How solemn are the ways of God in government! We cannot escape His dealing hand, whether as an individual or a nation, if we walk in self-will. Israel in the Old Testament were set to display these ways of God before the nations, and what lessons we can learn from His Word in this connection. God has caused Israel’s history to be written down for us, so that we might profit by it. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition.” 1 Cor. 10:11.
We see with Solomon that when God would use him to display His governmental ways, He gave him every opportunity to prove himself, so that if there were any good in him (by nature) it would be brought out. God therefore blessed Solomon as no other king had ever been blessed before, nor has been since. God gave him wisdom, wealth, and power, and Solomon was able to do all that he purposed to do. He said, “I withheld not my heart from any joy.” Eccles. 2:10. But with all these blessings and privileges in his hands, he proved unfaithful in the very things God had said the king over His people was not to do. (Deut. 17:16, 17.) Alas, he even went after other gods in the latter part of his life!
It appears that Solomon’s downfall began at the end of this ninth chapter, when he began to multiply silver and gold, contrary to God’s command. Although God had promised to give Solomon riches, yet in his desire to get exceedingly much, he went after gold as his object. He even gave some of the cities of Galilee to king Hiram to get it. God has promised to supply our needs, but alas, we often go after too much of this world’s goods to our sorrow, as Solomon did.
Nevertheless God gave Solomon space to repent, as He always does. The first steps of departure may hardly be noticed, especially when outwardly God continues to bless as He has before, for He is ever slow to judge His people. So it was here; Solomon’s kingdom was established, and all the Amorites, Hiites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites who were left in the land were brought under a tribute of bond service. Solomon also made a navy of ships, bringing still more gold to his mighty kingdom.
When the glory of Solomon’s reign was at its peak, the queen of Sheba came from her far country to see him and to hear all his fame concerning the name of the Lord. It is a touching story, full of interesting details, for it forms a picture of the fulfillment of Zechariah 14, when in the millennium all the kings of the earth will come up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. What a marvelous time that will be, and what glory will be seen then, as the very glory of heaven itself will be seen from the earthly Jerusalem! (Isa. 4:5; Rev. 21:24.)
Let us consider a few details in this interesting account of the queen of Sheba’s visit, in its application to us. She had many hard questions for which no answer could be found in her own land. How many of us are in the same position in this matter! There are many things we do not understand in this world, but, thank God, there is a day coming when we shall have the answer to all these perplexing problems. When we see the Lord Jesus, the true “Solomon”—the One who is “made unto us wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:30)—we will fully understand, just as the queen of Sheba’s hard questions were all answered when she saw King Solomon.
ML 02/05/1956