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The prosperity of such a reign was commensurate with the fact that it was based upon
the Divine promises, and typical of far greater blessings to come. The notices in 1
Kings 4 and 5 are strung together to indicate that prosperity by presenting to our view
the condition of the Israelitish monarchy in the high-day of its glory. Wise and
respected councilors surrounded the king.^84
The administration of the country was orderly, and the taxation not arbitrary but
regulated. The land was divided, not according to the geographical boundaries of the
"tribes," but according to population and resources, into twelve provinces, over each of
which a governor was appointed. Among their number we find two sons-in-law of the
king (4:11, 15), and other names well-known in the land (such as those of Baana, ver.
12, probably the brother of "the recorder," ver. 3, and Baanah, the son of Hushai,
probably David's councilor, ver. 16). Had this policy of re-arranging the country into
provinces been sufficiently consolidated, many of the tribal jealousies would have
ceased. On the other hand, the financial administration, entrusted to these governors,
was of the simplest kind. Apparently, no direct taxes were levied, but all that was
requisite for the royal court and government had to be provided, each province
supplying in turn what was required for one month. Such a system could not indeed
press heavily, so long as the country continued prosperous; but with a luxurious court,
in hard times, or under harsh governors, it might easily become an instrument of
oppression and a source of discontent. From 1 Kings 12:4 we gather that such was
ultimately the case. It need scarcely be added, that in each province the supreme civil
government was in the hands of these royal officials; and such was the general quiet
prevailing, that even in the extensive district east of the Jordan, which bordered on so
many turbulent tributary nations, "one sole officer" (1 Kings 4:19) was sufficient to
preserve the peace of the country.
Quite in accordance with these notices are the references both to the prosperity of
Israel, and to the extent of Solomon's dominions (1 Kings 4:20, 21). They almost read
like an initial fulfillment of that promise to Abraham, "Multiplying I will multiply thy
seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy
seed shall possess the gate of his enemies" (Genesis 22:17).
And if, compared with the simplicity of Saul's and even of David's court, that of
Solomon seems luxurious in its appointments,^85 we must remember that it was
intended to show the altered state of the Israelitish monarchy, and that even so the daily
consumption was far smaller than at the court of the Persian monarchs in the high-day
of their power and glory.^86
But the fame which accrued to the kingdom of Solomon from its prosperity and wealth
would have been little worthy of the Jewish monarchy, had it been uncombined with
(^)