“Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, besides that which the explorers and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon. King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of beaten gold went into each shield. And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; 300 shekels of gold went into each; and [he] put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold. The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom. All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold… Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon… Once every three years the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
“Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and of gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year. And Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. And he ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt…
“Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.” 2 Chronicles 9:13-17,19b-26,30
The magnificence and opulence of Solomon’s kingdom takes the breath away. Construction of the temple, securing of vast lands, unimaginable wealth and wisdom matched with vast knowledge, variety, beauty, and order stokes every sense to marveling. As astounding and marvelous this ordinary man who could accomplish and rule over so much in peace, there brewed in the unseen a trouble that would soon erupt in familial dissension, cruel greed, and a divided kingdom. (1 Kings 4:24-34; 2 Chronicles 8:1-8; 9:31-11:1)
His indulgence in many wives loosened Solomon’s spiritual guard, and ability to amass wealth further divided his focus. A heart needs constant maintenance to remain whole. (1 Kings 11:1-4; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 29:19; Matthew 6:24
On what do I set my eyes and heart? Am I aware of the foibles and traps that power and prosperity bring? Beware their captivation and jostling of the soul! What brewing greed or infiltration of misplaced foreign affections is God bringing to light? Where have I valued trinkets and power over the treasure of Christ? Once we recognize hidden idolatry and insidious self-promotion, we can return to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 11:13-16; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:10)
“No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)
Lord, in this season of giving and receiving, help me prioritize and praise You for Your indescribable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:13-15)
As the rain and snow 