NOVEMBER, 16 2025 – PROSPERITY

READ: 1 Kin. 9:10-25: … Then Hiram sent the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold … to build … built …

It is now the 24th year of King Solomon’s reign. The reign of peace and prosperity under Solomon has reached its highest point. The service of the LORD, the administration of justice, the economy, trade, and social life—all have risen to great heights.

Chapters 9 and 10 bear witness to this. As long as Solomon perseveres in his obedience to the LORD, things go exceedingly well for Israel.

Hiram, the king of Tyre—the capital of the Phoenician empire north of Israel—contributed greatly to the building of the temple and palace in return for payment. Hiram now offers Solomon an additional 120 talents (about 3,600 kilograms of gold). In return—probably as payment for the gold—he receives a number of cities in northern Israel, though he is not very pleased with them.

Solomon appoints non-Israelite laborers, remnants of the original population. Israel was commanded by the LORD to wipe them out completely but failed to do so; they were then accepted as forced labor (Judges 1:28ff; 2:20ff).

At the same time, the LORD used them to test the Israelites, to see whether they would adopt the idolatry of these nations. Now Solomon employs them to build defensive walls and fortresses in various places (v.15). This includes the fortress of Millo near Jerusalem.

The city of Gezer, previously inhabited by the Philistines is also mentioned. This city was destroyed by Pharaoh and given to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. She then moved from her palace in Jerusalem to this city (7:8; v.24).

Altogether, Solomon’s activities largely concern the construction of many important buildings and fortifications. The service of the LORD (see also v.25), the administration of justice, and the defense of land and people are central. All of this benefits the people as a blessing from the LORD, with peace, security, and prosperity.

Is Solomon a type of Christ?
Sing: Ps. 21:2