The riches of Solomon
1 Kings 8:62 – Chapter 10
The wealth of King Solomon is as legendary as his wisdom, and today we read of that wealth.
This description, though, isn’t tinged with the kind of bitterness or envy often found in modern descriptions of the very wealthy, but instead is filled with pride: Solomon’s wealth represents the wealth and prosperity of God’s people.
Clearly the common person didn’t have a marble throne, but they did share in the prosperity. Verse 10:27 says, “The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.”
Today we also read the story of the Queen of Sheba visiting Solomon to see his wealth and wisdom for herself.
She, too, seems wise when she observes, “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”
Even this foreign queen recognizes that Solomon is blessed not for his own sake but for the sake of his people.