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The Wealth Of Solomon

Nation Building

There are many other sources of income and expense not covered in this study. For example, we have no idea of Solomon’s income from trading merchants, the kings of Arabia, or from the governors (1 Kings 10:15). Nor do we know how successful he was importing and exporting chariots and horses (1 Kings 10:29). There is no way to account for the value of all the gifts he received (2 Chronicles 9:9, 23-24).

On the expense side, there are also many not covered: Solomon’s ivory throne overlaid in gold, with golden lions on either side ( 1 Kings 10:18), the golden cherubim (2 Chronicles 3:10, 21-22), and all the household implements.

Perhaps the greatest expense would be building the nation, cities, fortifications, store houses, store cities, garrisons and chariot cities. Solomon was a wise king and the son of a warrior. He would have known that strength was the best deterrent. Ignoring his kingdom’s cities would not be wise. If he kept a standing army of 24000 (something unheard of in those days), along with a highly mobile strike force of 4000 chariots and 12000 horsemen, he would not neglect fixed defenses.

1 Kings 9:10-14 gives some background. Solomon began building the temple in the 480th year after the Exodus. From that time, until Solomon finished the temple and his house (500 years), few if any cities were rebuilt or refortified. If fixed defenses were strengthened by anyone, the Bible makes no mention of it. This is why when Solomon offered Hiram of Tyre 20 cities in Galilee, Hiram said, “What kind of cities are these...?” It sometimes takes an outsider to open your eyes. Solomon suddenly realized his nation needed fixing.

There may also have been a another reason. David built a magnificently powerful army. But after 20 years, the veterans were either retired or replaced. The new rank and file were not “the mighty men of old”. This would be added incentive for Solomon to bolster the kingdom’s security with fortifications.

Ten cities are mentioned by name besides Jerusalem: Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer, Lower Beth-Horon, Baalath, Tamar, Ezion-Geber (1 Kings 9:15-19), Hamath-Zobah, Tadmor, and Upper Beth-Horon (2 Chronicles 8:3). Solomon also built chariot cities, cities for his horsemen, and store cities. He also ruled over Hamath (Syria, which David conquered and garrisoned in 2 Sam 8:6). Building store cities in Syria was necessary to supply the troops on the northern frontier.

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