King Solomon was richer and wiser than any other king in the world. They all consulted him, to hear the wisdom that God had given him.
And he couldn’t educate his own son (2 Chronicles 10:8)? And what of all those riches (2 Chronicles 36:17-19). Better to invest elsewhere (Psalm 78:4; Matthew 6:19-21).
During his reign silver was as common in Jerusalem as stone, and cedar was as plentiful as ordinary sycamore in the foothills of Judah.
During Solomon’s reign, everything was about him and Jerusalem. Little thought was given to others and the rest of the country.
The rest of the history of Solomon from beginning to end is recorded…
I do wonder what will be written about me. Anything?
Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. He died…
Not a word about his many wives and subsequent idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8)? This book truly sanitizes (whitewashes?) history. The books of Kings is so much more useful. May I be an honest and faithful witness, Lord!
Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all the people of northern Israel had gathered to make him king.
All the people that were excluded from Solomon’s golden age.
King Rehoboam consulted the older men who had served as his father Solomon’s advisers. …But he ignored the advice of the older men and went instead to the young men who had grown up with him and who were now his advisers.
Consulting your youthful peers is not getting council – it’s reinforcing a decision already taken. To be avoided.
They replied, “This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.’ Tell them, ‘My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with whips; I’ll flog you with bullwhips!’”
Arrogance. Intoxication of power. SELF.