God answered Solomon’s prayer for a “hearing heart.” He could size up a situation or problem and devise a solution with great skill. He did that with the two women claiming the same child and then chapter 4 illustrates his administrative genius as well.
Solomon establishes a well organized Internal Revenue Service with the genius akin to Joseph in Egypt. He divided the nation into twelve tax districts and equitably divided the expenses throughout the year to these twelve districts.
Solomon was to establish the greatest nation on the earth. It was full of advances in every area of human interest and every convenience modern technology could afford. The government led the way in making life safe from aggressors, prosperous for the diligent, challenging for the visionary and comfortable for the down and out. He provided education for the ignorant, food for the indigent, work for the industrious, safety for the threatened, direction for the lost, inspiration for the discouraged, and wisdom for the wayfarer.
But a major problem will develop in Solomon’s life that has been observed by many over the years. You’ve heard it before, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
By the end of his reign, Solomon’s heavy taxation is used to advance his luxurious lifestyle. He builds palaces for his wives, stables for his many horses, brothels for his concubines, gardens for his entertainment, and much more! Percy Bysshe Shelley said it well in his poem:
“Power, like a desolating pestilence, Pollutes whate’er it touches.”
Chuck
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” Philippians 2:2