Solomon sets up his court

 According to the Biblical account, the young King Solomon soon proves his mettle. He displays astonishing qualities which establish his fitness for the new role bestowed on him. The year may be around 975 BC.

First, he must be decisive and clear. He brooks no disobedience not disloyalty, and clearly follows his father David's instructions in regard to his subjects in Judah and Israel. Therefore, while offering a leniency which allows a disloyal subject (such as Shimei son of Gera the Benjaminite) space for repentance, he is nonetheless quick to act when Shimei is disobedient (I Kings 2: 36-46).

But decisiveness was not enough. He must also have humility. Turning to the one God in prayer, he humbly asks for wisdom in his new role. In fact, Solomon was soon to become known throughout his world as a model of wisdom, and the tipping point was how he handled the case of the two mothers - see chapter 3: 16-28.

Good government requires willing, capable and trustworthy key  people to serve in leadership positions. Here is the list of some of the office bearers (copied from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson) at this time:

• Azariah son of Zadok—the priest
• Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha—secretaries
• Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud—historian
• Benaiah son of Jehoiada—commander of the army
• Zadok and Abiathar—priests
• Azariah son of Nathan—in charge of the regional managers
• Zabud son of Nathan—priest and friend to the king
• Ahishar—manager of the palace
• Adoniram son of Abda—manager of the slave labor.

Figure 1: Palestine under the House of David - Palestine during the time of David and Solomon. 

Reproduced from: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Solomon?utm_campaign=b-extension&utm_medium=chrome&utm_source=ebinsights&utm_content=Solomon

Unfortunately, the idealistic young man was later to lose sight of his noble aims, and immense power and wealth were to divert his attentions. Bible scholar Thomas Leishman reminds the reader of Jesus' response to the famed leader: 

"Later Christ Jesus could refer to "Solomon in all his glory" (Matt. 6:29), noting that all the magnificence of Solomon could not compare with the beauty of the wild flowers of Galilee. Indeed Jesus knew, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (verse 24), or, as Goodspeed translates, "You cannot serve God and money."" 

[From the January 1968 issue of The Christian Science Journal, "Solomon in all his glory". See also Leishman's books "The Continuity of the Bible, available from many Christian Science Reading Rooms.]

But this is getting ahead of ourselves. For now, the young monarch is endeavouring to follow in the footsteps of his father King David.

Julie Swannell