Times of Plenty

Finally, the nation was strong and secure.

Surrounding nations had been subdued and no longer posed a threat to the very existence of Israel. The population was increasing, and food was plentiful.

“For many years Solomon’s life was marked with devotion to God, with uprightness and firm principle, and with strict obedience to God’s commands.

He directed in every important enterprise and managed wisely the business matters connected with the kingdom. His wealth and wisdom, the magnificent buildings and public works that he constructed during the early years of his reign, the energy, piety, justice, and magnanimity that he revealed in word and deed, won the loyalty of his subjects and the admiration and homage of the rulers of many lands.

“The name of Jehovah was greatly honored during the first part of Solomon’s reign. The wisdom and righteousness revealed by the king bore witness to all nations of the excellency of the attributes of the God whom he served. For a time Israel was as the light of the world, showing forth the greatness of Jehovah. Not in the surpassing wisdom, the fabulous riches, the far-reaching power and fame that were his, lay the real glory of Solomon’s early reign; but in the honor that he brought to the name of the God of Israel through a wise use of the gifts of Heaven.” “And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life” (1 Kings 4:21). “Solomon’s empire consisted, in part, of a group of small, semi-independent vassal states that were ruled by their own kings but acknowledged the suzerainty of the Hebrew king and paid him an annual tribute.” From Dan to Beersheba and even beyond Israel’s borders, all lived in peace and plenty. “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase” (Proverbs 3:9).