In his great wisdom, Solomon chose capable men to be his officials and governors. Through the use of such men he was able to govern and maintain control over a vast amount of territory which stretched from the border of Egypt in the south to the Euphrates River in the northeast. This represented Israel at her largest extent, a large piece of land that included modern day Palestine, the Sinai, Syria and parts of Jordan and Lebanon. Israel at this point was at peace which allowed all her inhabitants to enjoy the wealth and prosperity God had provided.
Solomon was not a warrior. He was a sage, a wise man. His God-granted wisdom allowed him to maintain the peace and administer justice with equity thus ensuring tranquility. His wisdom surpassed that of the wisest men of Egypt and Babylon and presented a powerful testimony to the greatness of Yahweh who stands alone as God. And Solomon used his wisdom not just to rule but also to teach others the fear of the Lord God. He used his abilities to help others.
Solomon’s proper use of wisdom should serve us as an example that we should seek the prosperity and well-being of others, not demand it for self. This attitude of self-promotion and self advancement seems to be the way many politicians and people live their lives. They want for themselves and do not care for others. And this is also true even in the church and among those preachers who promote a message of health and wealth. They may preach about God but they often do so to ensure prosperity for themselves at the expense of others. No one ought to profit at the expense of others.
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