1st Kings 4:1-34
ORGANIZED LEADERSHIP In any social setting whether it be a nation, a church, a family or even a marriage there must be some kind of 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 the whole society. Elders are made by the Holy Spirit to "feed the flock of God." Husbands are the "head" of the wives to 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 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. Effectiveness in government depends on effectiveness in organization. To maintain this you need a wise man at 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, it is important for us to remember we are stewards of all that 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.
Solomon was passed on a unified kingdom by David his father. During those years of David's reign, the kingdom of Israel was expanded. During the last part of his reign, and all through Solomon's reign, that unity was able to be maintained. Some of those who served under David, continued in their service in allegiance to Solomon. Azariah was the grandson of Zadok so apparently his father, Ahimaaz, had died. Azariah would succeed Zadok as the priest. Others are listed and their responsibility to Solomon was identified. 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 is capable of doing and designates the work to be done when that ability is used properly.
District and tribal governors would be able to keep track of all that was needed to maintain a military and support the growing civil service. Each one 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 own district. Government service became a seriously large body of people who had to be kept by those of "forced labor." Some of these men were related to Solomon. The prosperity of the nation depended on the ability of Solomon 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 number of years a person has lived. It is discerned by how a person lives and what they have produced for God through using the gifts with which they have been entrusted by God.
The size of the kingdom of Israel reached to 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 amount of food and supplies to support Solomon and those in his service was huge. The number of chariots he had was 1400 and two horses were needed for each one. Beside this he needed other horses for spares. Huge amounts of animal feed, was taken from the people and the extravagant living at the palace, beside the standing army, would take a great amount of supplies on a regular basis.
Because Solomon reigned over a peaceful nation, the efforts of the population was put into providing a good living for themselves and those who led them. Peace, prosperity and security are possible when there is not the great cost of warfare to be paid. When a nation is united and there is an awareness of God, and trust and obedience to Him is real, then that nation can peacefully prosper even though there are high taxes to be paid.
Solomon's wisdom was noted by the Lord Jesus Christ 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. There were other wise men at that time who were well-learned and famous as teachers and counselors, but the wisdom given to Solomon by the Lord set him in a place by himself among those people.
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 are going to 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 they don't even know the question. Pay attention to the person who keeps his counsel until he is asked for and opinion or judgment. When he does give an answer, if he gives what the word of God says about a matter he is a true wise man.
He may give an explanation of the scriptural passage and apply it to the present circumstances. That kind of a person and his reply can be trusted.
The people of the Middle East learned a lot from Solomon and his observations of all that was going on around him. He understood nature and why things are the way they are. He also understood people and their reactions to life and he knew what they needed to hear to live properly.
If and when we are called upon to give some insight to 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 regarding the matter using as few words as possible to clarify your conclusion.
1Kings 4:25. “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” VINE AND FIG TREE. It had finally come, the peace they longed for The days of conflict were finally over From one end to the other the country had rest Everyone had full and plenty and there was some left over We must remember, as those in the past When given much – much is required If the prosperity we have is going to last That bounty is by God alone inspired.
The vine that brings lasting joy to the heart Is not there just by random chance The sustenance for growth that flows from it Comes to fruit through the quiet branch As a branch joined to the Vine It is my responsibility To remain at my post so others find The abundant life is life eternally.
The fig tree bears its seasonal fruit But it is functioning all year around Similarly, I must apply myself to my work And declare out the Gospel sound When the time of visitation comes I will know it is all from God He has His plans and purposes My work is to obey my Lord.
“I thank Thee, Father, for the harvest seasons. It seems like a lot of what I do is fruitless, but knowing Thee and Thy ways, at least in a measure, leaves me contented to keep planting and watering. I really would rejoice at being in a harvest field when Thou shalt save some precious souls. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
1Kings 4:29. “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand on the sea shore.” LARGENESS OF HEART. To understand so much of what God has done Far excels what is natural to man The breadth of understanding God gave Solomon Would produce pride unless the Holy Spirit can Be allowed full control and use 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 that others might be full.
No one has everything that is needed To fill up all the present demands But God from His wisdom has gifts provided That we might do all He commands It is well that I listen and really hear What other saints have done and can tell
The gifts God gave them to use, each one can share And the work He wants done is done well.
How gracious of God to distribute such gifts That His people can function together He hasn’t given one man all that is His. Accumulated wisdom is revealed when we gather We don’t spend time settling the world’s problems. Our calling is that we all rise above The things going on, for God only can solve them Ours is to show we’re His disciples by our love.
Solomon wrote proverbs that were inspired by God We read them and through them we learn How to apply them that we might live for the Lord What things we are to keep, and what things to spurn. People came to hear him and see what he did. To them he was the wisest man on earth. We belong to heaven and now we are bid, To send there, all our treasures of worth.
“Father, I pray that this day I will truly set my affection on things above, not on things of this earth. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”