Written
by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
Judah and Israel [were] many, as the
sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the
Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served
Solomon all the days of his life. And Solomon's provision for one day was
thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Ten fat oxen,
and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and
roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
For he had dominion over all [the
region] on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings
on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. And
Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.1st Kings
Chapter 4 verses 20 to 25, highlight 20 and 25
The wealth of
any nation lies in the minds and hands of the citizens of the nation. A nation
of godly refined people who deploy their minds and hands for wealth creation
will definitely enjoy abundant and sustainable wealth. The nation of Israel prospered economically and spiritually under the
leadership of certain Kings - David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah.
Significantly,
nations can be amply supplied with whatever resources are required for their
development and economic prosperity irrespective of the population size.
The
Bible records that though Judah and Israel were densely populated during the
reign of King Solomon; yet the needs of the people were met. There was
abundance of food and drinks as well as other resources. Money denominated in
silver and gold was abundant. In point of fact, it was recorded that silver was
as common as sand in Israel.
Additionally,
there was peace and security in the land; justice and equity. The people were
therefore safe and sound, happy and content with what they had. It was also a
time of great spiritual awakening and responsibility on the part of the
leadership and the people. All of these culminated in great national
development and economic prosperity because the leadership of Israel at that
time was godly.
King
Solomon creatively deployed the wisdom of God in him in every sphere of life.
He used it extensively to create wealth through the strategic relationships and
alliances he forged with Israel’s immediate neighbors. He had strong bilateral
trade relationship with King Hiram of Tyre. This ensured that Israel got choice
cedar and pine logs which were used for building both the temple and the palace
from Tyre. Additionally, Solomon’s men were trained on logging and cutting of
timber in Tyre. In return, Solomon supplied food to the royal household of
Tyre. Both countries also had peaceful relations and people were gainfully
employed. No one took advantage of the other. It was a mutually benefitting
relationship in which each party was duly rewarded; drawing from the strengths
of one another. Where expertise and skill was lacking in Israel, Hiram also
supplied such expertise, for instance, the outsourcing of Huram the designer.
Please read 2nd Chronicles Chapter 2 verse 7, 13 to 14 and 1st
Kings Chapter 7 verses 13 to 14.
King
Solomon monopolized trade in chariots and horses in the region – the royal
merchants purchased them from Egypt and Kue and sold them to the Kings of the
Hittites and Arameans. Please read 1st Kings Chapter 10 verses 26 to
29.
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