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1 Kings 4 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
This was the golden age for Israel as we read in verses 20-21…
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore; they ate and drank, and were happy. 21 Solomon’s kingdom included all the nations from the Euphrates River to Philistia and the Egyptian border. They paid him taxes and were subject to him all his life.
1 Kings 4:20-21 GNB
A big reason for this was the wisdom God had granted Solomon and his decisions to keep a tight reign over his responsibilities. He was organized and structured. Solomon was renowned both in Israel as well as internationally.
The picture that’s painted may cause us to envision a culture where everyone is sitting back to leisurely enjoy the pleasures of life. That was not the case at all.
Each of those deputies for a month in turn provided food for King Solomon and for everyone who came to King Solomon’s table. They neglected nothing. 28 Each man brought the barley and the straw for the chariot teams and the other horses to the required place according to his assignment.
1 Kings 4:27-28 HCSB
As I mentioned earlier, Solomon ran a tight ship. Every one of his officials and advisors had responsibilities that were important for the kingdom’s future. The text here describes a culture of cooperation, diligence, and unity. Let’s just think about that for a moment. As we step back and gaze at the Church today at large, do we find the same? Do we see lots of people with different skills being diligent with their gifts in order to carry out the plan according to the assignment given by God, or, do we see people who want to be served and catered to?
Can you imagine if one of these deputies would have come to Solomon and said, “I don’t think I’m going to provide food this round because I’m too busy.”
“Solomon, I don’t like the music… I don’t like the food selections… I can’t work with that person, he is annoying.”
Each carried out the plan according to his assignment. They neglected nothing. I believe the gritty, hard-nosed attitude described in this chapter is lacking in the Church today. One day we will come before God and face the reality of whether or not we took the assignment given to us and accomplished it to the best of our ability with the tools we were provided. Some will quit. Some will complain. Some will persevere. Which one are you?