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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
28 Form Five Student’s Book