Solomon’s Wealth and Wisdom

In the pride of his ambition and prosperity Solomon engaged in very extensive building enterprises. A description of some of his ambitious projects is given in Eccl. 2:4–10, which included houses, gardens, orchards, pools of water—‘whatsoever mine eyes desired.’ Anxious to surpass the glorious achievements of all nations about him, Solomon’s ambition carried him into enterprises that were against the purposes of Heaven and the best interests of the state. The heavy burdens placed upon the people soon became intolerable and led to discontent, bitterness, and ultimate revolt.” Solomon raised his annual revenue through tributes paid by subjugated nations, taxes, levies on international trade, and his own commercial transactions. Solomon’s wooden throne was overlaid with an ivory and gold veneer.

Silver was so plentiful that it ceased to be of any value (1 Kings 10:27).

“The gathering of chariots and horsemen is a sign of military conquest and extension of empire by force. The accumulation of horses was expressly against the purpose of God, who directed that Israel’s future king should ‘not multiply horses to himself’ (Deut. 17:16). Gains secured in such ways would in the end prove to be only loss. Solomon realized it not.” Solomon sat squarely on the trade route from Egypt to Syria and acted as a middleman for horses and chariots. “Commerce is an honorable calling and brings many just and worth-while returns. But it also offers many temptations and often provides a swift road to ruin. As the people of Israel became more and more interested in worldly gain, they found themselves straying further and further away from God.” “Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6).