1 Kings 3 - Introduction

CHAPTER FOUR

SOLOMON'S GOVERNMENT 1 Kings 3:4 to 1 Kings 4:34

At the outset of his reign, Solomon received a special endowment from God that enabled him to wisely govern the vast empire which he had inherited from his father. The author of Kings focuses attention on the administrative structure of the empire because that structure was a manifestation and proof of the divine wisdom which God had granted to Solomon. In this section the main points of emphasis are: (1) the endowment of this king (1 Kings 3:4-28); (2) the management of his kingdom (1 Kings 4:1-19); and (3) the wonderment of this reign (1 Kings 4:21-34).

REVIEW OF CHAPTER FOUR

I. FACTS TO MASTER

A. Identify each of the following new characters who are introduced in this section:

1. Adoniram

4. Azariah ben Zadok

2. Ahiah

5. Azariah ben Nathan

3. Ahishar

6. Basmath

7. Chalcol

11. Heman

8. Darda

12. Jehoshaphat

9. Elihoreph

13. Taphath

10. Ethan

14. Zabud

B. Know how the following places fit into the history recorded in this chapter:

1. Azzah

5. Jerusalem

2. Beersheba

6. The River

3. Dan

7. Tiphsah

4. Gibeon

C. Important Numbers

1.

The number of stalls for Solomon's horses

2.

The number of tax districts in Solomon's kingdom

3.

The number of Solomon's proverbs

4.

The number of Solomon's songs

II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.

How old was Solomon when he became king?

2.

Why did Solomon ask the Lord to give him wisdom in his dream experience at Gibeon? Why was the Lord pleased with his request?

3.

What proof is offered in these Chapter s that God actually kept His promise to give Solomon wisdom?

4.

How did the court of Solomon differ from that of his father David? What new offices were created under Solomon?

5.

What system was used to supply provisions for Solomon's court?

6.

What evidence is there that the number of horse stalls in 1 Kings 4:26 should read four thousand instead of forty thousand?

7.

Are the Ethan and Heman mentioned as wise men in 1 Kings 4:31 mentioned elsewhere in the Bible?

8.

What was the nature of Solomon's wisdom?

9.

Why did God direct Solomon to Ask what I shall give you (1 Kings 3:5)? Would God have asked that question of just anyone?

10.

How can a Christian obtain greater wisdom? James 1:5

Drawings by Horace Knowles from British and Foreign Bible Society