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Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools


             Solomon promoted trade. He built a fleet  married  many women, which was
             of trading ships within and outside Israel.  against the covenant law. Solomon had
             This promoted and improved standards  700 wives and 300 concubines, and his
             between Israel and the neighbouring  wives turned his heart away from God
             states. He was a good administrator. He  (1 Kings 11:1-3). He allowed his wives
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             re-organised the monarchy by dividing  to continue  worshipping their gods in
             it into districts, each governed by men  Israel. These  wives came  with  their
             of his own choice. It immensely helped  gods to the land of Israel and built altars
             him in revenue collection (1 Kings 4:7-  for them (1 Kings 11:8). Solomon also
             19).                                     practised idol worship. He worshipped

                                                      Ashtoreth, the god of Sidon, and
             He promoted friendship and peace with    Molech, the disgusting god of Ammon
             his neighbours through  his marriages.   (1 Kings 11:5).
             For example, he got the city of Gezer as a
             wedding gift from the Pharaoh of Egypt.
             He built the cities of Hezam, Megiddo    He imposed forced labour during the
             and Gezer, which were strategic places   construction of the temple. For example,
             for economic  development  (1 Kings      he deployed 30,000 men and had 50
             9:15-16). He made Israel known to the    officials  in  charge  of  forced  labour  (1
             rest of the world. This is evidenced when   Kings 9:23). He heavily taxed the people
             the queen of Sheba visited him carrying   to meet his building project and sustain
             gifts (1 Kings 10:6-10).                 his court and the expenses of his wives.
                                                      He imposed heavy taxes on the people
             Solomon developed infrastructures; for  in order to support his projects. He was
             example, he built ports (such as Geber),  extravagant. For example, he used 5000
             which were used to exploit  copper       kg of the fine floor, 10,000 litres of olive
             deposits,  which helped  to  develop     oil, 10 stall-fed cattle  and 100 sheep
             Israel. He built a strong and professional   from the oppression of the people (1
             army.  This was used to defend Israel    Kings 4:2-23).
             against Israel’s neighbours and expand
             the frontiers of Israel (1 Kings 10:26).   He committed murder. He killed Joab,
             He dedicated the temple to God, which
             symbolised Israel’s re-dedication to the   Shimei and his brother  Adonijah for
             service of Yahweh.                       having organised a coup during David’s
                                                      reign,  which  was against  the  covenant

             Failures of King Solomon                 law. He practised idolatry and apostasy.
             Solomon was met with  many failures  His foreign wives influenced him to idol
             because of misusing his wisdom. He  worship. He constructed pagan shrines

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