Solomon’s Political Organization
December 25, 2021
Commentary
This chapter demonstrates the wisdom God gave Solomon to fulfill his administrative leadership of Israel. The kingdom was divided into twelve districts and each was governed by an overseer. Solomon appointed 11 chief officials over his government. Three men, (v. 1) Azeriah, (v. 2) Zodok, and (v. 3) Abiathar were priests. Elihoreph (v. 4) and Ahijah (v. 5) were scribes or secretaries. This was a very important position as the scribes prepared royal edicts that affected trade, commerce and military alliances.
Jehosaphat was the recorder who kept all the important records of the daily affairs in the kingdom (v. 6). He had held this same position in David’s kingdom (II Sam. 8:16). Benoiah was commander in chief of the army (v. 7). He commanded both prestige and power. In the process he demonstrated unflinching power to the king. Two men are listed as sons of Nathan. One was Azariah (v. 8, who was in charge of the 12 district officers. The other, (v. 9) Zabud swerved as the King’s personal advisor.
Ahishar was in charge of the palace, perhaps overseeing the other servants and workers (v. 10). Adoniram supervised the forced labor who were the non-Israelites living in Israel and compelled to work for the king (v. 11) (5:13, 14). Solomon made each of the 12 district governors responsible to supply provisions for his royal household and for his thousands of horses(v. 28). Each territory was responsible for provisions for one month and then they rotated. This obligation was staggering as Solomon’s provision for one day was 195 bushels of fine flour and 390 bushels of meal, 10 fat oxen, 20 pasture-fed oxen, 100 sheep and other deer and fattened fowl (I Kings 4:22-23).
Application
I am like a ship that almost sank, but the Lord brought me through the storm. I will one day be whole physically and spiritually because I am forgiven.
Isaiah 33:13– 24 (NET)
13 You who are far away, listen to what I have done! You who are close by, recognize my strength.”
14 Sinners are afraid in Zion; panic grips the godless. They say, “Who among us can coexist with destructive fire? Who among us can coexist with unquenchable fire?”
15 The one who lives uprightly and speaks honestly; the one who refuses to profit from oppressive measures and rejects a bribe; the one who does not plot violent crimes and does not seek to harm others —
16 this is the person who will live in a secure place; he will find safety in the rocky, mountain strongholds; he will have food and a constant supply of water.
17 You will see a king in his splendor; you will see a wide land.
18 Your mind will recall the terror you experienced, and you will ask yourselves, “Where is the scribe? Where is the one who weighs the money? Where is the one who counts the towers?”
19 You will no longer see a defiant people whose language you do not comprehend, whose derisive speech you do not understand.
20 Look at Zion, the city where we hold religious festivals! You will see Jerusalem, a peaceful settlement, a tent that stays put; its stakes will never be pulled up; none of its ropes will snap in two.
21 Instead the Lord will rule there as our mighty king. Rivers and wide streams will flow through it; no war galley will enter; no large ships will sail through.
22 For the Lord, our ruler, the Lord, our commander, the Lord, our king— he will deliver us.
23 Though at this time your ropes are slack, the mast is not secured, and the sail is not unfurled, at that time you will divide up a great quantity of loot; even the lame will drag off plunder.
24 No resident of Zion will say, “I am ill”; the people who live there will have their sin forgiven.
Illustration: EM Bounds The Power of Prayer
E. M. Bounds says in his classic book, The Power of Prayer: “Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men…What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use–men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men–men of prayer.” (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author