1 Kings: Walk Before Me Faithfullyنموونە

So great was the fame of Solomon and Israel that the Queen of Sheba (a place in either Ethiopia or Yemen) visits him. Her praise is not limited to Solomon personally but is directed to God. In verse 9, she uses standard Old Testament language to praise God, reflecting her knowledge of God’s character. Her praise is a small glimpse of God’s goal: to bless the nations through the descendants of Abraham.

This period is the highpoint of Israel’s history in the Old Testament. The descendants are numerous and Solomon rules over kingdoms as far as the Euphrates (4:24), as promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:18. Now this chapter describes some of the extraordinary blessing showered on Israel, where gold is so abundant that silver counts for nothing (v. 21). The promises to David concerning a dynastic kingdom and a temple are fulfilled. It remains only for all the nations to come to Israel for blessing for all of God’s promises to Abraham and David to be realised. 

At the same time, we ought to have some concern. The abundance of gold and wealth seems now to adorn Solomon’s own palace (vv. 16–21) rather than bless the nation as a whole. Has wealth, though promised by God in 3:13, become a snare for the king? 

Likewise the chariots and horses, even from Egypt (v. 28), suggest a reliance on military might rather than on God. Deuteronomy 17:16–17 cautions future kings against the acquisition of both wealth and military might, specifically forbidding obtaining horses from Egypt. Ironically, Solomon’s days are the best of times but also the worst of times. 

Wealth is a great danger for Christians in any society. In the wealthy West, Christians can accumulate wealth and name it as a blessing from God, but it is little more than worldly glory. In fact, it hides a growing lack of trust in, and walking with, God. While the so-called prosperity gospel seems to shift the focus onto wealth as an indicator of faithfulness to God, the case of Solomon ought to caution us against that link.

Reflection

Is the accumulation of wealth a significant aspect of your Christian walk?