Solomon's Prosperity

Read 1 Kings 4, 9-10, Psalm 72
 
1 Kings 4:20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They were very contented, with plenty to eat and drink…29 God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore…32 He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. 33 He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish. 34 And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.
 
THIS is a one-time description of Israel living in such bounty. As you know, the nation’s history since Exodus has generally been stained with disobedience of God and disunity toward one another.  
   But here was an interlude of peace. God paused the conflict to shape Israel into the nation he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: Genesis 22:17 “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies.” The LORD also demonstrated his blessing promise of Leviticus 26:3-6 “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 6 I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from  the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.”
   The starting point of this blessing fulfilled is Solomon’s wisdom. God’s wisdom in the king overcame many obstacles in Solomon’s heart. The young, unproven leader became wise to solve disputes and to properly care for his people. A nation under a wise ruler will become a nation of peace. When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. (Proverbs 16:7)
   The same is true for your household. Solomon said much about wisdom’s blessings you will read in Proverbs. It will be good for us to prepare our hearts to receive this from God through his gifted servant.