1 Kings 4:20-28

Solomon’s prosperity 4:20-28

One explanation of the writer’s unusual reference to Judah and Israel (1 Kings 4:20) is that when he wrote Kings the nation had split, so perhaps the writer was using the designation that was common in his day. However, years before the formal division took place, northern and southern factions had already developed (cf. 1 Samuel 11:8; 1 Samuel 15:4; 1 Samuel 17:52; 1 Kings 1:35; et al.). Solomon’s kingdom was very populous (cf. Genesis 22:17) and peaceful (1 Kings 4:25; cf. Micah 4:4; Zechariah 3:10).

Usually when a great king died, the nations subject to his leadership would withhold taxes and rebel against his successor. This forced the new king to attack those nations to establish his sovereignty over them. However, Solomon did not have to do this. God gave him a peaceful reign in which he could concentrate on building projects. [Note: Patterson and Austel, p. 53.]

"To live in safety, in reliance on God (LXX elpizo, ’hope’), echoes Deuteronomy 12:10. God alone can provide this (Psalms 4:8; Proverbs 1:33; Deuteronomy 33:12; Deuteronomy 33:28)." [Note: Wiseman, p. 94.]

Even though Solomon controlled the land area promised to Abraham’s descendants in Genesis 15:18-20, his control did not fulfill these promises completely in his day. The city of Tiphsah (1 Kings 4:24) stood on the banks of the Euphrates River. The territory described did not lie within the geographic borders of Israel. [Note: See Gwileym Jones, 1 and 2 Kings , 1:146.] Israel’s geographic extent was only about 150 miles long, from Dan to Beersheba (1 Kings 4:25).

The figure of 4,000 stalls of horses (2 Chronicles 9:25) appears to be the correct one, rather than 40,000 (1 Kings 4:26). Horses and chariots were military machines at this time. These were Solomon’s weapons.

"At Megiddo, excavations have revealed stables for some 450 horses, as well as fortifications and the governor’s residence. Similar Solomonic constructions are likewise attested at Hazor, Taanach, Eglon, and Gezer." [Note: Bright, p. 192. Cf. William F. Albright, The Archaeology of Palestine, pp. 124-25.]