperity is going to last, that bounty is inspired and provided by God alone.
Life from the vine that brings lasting joy to the heart is not there just by random chance. The sustenance for growth that flows from it becomes fruit through the strength and consistency of the quiet branch. As a branch joined to the Vine, our Lord Jesus Christ, I am responsible for remaining at my post so others find abundant life and live eternal life now. The fig tree bears its seasonal fruit but functions all year round. Similarly, I must apply myself to my work and declare the Gospel publicly and faithfully. When the time of visitation comes, I will know all the blessings from it are from God. He has His plans and purposes; my work is to obey my Lord.
To understand so much of what God has done in creation and maintaining the universe is such a remarkable order, far exceeds what is natural to man or humans can describe in even the most profound scientific terms. The breadth of understanding God gave Solomon would produce pride in any person unless the Holy Spirit is allowed complete control and uses that person to bring blessing and peace to God’s people. The Lord is still the same and, for similar reasons, gives a large heart to some people so that others might be given at least a measure of understanding. No one has everything needed to fill up all the present demands, but God, from His infinite storehouse of wisdom, has given spiritual gifts that, when combined with other people and their gifts, we can do all He commands.
It is well that I listen and understand what other saints have done and that each one can share the gifts God gave them to use to accomplish the work He wants done. A task done in unity with others is done well. How gracious of God to distribute such gifts so that His people can function together. He hasn’t given one man all that is His. Accumulated wisdom is revealed when we gather together not to spend time trying to settle the world’s problems. Our calling is that we all rise above the things going on, for God can only solve them. Ours is to show that we’re His disciples by our love and to further the interests of the kingdom of God.
Solomon wrote many proverbs inspired by God. We read them, and through them, we learn how to apply them to ourselves so that we might live for the Lord. We are to keep and practice some things, and we are to reject others. People came to hear Solomon and see what he did. To them, he was the wisest man on earth. We belong to heaven and are linked by the bands of the new birth to One who is greater than Solomon. Now, we are told to send all our treasures of worth to heaven, where He is.