Daily Devotional for Saturday, March 1

The Reign of Solomon

“And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom,” 1 Kings 4:34.

Prosperity, peace and prominence on the world stage are the goals of nations across the globe. Some have achieved prominence. Others have become prosperous. Some have even established peace. Few have achieved all three.          

            Solomon ruled as king of Israel for forty years from approximately eleven hundred to nine hundred years before Christ. Archaeological surveys in the region have shown that the two major world powers, Assyria and Egypt, were in decline at this time. God orchestrated the rise of Solomon, precisely at this point in history, placing Israel on the forefront of the world stage. 

            Solomon’s kingdom was known for its prosperity, its peace and its prominence. King Solomon established order and the entire nation prospered. Solomon appointed his closest advisors to key positions of authority. He divided the expansive land into twelve regions and appointed officers to provide for all the needs of his household. He excelled in jurisprudence, government administration, diplomacy, commercial trade, architecture and construction, zoology, forestry, poetry and music just to name a few. The geographical extent of the land Israel controlled under King Solomon was larger than at any other time in the nation’s history. The children of Israel enjoyed forty years of peace. 

            The prosperity, peace and prominence Israel enjoyed during this forty-year period of its history was a direct result of the immeasurable wisdom God imparted to Solomon. Nations suffer throughout the world today because of leaders who do not seek godly wisdom. May we never fail to intercede in prayer for our leaders and all those in authority, “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).

THOUGHT

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).

Karen Meigs