1 Kings 4:20-34
20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. 21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life.
22 Solomon’s daily provisions were thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, 23 ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle and a hundred sheep and goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl. 24 For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides. 25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree.
26 Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses, and twelve thousand horses.
27 The district officers, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king’s table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking. 28 They also brought to the proper place their quotas of barley and straw for the chariot horses and the other horses.
29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite-wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
Related Text:
1 Kings 10:1-13
Psalm 72
Proverbs 13:10
Proverbs 16:16
Proverbs 23:23
Matthew 12:28-42
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Crazy to Think About
Did you know that Solomon was a big-time multimillionaire, probably a billionaire? In 1 Kings 10:14, the Bible tells us that Solomon received the equivalent to $250,000,000.00 (that’s $250 million) worth of gold each year from the kings of Arabia. He also sold horses, exotic goods, and copper and bronze from his mines. He would be considered one of the richest men in today’s global economy, so there’s no question he was one of the richest men alive during his time.
He he never sought riches or personal glory and prestige. He began by simply seeking God’s wisdom and a desire to be obedient to his Lord. The wealth was just a bonus, a blessing God gave to Solomon. Solomon knew that no amount of money, fame, or honor could buy what God was offering. Here’s how it went down in 1 Kings 3.
Solomon had been king for a while, and when he was on a trip to Gibeon to sacrifice at the alter of the Lord, God spoke to Solomon in a dream. God told Solomon to “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1 Kings 3:5) In verse 9, Solomon says, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
Just sit and think for a bit. Here was a king of a nation who had a chance to ask for anything, and God would deliver. He didn’t ask for wealth, he didn’t ask to be the greatest king, he didn’t ask for military victory or to conquer all the lands, he wanted to be a good leader and to have a discerning heart so that he could follow God’s will for His nation.
So here’s God’s answer, “”Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for-both riches and honor-so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:11-14)
Now, this isn’t a study about how you can ask God for wisdom and He will fill up your bank account. God’s blessings aren’t always financial blessings. Try to live today more focused on God than your finances, more concerned about God’s plans for your life than the stuff you own or want to own. When you spend some time in prayer today, think about asking God for some intangible stuff, some things that money can’t buy. Ask Him to make you a better leader at work or in the home, ask Him to renew your joy or to use you in someone’s life. Be kingdom minded today.
